To produce mind-blowing chops straight on your electronic drums, you’ll need the help of the best stick for electronic drums. Even though you can use a regular drumstick on the head of your electronic drums, it doesn’t guarantee that it does not ruin the material of your electronic drum head.
Furthermore, finding the right stick is one tricky quest to accomplish because there are a lot of things to consider before buying a pair of drumsticks. Therefore, we collected 10 of the best stick for electronic drums alongside a buyer’s guide to help you decide.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Drumstick for Electronic Drums
As stated, finding the best stick for electronic drums is one of the most grueling tasks a drummer should undergo. Since a pair of drumsticks will affect the overall feel, grip, and playstyle of a drummer; thus, choosing a drumstick is of great importance. As a result, we crafted this buyer’s guide to help you on your quest to find the best stick for electronic drums.
Size
When buying a pair of drumsticks, you should notice markings alongside the model number of the sticks. For example, some drumsticks brandish a 7A or 2B mark while some come with a 5A sizing. Without knowing the definition of these markings, buying a pair of drumsticks can become confusing.
To make it simpler, manufacturers denote the weight of their drumsticks through the number on the front. On the other hand, the letter indicates the diameter of the stick. Therefore, the higher the number, the lighter the stick becomes; in addition, A is the thinnest diameter and becomes thicker as the letter progresses.
In the real world, musicians who play light music such as blues and jazz utilize a 7-sized stick. Furthermore, a 5-sized stick is a commonly used stick in the market. Meanwhile, drummers who need to hit hard, such as metal and rock drummers, use 2-sized sticks. On the other hand, the diameter of the stick depends on the preference of a drummer.
Stick Tip
Similar to the beater material of the best kick pedal for electronic drums, one of the most important things to consider when buying a pair of drumsticks for electronic drums is its tip material. Since we will use an electronic drum set, we don’t have to pay attention to the tip’s shape and design. However, the material of the drumstick’s tip will affect the material of the heads of an electronic drum. Therefore, we advise drummers to buy nylon-tipped drumsticks for their electronic drums and the best electronic drum pads.
Wood Type
Typically, most drum sticks utilize a maple, oak, or hickory construction; however, thanks to the advancement of technology, manufacturers now produce drumsticks with synthetic materials. These synthetic materials such as graphite and plastic are more durable than their wood counterpart.
Furthermore, when comparing the three types of wood, the hickory drumstick is the most popular among players thanks to its incredible feel and sturdiness. In comparison, maple is softer than hickory, making them ideal for players that requires a comfortable pair of drumsticks. On the other hand, an oak drumstick is the most durable stick type. However, oak tends to transfer the vibration to the hand of its users due to the wood’s rigidity.
Nevertheless, drummers can get away with a synthetic drumstick since they will still work on the triggers of an electronic drum head. But if they prefer the feel of wood drumsticks, then the choice will boil down to their preference.
The Best Drumsticks for Electric Drums from Amazon
Vic Firth American Classic 5A Drum Sticks 3-Pair
No products found.Brand: Vic Firth
Size: 5A
Description:
Every gearhead drummer will easily identify the world-renowned and best-selling drumsticks from Vic Firth— the American Classic 5A. Featuring a jack-of-all-trades construction and shape, the American Classic’s size and weight fit any musical genre. In this light, the Vic Firth American Classic 5A is easily one of the best stick for electronic drums.
Furthermore, the American Classic 5A Drum Sticks has undergone the meticulous and precise of Vic Firth, providing players with high-quality drumsticks. Whether be it in your bedroom or in front of thousands in a sold-out arena show, the American Classic 5A has you covered.
Moreover, Vic Firth designed the American Classic 5A with a teardrop tip, allowing the cymbals of acoustic drums to sound rich and full. Lastly, Vic Firth crafted the American Classic 5A from hickory, offering drummers with excellent durability and feel behind the kit.
Specifications:
- Premium USA Hickory
- Teardrop tip
- 16” in length
- .565” in diameter
- Medium taper
Pros:
- Suitable for any type of genre.
- Great all-around drumstick.
- The teardrop tip allows cymbals to sound richer and fuller.
- Ideal for both acoustic and electronic drumsets.
Cons:
- Drummers who use electronic drums won’t fully utilize the teardrop tip of this stick.
No products found.
Zildjian 5B Nylon Black Drumsticks
Brand: Zildjian
Size: 5B
Description:
Excellent for drummers looking for a thicker set of hickory drumsticks than the Vic Firth American Classic 5A, the Zildjian 5B drumsticks packs a punch excellent for all skill levels. Furthermore, thanks to its thicker construction, the Zildjian 5B Nylon Black Drumsticks produce a stronger sound upon impact compared to 5A drumsticks.
