[Andy B]

so what do you use

[butter]

I voted for Pro-Mark Hickory, even though I don't use Pro-Mark. I do use hickory.

I have been wanting to try Pro-Mark Japanese Oak sticks for a long time now, though. Apparently they are stronger. Otherwise I think material isn't very important, but could have an effect on cymbal sound initially.

[xxvenom13xx]

Ehhh, as far as drumsticks go, here to be Captain Obvious, it is a mix of various factors.

We all here know that it also depends on the circumference of the stick, the type of drumstick head, and the weight of the material used, and whether the material is a metal alloy, plastic, or wood.

Yes, I believe about a quarter of the importance of the drumstick is the material used to make it; I don't say this because I am a science geek, but because it does matter to me. Some material is just better for metal than others, same for jazz, funk, country, and other genres.

I mean, you have to think, different trees have very different uses, and there are categories of "hard" wood and "soft" wood. (Get ready for a geek out) Oak, for example, is a dicotyledon, or a hard wood, and is prominently used in furniture; Hickory, another type of hardwood, on the other hand, is less "hard" than oak (typically, unless there is a large amount of resin), and for that reason is used for drumsticks because it creates a sort-of resonant sound (unless my little brother is using the stick, then it creates a BLUH sound).

Anyway, I shall stop the geekness now. Carry on.

[Andy B]

Venom ....i'm not interested in sizes and diameter or weight i'm collecting data for a book i'm writing ..........???????
so i am collecting lots of data on lots of drum related issues....feedback is a good aid...and it saves on questionaires

[xxvenom13xx]

Well, you asked if material in drumsticks mattered, and I answered your question.

And, frankly, if you are really writing a book, those are driving factors in stick selection. Unless you are doing a real statistical analysis, this little survey won't do you much good.

By the way, don't talk to me like that unless it's grammatically correct.

[Tainojim]

OUCH, that hurts.

[Der Trommler]

I agree Venom, there is no need to talk to anyone like that here.

Andy I have already addressed this in the Sponge Bob thread, but because I am reading this after my reply there I will say this again, and this time it will be far less politically correct.

If I see another post of yours that has the slightest hint of disrespect towards another member here it will be your last.

[drumtech]

None listed in the poll. I prefer Hickory for some applications and Maple for others (like Jazz). I have used Oak and Metal, but don't like the "feel" or resonance/vibration in my hands.

[Andy B]

The pole shows that Hickory is the main stick that most drummers recognize and use.

So what about Hickory....?

Its a Tree in the genus Carya found in Asia minor as Archic "goddess of the nut" (from Ancient Greek κάρυον "nut") are commonly known as Hickory.....
They are found in Asia as well as America mountains or swamps....

"there are some woods that are stronger than hickory and some that are harder, but the combination of strength, toughness, hardness, and stiffness found in hickory wood is not found in any other commercial wood."

As a bit of Trivia..... there are many references to the word Hickory in Mark Twains classic Huckleberry fin..... even a character named ""Old Hickory" an old war hero.
Using a ladder made from the Bark of a Hickory tree and the beating's he got of his evil fathers Hickory walking cane.... I can see the connection between Nut and drummer.....

[Tainojim]

Hickory is still used today to smoke meat and they make great BBQ briskets.

So if aspirins are made from the willow tree bark, perhaps they should make drum sticks out of it so drummers won't get a headache when playing.

As long as the bark is bigger than it's bite.