Do they work? | Vic Firth Freestyle Drumsticks | Product Demo
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- Опубліковано 22 чер 2024
- Today we are talking about Vic Firth's brand new drum stick concept series "Freestyle". These sticks are much longer than traditional sticks, but Vic Firth has found a way to make the stick longer (giving you more power) while also widening the "sweet spot" on the drum stick (making it easier to play at all dynamic levels).
Here's where you can buy a pair for yourself:
Vic Firth Freestyle 5A Drumsticks - amzn.to/2KVgfxd
Vic Firth Freestyle 5B Drumsticks - amzn.to/2HnrVGQ
Vic Firth Freestyle 85A Drumsticks - amzn.to/2Zgc6wj
Vic Firth Freestyle 7A Drumsticks - amzn.to/2ZcnuJM
Vic Firth Freestyle 55 A Drumsticks - amzn.to/2ZjiR0s
Disclaimer - I do get a "kick back" if you purchase from Amazon through those links (however the items won't cost anything extra for you).
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These sticks are so awesome and the ergonomics are simply unbelievable!!!
Agreed! They are pretty fun and interesting to mess around with.
The biggest pro without a doubt is the bounce ability and control to count the bounces. It's helped me hoan in for tighter, cleaner rolls:)
The Vic Firth 1A is actually the best in this category of longer sticks. you prefer longer sticks and prefer a 5A or 5b the Vic Firth 1A feels like a hefer 5A and a 5b on a low carb diet..The taper is perfect for its leanght...coming in just under 17in.its actually (16.85 in.)
Im in love wit it!❤🔥 .. the most excellent part of the whole thing is that its balance so perfect ,the fulcrum is awesome! and you'll find yourself playing faster, and actually stronger..(in a good way) and more precisely balanced when they land.. (its weird you just got to try it) its mostly due to its weight and taper... and if that wasn't awesome enough! the tip of this bad boy! Its my new favorite among favorites it's called the Taj Mahal and when you see it you'll know why it's called a Taj Mahal tip 👍and it sounds incredible on cymbals very versatile.. Cymbal sounds and tones respond very well to it my new favorite stick I'm getting a box.. and no I'm not endorsed by Vic Firth. I always try out different sticks when I'm in the store and always looking for new stuff and improvements.. in my opinion The Vic Firth 1A with the Taj Mahal tip is definitely a stick you must try..or at least demo a pair for yourself on a pad if they're available at any of your local music stores. If you're watching a video on freestyle sticks I know you will love the Vic Firth 1A Taj Mahal Tip..( Hickory)
When I first started using the 7A freestyle I hated it for dropping them like he said. But the more I've played with them, I'm honestly kind of hooked. They just bounce so good. So easy to hit rolls with them. That being said, not everyone will love them I don't think. It's gonna be one way or the other... But for me, I wished I had a whole bag of them. Although with the length is easy to hit too hard on the cymbals. But using that learning curb has helped me respect my cymbals more instead of beating them mercilessly as I play hardcore music. But over all. I actually kind of love them.
My favorite stick!!
I agree with a lot of the issues for 7A’s and have to work harder to overcome hitting cymbals accidentally. I think it’s helped me as a new drummer to begin with 7A’s (6 weeks in!)
Cannot wait to try these. I've been waiting for a stick series like this for a while!
7A's all day !! Freestyle 4 Life !!!
I only use these now. Love them so much. 7a’s. All of my videos since end of 2022
Great Review! I was on the fence about ordering a pair and this definitely helped with my decision.
Awesome! Glad I could help out. I don't think you'll regret your decision.
i've struggled with finding the right stick , tried out a 85a freestyles and i fell in love instantly
I would love to try those freestyle sticks, even though I'm a big fan of Vic Firth after all!😊😊😊👍👍👍❤❤❤
I actually really like the 7A models. Now if VF would make a ball nylon tip and heavier oak version….that would be the ultimate speed stick to me 😍
A 7a nylon acorn tip hickory?
Awesome stick. Gives a good balance with the taper and feels great while playing. I like sticks with a long taper as Buddy Rich used a Ludwig 15A which had a long neck and taper.
My favorite stick I ever used was a Gretsch 1A-long, and the perfect diameter. Vater 1As are close but thicker than I like. I am excited about the choice of diameters in this Freestyle line. I’m hoping they come close to the Gretsch sticks. Will definitely check them out. Thanks for the video!
Definitely give these a try. I think you'll dig them!
Yes these DO work. I use the Freestyle 55A's. The extra long taper is what does it. The 5A and 85A models are nice, too! Same length of 17 inches but different butt end diameters.
They are definitely a cool concept!
