I use 5a'ns vic firth and I am a heavy hitter as well but i mostly use them backwards take a look at carmine appice sticks they may just be the ticket for you.. when you hit hard you have to avoid rim shots with the first 4 inches of the sticks they just can not take it..

A couple of weeks back, I posted here about how I just traded in all of my cymbals toward lighter ones.

My cymbals were almost all Zildjian Z Customs, with the only exceptions being my top hat cymbal and a 22" China.

I was playing entirely too hard, to the point of damaging myself. I thought long and hard about it, and made some decisions.

1. I was tired of blistering my hands, even while wearing gloves. Mind Blowi

2. Since the snare is the loudest drum, and it was already on "10", you couldn't hear the toms.

3. I had NO WHERE to go dynamically, except down. I couldn't possibly get any louder.

4. I was NOT going to end up with carpal tunnel syndrome, or any other injuries as a result of playing too hard.

5. My entire drumset was based around heavy hitting.

So, with all that in mind, I forced a change. I was also using 5B-type sticks, and destroying them. I played around, at home on a pad, until I found a "small" stick that I like. I found that I *love* the Vic Firth HD4. I traded in ALL of my cymbals (including my precious 21" Mega Bell Ride (that I'd wanted since I was 14)) toward a set of Dream cymbals (Bliss series).

My new rules were simple: No broken sticks or equipment, no blisters, no gloves.

My band was skeptical. My bassist still is. My guitarist acknowledges that I'm playing better than he's ever heard me. My tempos are much more consistent and my dynamics are outstanding in comparison to my former self.

My new gear won't allow me to play hard--unless I don't mind replacing cymbals once a month.

It's also important to note that a lot of metal drummers frankly don't hit nearly as hard as you think they do. A lot of licks heard on those records would be *really* hard to pull off, song after song, night after night, if they were just punishing their gear (and their bodies) every day.

Back off... go smaller. You don't need to go to the extreme I did, but you'll end up happier, I promise.

Just my $.02...

~Jon

This thread reminds me of Jim Chapin's instructional video: "Speed, Power, Control, Endurance." Highly recommended.

I'm big on letting the stick do the work, so I use Vic Firth Terry Bozzio Phase 2 sticks. They're a bit longer than most sticks and have a large bead.

Good technique and tuning also help. If you're not being mic'ed and you're playing metal, taping and muffling will impede the sound.

I play in a heavy rock band too, and second that the ProMark 747B is a great stick.

Lately I'm also into the Vic Firth "Rock" model. It's the same diameter as Vic Firth's 2B but is about 1/4" longer with an oval tip.

Dynamics are key. I watch a lot of drummers I play with plow their way through cymbals and sticks.

But I still break a stick every gig or two, mostly because I favor rimshots in the heavier parts...

I picked up the pro M 5B oak, will give it a try this weekend, thanks for all the tips, as far as our video, it was taped with a home machine, not pro recorded like the MP3 files, G

www.ovrevolt.com

Slingerland:

In light of what jonrpick wrote, you might want to consider using thinner cymbals, perhaps in larger sizes.

Z Customs and Paiste Rudes require lots of force to get a useful sound.

I notice that you sit high but your crashes are relatively low. Perhaps some experimentation with the height of your throne and/or cymbal stands might result in a more efficient "throw," or more sound with less effort.

I enjoyed the tunes and your website.

And I'll add further... the heavier oak sticks will consume even more of your energy. It'll take more energy to set the added mass of the new sticks into motion.

Just sayin'...

As I previously stated, I use a Vic Firth Matt Cameron signature sticks which is a super 5B and also 2B Promark Japanese Oak sticks, and I find completely the opposite as you all are suggesting, the Oak sticks take a real beating and are easy to adjust to only a few seconds, they are shorter than the vic firth stick that is only adjustment I mentally have to make is the shorter reach of the promark stick. but I've also complete Stick control and the moeller technique. actually to me sticks as long as they are at least 5B weight I'm happy, slingerland will give us a review as to how the stick I suggested for him did or didn't do.