In a rush? Our TOP PICKS Are Below

For a deep dive on sticks keep scrolling!

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Best All Rounder

Pro-Mark American Hickory 5A Wood Tip

A classic pair of 5A Wood Tip drumsticks. Perfect for beginners and seasoned pro's. These sticks offer balance and versatility.

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BEST Drumsticks on a BUDGET

RAW HICKORY DRUMSTICKS

RAW Drumsticks are made from 100% hickory wood just like their more expensive rivals.

Available in 5A, 7A & 5B with a choice of wood or nylon tips.

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BEST Drumsticks FOR JAZZ

VATER 7A CLASSICS WOOD TIP

Lighter & Thinner than a standard 5A, these vater sticks offer a more controlled feel perfect for jazz & lighter styles.

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BEST Drumsticks FOR METAL & ROCK

Vater Classics 5B Nylon Tip

Heavier & Thicker than a 5A, these 5B Vater's are perfect for heavier playing styles. plus the nylon tips offer a defined cymbal sound & more durability.

 

Drumstick Sizes Explained: 5A, 7A, 2B and More

Ever wondered what the difference is between 5A & 7A Sticks? Stick sizes are typically labeled with a number and a letter. Here’s what they mean:

Size Weight Width Best For
7A Light Thin Jazz and softer styles
5A Standard Medium All-round use, versatile across genres
5B Heavy Thick Rock, metal, louder playing
2B Heaviest Thickest Hard rock, heavy metal, powerful strokes

💡 Quick Tip: The lower the number, the thicker and heavier the stick. "A" sticks were originally designed for orchestra (lighter), while "B" sticks were made for concert bands (heavier).

Wood vs Nylon Drumstick Tips

The tip of the stick affects both your sound and playing feel. Here's a quick comparison:

Tip Type Sound Feel Best For
Wood Warm, mellow, soft attack Softer feel with less bounce Jazz, pop, acoustic styles
Nylon Bright, articulate, sharp attack Harder feel with more bounce Rock, metal, defined cymbal sound

Choosing the Right Sticks for You

  • Beginner?

    Start with a classic 5A Wood Tip for balance and versatility. This is probably the most popular stick type and as you're play style evolves you can try different stick types.

  • Do you play jazz or lighter styles?

    Try 7A for a lighter, more controlled feel. We would typically recommend a Wood Tip for jazz due to the warmth and softer attack they produce.

  • Do you play metal or heavier styles?

    Try a 5B or 2B for durability and power. Also consider trying a Nylon Tip especially if you play hard to prolong the life of your sticks.

Of course none of these rules are set in stone and part of the fun is experimenting and seeing what works for you!

Our Picks in 5A

Best All Rounders & Best Drumsticks For Beginners

Our Picks in 7A

Best Drumsticks For Jazz & Lighter Styles

Our Picks in 5B & 2B

Best Drumsticks for Metal & Heavier Styles

FAQs

Do you have sticks in store I can try?

Of course we have a large range of sticks in store you can try out from numerous brands such as Vic Firth, ProMark and RAW.

I'm still unsure about what to buy can you help?

Yes we'd be more than happy to offer tailored advice, either pop in store, give us a call or email info@drumshop.co.uk