Best Marching Sticks?

[collinb]

What are the best sticks to practice with for drumline next season?

[Mr. Intensity]

The best sticks are the ones you and the line feel the most comfortable. Every line uses different sticks for the same reason; they work for them. You're going to have to go out and try as many as you can.

For a start, you can't go wrong with Vic Firth Ralph Hardimon's or Scott Johnson's and Pro-Mark System Blue DC-50's are pretty popular.

I myself prefer the Vic Firth Murray Gusseck "M-Dawgs" and the Innovative Percussion FS-TF Tim Fairbanks Field model.

But really it's all up to what feels the best to you guys. Hope this helps some.

[runner_422]

For Practicing use the Vic Firth Magnums and use the scott johnson sticks to perform with

[vicfirthrules10]

we used to use the ralph hardimans. i liked them. but now we use tom aungst indoor and outdoor sticks. i like the aungst sticks better.

[Thudpaw]

I got used to using Vic Firth MS2Ns in Crossmen back in the day, still use them. They are getting harder and harder to find however. :( Long, heavy, and feel really good balance-wise.

Also, if you are looking for a HEAVY *** pair of sticks that will really give you a good workout, look for the Dennis Delucias. LOGS!!

[David Hollywood]

The Vic Firth SRH (Ralph Hardimon) sticks are probably the most popular. Those are great sticks but I personally prefer the Vic Firth STH (Thom Hannum) sticks. The new "M-Dawgs" are pretty cool as well...

[StevSha]

I use Jeff Queen Solo sticks. Light fast and perfect for tricks.

[Mr. Intensity]

I use Jeff Queen Solo sticks. Light fast and perfect for tricks.

Not necessarily the best for a line though. They do have "solo" right in the name. But, for individual stuff, you're right on there.

[Thudpaw]

Light sticks? Booo! I even think Hardimans are bordering on too light. I like them when they have a good layer of tape on them though. Hannums? eh, ok. I've not tried the m-dawg. i'll check them out though.

[Mr. Intensity]

Light sticks? Booo! I even think Hardimans are bordering on too light. I like them when they have a good layer of tape on them though. Hannums? eh, ok. I've not tried the m-dawg. i'll check them out though.

Thud, I have a feeling you'll like the M-Dawgs. I'm a IP guy, I like the FS-TF's, but on a whim I bought the M-Dawgs and I love them. They are thicker than Hardimons, but the balance (if you get the right pair) is incredible. Mine were good, but when I taped them (double taping with the 1/2 overlay, no gap- full length) they became awesome.

[Thudpaw]

I'll check those out! I always double-tape with a 1/2 overlay full length.

[timdrums08]

I personally like the Ralph Hardimon indoors or the Ralphie jrs. as some like to callem. I've used Scott Johnsons, Mcnutts and some other sticks as well, and i thought these were all a bit to shaft heavy and it really gave your hands some major vibrations. Hardi outdoors are good for practice sticks, they have a good balanced weight to them.

[Mr. Intensity]

I'll check those out! I always double-tape with a 1/2 overlay full length.

I used to just do westcoast style, the 3/4 way, very little overlay (1/8 inch) but after trying a pair of FS-MM with the full length 1/2 overlay, I knew there was no going back.

Oh, on a random note, Crossmen are using the IP FS-PR2's this year (thanks to my friend on the snare line for the info). They are gonna be insane this year.

[RHS Drumline]

I dig the hannums right now. We use them for indoor though.

[Ehrin]

I've always loved the Tom Aungst sticks. They have an excellent rebound and have enough weight to make the drum speak without being too heavy. It you've looking for something to work your forearms, get a set of MS4 Magnums. They used to be the Dennis Delucia model before he defected to an inferior company. They're really heavy and short so they make you work to get rebound and speed. I use these a lot as practice sticks.

[Redeye]

you really can't go wrong with any vic firth sticks...


My personal favorites: MS2, MS3 (the old Jim Cassellas) McNutts and Hardimons. I like the McNutts the best, IF I can find a good pair.

[mutt_78]

I have the magnums, the compressed, empregnated wood ones, they're heavey. i love hardimons, and i really like the one... i can't think of his name right now. they're heartwood hickory, so slightly darker, and slightly heavier, i love those things. BUT>>> i played tenors, but i used those heartwood sticks, with a good wrapping. they felt great. i loved the extra length they gave me over my mallets.