Currently, I use the Vic Firth Chris Coleman signature sticks. I used to play the 2B, Rock, and the Danny Carey sig. models around 3 years ago, and I wanted to expand my options regarding sticks. I was cursed with real life Yaoi hands (they're literally the size of my head), so I have to play a larger stick out of necessity.
One of the things that drew me to the Coleman was that it's the same length of a stick that I loved, which was the SD1 General, but stopped playing the SD1 because the beads, while they sounded great, just ate my heads left and right. I gave it a shot in July of 2016, and I haven't looked back. Perfect balance, taper, tip (I'm picky about tip shape), length... it's almost as if it were MY signature stick. I also have X55Bs and HD9s as alternate sticks that I'll use depending on sound, vibe, and how I'm feeling that day.
The moment I saw VF's ad video on their channel regarding the Freestyle sticks, I knew that this was going to be something that a good friend of mine would enjoy, as he likes 5A-type and 3A-type sticks with actual length (he's played 55As, 1As, 3As, Gerald Heywards, Jen Ledgers, all VF).
I can never try these because of my literal tennis rackets for hands, but if my friend gets these, I'll be sure to give you his thoughts!
I’m getting in the Vic Firth 55A Freestyle sticks for Christmas. I bet they’ll be great.
I have the Vic firth freestyle 5b and I love them!
Andria Wylson excellent!
I think they're the largest right?!
DRUGATECH yes
I'm definitely gonna try them out once they send them to any stores in Chicago...I currently use their Questlove sticks with a clear finish specifically because they're long and well balanced. Super excited there are more options now!
Courtney McNally would love to know your thoughts! I dig these and from the sounds of it you will too.
Tim Buell I use the Questlove sticks also. I love the responsiveness of the 17” sticks, but I would like some more thickness. I’m gonna try out the extreme 5a and 7a
@@gooberthorpos8195 Let me know what ya think!
Courtney McNally I’m from ny and there’s a spot called Steve Maxwells who has the best stick selection by far that I’ve ever seen. The main shop is in Chicago though so if ur in Chicago u should stop by Steve Maxwells drum shop. I grabbed the 7a freestyles cuz I’m a serious jazz head and he recommended the Pro Mark acid jazz sticks so I grabbed them too! I’ve always hated pro mark but the Acid Jazz are great and Steve Maxwells is the only spot I’ve ever seen them!!!
I definitely got these because I’m so used to playing with marching sticks being that long. Every time I switch to set everything felt weird. Then I found these sticks and switching back and forth feels pretty good. I also like how long they are because I can get more reach and quicker movement to get to one drum to another or cymbal.
Nice! I found them almost a little TOO long when trying to get around the kit. Kinda felt like I was tripping over myself. haha. But glad you dig them! They are def unique and something really fun to mess around with.
Hey buddy.Good video,thank you for bolstering a hunch i have had for a while but just needed another drummer's good word for confirmation, yeah longer sticks do feel "thinner", and just a small and hardly noticable difference in either length or weight,or especially an "uneven" or banana curved,warped stick will feel totally weird and unplayable in your hands moving around the set or pad.(which automatically leads to dropping sticks right and left, all day).Being a longtime 5A,sometimes 5B user-I bought some 3A (always wood tips,never nylon) and 8A,plus a few 7A manhattan type vaters,but VicFirth have always been my choice,and the 3A were and still to this day myb favorite,most comfortable feeling stick to me.i sand them carefully after a month or two so they remain smooth and even with no shredded middle areas, i hate the dead broken and weak feeling a destroyed stick produces.thank you for a chance to confirm such beliefs bud,keep drumming,never stop!
Currently play Vater 1A’s (It’s a 5B with extra length). I was big on VicFirth, but wanted a longer stick and at the time but didn’t know how long so my church supplied the 1A’s and I loved em and have used them since. I will have to give these a shot though and see how they feel.
Noah Whittemore I think you’re gonna dig them!!!
Freestyle 7A, switched over from a regular 7A. Like them a lot. If I want a heavier stick I go to the standard 3A.
I don't use nylon tipped, and 5B never felt right, but that might be the tip that makes them unsuitable for my hands.
I wish they had them in 2B those are the Vic’s I usually use.
Very cool to hear about these. Loving the barrel tip 5as you talked about before. What k ride is that in the intro?
tdrum21 23” K Sweet ride! Got it recently and love it.
So I recently purchased the Freestyle 5B’s. Been big user of the X5B for a while and thought I’d give these a try since I was already used to a longer stick. They do feel great in the hands. Even though it’s 17 inches, they don’t feel front heavy. That being said, I don’t think they’re the stick for me. I need a little more weight in the front like the X5B gives me than how these feel. Nothing bad to say about them and everyone should try them, but they’re just not my “perfect pair”.
