Question for you woodworking types

Novadak

Novadak

Joined
Mar 14, 2000
Messages
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I'm looking to make a new pair of big drumsticks and would like to find a wood that is relatively lightweight, strong, and impact-resistant. I have a pair of heavy white oak sticks I've been using for several years and a pair of larger softwood (pine?) sticks that have splintered ends after 6 months.

In case it will help, dimensions of these sticks are usually about 18-20" long, 1-1.5" in diameter. They are generally held at shoulder height and used to beat on stuff for hours on end, which is why I'm trying to find something lighter than the oak. :o Any recommendations?
 
Ash would likely do well. Lighter than oak, though heavier than pine for sure. Impact resistant, and tough. Ash makes pretty good tool handles too, second only to hickory.

There are other choices, with other tradeoffs. Beech would be pretty good, but not a lot lighter than oak. Maple's harder, a bit lighter, but more brittle than some of the other hardwoods. Locust or hornbeam would be indestructible, but too heavy. Elm's certainly tough enough, but the interlocking grain (which makes it tough) also makes it difficult to work, and it warps fairly easily.
 
No, balsa wouldnt get any sound out of the drum head, it's too light and would probably break too easy. Methinks a rim shot would more than likely shatter the stick into a million pieces.
 
Lignum vitae...go large, or go home.

Seriously, while it's not lightweight (for a wood) you probably wouldn't notice the difference in those dimensions. For drumsticks it would likely be indestructible.
 
I second the Ash drumsticks. You really have to look at the end grain on ash.
If you get a good piece they would make tough drumsticks . Ash does pick up a lot of moisture so I would seal them well. Some kind of rubbed in highly waterresistant finish.

Wait a minute. I just read those dimensions. I would be more concerned with what I was beating on than those telephone poles.
 
Novadak said:
I'm looking to make a new pair of big drumsticks and would like to find a wood that is relatively lightweight, strong, and impact-resistant. I have a pair of heavy white oak sticks I've been using for several years and a pair of larger softwood (pine?) sticks that have splintered ends after 6 months.

In case it will help, dimensions of these sticks are usually about 18-20" long, 1-1.5" in diameter. They are generally held at shoulder height and used to beat on stuff for hours on end, which is why I'm trying to find something lighter than the oak. :o Any recommendations?
Click to expand...

Them's mighty big sticks to beat with for hours. I hope the guy on the receiving end is paying well for all that work! ;)

Seriously, have you considered rattan? It's lightweight and holds together pretty well for martial arts type whacking.
 
I wonder how heavy the Micarta rods are? Nova do the sticks absolutely have to be that big around? If you could drop to 3/4" dia the Micarta may not be to heavy if you can find it in those lengths. As far as that goes Delrin might work if it doesn't have to absolutely be wood. Delrin is pretty light for such a dense plastic.
 
Howard -- these really are for beating on big drums, not people. ;) I do have a pair of big rattan sticks but would never use them on the drums because the ends are not rounded enough, and they are a bit too light.

Kevin -- while our drums aren't ridiculously huge, they are maybe 2-3 feet in diameter. I hit pretty hard but have never managed to puncture a drumhead that wasn't already broken.

So... balsa would definitely be too light, and lignum vitae sounds way too heavy. It sounds like beech would be as heavy as oak, and maple might be too brittle. I hadn't even thought of synthetics -- 3/4" would probably be too small, though. Ash and hickory sound like the most likely candidates, so I'm going to try these. Thanks all for the suggestions! :) :thumbup:
 
One suggestion? I have no idea of the ergonomics,paradox,nodes or stress factors involved. I can just about guarantee you that a baton sculpted to your needs would not be straight sided.

You may be able to save a half ounce or so by knowing where the stresses placed by use would be. Also if it is balanced it may feel lighter in the hand.

It may also be that a laminated baton would be of superior strength for its weight. It would make a plain stick into a work of art. There are enough of us here who know how to stain so as to make different woods contrast nicely.
 
