Highly recommended
- Rating
- Posted by
- Justin Dickson
- Date Posted
- 06/09/2015
I teach middle school band. My local music store lent me the Vater Super Jazz in hickory, and the Vic Firth AJ1 in hickory, to compare. I wanted to find some good sticks specifically for school jazz band. The SUPER JAZZ produces a slightly lower pitch, and a fatter, less articulate sound. Think hitting a bass drum with a snare drum stick vs with a bass drum mallet -- that is what I mean by articulate. The SUPER JAZZ is articulate enough, certainly not a dull sound, but the AJ1 is more articulate. I imagine the AJ1 would cut through a band more. The AJ1 sounds similar to the ubiquitous Vic Firth 5A. Someone looking for "like a 5A but for jazz" would love the AJ1. Both sticks bounce freely on the ride cymbal, maybe more so with the SUPER JAZZ. I had my drummer play them both and I listened from across the room, and I favored the SUPER JAZZ because the sound was much more full but still very articulate. I found the sound of the AJ1 thin by comparison. I would need to hear them both played along with a band to be sure, but I think I prefer the SUPER JAZZ. My 8th grade drummer, who plays 5A's, prefers the AJ1. Both are good sticks, it just comes down to personal preference.