I would agree, they are a VERY cool concept and they do exactly as advertised. But I still find myself on the Vic Firth 5B Barrel Tip sticks and the SD2 Bolero. The SD2 bolero is a somewhat hidden gem made by Vic Firth.
@@TimBuell How about the SD9 driver!!
I’ll need to try those lol
I've been using the Rod Morgenstein signature and the 5B doubleglazed sticks. I really like a stick that feels a little more front heavy but not dowel like. I was thinking of trying these Freestyle 5B's as well. Does the long taper sacrifice any power or throw up front? Thanks for the video!
aj6 for everything but I play a lot of jazz. I also like the Keith Carlock stick because of the condensed egg corn tip.
I do like the AJ series, while I love the 6 for light swing my favorite is definitely the 2 for the way it feels when I play.
Jacob Friedman Hey, I live in Pa but I’m from ny so i go back a lot to visit family and whatnot and decided to stop in Steve Maxwells drum shop and HOLY SHIT! If ur in Chicago or NYC u gotta check out Steve Maxwells!!! I picked up the freestyle 7a’s cuz I always play Vic Firth 7as but the freestyles are GREAT. If u look at old buddy rich videos he’s always playing super long sticks. But the guy recommended Pro Mark Acid Jazz sticks so I grabbed them too. I was against pro mark forever but the acid jazz sticks are great for jazz. Check them out! Cheers from Pennsylvania
I use “the people’s stick” the 5A. As a small guy @5’4” I sit close...So for me longer sticks such as the Extreme series trip me up on rims etc. With small hands I like to hold the regular 5A far back for leverage and finger control works just fine. But the taper makes me curious...so I will check em out haha thanks!
hahah "the people's stick" that is great. Def check them out - you might dig them!
I currently play 5B Extreme and love them! But I am curious to see what else is out there that I might like as well
Just curious...are the 5B Extreme back heavy? I love the standard 5B but they taper down so thin. I wish they had a fuller shoulder but maybe the added length compensates?
This is the stick I have been waiting for I am a big guy (6.4) & my hands are large. I played the aj1's it was ok I loved the taper of the stick but it was too thin & short & I didn't like the small tip, I moved on to the x5b then length & taper was a problem, so then I moved to the Vinnie Paul stick & it was ok but the taper was too short & I didn't like the sound the tip was producing, then I moved to the x55b which was great at first but just didn't take to it something feel right so I moved back to the x5b but now I am glad that is a long & thick stick with a longer taper I can't wait to try it out 😊😊😊
Jared Myles Princely let me know what ya think when you get your hands on them. I agree the x5b is cool, but never quite felt “natural” or something. I used them on heavy gigs and they were great but only had that one dimension.
Yeah man I already ordered 2 bricks 😂😂 will definitely let you know how it feels
I try the vf freestyle 5A feal great
I typically play a stick that's 16 inches. I use pretty much anything from the 85A-5B (sometimes a little above 5B, like HD9, SD9, SD10 and 2B) because I play many styles of music. I've tried using longer sticks and they didn't feel natural to me unless the stick was slightly thicker, such as the Modern Jazz Collection 1 which is the diameter of a 55A but feels like the same proportions of a 5A to me. I like trying out other tips and other tapers, but the problem I have is when the taper doesn't match the stick, especially if the stick is longer than 16 inches. A medium or short taper (or medium taper on the Vic Firth Extreme sticks) doesn't feel as natural when the stick is long, but when I tried these Freestyle sticks at PASIC, I liked how the taper and the tip conformed to the feel of the stick. I may give these a try but I want to figure out which one I'll like the best before I go for them.
I might try them out!! I’m actually a big fan of longer sticks. With my company Los Cabos I use there 5B red hickory intense sticks ( exactly like extreme 5Bs by Vicfirth ). There great and I would be interested to see how they compare!
Nate Testa check these out! They are a unique thing. Let me know what ya think Nate!
Will do 🤗✌🏻
Wanna try the 7a.
I also wann feel its "finesse".
I think their research is dope.
You should! Their research is the best in the business for sure!
I will! As soon as it drops in the Philippines😊 Thanks for your assurance. @Tim Buell
Trying the 5A and 5B versions at the moment, they are nice sticks, I've been drawn to longer sticks ever since learning the push/ pull method, the extra length really helps the feel of it, I've been practising with 17" Marching sticks, so to go from those to the freestyle stick has taken a bit of getting used to. Is it THE stick? That Im yet to figure out.
They are very cool sticks for sure. Like you said, they weren't THE sticks for ME - but I've heard from several people that absolutely love them.
Best sticks ever
Vic Firth is the best!
