The Vater Extended Play Series is an extremely durable drum stick designed by Vater's passionate R&D team that has two distinct features. The first feature is a pearl-colored, specially formulated durable finish that protects the tip and shoulder area of the stick from early chipping and cracking. The second feature is Vater's exclusive 3" Stick Shield located in the rimshot area that is highly impact resistant and eight-times stronger than steel with maximum tensile strength. The grip area of the stick has the same great-feeling finish as found on all Vater Sticks. Extended Play sticks offer the optimal balance and feel of a Vater hickory stick, with advanced durability and resistance to rimshot fatigue and breakage.