Zack Grooves came to Meinl Stick & Brush with a goal to find a drumstick that would feel like an extension of his hands and respond as needed regardless of the situation he found himself in. Together, we have designed a stick that features a unique combination of weight, diameter and length. To start off, we select our heaviest hickory dowels and then mill them down to a medium-thin diameter of 0.550”. The dowels are then cut to 16.5” in length and given a long taper to counter the heavy weight. This produces an overall balanced feel, and the final result is a fast stick that plays light enough for small and intimate rooms but has the weight to project when needed and withstand the punishment of louder gigs too. To top off the flexibility, Zack chose an oval tip for its balanced response and wide variety of tones and attack that you can generate on cymbals, giving him total control over his final sound. 

“I was on a mission to find the perfect drumstick no matter what style of music I was playing. I needed something light enough for a jazz standards gig at a cocktail joint, but also heavy and durable enough to bash on a rock hit. And let me tell you, the folks at Meinl Stick & Brush nailed it!
My drumsticks feel super quick and responsive to play. But with the extra length, there’s enough reach to powerfully blaze around the drum kit without feeling like you’re working too hard.  I always feel like I’m in complete control of what I’m playing, no matter the style or task. Let’s not forget about the oval tip of the stick that sounds really good when you wanna get real sweet and sensitive on the cymbals. All around, it's my favorite stick of all time.”

El Estepario Siberiano and Meinl have created a signature stick together that features many classic elements but is specifically built to match his wide range of drumming capabilities from effortless grooves to ‘must-see-to-believe’ mechanics. The result is a stick that perfectly blends versatility with speed and agility. Using select US hickory, this stick begins with a medium-thin diameter of 0.555” for a standard grip that is just under a 5A and features an acorn tip for quintessential cymbal definition. To create a more modern feel, each dowel is cut to a unique length of 16.375”, and when combined with the medium taper and medium weight, these sticks come alive around the kit and respond in any situation. 

Playing with inspiration and fire, Calvin Rodgers continues to set the standard for gospel and R&B drumming, only to raise that standard again and again. Together Calvin and Meinl have created a NEW signature drumstick that is not only great for manoeuvring quickly around the kit, but also perfect for laying down deep and heavy grooves. Starting with a 5A diameter and US selected hickory, this unique stick features a total length of 16.5" and a long taper designed for both reach and rebound in a stick made to play fast. The round ball tip produces articulation and clarity on cymbals as well as drums, while the weight and balance supply the sensitivity and feel necessary for a great all-around stick.