Collection: Drum Sticks & Mallets
Drum Sticks & Mallets
At Chicago Music Exchange, we proudly offer one of the most complete selections of drum sticks anywhere—perfect for beginners, professionals, touring drummers, recording artists, teachers, and practice-room players of every style. Whether you're searching for 5A drum sticks, 7A drum sticks, 5B drum sticks, hickory drum sticks, maple drum sticks, nylon-tip drum sticks, wood-tip sticks, signature drummer sticks, or best drum sticks for beginners, CME has the most trusted models from Vic Firth, ProMark, Vater, Zildjian, Meinl, Regal Tip, and more.
If your search includes drumsticks, best drum sticks, drum stick sizes, signature drum sticks, drummer sticks, 5A vs 5B, nylon tip vs wood tip, or professional drum sticks, this page is crafted to win the search session and help you choose the right pair.
Why Drummers Need Drum Sticks
Drum sticks are an extension of a drummer’s hands. The right pair impacts:
- tone
- rebound
- speed
- finesse
- volume
- control
- playability
- durability
- Players choose specific drum sticks based on:
- genre (rock, jazz, metal, worship, Latin, funk, R&B)
- playing style (heavy hitters vs finesse players)
- tip shape
- wood type
- thickness
- weight & balance
Choosing the correct drum sticks ensures better performance, more consistent tone, and improved comfort during long practice sessions or gigs.
A Short History of Drum Sticks
Drum sticks date back thousands of years—but modern drum sticks emerged in the early 20th century as jazz, marching bands, and orchestral music demanded precision and consistency. The rise of rock and roll, funk, studio drumming, and arena-level live shows pushed companies like Vic Firth, ProMark, and Vater to innovate with:
- hickory, maple, birch & composite materials
- nylon tips for brighter cymbal articulation
- specialized jazz & orchestral sticks
- marching sticks for corps drummers
- signature artist models
- weight-matched pairs
- digital/precision milling technologies
Today’s sticks are engineered for consistency, feel, and durability—essential for modern drummers.
Most Popular Drum Stick Types
1. 5A Drum Sticks: The most versatile and most searched stick size in the world.
- Popular CME models: Vic Firth American Classic 5A, Vater 5A, ProMark Rebound 5A.
2. 5B Drum Sticks: Thicker and more powerful—ideal for rock, metal, worship, and heavy hitters.
- Popular CME models: ProMark Forward 5B, Vic Firth 5B, Vater Power 5B.
3. 7A Drum Sticks: Lighter, faster, and perfect for jazz, small venues, and finesse players.
- Top models: Vic Firth 7A, ProMark 7A, Zildjian 7A.
4. Signature Drum Sticks: Designed with famous drummers for custom feel and balance.
- Available at CME: Vic Firth Dave Grohl, ProMark Neil Peart, Vater Chad Smith, Zildjian Travis Barker, Vic Firth Steve Gadd
5. Nylon Tip Drum Sticks: Great for articulate cymbal tone and added durability.
6. Wood Tip Drum Sticks: Classic sound with warm cymbal response.
7. Hickory, Maple & Birch Sticks: Hickory: durable, balanced (most popular)
- Maple: lightweight, fast
- Birch: strong, bright, slightly heavier
Most Popular Drum Stick Models at CME
- Vic Firth American Classic 5A & 5B
- ProMark Rebound 5A / Forward 5B
- Vater 5A / Vater Power
- Zildjian 5A / 7A Drumsticks
- Vic Firth Dave Grohl Signature
- ProMark Neil Peart Signature
- Vic Firth Steve Gadd Signature
- Regal Tip Jazz Nylon
- We keep all major sizes and models in stock, across every tip style, wood type, and genre.
Famous Drummers & Influencers Who Use These Drum Sticks
Iconic Artists
- Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) – Vic Firth Signature
- Neil Peart (Rush) – ProMark Signature
- Travis Barker (Blink-182) – Zildjian Signature
- Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) – Vater
- Steve Gadd – Vic Firth
- Jojo Mayer – Vic Firth
- Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews Band) – Vic Firth
- Stewart Copeland – Vater / Signature models
Top YouTubers & Drum Influencers
- Drumeo (Jared Falk)
- Stephen Taylor
- Casey Cooper (COOP3RDRUMM3R)
- Dan Mayo
- The Pocket Queen
- Adam Tuminaro
- Sarah Thawer
Their stick recommendations massively increase global search volume for 5A/5B/7A and signature models.