Go to Vics are the X5A and X8D. Traditional diameters with a little extra reach! Random question...any tips for cleaning traditional finish cymbals like the ride in this video? Having a hard time finding solutions and polish will turn them orange I’ve heard haha
Zildjian makes a cymbal cleaner that I've used before on a few brilliant finish cymbals a LONG time ago. But never on traditional finishes.
But I'm not the guy to ask, I never clean my cymbals. I'm a big believer that the build up and residue add to the cymbal over time and I don't want to mess that up by cleaning them! haha
My daughter love the 5B vic firth drumsticks .... She used 5A but she said she doesn't like them because she would drop them all the time because t they didn't good gripping so she stick to vic firth drumsticks she said they have good gripping so. She tried vic firth and she loves them ....😆😆😆
Pro tip get some tennis racket grip tape.
#teamVICFIRTH
Arnold Mensah always!
I have a question do you play with 2b drumstick
I bought a pair of 5A freestyle and they felt great. It was the most comfort I’ve found in a stick. But, the sticks broke in the first use in a 2 hour session. So I wasn’t happy about that.
Its not the best for hard hitting, tons of heavy rimshots, etc, but they're GOLDEN for high articulation and dynamics and varying lower volumes to mid high volumes. Metal and hard rock would take these out fast. I wish they made more versions of the sizes with other woods. That would turn out killer.
Same for me. I play metal and they didn’t last long.
Same for me. I play metal and they didn’t last long. Going back to Extreme 5B.
strictly use VF American Classic hickory Extreme 5AN nylon tips.. best stick hands down imo
Never been a "nylon tip" person myself. But I think the "acorn" tip hasn't ever quite had the attack I want. The barrel tip is right in the sweet spot for me.
1:23 doesn't make sense to me. If you make the taper longer, wouldn't that reduce the weight on the front of the stick, causing the balance point to move backwards towards the butt of the stick?
One would think so, yes. I'd be afraid they would feel too back heavy but I guess I need to try a pair and see!
That's why they increased the length.
Old comment but they also extended the rear of the stick to rebalance the stick and keep the balance point at the same spot on the stick
Switched to Freestyle 5B from Extreme 5B. I play metal and the Freestyle broke too quickly. Will be going back to Extreme 5B.
The Extreme 5B was my 'go to' for live shows for a little bit. Love that stick.
This ad has been brought to you by Vic Firth.
Absolutely! I'm one of their endorsers and don't try to hide it! haha. But I will say, I fully expected these sticks to be a marketing gimmick and not actually do what Vic claimed they would. But I was wrong, they definitely do as advertised. If you like a super long stick, these are worth a try for sure.
I also like "rounder" sticks. Those that are square are sooo annoying! :) I believe your definition of a "rounder" stick is one with a higher/larger diameter. Sorry to get all "sciency" on ya :)
I’m a marching drummer who uses Gavin Harrison signatures on rock gigs but I’ve been looking for some sticks to play jazz with. Would these work?
They might. My "go to" Jazz stick are the Vic Firth SD2 Boleros.
I love the Freestyles.. however the tips do need some work.. even today the tips are the same, not updated from the original FreeStyles. The tips do sound good, it's probably some psychosomatic things I'm feeling as well.
It's late 2022. Are you ever using these sticks now?
I’m not. These days it’s the 5B barrel and SD2 bolero from Vic Firth
Let down by yhe promise of a demo.
#TeamVICFIRTH
I play with 5A's
A freestyle skateboarding concept applied to a drum stick? What's not to like?
hahah. Pretty awesome.
What foes the question “do they work” even mean? Each player is different with different preferences. Some people prefer longer sticks or shorter sticks with different tapers. Everyone also holds the sticks in different places so it’s not a matter of if it works but the real question is do they work for you. The question should be “are these sticks right for you?”
Andy Ham totally agree. I guess part of what I was trying to decide making this video is whether they actually “worked” like Vic Firth claimed, which is that they have a larger “sweet spot” than most sticks. Which I think they absolutely do “work”. But you are right, everyone has different hands, preferences, etc.
I currently am using the Peter Erskine Ride stick and the Buddy Rich signature. Wish they could "Freestyle" those.
Maybe they will! People seem to really dig these.
Oh and another thing what the best drum stick i can play at a church can you tell me
Hey! The stick I use the most is the Vic Firth SD2 Bolero. If I need more weight and power I’ll use their barrel tip 5B.
@@TimBuell wow thanks man
That's what she said
I usually use the Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson signature stick, so the Freestyle 85A sounds like the stick for me to go to now.
But are they long?
Very. Much longer than a normal stick.
There’s no freestyle 2b’s...painful
Maybe they will add them down the road!
But is a bit weird review