Vic Firth American Concept Freestyle Drumsticks have been designed to meet the needs of the modern drummer. Drummers are after sticks that can be flexible to different playing needs.
This is where the Vic Firth American Concept Freestyle sticks aim to shine.
What is unique about the Vic Firth American Concept Freestyle Drumsticks?
The Vic Firth Freestyle sticks are longer than the average drumstick. These are drumsticks have a length of 17″ which is around 1″ longer than the average drumstick.
The drumsticks also have an extra-long taper increasing the fulcrum (balance) on the stick.
The Freestyle drumsticks are made from hickory with a lacquer finish like the other models offered by Vic Firth. This gives them a familiar feel in your hand.
The final difference compared to the American Classic sticks is that these feature a hybrid tip shape. This sits between a teardrop and a round tip. It aims to give you a similar feel to a teardrop with a bit more ping when using the tip on cymbals. They also shouldn’t leave dents in your heads as you can get when playing heavier with round tips.
Who are these sticks for?
The Vic Firth Freestyle sticks are worth considering for several reasons.
The extra length of the Vic Firth American Concept Freestyle Drumsticks
It is becoming more common for drummers to want a longer stick to use when playing. Vic Firth has had an extreme line of sticks for many years that are longer but these sticks take things a step further.
Increased balance point
If you find the stick moving around in your hand a bit as you play this will be less of an issue with these sticks. Due to the extended fulcrum, you can afford for the stick to move a little without ruining the stick feel.
A diverse tip
A hybrid tip is a great option for drummers that have a diverse range of genres to cover. These tips give you the flexibility that you can’t get from the existing American Classic range and worth a try if you like teardrop feel but want more cymbal clarity.
What sizes are the Vic Firth American Concept Freestyle Drumsticks available in?
The Vic Firth Freestyle drumsticks are currently available in five sizes.
- Freestyle 5A
- Freestyle 5B
- Freestyle 7A
- Freestyle 55A
- Freestyle 85A
The model names match up against there equivalent sizes so if you normally play a 5A, Vic Firth would suggest trying the Freestyle 5A.
Where can I buy these sticks?
You can pick the Vic Firth Freestyle Sticks up from your local drum shop or most online retailers.
If you are going to order online, here are our top picks.
Our thoughts
Initially, I was sceptical about the Freestyle sticks. Are there many more ways to innovate on all the existing drumstick models? But the more I looked into them the more I can see the appeal.
Currently, as an Extreme 5B player, I am going to be trying the Freestyle 5B. The extra reach is always something I have liked from a drumstick and the hybrid tips are also an interesting addition.
The only downside I can see of these sticks is that they do cost an extra few dollars per pair. That doesn’t sound like much but it will add up over the years.
Overall, I think there is a lot to like with these sticks and they are worth a try if after a fresh feel. Drumsticks are all down to personal preference so they won’t be right for everyone. Pick up a pair and see how they feel.
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