I have been playing drums for nearly 15 years I've been using these drumsticks for almost 5. They are light, well balanced, with a nice taper that gets a great sound out of my ride bell. I love the length and the control and reach it gives me and I find that they have enough power behind them to fit in many different kinds of music. I most often play in a classic rock cover band that plays a wide range of genres, so their versatility really shines. I also use them while playing heavy metal and they still hold their own with a much thicker stick.

The only issue I have ever had with them is the heads of the stick have a tendency to chip after playing with them for a while. I am quite a heavy hitter and I attribute it to that moreso than the stick's design and quality but I believe it is worth noting. Usually, the amount of wood that actually chips off has little effect on the sound produced, so it seems more aesthetic to me than anything. Definitely not enough to leave my anything but completely satisfied with these sticks.

I typically use Promark Elvin Jones signature sticks what are .512 x 16 inches. I wanted to check this and the Vic Firth Drumsticks (SAT2) which is a whopping 17 inches long. This stick is in between. To be honest, I am not thrilled with the balance of this stick, but since I play traditional grip that may account for it. What I do love, though, is the half inch additional reach this gives over my Promark sticks, and the amazing cymbal sound that the tip provides. If cymbal playing is the core of your sound give these sticks a try.

I like these sticks a lot. The extra length, rounded tip, and taper feel excellent to me. I usually keep 8D, 5A and numerous 5A variations, 5bs, some fatbacks and thundersticks as my " go to" sticks and pick up random ones to have around. These were one of those scenarios. They have now become my preferred stick. It would actually be really nice to see a beefed up version for just straight backbeats come out too. Not that you can't do it with these though. I also wish I could find them at a brick discount price because I like them that much.

Very light and fun to play with.

I tend to play a variety of styles, like the dynamics of lighter and faster, sometimes heavy. These sticks really allow you to focus on remaining versatile and fluid around the drumset in any style. A thinner stick will flex more, and allow you to get into the vibration and flow more once it's established.

The slightly longer stick also helps with more dynamic hits, as you can recoil the stick a bit more and come down harder, if you need to play louder. In my opinion, standard sticks are, in general, too short. Once you play a slightly longer stick such as this, you might not look back. The neck on these is slightly forward, as most sticks are, and allow you to keep some weight towards the front to allow for more emphasised hits when necessary, and also allows the balance to become more reactive when shuffling/playing with lighter hits.

The small tips are nice for accentuating and articulating more intimately in any style. I personally do wish the heads were a smidge larger, because they tend to wear down fairly quickly (after 2-3 months of playing). Sometimes I wish they made a small-tip nylon version of this stick.

Overall, though, it's my favourite stick to play with! Very fun and can excel in most styles, especially faster/more vibrant styles, and extend your playing to help establish greater flow due to the slightly longer length and thinner body.