Vic Firth

Vic Firth at Kirstein

Vic Firth was founded in 1963 by American percussionist and orchestral musician Everett “Vic” Firth. The brand began with playing tools developed to better meet his own requirements as a professional musician. From these beginnings grew an extensive range for drum set, marching and concert percussion. Today, Vic Firth is part of the Zildjian Company. Drumsticks and mallets remain at the heart of the range, complemented by brushes, bass drum beaters, practice accessories and hearing protection solutions.

If you are looking for classic drum set sticks, the Drumsticks category includes a variety of Vic Firth models for different playing styles. Choosing the right stick is not simply a matter of deciding between sizes such as 5A and 5B: diameter, length, material, taper and tip shape can all affect balance, rebound and playing feel on drums and cymbals.

American Classic – the core drumstick series

American Classic is one of Vic Firths best-known series. The sticks are made from selected Hickory, a wood widely used for drumsticks thanks to its combination of resilience and familiar playing feel. The series offers different dimensions and variants, allowing you to select a model according to hand feel, desired control and musical application.

The American Classic 5A is a versatile starting point for many drummers. If you prefer a thicker stick, the 5B is worth considering, while the 2B adds even more diameter and mass. Extreme variants are longer than their respective standard models, providing additional reach and different leverage. Nylon-tip models offer an alternative to traditional wood tips and can also change the response on cymbals.

Signature Series, jazz sticks and other concepts

Collaboration with professional drummers is an important part of the Vic Firth brand. The Signature Series includes models whose dimensions and playing characteristics are tailored to the requirements of individual artists. This product familys history reaches back to the collaboration with Steve Gadd. At Kirstein, you can find Signature sticks developed for a variety of well-known drummers.

Alongside the Signature Series, Vic Firth offers further lines with distinct concepts. American Heritage transfers dimensions from familiar American Classic models to maple, resulting in a different weight and rebound feel. American Jazz focuses more specifically on jazz-oriented playing, while American Sound uses round tips designed to provide a focused, clear sound on drums and cymbals.

Brushes, marching and concert percussion

For quieter playing, jazz and alternative articulation, it is also worth exploring Brushes & Rods. Vic Firth offers retractable wire brushes as well as artist-specific brush models. Compared with conventional drumsticks, brushes open up a noticeably different range of sounds and are particularly useful for subtle snare articulation and traditional brush techniques.

Beyond the drum set, Vic Firth offers dedicated product ranges for marching and concert percussion. The Corpsmaster series includes models for marching snare, multi-tenor and other applications. For concert percussion, the manufacturer offers the Symphonic Collection as well as different timpani and keyboard mallets. This makes it possible to match the playing tool more closely to the instrument, ensemble and desired articulation.

Which Vic Firth stick is right for you?

A useful way to choose is to start with the stick you already know. If a 5A generally feels right, you can explore similar dimensions while varying the tip, length or material. Greater diameter and weight can suit players looking for a more substantial stick, while lighter models provide a different balance and response. Length is another factor to consider when you want additional reach or a different sense of leverage.

In addition to sticks and brushes, Vic Firth offers products for practice and hearing protection. Suitable options can be found at Kirstein in the Hearing Protection category. If you need help choosing a stick size, material, tip shape or suitable model for a particular application, Kirsteins expert advice can help you narrow down the options.

Why buy Vic Firth at Kirstein?

At Kirstein, you can compare different Vic Firth models and choose sticks or accessories that suit your playing style. You also benefit from the 3 Year Kirstein Warranty and 30 Day Money Back according to the applicable terms. This gives you a clear way to explore versatile all-round sticks, heavier models, Signature designs, brushes and other accessories.