Vic Firth American Custom Echo Drumsticks  

I love these sticks. Not for every drummer but great for active drummers that use a lot of closed rolls, rim shots, doubles, and speed with articulation. Heads last a lot longer, no dings. Makes regular 5a's feel like logs. Surprisingly durable.

I've been using these for over two years now. A friend recommended them for smooth buzz rolls, but they are useful for much more. Nice thing is, you can hit hard and they aren't that loud. Great for low volume gigs. They have a very nice feel once you get used to them too, very well balanced. Switching back and forth between these and a normal shafted stick can be slightly challenging, as the feel is different. Highly recommended for rock/pop drummers who play quiet venues.

If your able to double up on your high hat with a tension release technique,play soul funk,the swing and or jazz, these sticks are a blessing. I gave a pair to studio drummer @ Marin Studio West, He said, they have a great held back sound on cymbals.           

This stick it great for fast playing, light playing, or just times when you need to be quieter. Obviously, it does not deliver the pop or tone that a normal stick does. This stick also breaks easy--I cracked it in half playing some hard scah/punk. Do not slam with these sticks!

The Echos are amazingly light. Any friend of mine who has ever held my pair has been amazed at the quality and craftsmanship of these sticks. They're great for playing and keeping quiet, and keep a nice quality of sound when you're giving your set some punishment. The one disadvantage obviously is that the tapered ends are so tapered that it can be hard to get a good crash in on a cymbal, but that can be easily fixed by hitting the cymbal closer to the center. Of course the best part is that they're amazingly durable considering how thin they are and if you're worried about head damage on your set, you'll find it quite impossible to do damage with something so tiny. Worth every dollar you found in your friend's couches.