Moreover, Zildjian provides confidence to buyers that this pair of drumsticks will preserve the quality of your electronic drum triggers. Therefore, the nylon tip of the Zildjian 5B Nylon Black makes it one of the best stick for electronic drums. Zildjian provides confidence to buyers that this pair of drumsticks
Excellent for both bedroom and touring musicians, the Zildjian 5B Nylon Drumsticks are a must-have in your drumming arsenal. Lastly, the Zildjian 5B Nylon Black Drumsticks are excellent sticks for any type of genre.
Specifications:
- Nylon tip
- Select Hickory wood
- Well-balanced medium taper
- Mid-range dimensions
- Well-balanced shaft
Pros:
- Perfect for electronic drum heads.
- Suitable for any type of genre.
- Ideal for all skill levels.
- Provides users with a comfortable hand-feel.
Cons:
- The black finish on the drumsticks feels slippery.
Zildjian 7A Nylon Anti-Vibe Drumsticks
Brand: Zildjian
Size: 7A
Description:
If the vibration of drumsticks gets in your way as you deliver mind-blowing chops, the Zildjian 7A Nylon Anti-Vibe Drumsticks have you covered. Featuring Zildjian’s patented feature, the 7A Nylon Anti-Vibe is one of the best sticks for electronics drums if you want a lightweight and vibration-free feel.
Moreover, the well-balanced feel of the Zildjian Anti-Vibe Drumsticks provides a light touch, excellent for jazz and blues players. Furthermore, the nylon tip of the Zildjian Anti-Vibe helps produce a brighter sound on acoustic drums. In addition, the nylon tip helps protect the head of electronic drums by providing a delicate impact compared to wood tips.
Lastly, the Zildjian Nylon Anti-Vibe Drumsticks come in a thin construction that provides players with a comfortable grip for articulated playing. Therefore, the Zildjian 7A Nylon Anti-Vibe Drumsticks is the solution for drummers that needs a versatile set of drumsticks.
Specifications:
- Sims Vibration Laboratory certified against vibrations
- Small round tip
- Well-balanced feel
- Nylon tip
- Conventional lacquer finish
Pros:
- Excellent choice for high-impact surfaces such as electric drum heads.
- Effectively minimizes vibration stings.
- Perfect for genres that require lighthanded playing such as jazz and blues.
- Suitable for beginners who need a comfortable stick to start with.
Cons:
- Not suitable for hard-hitting drummers.
Zildjian 5A Nylon Anti-Vibe Drumsticks
Brand: Zildjian
Size: 5A
Description:
If you’re looking for the innovative anti-vibration technology of Zildjian in a more conventional sizing, then the Zildjian 5A Nylon Anti-Vibe Drumsticks are for you! Featuring Zildjian’s anti-vibration technology, the Anti-Vibe Drumsticks provide drummers with unparalleled comfort and feel as they play.
Furthermore, similar to the 7A Zildjian model, the 5A Nylon Anti-Vibe also features a nylon tip to help acoustic drums to sound brighter and focused. Moreover, the well-balanced construction of the Zildjian 5A Nylon Anti-Vibe Drumsticks allows players to benefit from its flexibility and balanced feel.
Zildjian incorporated the most common and popular 5A size to bring their innovative anti-vibe technology to the hands of drummers. In addition, thanks to this sizing, the Zildjian 5A Nylon Anti-Vibe Drumsticks are perfect for almost any drum-playing genre.
Specifications:
- Sims Vibration Laboratory certified against vibration
- Lacquer surface coating
- Nylon tip
- Select Hickory wood
- Medium taper
Pros:
- Excellent for long drumming sessions thanks to its comfortable and lightweight feel.
- Utilizes the most popular drumstick size.
- The nylon tip of the Zildjian 5A makes it excellent for electronic drum heads.
- One of the best stick for electronic drums because of its anti-vibration properties.
Cons:
- Not ideal for players who don’t want a top-heavy feel on their drumsticks.
ProMark Rebound 5A ActiveGrip Hickory Drumsticks
Brand: ProMark
Size: 5A
Description:
Excellent for drummers that require a responsive and durable drumstick, the ProMark Rebound 5A features bang for the buck specifications. Featuring an all-American Hickory construction, the ProMark Rebound 5A provides a responsive and classic feel.
Furthermore, the ProMark reinvents their acorn tip, providing drummers with a larger sweet spot perfect for articulated hits. In addition, the ProMatch process ensures buyers that they will get the consistency ProMark provides in every stick.
Moreover, the ActiveGrip boasts a heat-activated grip coating solution that allows users to get a better grip as their body temperature rises. This feature helps users to grip the ProMark Rebound Drumsticks excellently under any condition.
