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Custom Drumstix The company shtick: CDX was started by drummers, for drummers who understand that every musician is different. Every drummer has a unique hand that desires a specific stick length, diameter, taper or any number of options that truly make the instrument feel right. We believe that every drummer deserves the opportunity to fulfill that dream. With CDX drumsticks, you determine the feel by deciding how long and wide the stick is in addition to the shape of the taper and the tip. A selection of exotic woods also allows for additional customisation. Quality and customer service are the number one priority for CDX. Every piece of wood used for CDX drumsticks is handselected by our production expert and co-founder, Nick Fetzer. Attention to details like this is what makes CDX sticks so strong, keeps you playing longer, all while keeping our prices low. Sample tested: Custom Length index: 98 Weight index: 97 Playability: The company made up a range of 7A-size sticks for this review in a variety of timbers. Unfortunately, the timing of its relaunch didn’t permit the addition of nylon tips, so wood-tip models were shipped. My favourite was the hickory version which was light, generous in length, and elegantly shaped. The sticks were well balanced and provided with stylish acorn tips with flat tops. Since they were built (largely) to my specifications, I can’t blame the sticks for any lack of performance, but as it turned out, they were responsive and felt good in the hand. Rebound was probably on the low side and would have been enhanced by a nylon tip. There was very little impact transmission, even with energised strikes on a hard rubber pad. And best of all, the samples carry a digitalDrummer logo, so no-one can appropriate a pair when I am the sole stick source at a jam!
Fixpoint Sticks The company shtick: Fixpoint AREA Drumsticks help you to find your target. No more endless searching for the right sound. Our drumsticks provide you with three zones of sidestick sounds plus a dedicated rimshot area. Better control over the hit-point gives you a consistent sound in rehearsal, on stage and in the studio. Lessonplan 1 and 2 are your mobile drumming school you can take wherever you like ... no need for stationery - no books - no pen and no computer! The drumstick itself is its own learning method. Sample tested: 5A Length index: 98 Weight index: 97 Playability: These are novelty sticks with designated zones for rimshots and side stick articulations. It’s a novel idea perhaps better suited to acoustic playing where it does matter which part of the stick hits the rim. For electronics, the markings are largely irrelevant. So, ignoring those, you end up with an all-hickory, oval-tipped stick that is reasonably well-proportioned, comfortable and well-balanced. I found them expressive on mesh and hard rubber pads, but a bit lacking on rubber-covered cymbals, where the rebound was subdued. A second version of the stick has practice reminders printed on it and also includes a practice CD. Again, nice ideas, but how long will the printing last and will that endure longer than the motivation? I’m not convinced. digitalDRUMMER, FEBRUARY 2011
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