What Kind of Drumsticks Should You Use for Electronic Drums?

For the electronic drums, you should use nylon-tipped drumsticks. The wooden ones are best for acoustic drums. For beginners in electronic drumming, finding the correct drumsticks can be beyond tricky. For one thing, there are numerous options to choose from. You’ll probably get overwhelmed just by looking at the different types. If you’ve used regular drums before, you’ll want sticks that are similar to the standard ones.

One more thing you'll need to consider is the electronic drum heads. These heads are delicate and costlier than the sticks. Make sure the drum heads are tough and durable so they can last longer. This is why you should invest in drumsticks with nylon tips, even if your regular drums use wooden sticks. All in all, you want to be more delicate with the electronic drums.

To help you in making an informed decision, we have listed numerous factors you should consider. Keep all these points in mind before finalizing the purchase.

Once you're educated on what to look for in drumsticks for electronic drums, check out our reviews of the top drumsticks available today: Best Drumsticks for Electronic Drums

Related:

• Best Electronic Drum Sets
• Best Electronic Drum Sets Under 1000
• How to Record Electronic Drums on a PC

Buying Guide - What to look for?

The Tip

The one thing that can completely change a drumstick’s performance is the tip. Mostly, it’s the shape, size, and the construction material that make all the difference.

Similarly, the design of the tip also comes into play. The tip can be shaped like a teardrop, a barrel, or even a simple oval. Small tips create more robust sounds while larger ones provide lesser definition but more volume.

Remember that each tip produces a different type of sound. Some are more suited for a more specific genre than others. Be extremely careful and picky when choosing the best type for yourself.

Some models can have tips made of nylon. We highly recommend these tips, since they are not hard on the drum heads. Nylon tips also create a more pronounced sound on the cymbals.

Nylon tips, however, are more delicate and less durable. Thus, frequently using them can degrade their quality. You can use the wooden sticks for getting deeper sounds. This would be best for rock or for jazz.

The Shape of the Stick

The shape of the drumstick also plays an important role in the drummer’s comfort. The neck of the stick is a thin and tapered point that connects to the shoulder. The diameter heavily decides the size and shape of the neck.

A good, flexible drumstick has a good combination of proportions of the shoulder and the neck. If you’re not sure, try testing out the sticks on a spare drum. This should help you determine where the stick lies on the flexibility spectrum. Some may like a stiffer drumstick, while others prefer more flexible ones.

A drumstick’s shaft (main body) is mainly segregated into two parts. The part nearer to the tip has to bear a lot of stress and pressure.

The second half is the part where you grip it from. Make sure that the grip is pretty decent. You don’t want the sticks to slip, especially if your hands get sweaty. Performing live on stage or in front of friends can be tricky, so don’t ever compromise on drumstick quality.

Last but not least, we have the butt-end of the stick. The butt can either be flat or a bit rounded. If you hold the stick near the bottom, then the shape of the butt can affect the comfort level.

Numbering on the Sticks

If you’ve ever bought or seen drumsticks before, you’ll notice a numbered marking on them. Mainly, the markings range from 5A and 5B to 7A and 7B. Some drumsticks also come in the size ‘2B’.

These markings indicate the shape, width, and size of the stick. In general, 5A sticks are thicker than 7A sticks. If you’re an art student or are starting out with jazz, we recommend getting 7A sticks.

If you’re into heavy rock and metal, then try 5A sticks. These are thicker and give a harsher sound. These sticks can also be used for other genres, though they are best for rock and heavy metal. Other than that, 5B drumsticks are best for producing more intense sounds. 2B sticks are the thickest and are normally used by professionals in the field.

Weight

The weight of the drumsticks decides the comfort and the effectiveness of your grip. Sticks that are too heavy may tire you out easily while lighter ones may not provide you with the proper impact on the drum head.

The thickness and weight go hand in hand. Usually, one cannot be changed without changing the other.

Our only recommendation is to use sticks which fit comfortably in your hands. Try holding the stick and see if it feels too heavy. Ideally, they should feel comfortable and light.

Colors and Finishes

Buying drumsticks is all about the performance. But let’s face it: we all love colors. If you have the extra cash, consider adding a hint of color and creativity to your drumsticks. You can customize them yourself if you’re into art. At the same time, you can also buy some which come printed with beautiful patterns.

Finishes are also very crucial. A good paint job and polish can potentially change the game. You can buy drumsticks which are matte or glossy. Matte sticks are more stable and don’t slip. If you have sweaty fingers, try the matte ones. You can try using the glossier ones if you already have a comfortable grip on your drumsticks.

Conclusion

To conclude everything, buying a drumstick is no easy task. But with proper knowledge and instructions, you can make a wise decision. There are three main things to look for in a drumstick. The first is the shape and size of the shaft. You want to keep it comfortable and easy to hold. The second is the tip of the stick. We prefer nylon, but wooden ones can be used for rock or jazz. Third, get a good finish on the product. Aesthetics are fun to experiment with. And who knows? Maybe a good paint job can change your mood.

So, are you ready to head out and make the decision?