Specifications:
- ProMark ActiveGrip
- Rear-weighted balance
- Reinvented acorn tip
- American Hickory wood
- Heat-activated finish
Pros:
- Features a heat-activated finish that improves its user’s grip.
- The ActiveGrip coating stays on the stick, preventing it to stick on drum heads and cymbals.
- The rear-weighted balance provides players with a responsive and precise feel.
- Provides a tacky grip even when your hand sweats.
Cons:
- Not recommended for drummers who want a heavy pair of drumsticks.
ProMark Mike Portnoy 420X ActiveGrip Hickory Drumsticks
Brand: ProMark
Size: 5A
Description:
Every drummer knows that Mike Portnoy is one of the best drummers to get behind a kit. In addition, considering the mind-blowing polyrhythms Portnoy wrote for Dream Theater, he is undoubtedly one of the best drummers in the world. Of course, the best drummers only use the best stick for electronic drums and acoustic drums.
Featuring a 5A American Hickory construction, the ProMark 420X ActiveGrip delivers the professional specifications of Mike Portnoy to the hands of drummers in any skill level. In addition, the ProMark 420X ActiveGrip features the ActiveGrip heat-activated grip, providing unparalleled grip to players under any situation.
Moreover, the heat-activated ActiveGrip adjusts accordingly to its user’s body temperature, allowing the stick to get tackier as its user sweats. Furthermore, the ActiveGrip coating occupies a thin portion of the stick’s overall weight, allowing the stick to hold a consistent feel.
Specifications:
- 420X ActiveGrip
- American Hickory
- Forward balance
- Oval wood tip
- Mike Portnoy Professional Model
Pros:
- The forward balance design of the sticks provides a balance between speed and power.
- Provides even the sweatiest of hands with an excellent grip.
- Features the innovative ActiveGrip coating.
- Offers players with a natural wood feel despite its coating materials.
Cons:
- Not ideal for jazz and blues players.
AIEX 3 Pair Drum Sticks Classic Maple Wood Drumsticks
Brand: AIEX
Size: 5A
Description:
The AIEX Classic Maple Drumsticks are the best stick for electronic drums on a budget. The AIEX Classic Maple features decent specifications such as high-quality maple wood materials, providing flexibility and durability on every hit.
Furthermore, the AIEX Drumsticks feature a polished surface that sports a comfortable grip, allowing players to hold the drumsticks without hurting their hands. Moreover, the AIEX Drumsticks feature the ever-popular 5A sizing, making them excellent for both beginners and experienced players alike.
Lastly, the AIEX Drumsticks features a flexible and fast response, excellent for long-term use. Therefore, if you need a pair of drumsticks for daily bedroom practice, then the AIEX Classic Maple Drumsticks is the one you need.
Specifications:
- High-quality Maple Wood
- Polished surface
- Natural maple finish
- 0.5 pounds weight
- Waterproof bag
Pros:
- Excellent for beginners and students learning the fundamentals of drumming.
- Budget-friendly option.
- Comes with a free waterproof bag to protect the sticks against water damage.
- Features a lightweight construction.
Cons:
- Lacks innovative specifications unlike other offerings in our list.
Frequently Asked Questions about Drumsticks and Electric Drums
Are electronic drums worth it?
Yes, electronic drums are worth it, especially in a household setting. Electronic drums provide drummers with the option to listen through headphones to avoid irritating their neighbors or housemates. In addition, an electronic drumset allows drummers to record their sound directly to a mix.
Is an electronic drum set good for beginners?
Yes, electronic drum sets are good for beginners who are still learning the fundamentals of drumming. Furthermore, an electronic drumset is cheaper than an acoustic drumset, allowing beginners not to spend too much to start playing. Lastly, an electric drumset also allows players to practice quality in the comfort of their bedroom, allowing them to play passionately without irritating their neighbors.
How much do electrical drums cost?
A set of electrical drums costs around $300 for beginners up to around $1,500 on the professional models. For example, the Alesis Drums Turbo Mesh Kit goes for around $300; on the other hand, the Alesis DM10 MKII Pro Kit goes for around $1,400. Thus, we can say that the price of electric drumsets varies on the quality and build it offers.
Do you need special drumsticks for electronic drums?
Technically no, any type of standard drumsticks will work on electronic drums. However, to preserve the quality of an electronic drum’s head, we advise drummers to buy nylon-tipped drumsticks.
What kind of drumsticks should a beginner use?
We advise beginners to start with 5A sticks as this sizing provides the most dynamic and versatile feel for any genre. However, when practicing paradiddles or patterns, we advise players to go for thicker sticks, helping them to build the necessary strength and technique to play thinner stricks easily.