PRODUCTS
ドラムシティ オリジナル スティック 其の1 DX-18（Oak & Hickory）
There are countless types of sticks in this world, but what kind of sticks do you use?
There are many points to consider, such as length, thickness, weight, balance, tip shape, and material.
Stick manufacturers and drum manufacturers offer many options, and the lineup is constantly expanding and contracting to meet the needs of everyone.
However, we often receive a variety of opinions, such as ``If only things were a little more like this in that model'' and ``I want that model that has been discontinued.''
At Drum City, in order to meet such requests, we have prepared several types of original sticks that have been carefully selected to reach those itchy areas. We will be introducing Drum City Sticks again several times in the future.
As a tester, we invited Mr. Uichiro Ichikawa, an instructor at Asakusa Drum Dojo, to talk about his experience with the product and his recommended points.
*This article has been added and revised from the one published in "JPC No. 168" published in April 2021.
▶Introducing the first commemorative DX-18 OAK & HICKORY
Decades ago,G.S. was in its heyday and was available domestically.There were not many types of drumsticks, and overseas models were expensive and difficult to obtain.Stimmung DELUXE 18 was loved by many drummers for its outstanding quality and affordable price. Many drummers were still looking for this model, even though it was extremely difficult to obtain as it had long since ceased production.
``If it's wanted so much, let's make it!'' This model was created with the aim of being a complete reproduction of the Stimmung DELUXE 18.
At first, we didn't have samples in good condition and development was difficult, but after several prototypes, we finally completed it!
I remember that we announced it on social media, etc., and that its presence gradually spread.
(The reviews from the people who bought them helped me a lot. Many thanks.)
Initially, it was only released in oak wood, but after receiving many requests, we released a new hickory version in 2020.
Both models have now become highly popular items.
▶We asked Mr. Uichiro Ichikawa, who actually uses this model, about his experience with it.
Hello, I'm Uichiro Ichikawa, an instructor at Asakusa Drum Dojo. From now on, I will be contributing several reviews of Drum City's original sticks.
Please tell me one thing.
Well, if I were to write about ``how to choose a stick'' now, I'd probably get scolded and say, ``I'm not a beginner, I already know that,'' but please bear with me.
First of all, when choosing a stick, the choice of store is also important. Sticks are the same no matter where you buy them, so it's a good idea to think about them. Even if you can buy it cheaply online, when you open the box, the weight will vary and it may contain loose items. Even a stick is a cool instrument. Please go to a store with a large inventory and choose with your own eyes and ears.
When you go to the store, ask the staff and roll the stick around on a flat surface to pick up the stick that doesn't warp. Weigh the sticks we have selected in this way one by one, and narrow it down to just the weights we like. In this case, a slight error of less than 1 gram is acceptable. If you're too focused on perfection, you may not even be able to buy a single set. And, here's the important part: hold each of these carefully selected sticks in the same hand on the same side, and hit the practice pad in the same position and with the same force. Then you will be able to understand the differences in sound quality and pitch of each stick. You don't want to be too picky, but if possible, choose sticks with similar tones and pitches and pair them together. This is my personal method. You can choose what you like.
Well, this is a long introduction, but what I would like to introduce to you today is a reprint of a nostalgic model that was once very popular in Japan. When I was a child, imported sticks such as Ruddick and Rogers were only available at large music stores, and most of the sticks you could buy at local music stores were domestic products. This model is by far the best among these domestic sticks. Since it was a product of Company M, which originally made batons, its quality was highly praised and I remember that it was often used by professionals.
The biggest feature of this model is, of course, the slightly thinner grip. For this reason, it has a unique lightness when you shake it, probably because the center of gravity is a little forward. The tip (tip) is oval shaped like a rice whelk, making it perfect for all-round performances such as jazz and pop. There are two types of materials: hickory and oak. If you are looking for a warm tone with moderate flexibility and repulsion, hickory is a good choice, and if you are looking for a hard, sharp tone with a straight feel when swung, oak is a good choice.
This time, I selected several pairs of hickory sticks in the 53-54 gram range and oak sticks in the 59-60 gram range. Both types are relatively heavy, but considering the thin shoulders of this model, we intentionally made them heavier so that the sound would not become too thin. That said, the grip is slightly thinner, so it doesn't feel too heavy. The thick coating also fits comfortably in your hand, giving it an excellent fit. In addition to that, the logo design is nice. It's not a flashy item that reflects the manufacturer's strong self-assertion, it's plain but fits well.
Nowadays, you can see similar sticks everywhere you look, so it's sure to be a great experience to try out a unique model made in Japan with a history.
See you next time! Bye-bye.
執筆者：市川 宇一郎
編集：Drum City
