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Kurtis wrote:It's a freaking 5B with an acorn shaped head. Its not all that.

It is similar to a VF 5B, but it is a little different. The differences, to me, where worth checking on with Z. Not holding my breath that VF's new signature VC stick will be the same.

I have American Classic 7a, 5a and 5b for my students. Nice sticks and the 5b is really similar. Not exactly the same, though. Main difference is the tip. Certainly makes a difference for me and I'd feel quite bummed if I won't be able to get those again when i run out. It is THE stick for me, so I would go as far as to have them made for me if they won't be available again.

What sticks Is Vinnie using these days anyway.


Things like these always meake me think about all my other favourite equipment that's discontinued or that's been "updated" from being fantastic to useless.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who found this to be his favourite allround stick.

Just checked the two models: VF 5B is pretty different from Z. VC.

The VC is shorter, the taper is different, the neck is thicker, the buttend is more 'ball shaped' and the tip is different. Not the same stick at all.

Before Vinnie had his own signature stick he used to play Vic Firth 5Bs. I wonder if this new stick will be similar to that.
On the subject of Vic Firth, I noticed a marked difference in the quality going south after the "Ken Burns-like" documentary on how the sticks are manufactured.
I have almost caught splinters off several pair and noticed that it took a lot longer to find a pair that didn't feel like balsa wood. I still use them but have to search through several pair to find decent ones. Could it be a Guitar Center "thing"?

Yeah, I've had bad batches of Vic Firth sticks in the past too. Weird thing is that they sell their sticks in three different weights for each model (an endorser told me this): light, medium and heavy - but I've never seen them sold that way in retail stores or online.

My last dozen or so Vic Firth sticks have been great, and long lasting.

Vinnie's new model will be a tiny bit longer than his last signature model (last I heard). There may be other differences. I think they're still fleshing it out for him.

Paul Marangoni wrote:Yeah, I've had bad batches of Vic Firth sticks in the past too. Weird thing is that they sell their sticks in three different weights for each model (an endorser told me this): light, medium and heavy - but I've never seen them sold that way in retail stores or online.

If you buy a pack I think you get equal amounts of each.

It would be nice to be able to choose individually and have them marked as the difference is substantial enough to work for different purposes.

Vic used to make the old sticks anyway, so I'm thinking it might be worth a try to contact them and show interest in continued production of the old stick. I'll probably try the new one as I like to try everything I come accross. I just think many people like the old one and that it would be a wise business decision to continue making it.

this is great news. I loved the Zildjian VC's just the consistencies were terrible. now w/ VF's quality control and consistency, this will be a win-win. not only for VC but for VF consumers.

I would love it if they made the Todd Sucherman stick in Hickory rather than maple under the VF banner. LOVE the profile on that stick just a lil' too light for me.

Paul Marangoni wrote:...Weird thing is that they sell their sticks in three different weights for each model (an endorser told me this): light, medium and heavy - but I've never seen them sold that way in retail stores or online...

Vater does this too - If you buy a brick of sticks - you'll get three different weights... The difference between the heavies and the lights is pretty big - I wish they wouldn't mix them up like that. I'd happily buy a brick of the light variety - I could save $ and not have to sift through a bunch of sticks in the store...

Da Chooch wrote:this is great news. I loved the Zildjian VC's just the consistencies were terrible. now w/ VF's quality control and consistency, this will be a win-win. not only for VC but for VF consumers.

I would love it if they made the Todd Sucherman stick in Hickory rather than maple under the VF banner. LOVE the profile on that stick just a lil' too light for me.

I'm a big fan of Todd's signature model too- dig the maple. Having a hard time finding them in LA though, even through work they have to be special ordered apparently...