Speaking of which, I've just bought a pair of the Sugar Maple Vater 7As, and I kinda like them - practicing on the e-drums, that is. However, I strongly suspect these would last about ten seconds flat in normal play. Anyone used Maple sticks in anger?

Try Goo-Gone.  But before using it on a cymbal with a brilliant finish, test a small amount in an inconspicuous place on the cymbal.


(bottle is not actual size!)  

Is this stuff a general purpose cleaner or something made specifically for cymbals? Just curious, as I havent seen it around here, and if it isnt available there might be an equivalent product. Thanx

back to sticks...

like someone else who posted earlier in this thread, i use different sticks to get different tones for different musical situations more than for different volume. live i will stay with one type for the whole gig, but in the studio it's different. sometimes it's cool to play quietly but with a hefty stick. you can get a fat sound without excessive volume.. stick control is important.

i mostly use the VF gadd signature. my go-to stick..

i also use vater studio, vater 7A, VF 5A, VF dejohnettes and once in a while a thick maple ayotte stick called the shuffle king. they all make my drums and cymbals sound different, and lend themselves to different feels.

but live mostly i use the gadd stick. i can pretty much cover any ground i need with that. oh, brushes and rods too of course, for the sounds they provide...