Percussionist John Crocken has been manufacturing high end drum sticks by hand in Baltimore Maryland for forty years. Not your typical hickory, maple or oak sticks, but more rigid and dense, yet lighter woods that are preferred by symphonic percussionists and rope drum drummers. They have a great feel and bounce. John nine models for us to check out:
1. Parade Rudimental #3 made of purple heart. shaft .725 / Bead .705 round with collar / overall length 17” $40
2. Civil War #7 made of Brazilian Cherry. This stick is patterned after a pair that accompanied a Civil War drum of the 1st Maryland N/G Band owned by Charles “Buck” Soistman. Butt .700 / Bead .430 / Overall Length 16.5”. I like the long thin taper of this stick. $40
3. Concert Stick made of persimmon. Shaft .625 / Bead .400 / Overall length 15.75”. Ideally suited for concert work and general practice. Used by Fred Begun, Tympanist of the National Symphony, and George Gaber, professor of Percussion at Indiana University
4. Drum set Stick “Exelsior” model which was used by Max Roach and Jim Chapin. shaft .590 / Bead ..400 / Overall Length 15.75” $70
5. #1 Walking Cane model made of persimmon w flared butt for backsticking $40
6. #2 A.F. model , teardrop bead made from Jatoba which is Brazilian Cherry $40
7. #6 - 5Z model with acorn bead. Brazilian Cherry $40
8. #5 Set in persimmon
9. Bass drum beater - rudimental - Brazilian Cherry $49 pr.
I focused in on the persimmon Concert Stick model and the Excelsior Drum Set Stick model because of the feel of the persimmon wood. John says the persimmon is becoming very scarce so get ‘em while they’re hot. All of the sticks are of the highest quality and the pitch pairing is excellent. I am by no means a symphonic player or parade drummer, though I do play one on TV. These sticks are not for chopping away at hi hats and making sawdust. The price of fine custom made sticks like these is worth it because of the durability and hardness of the wood, and the care and precision with which they are made.
You can contact John at 410-925-2263 / jc@mybrandbuilders.com You can also order at DrumSellers.com
John Draws demonstrates his John Crocken Drum Set Sticks