Hold one, maple too brittle? News to me. I've used it to make plenty knife handles and spoons that get banged around daily cooking and eating, heck they even make bowling pins out of the stuff. If Andy hadn't already mentioned maple, that was going to be my suggestion. Slightly lighter than oak, ash, or hickory, but close grained and dense enough you can smack it around pretty hard. I made a head for a woodworking mallet out of maple for that very reason. It's fairly readily availabe, and relatively inexpensive as a bonus. Wouldn't scratch it off my short list just yet. ;)

Sarge
 
Ash or hickory may be the wood of choice.
http://www.samash.com/catalog/showi...n=FRO&ovcpn=FROOGLE&ovcrn=VKDC4XXXX&ovtac=CMP
http://www.samash.com/catalog/showi...n=FRO&ovcpn=FROOGLE&ovcrn=VKDC4XXXX&ovtac=CMP

Beech and Cypress seemed to be used for different drums.
http://users.lmi.net/taikousa/diyprice.html

Taiko Bachi (drum sticks)
We normally carry all the items listed on this page "in stock" at our store in the USA. The taiko bachi and other accessories are either imported from Japan or made by Perfect Harmony. While we have determined these to be the most popular styles and sizes, from time to time we may add additional items. Please check back in the future for more bachi specials!

Shimedaiko Bachi - 14 1/4" Long by 5/8" Diameter, made of Hoo (magnolia) a medium-soft wood stick. This bachi is made specially for shimedaiko.
Price = $18.00 per pair

Shime/Kumi Daiko Bachi - 15 3/4" Long by 7/8" Diameter, made of Buna (beech) a moderately hardwood stick. This bachi is a good choice for "matsuri" or "sukeroku" style on taiko 19 inches in diameter or smaller. It can also be used to play larger shimedaiko (#4 and #5), as well as for playing taiko & shime together kumi daiko style (like a drum kit).
Price = $19.00 per pair

Nagadou Taiko Bachi -- Oak - 15 3/4" Long by 1" Diameter, made of Nara (oak) a hardwood stick. This bachi is a good choice for "matsuri" style, where sharp "ka" sounds are required. Also for playing nagadou taiko between 18 and 24 inches in diameter. Not recommended for use on a shimedaiko.
Price = $25.00 per pair

Nagadou Taiko Bachi -- Beech - 15 3/4" Long by 1" Diameter, made of Buna (beech) a moderately hardwood. This is a good all-around taiko bachi, especially for playing larger nagadou taiko. Beech wood is lighter than oak, and therefore less stressful over a long performance. Since beech is softer than oak, larger bachi made of beech are less likely to mark or damage the body of your taiko. This bachi is recommended for drummers who play the side of their taiko during performance.
Price = $22.00 per pair

Chi Chibu Bachi - 14 1/4" Long by 1 3/4" Diameter on the batter end (the stick tapers to 1 3/8" on the grip end). These bachi are specially made for playing the song "Chi Chibu Yatai Bayashi" a standard among many taiko groups in Japan. They are made of Hinoki (cypress) a soft, lightweight yet durable wood. These bachi are tapered, so the grip end is thinner than the batter end (the end you hit the taiko with). This is the traditional style of bachi used in playing "Chi Chibu Yatai Bayashi."
Price = $32.00 per pair

Odaiko Bachi - 18 1/2" Long by 1 3/8" Diameter (tapers to 1 1/8"), made of Hinoki (cypress) a soft and lightweight wood that is surprisingly strong. These bachi are specially designed for Odaiko, but can also be used for "Miyake Daiko." The bachi are tapered, so the batter end (the end you hit the taiko with) is slightly thinner than the grip end. This makes for a more comfortable grip when playing.
Price = $35.00 per pair
A note about Odaiko bachi - many people ask about oak or keyaki Odaiko bachi, these sticks will be very heavy! Before buying these bachi ask yourself - "how long am I going to play?" If you play an Odaiko piece that is more than 5 minutes long, we recommend that you do not play with heavy bachi - it will cause too much strain on your wrists.

Also, we do not recommend keyaki or oak sticks for songs where you hit the body or the rim (called the "fuchi" - or the "kara" sound) of the taiko, since you can dent or crack the taiko.
 
What I don't know about Taiko you could write books about. I do know that I liked the Taiko in "The Hunted" a blade friendly movie with Christopher Lambert.

I think it was Sho Kosugi Institute that was responsible for the drumming. I quite liked it. There was a difference to it in the respect the beat was especially captivating for me.

There was also a dancer which enhanced the experience. A little flute playing filled the bill as far as music was concerned.

On another note? (pun intended) the sword fight scenes involving Lambert's rescuer on the train helped to bring you down from the ethereal earthiness of the music. When said gentleman combatant hands his broken sword over to the inspector it was priceless.

If you have seen the movie don't say more about that scene as someone may want to see the movie.

I would like to have similar Taiko music to play on my surround sound. I think the sub woofer would really do them justice.
 
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