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Should I get 5A or 5B drumsticks?
Dec
Should I get 5A or 5B drumsticks?
If you’re looking for new drumsticks, you may be wondering which size you should choose.
There are so many different sizes of drumsticks available, and every drummer tends to develop preferences over time when it comes to choosing the most comfortable drumstick size for their playing style.
With that being said, no wood sticks are more popular than your Standard 5A and 5B drumstick options.
These are what most drummers start off with, and so many drummers keep playing them for the rest of their drumming careers.
If you’re looking for new drumsticks, you may be wondering which of these two options you should choose. In this guide, we’ll look at the differences between 5A and 5B drumsticks.
5A Standard Drumsticks
If you’re new to playing drums, it can be hard to know what size of drumsticks you should be using. Should you go for 5A or 5B?
Well, first of all, let’s take a look at what each size looks like:
5A are the most popular drumsticks in the world. They’re known as the industry standard sticks, and they can easily be found on our website here!.
While sizes may differ slightly according to what brand you’re looking at, most 5A drumsticks are 16” long and have a thickness of 0.570”. This size tends to feel very comfortable in your hands, and that’s why 5As are so loved by the vast majority of drummers.
5A drum sticks can be used for any style of music. They’re very versatile, and they’ll allow you to play both hard and soft to get varying tones from your kit. While thinner sticks are usually preferred for light styles, 5As will still easily get the job done for any playing style.
Here are a few pro drummers that use 5A drumsticks: Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Ringo Starr (The Beatles), Phil Collins (Genesis)
If you want to find out more about these sticks, we’ve attached a link below to grab a pair.
5B Standard Drumsticks
5B drumsticks are 16” long, with a diameter of 0.605”. The only difference between the two is that 5B sticks are thicker than 5As.
5B sticks are great for getting louder tones out of your drums. Their thick shafts allow you to play loudly and achieve more power without using too much force. They’re not quite as popular as 5A sticks, but many drummers love the feeling of using slightly thicker sticks.
With 5Bs being thicker and louder, they’re great options for styles like rock and metal. They’re a bit too thick and heavy for jazz and softer drumming styles.
If you’ve never tried 5B drumsticks out before, you should give them a go to feel exactly how they compare to 5As.
Here are a few pro drummers that use 5B drumsticks: John Bonham, Cobus Potgieter, Chad Smith
If you want to find out more about these sticks, we’ve attached a link below to grab a pair.
Difference Between 5A and 5B Drumsticks
If you’re a drummer, you’ve probably asked yourself: “Should I get 5A or 5B drumsticks?”
The short answer is “it depends.”
5A and 5B sticks are fairly close together in their specs compared to other drumstick types. So, transitioning from one to the other is quite easy. That’s why some drummers keep both types in their stick bags for whenever the situation requires them.
The biggest difference between 5A and 5B drumsticks is their thickness. 5B sticks feel a bit fuller in your hands, giving you something a bit beefier to hold onto. Some drummers love that feeling, while others prefer the slimmer feeling of 5As.
In addition to being a thicker stick, 5Bs are also slightly heavier. This allows them to produce a bigger sound with less intensity from your strokes. You don’t need to hit as hard as you do with 5As to play loudly.
However, it’s easier to play faster strokes with the lower weight of the 5As. You’ll find that a lot of drummers who use 5B sticks utilize their wrists, while many drummers who play 5Bs utilize their fingers more.
Are There Other Drumstick Sizes to Choose From?
Want to know about other drumstick sizes to choose from?
If so, I’ve got some good news for you! There are several types of sticks to choose from apart from standard 5As and 5Bs. Those ones are popular as they suit most drummers. They always just seem to work.
Here is a list of other drumstick sizes:
All those stick types have varying sizes and thicknesses in relation to 5A and 5B drumsticks.
It’s a good idea to try them all out if you can, as you may find that one of them feels amazing in your hands compared to everything else you’ve tried. Some drummers like to switch between different sticks for varying playing styles. It’s a good idea to have two or three sizes in your stick bag.
Each different drumstick type will also have a slightly different tip shape, and you can read my comprehensive guide to all the different types of drumsticks and their characteristics here
Round Up
5A sticks are the most universally loved option. You can use them for any playing style and setting. 5B sticks are better for rock drummers who want more energy and volume on the drum kit. It’s a slightly heavier stick that is ideal for rock playing metal, rock, pop, and punk.
Don’t discount other stick types, though. There are sticks that have specs that fall in between 5As and 5Bs, so you should try those out as well to find the right stick for you.