I was looking through a trade recently (MD or Drum!) and noticed some new Vater stick offerings, probably announced at NAMM '08. The first thing that caught my eye was one of the new models was named 'SD9' - same as a Vic Firth stick model. I used Firth SD9's through the '80's so I am familiar with the stick. The Vater looks very similar to the Firth at least in the pics I've seen.

Then I spied another Vater model called 'Jazz Ride'. Again a bit of familiarity with stick. It looked very much like the Firth Erskine Ride stick, one of my current fav's for playing jazz and lighter tunes. Very nice on cymbals.

Question is: Is this plagiarism (or copyright infringement) or just the way the business goes? I'm interested in the Vater Jazz Ride sticks as they may come in price wise a bit lower than the Firths. In comparing the dimensions, the sticks are the same , 16" length, .575" diameter. I wonder what the Firth company people are thinking now.

I recently asked some local stores for the Vater Jazz rides and could not find any. The only online source I found stocking them was Interstate Music.

Anybody gotten their hands on these new Vaters and if you have, how do they compare to the Firths?

Just curious.

Jim

Unfortunately it seems like no one is stocking the Vater Jazz Rides. Well...not exactly 'noone' as Interstate Music looks like they are stocking them. I'd just like to try them before I throw out some money for sticks.

I was just at Sam Ash and bought the Erskine Ride sticks - which is fine since I do like them. The guy there seemed to think they weren't shipping yet but....wonder how Interstate got'em? 

I guess I can wait a bit longer to check them out..

Interesting that they are so much like the Firth Erskine Ride's though.

Thanks for your comments, Dave.

Actually the tips and general look on both of these models is what caught my attention.
Each look very close IMO to the competing models.

The tapers look similar, although it's hard to compare completely.

I guess there is nothing wrong with trying to incorporate a winning formula. Similar to DW's new Peter Erskine stick bag which was discontinued by Yamaha. I own the Yamaha version, enjoy it it and would like to get a replacement should something happen to mine.

Jim