[jhilldrums]

I went to Guitar Center in Natick mass a month ago and for $9.99 each I got 2 bags each with 10 pair of factory seconds, either Vic Firth's or Vaters, not sure, but not Pro Mark. Anyway, I have played for about 7 hours a week for 3 weeks on one pair of nylon tips and have not broken them yet. The edge about 3 inches down is thinned from the crashes and hats, but still strong and not one lose tip! Save your big bucks and grab some.