Drum Stick Price Points
- $8–$11: Standard 5A/5B/7A sticks
- $12–$15: Premium hickory or nylon-tip sticks
- $15–$20: Signature & specialized artist sticks
- $20+: Carbon fiber, composite, marching/percussion sticks
Chicago Music Exchange stocks drum sticks at every budget level.
Why Buy Drum Sticks from Chicago Music Exchange?
- Massive selection of sizes, styles, and materials
- Top brands: Vic Firth, ProMark, Vater, Zildjian, Meinl, Regal Tip
- Expert staff who play and test these sticks daily
- World-class customer experience
- Fast shipping & accurate stocking
- The best drum sticks available—and always in stock
CME is trusted by drummers worldwide, from beginners to touring professionals.
FAQ: Drum Sticks
What are the best drum sticks for beginners?
Most teachers recommend 5A drum sticks—balanced, versatile, and comfortable.
What's the difference between 5A and 5B drum sticks?
5B sticks are thicker and heavier for louder playing; 5A sticks are more versatile.
Are nylon-tip drum sticks better?
Nylon tips last longer and offer brighter cymbal articulation.
What drum sticks are best for rock or metal?
5B, 2B, and Power sticks from Vic Firth, ProMark, and Vater are great for heavy hitters.
What drum sticks do famous drummers use?
Dave Grohl, Neil Peart, Travis Barker, Steve Gadd, and Chad Smith all have signature models.
What drum sticks should jazz drummers use?
7A drum sticks are the most common choice for jazz and lighter playing.
Drums & Percussion
At Chicago Music Exchange, our Drums & Percussion collection brings together instruments designed to elevate rhythm in every musical setting—from intimate studio sessions to high-energy live performances. This collection showcases acoustic drum kits, hand percussion, cymbals, hardware, and accessories crafted for players who value tone, durability, and expressive range.
Each piece is chosen for its build quality, responsive feel, and musical character. Whether you're searching for the warm resonance of a maple kit, the explosive cut of modern cymbals, or the organic textures of hand percussion, this collection offers tools that help you shape your rhythmic identity. With options suitable for beginners, gigging drummers, and recording professionals, you’ll find instruments that fit your technique, sound preferences, and performance needs.
Thoughtfully curated, this collection represents the best of modern percussion craftsmanship—from trusted industry staples to boutique makers pushing the art of drum building forward. Whether you’re expanding your setup, refining your studio rig, or stepping into drumming for the first time, our Drums & Percussion collection gives you a foundation built on clarity, power, and creativity.
Sticks, Mallets, & Brushes
Your choice of sticks, mallets, and brushes shapes your sound as much as your drum kit does, and the collection at Chicago Music Exchange is built to help drummers express themselves with nuance and control. This selection includes tools for every style and dynamic—whether you’re laying into a rock backbeat, exploring subtle jazz textures, or crafting cinematic percussion passages.
Drumsticks are available in a wide variety of materials, tapers, tips, and weights, offering players the right balance, rebound, and articulation for any setting. Brushes bring smooth, sweeping motion and soft attack, perfect for jazz, acoustic sets, or low-volume environments. Mallets provide warmth, resonance, and depth for toms, cymbals, and auxiliary percussion.
Each item in this collection is chosen for comfort, durability, and musicality, ensuring reliable performance in studios, rehearsal spaces, and on stage. Whether you're a seasoned drummer refining your toolkit or a beginner exploring your first pair of sticks, this collection gives you the precision and expressive range needed to define your voice behind the kit.
Drum Stick Packs
Drum Stick Packs offer drummers value, consistency, and convenience, and our collection at Chicago Music Exchange brings together multi-packs from industry-leading makers designed to keep you prepared for every practice, session, and performance. These packs ensure you always have backups on hand—essential for players who rehearse frequently, gig often, or simply want dependable pairs ready to go.
Each pack is curated for balance, durability, and feel. Whether you prefer 5A versatility, 5B power, 7A finesse, or genre-specific designs, these packs provide sticks that respond with consistent rebound and articulation. Made from high-quality woods like hickory and maple, they’re built to last while delivering reliable performance across genres.
For working drummers, educators, and students alike, stick packs offer practical value—multiple matched pairs that maintain uniform weight and tone. They’re ideal for stocking your stick bag, outfitting a teaching studio, or preparing for a run of shows.
Whether you’re on stage, in the studio, or shedding at home, the Drum Stick Packs collection gives you the tools to play confidently and creatively, with the assurance that another perfectly matched pair is always within reach.