Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Did a spot of shopping on my trip to NY this week. Unable to find 
what I really wanted, I consoled myself with a pair of Zildjian Anti-
Vibes from Sam Ash ($12).

These aren't bad. Firstly, they're far better quality generally than 
my previous Promark 5As, which frankly would be better suited as 
fence posts. More importantly, however, they do seem to work as 
advertised and definitely reduce the physical sensation of shock in 
the fingers and hands. However, I'm unsure if they genuinely reduce 
the overall after-effect of the impact; I still have aches and a 
little numbness. Now, I can't yet tell if that's because I have had 
an extended thrasherama (I was away from the kit for three days, so 
went a little nuts last night and today).

So far, I think they're worth it. More news as we have it, pictures 
at 11...

Stewart

On Sat, 24 May 2003 17:42:59 +0000, you wrote:


>These aren't bad. Firstly, they're far better quality generally than 
>my previous Promark 5As, which frankly would be better suited as 
>fence posts. More importantly, however, they do seem to work as 
>advertised and definitely reduce the physical sensation of shock in 
>the fingers and hands. However, I'm unsure if they genuinely reduce 
>the overall after-effect of the impact; I still have aches and a 
>little numbness. Now, I can't yet tell if that's because I have had 
>an extended thrasherama (I was away from the kit for three days, so 
>went a little nuts last night and today).

I tried them and was unimpressed.  I couldn't tell a difference
between them and my promarks.  My stick of choice has been the Vic
Firth 85A for some time now.  They're not too light, and have a thin
enough shaft that they give a little.  The finish of the VF sticks is
superior to that of the Promarks, Zildjians and others.



____________________________

Jim

--- Ratzo wrote:

> I tried them and was unimpressed.  I couldn't tell a
> difference between them and my promarks.

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree there. I think the Promark 
(5A) is a very... how can I put this? ... "unsophisticated" stick. 
The finish is poor.

> The finish of the VF sticks is
> superior to that of the Promarks, Zildjians and others.

Here I do agree. I have some Firth 7ANs that I don't use because of 
the nylon heads and the 7 is not quite long enough for me, but they 
are definitely a superior finish. If these anti-vibes don't work out 
long term, I will be looking at Vic Firth sticks again.

As for the anti-vibes, I'm sticking with my original analysis for 
now. To me, they do feel better "in play" but I'm unconvined of any 
overall beneficial effect. I've just played for about 30min (Steely 
Dan stuff, so not exactly thrashing) and I still have the "buzzy 
numbness" after-sensation. However, long-term experimentation is 
required.

Stewart

On Sun, 25 May 2003 11:03:19 +0000, you wrote:

>--- Ratzo wrote:
>
>> I tried them and was unimpressed.  I couldn't tell a
>> difference between them and my promarks.
>
>Well, we'll have to agree to disagree there. I think the Promark 
>(5A) is a very... how can I put this? ... "unsophisticated" stick. 
>The finish is poor.

Yes, the Promarks are pretty unremarkable.  I have a bunch of them,
and the only ones I use are the 747 hickory if my hands are hurting.
Otherwise the rest of them just sit there (as do the Zildjian
anti-vibes.  I did like the Zildjian dips, but the coating wore off to
fast for me.

>Here I do agree. I have some Firth 7ANs that I don't use because of 
>the nylon heads and the 7 is not quite long enough for me, but they 
>are definitely a superior finish. If these anti-vibes don't work out 
>long term, I will be looking at Vic Firth sticks again.

Give the 85A's (L =16" D =.550") or the STB1 (L =16.25" D =.550) a
try.  They are longer and a little fatter than the 7A (L =15.5" D
=.540").

>As for the anti-vibes, I'm sticking with my original analysis for 
>now. To me, they do feel better "in play" but I'm unconvined of any 
>overall beneficial effect. I've just played for about 30min (Steely 
>Dan stuff, so not exactly thrashing) and I still have the "buzzy 
>numbness" after-sensation. However, long-term experimentation is 
>required.

I don't get the feeling you describe.  I do get a little pain in my
right hand in the crotch of my thumb from time to time.  Last time it
lasted about a week.  I laid off playing a couple days, then played
the light weight Promark 747's until I was pain free again.  It took
about two weeks for it to disappear.




____________________________

Jim