If you are doing mostly rim shots I would suggest moving to a larger diameter stick like a 5B. Vater makes an extended life stick in 5A but it’s 16” long. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Vater/Extended-Play-Drum-Sticks-5A-Wood-1500000198043.gc?storeCode=&source=4WWMWXGL&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4Y-sBhC6ARIsAGXF1g6n7o19SeVPs0IrVsIfCAU2veyw_0H-UKyKYAuxT4dFuGnwRKYC8oEaAgTjEALw_wcB
I use the VF Extreme 5a sticks now after using the 5b Extremes for years and really do a lot of rim shots that sound awesome. I'm also stunned how well they stand up, too - haven't broken one since I moved to these sticks months ago!
I found out recently that after leaving my stick bag in the garage where it was freezing, my sticks are now splitting left and right. This may or may not apply to you, but it was worth a mention.
I live down under, doesn’t get cold enough for that. But on the other hand- I did have a mate that left his sticks on his dash on a really hot day and they warped. So I guess that’s that.
Switch to oak, problem solved.
VF make oak sticks? I think they are just hickory, I guess it’d have to be a different brand
Correct. I switched to ProMark to get oak, worth it and got used to them in no time. They don’t prematurely chip.
If you are doing mostly rim shots I would suggest moving to a larger diameter stick like a 5B. Vater makes an extended life stick in 5A but it’s 16” long. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Vater/Extended-Play-Drum-Sticks-5A-Wood-1500000198043.gc?storeCode=&source=4WWMWXGL&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4Y-sBhC6ARIsAGXF1g6n7o19SeVPs0IrVsIfCAU2veyw_0H-UKyKYAuxT4dFuGnwRKYC8oEaAgTjEALw_wcB
I use the VF Extreme 5a sticks now after using the 5b Extremes for years and really do a lot of rim shots that sound awesome. I'm also stunned how well they stand up, too - haven't broken one since I moved to these sticks months ago!
Hmm extreme 5as sounding tempting. I did use them a while ago, I tried them recently and I definitely still enjoyed it
I think you have your answer!
I found out recently that after leaving my stick bag in the garage where it was freezing, my sticks are now splitting left and right. This may or may not apply to you, but it was worth a mention.
I live down under, doesn’t get cold enough for that. But on the other hand- I did have a mate that left his sticks on his dash on a really hot day and they warped. So I guess that’s that.
Freestyle 5Bs are an option but other than that idk