Personal insights on drum stick use from a newbie drummer...
Went with Vic Firth American Classic 5A and 5B as my first decent drum sticks. After initially trying out both doing some rudiments, the 5A was more comfortable for me to use and made it my go to stick every time.
One time, visiting a Lyric store in Makati, curiosity made me buy the Vic Grip version of the American Classic 5A.
Getting home, I realized the Vic Grip version was remarkably lighter than the original 5A stick I bought. However, I didn't use it yet since the current stick was still good.
Eventually, part of the wood of tip of the current 5A had splintered off so I started using the Vic grip version to avoid unnecessary wear on my drum heads.
Assessing/comparing the feel of two, the Vic Grip I bought felt too light for my taste and preferred the weight of the other 5A although it was leaning on the heavy side.
I also realized, I don't like the Vic grip. It feels more slippy and eecky when my hands get sweaty and leaves red marks on my coated snare head (cross sticking).
I bought a Vater Nude 5A today to try out this coming weekend.
I also thought of weighing things to get more perspective.
VF 5B - 64 grams
VF 5A - 59 grams
VF Vic Grip 5A - 44 grams
Vater Nude 5A - 53 grams
(Weights shown are for one stick)
I think I'll keep track of the weight of the sticks and eventually find which range would feel good/versatile for me. I'd have to say, my initial impression of the Vater 5A's weight feels just right.
Interestingly, tip wise, the Vater 5A has an oval shaped one while the Vic Firths have acorn shaped ones.
The oval Vater 5A tip was also slightly bigger than the VF 5A acorn tip.
The taper on the Vater 5A was also thicker compared to the VF 5A and was similar to the taper on the VF 5B, although the VF 5B acorn tip was bigger compared to the Vater 5A tip.
I don't know yet if I will be able to discern some difference on feel and its effect on the sound. Something to find out.
Maybe OC, but I think I'll bring my weighing scale the next time I buy sticks.