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Vater New 2012 Models Review

Vater Mixed Bag
 
Drumsticks! We can''t live without drumsticks of some sort or another and these days, the choice we have is greater than ever and increasing. With that in mind, Vater recently provided us with some new 2012 models.
 
Some of these new sticks make up the BeBop series which have a smaller grip and are intended for lower volume or jazz settings. The two smaller models come in (dimentions-wise) under a 7A in the grip and have a quick taper which produces a fast rebound, with a small tip size for a cleaner ride cymbal tone. These three models are available in both hickory and maple.

So anyway, the new hickory models are...
 
BeBop 550
- Length 16" Diameter .550" These are slightly thinner than a 5A.
BeBop 525 - Length 16" Diameter .525"
BeBop 500 - Length 16" Diameter .500" These are the thinnest of the three BeBop models.
Fusion Acorn - Length 16.5" Diameter .580" I used to use the regular Fusion model which is a ball tip and having played the new acorn tip, it will be probaly be a welcome addition for those who wanted a bit more from this design.

Vater BeBop Profile

And the new Sugar Maple models are...

BeBop 550 Sugar Maple - Length 16" Diameter .550"
BeBop 525 Sugar Maple - Length 16" Diameter .525"
BeBop 500 Sugar Maple - Length 16" Diameter .500" This is the one model I liked the most out of all the sticks we were given because of the way they felt and sounded.
Phat Ride Sugar Maple - Length 16" Diameter .580" These are indeed PHAT. They seem quite short given their width/length dimensions (as you''ll see, they''re not any shorter than the other models) and have a short taper with a ball tip which sounds great on a ride cymbal. The weight and width of the stick gives the sound from a cymbal, particularly the bell, some extra thickness.

According to Vater...

"Sugar Maple brings out a mature, soft and sweet voice from drums and cymbals. Drummers can enjoy the feel of a big stick but without the weight of a Hickory model. The "Sugar Maple Series" of models is perfect for drummers who often find themselves having to play in smaller venues where low-volume is key."

Vater Fusion Acorn
Vater continues by adding that Sugar Maple is the most solid and dense of all Maple species and is one of the strongest hardwoods in the world.
 
I''ve just had a week or two off from gigging and rehearsing, and so the only playing I did for two weeks was at home and so during that time, I made it a point that the only sticks I used were these ones in the review.
 
Now, as I think I''ve mentioned before in reviews, I normally use a fairly small/short stick which is made of hickory although on the odd occasion I do actually use (and always carry) some maple versions of the same stick when I need something a bit lighter in both feel and sound.
 
I tried all of these sticks on the same drums and cymbals and was able to hear their different affect in that regard. Overall, I really liked the Sugar Maple models more than the hickory sticks simply because they were lighter and slightly more managable, particularly the BeBop 500 model, and they actually made the hickory versions seem noticeably heavier.
Vater Phat Ride
As noted, I do use maple sticks on occasion - I think I actually started on maple sticks, now I think about it - and I''ve always found them to a little on the fragile side. However, with these Sugar Maple sticks, again, particularly the 500s, I didn''t feel that at all. Having looked at the review pair now as I sit here, they look like I''ve gigged them, but they''re still in one piece and don''t show any real signs of wear in a structual sense. That I''m impressed with. I also have to add that the BeBop models really do have that ''jazzy'' feel to them which was kind of inspiring in a way. All in all, I found every one of these new sticks to be sturdy in my hand.
 
Vater has a whole bunch of Sugar Maple sticks on offer, so there must be out there for most tastes, as well as its full line of hickory models. More over at www.Vater.com
 
David Bateman
June 2012

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