Vic Firth Company Launches Signature Stick with Technical Wizard, Matt Garstka

Norwell, MA, January 2018 – Vic Firth Company is proud to announce the new Matt Garstka Signature Stick. 

As the rhythmic foundation behind prog-metal’s most talked about band, Animals As Leaders, Matt Garstka has been establishing new paradigms for contemporary drummers since his graduation from Berklee College of Music in 2011. While commonly referred to as a “rhythmic scientist” due to his mastery of highly technical rhythms and time signatures, it’s Matt’s ability to lay the technical wizardry into a deep-seated groove that has driven his meteoric rise in the drumming community.

“Matt told us that he played lighter sticks as a young kid, but as he grew older and got into more aggressive styles of music, the heavier, thicker sticks didn’t deliver the finesse he wanted,” says Neil Larrivee, Vice President of Education and Drumstick Product Development.

The Matt Garstka Signature Stick was designed with a unique alchemy of taper, tip and weight, providing the perfect symmetry between power, speed, balance and sound. The diameter is halfway between the 55A and the Buddy Rich Signature Stick, and is 16” in length. The way the profile blends seamlessly from the shaft, through the taper, and into the tip is key to producing amazing flex and response and a clear, full-bodied sound on the cymbal.

“This stick’s a chopper, but you can smash with it too. To me, it’s the best of both worlds,” states Matt. “It’s an honor to have a signature stick with Vic Firth. I hold them in higher regard than any other stick company. Working with them was really a dream come true.”

Matt Garstka (SGAR)

L=16” Dia=.585”

Vic Firth Company Overhauls Their Stereo Isolation Headphones

Norwell, MA, January 2018 – Vic Firth is proud to announce they have gone back to the drawing board to make one of their most popular hearing protection products, the Stereo Isolation Headphones even better.

The new Stereo Isolation Headphones Version 2 (SiH2) features a redesigned larger driver in the ear cups that deliver a more powerful low end, cleaner mids and clear highs for a superior sound.   Overall noise levels are reduced by 25 decibels, so that music can be listened to and played along with at safe volume levels. And the improved padded headband creates a more comfortable fit, making them enjoyable to wear for extended periods of time. 

With the upgraded sound quality of these headphones, they are great for practicing, performing, or just listening to music in a loud environment.

Vic Firth has a long history in educating drummers about the potential long-term negative effects that high sound levels can have on musicians’ hearing. Prolonged exposure to the excessive levels of noise from instruments can cause hearing fatigue, tinnitus and permanent hearing loss. To aid in protecting one of our most valuable assets, Vic Firth Company has developed a collection of products that will reduce the exposure to the extreme decibel levels, including the isolation headphones, and high fidelity earplugs.

• SiH2:

• Reduces outside noise by 25 decibels

• 50m/m Dynamic Speaker Mylarcon

• Frequency Response: 20HZ – 20kHZ

• 1/4” and 1/8” plugs

The SiH2 Stereo Isolation Headphones are just one of the many accessories Vic Firth is introducing this year at NAMM, including the Vintage Snappy snare wires, the VicKey3 Multitool and the Classic Drumstick Bag. All the new accessories will be on display at booth #

Vic Firth Company Releases Revolutionary New Wood Shaft VicKick® Bass Drum Beater

Norwell, MA, January 2018 – Vic Firth Company is proud to introduce the new VicKick® Wood Shaft Beater (VKB5) to its successful VicKick® line of beaters designed for drum set and cajon players.

This meticulously crafted beater is as unique functionally as it is visually. A large maple shaft and reduced size felt head creates an even distribution of weight from top to bottom, resulting in smoother action and more control throughout the dynamic range. Developed in collaboration with the legendary performer and educator, Peter Erskine and tested with drummers across every genre of music, the VKB5 is the new standard for any drummer looking for exceptional feel, balance and control.

“As drummers, we like the feel of wood,” states Erskine. “The reason we’re drawn to choosing a specific stick is because it’s an important part of the touch and tone that we get from the drums and cymbals. The way a stick feels – the length, the diameter, the position of the shoulder, the density of the wood – all contribute to the way it’s balanced and weighted. Why would we not want to have the same feel and experience of wood for our bass drum?” 

The new VKB5 was carefully designed to work for all drummers on any pedal setup. A standard size rod and tapered wood shaft ensure that the beater fits universally into the hub with plenty of clearance over the cam. A 1.75” felt ball packs a punch, while still being slim enough for clearance on a double bass pedal.

Erskine states, “After receiving the first prototype, I discovered that I had a whole new relationship with my bass drum. I’ve connected to the instrument in subtle ways that’s hard to explain.”

Wood Shaft VicKick® Beater (VKB5):

L=7.5” Head size=1.75”

Vic Firth Company Introduces Vintage Snappy Snare Wires

Norwell, MA, January 2018 – Vic Firth Co., the world’s largest and leading manufacturer of drumsticks and mallets, is pleased to unveil their new Vintage Snappy wires for snare drums!

Vic Firth Company has partnered with Canopus drums, makers of premium Japanese snare wires to bring you the Vintage Snappy line of snare wires. The sound is in the name as these snare wires snap at all dynamic levels without choking the bottom snare side drumhead. Your snare drum will sound fuller and have more tone.

Made from premium Japanese steel, the Vintage Snappy snare wires feature narrower than standard bronze end plates, which are perfect for modern and vintage snare drums.

The Vintage Snappy snare wires are available for 14” snare drums in two configurations:

• 20-strand model for standard depth drums

• 26-strand model to give you more snare sensitivity on deeper snare drums

Vic Firth Company Unveils Three New Products to Help Drummers Improve their Grip: PureGrit, DoubleGlaze and VicWax

Norwell, MA, January 2018 – Vic Firth Company is proud to announce three new options to help drummers grip their sticks better.

Because every drummer’s body chemistry is unique, one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to finding a way to improve grip. Vic Firth’s American Classic® PureGrit and DoubleGlaze sticks are designed to offer two new tactile experiences for the 5A and 5B player. Together with VicGrip and our classic clear lacquer, PureGrit and DoubleGlaze offer players even more possibilities to find their own perfect feel.

American Classic® PureGrit: For Sweaty Hands

The American Classic® PureGrit sticks are not only lacquer-free, but also undergo a unique abrasive processing step, which adds a touch of “grittiness” and raw wood texture to the shaft. Because the stick is not treated, over time the player’s perspiration and oil penetrates the surface of the stick, creating a natural feel and a oneness with the wood.

American Classic® DoubleGlaze: For Dry Hands

On the opposite side of the spectrum, the American Classic® DoubleGlaze sticks are coated with a specialized lacquer formula which creates a characteristically tacky feel. Players with especially dry hands will appreciate the enhanced lacquered surface because it allows them to relax their grip on the stick. The thick DoubleGlaze coating also adds a bit of mass to the stick for a solid feel.

5APG and 5ADG: L=16” Dia=.565”

5BPD and 5BDG: L=16” Dia=.595”

And for players who like a tackier feel, or who play a stick other than the 5A or 5B, Vic Firth is also proud to offer the new VICWAX.

VicWax

The VicWax drumstick wax is specially formulated to be 25% tackier than all other waxes on the market.  Available in a convenient, compact container, VicWax is a handy way to apply any level of coating on the stick, according to a player’s desired feel. And it’s berry scented.