Wood or Nylon tips

[EssKayKay]

I didn't want to hijack the SD5 thread but some did bring up an interesting topic (maybe it's been discussed here before). What drumstick tips do you prefer and why?

I've been using nylon because I thought I read somewhere that they were easier on mesh heads but maybe I'm all wrong (it's been known to happen).

Your thoughts.....

[markw10]

Everything I have read says do not use wood tips on mesh heads because any splintering on the tips will damage mesh.

[Kenster]

Yep...there was a thread on this exact topic....maybe it got lost in the update. But yes, generally agreed no wood tips on mesh heads. Ok on rubber tho.
I use nylon tips on both my A and E kits. I've always preferred nylon for cymbal work on A kits, and am not fond of the way wood tips come apart on A kits. Just my preference.

K ;-)

[Macarina]

I've been using wood (wait, that don't sound right) on my E-kit going on two years with zero issues. I've avoided nylon because, way back in the day (25+ years ago), whenever I used nylon tip on my acoustic set, they always came off, I didn't realize until too late, and mutilated my skins.

[jimorlando]

Glad I picked nylon. I think the Vic Firth tips stay on.

[KennyinDundee]

Wood for me as I prefer the feel on mesh and cymbals. I've been using wood on mesh for over two years and no problems yet.

[perceval]

Used nylon tips back in the days. Acoustics and Electronics.
I too, read about the splinting of wooden tips that would break the mesh heads. So I kept the nylons.

Moved to wooden tips a while back because I can't get nylon tips in the place I live now. Haven't had any problem. Feels good to.

Never had a wooden tip to crack, but I've had plenty of nylon tips that broke and popped off.

So, I'll stick to wooden tips.

[BWaj]

I hate wood tips, I shatter them and don't like how they sound/feel on cymbals. I used to get a bad batch on nylon back in the 80's that would come off, but I don't have any issues now. And you can always re-glue them on anyway.

[Intruder]

I have never had a nylon tip come off a wooden stick.
I have had tips come off aluminum (ahead) sticks. Expensive and not worth the price!
Imagine a aluminum threaded bare tip (nylon tips screw on) would do to a drum head mesh or otherwise.
The ahead's are also like using telephone poles they are very heavy.

[White_Pointer]

Wood tips for me, regardless of whether I'm playing an acoustic or electric kit. I hate the feel of nylons.

[hemiboy]

Purely a personal choice!

[Desmond]

I use Vic Firth's with nylon tips. Perhaps it's my imagination, but I could've sworn that my wood tipped sticks leave more marks on the Roland cymbals, so I use nylons exclusively. One thing I did notice when I bought my last set of Vic's is that the tips had some slight burrs on them which I imagined might snag on the mesh, so to be extra conservative I smoothed them down with some very fine grit sandpaper. I've had absolutely no issues -- my mesh heads look as good as new ones.

[KennyinDundee]

I think its fair to say....different strokes for different folks....no pun intended! :-)

[hemiboy]

Yeah, brother!

[ericf4]

been using wood for 2 yrs on my kit and haven't broke a head yet,,,,,