2B sticks = Broken head?

[JB4GDI]

So, when I came back home for Christmas break, I realized that I left the only pair of 5As I had back at school. I searched around the house for an old crappy pair of sticks (I tried using wooden spoons to play, but they didn't feel right), and I ended up finding a pair of Hard Rock Cafe 2Bs.

Now, after only 2 weeks of having it at my house, I noticed a problem. I sat down to play and notied that the yellow drum head was caved in, and quickly became unplayble.

I wasn't there when it happened, so I can't tell if it was in fact the 2Bs that caused it alone, or if it was my little cousins just beating the thing as hard as they could while I was gone (I hear they like to do that). A chair also could have fell on it, but the photo evidence looks like the break fits perfectly with where I normally hit the yellow drum, so the 2Bs at least played a role in weakening the heads.

I'll have to send them in for a replacement, but I guess one thing I learned here is don't play with 2Bs! Just thought you should all know.

-Jaime

[Project_Mercy]

I would think that 2Bs would actually be better, since the cut-in isn't as deep and the head is slightly wider. In either case, they crack because they're getting hit too hard. Unfortunatly, since the yellow and blue pads have so little rebound, there isn't a lot you can do about it if you're playing a lot of expert songs (which, given your sig, you are), so I empathize with you. I don't think you can equate 2b=cracked head though.

[JB4GDI]

I'll blame it on my cousins then. That seems like the most likely reason why that giant crack is there.

The 2Bs did feel a bit more precise, so I got comfortable playing with them. Maybe on my next set I'll try to not aim for the center too often, just in case.

-Jaime

[Project_Mercy]

I've been thinking about trying that gum rubber mod. That would also reduce the pin-point stress on the drum head somewhat by making the rubber pad (which is easily replaceable) take the brunt of it and spread it out. If it increases rebound, it will also reduce the input I need. I don't actually want to quiet the pads down, as that's how I keep time, but extra rebound would be $$$.

I would think that might help you out too.

On the sticks, I found that heavier sticks helped in general. The normal Rockband sticks are so light, they have so little rebound in them, that you have to seriously mash them into the pads to get them to do anything. So I just use normal Vater hickory 5As. I play with a pretty loose grip and a "lighter" (from a drumming perspective) touch so I get some rebound on them. Sometimes that goes poorly if I clip the pad rim and the stick goes flying :(

[Jake_Fatal]

the same thing happened to me

[JB4GDI]

I've been thinking about trying that gum rubber mod. That would also reduce the pin-point stress on the drum head somewhat by making the rubber pad (which is easily replaceable) take the brunt of it and spread it out. If it increases rebound, it will also reduce the input I need. I don't actually want to quiet the pads down, as that's how I keep time, but extra rebound would be $$$.

I would think that might help you out too.

On the sticks, I found that heavier sticks helped in general. The normal Rockband sticks are so light, they have so little rebound in them, that you have to seriously mash them into the pads to get them to do anything. So I just use normal Vater hickory 5As. I play with a pretty loose grip and a "lighter" (from a drumming perspective) touch so I get some rebound on them. Sometimes that goes poorly if I clip the pad rim and the stick goes flying :(

Yeah, I'm planning on adding gum rubber to the heads once I get the replacement drum set in. I figure it'll help reduce the wear and tear by a lot.

Also, maybe I can try going for a pair of 5B Hickorys just to add a little weight.

-Jaime

[ClinTrojan]

I have these that I use for my drumset but im afraid to use them on rockband...

http://store.drumbum.com/media/tommy-lee-drumsticks.jpg

[JB4GDI]

Are those aluminum?

-Jaime

[ClinTrojan]

Yes haha....That is why im not using them on rockband.

[Frederf]

Don't feel bad since some drum controller sets have a weak spot in the yellow pad. A number of people have cracked theirs, specifically the yellow pad, so it's possible that you were the victim of a pre-existing weak plastic condition.

As far as sticks go I like the heftier feel of the 5B stick over a 5A or so but in the interest of noise/violence reduction I have ordered sticks in maple. Maple sticks are far lighter than their hickory cousins.

I too shudder to think what forces my drums have been subjected to when I'm not supervising them, especially the bass pedal.

[BearFan51]

I would think that 2Bs would actually be better, since the cut-in isn't as deep and the head is slightly wider. In either case, they crack because they're getting hit too hard. Unfortunatly, since the yellow and blue pads have so little rebound, there isn't a lot you can do about it if you're playing a lot of expert songs (which, given your sig, you are), so I empathize with you. I don't think you can equate 2b=cracked head though.

Try these, a little pricey.....but worth every penny. They'll reduce that kit to a pile of sharp plastic shards in less than 2 songs.:p
http://www.slugger.com/baseball/wood/images/MLBC331H.jpg

Come on guys, there was a reason the kit was provided with maple sticks. They are lighter than standard hickory sticks. I thought about using my normal sticks, but common sense told me, an RMA would be in my very near future, if I did.

2B's of the maple variety, might be ok, but there's less flex in a larger diameter stick, and that force will be transfered to the thin plastic pads.

Did they under-engineer/under-build the kit? Absolutely. But at some point, common sense has to kick in...doesn't it?

[JB4GDI]

Try these, a little pricey.....but worth every penny. They'll reduce that kit to a pile of sharp plastic shards in less than 2 songs.:p
http://www.slugger.com/baseball/wood/images/MLBC331H.jpg

I'm trying to picture someone trying to do the intro to Foreplay/Long Time with those. It's a great mental image.

-Jaime

[Apples]

I'm trying to picture someone trying to do the intro to Foreplay/Long Time with those. It's a great mental image.

-Jaime

I believe it's been tried at a few Walmart demo stations. Here are the results:

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4681/1212070002ky5.jpg

[BearFan51]

I'm trying to picture someone trying to do the intro to Foreplay/Long Time with those. It's a great mental image.

-Jaime

Yes it is!:D:D

Would this be covered under warranty?;)