Vic Firth American Custom Drum Stick Swinger

The things I love about this stick is first and foremost, the sound I get from the cymbals with it. There is a clear articulation without an abrasive "ping". The stick also brings out a warmth and fullness to the cymbal. I believe that they are made from maple and the cymbals sound beautiful. Next, the stick is quite thick, but it surprisingly light in actual weight. If you have any sort of fatigue in the thumb area that many drummers experience after years of playing, the thickness of this stick may also give you relief in allowing for a wider fulcrum between the index finger and thumb. Finally, there is a buoyancy that is missing from many other sticks I've used. The only negative side is one that affects wood tip sticks in general, is that after considerable use they "soften" and lose some articulation. That, though, is a small price to pay for how great of a stick this is. Lastly, I should mention that I have used this stick almost exclusively for over 30 years ever since my teacher at the time, John Riley, hipped me to them.