“Never below 120 BPM.”

You know, at ProOrca , we don't mess around with groove. And if you're reading this, it's because you've already set up your drums, propped up your stool and adjusted your cymbals ; in short, you're ready to rock!

But first? You need THE pair: your pair of drumsticks .

The one who transforms every strike into a sincere smile and every session into an uppercut of pleasure.

You've just installed your first kit: acoustic? electronic? it doesn't matter!

And you're dying to get your first grooves going.

Spoiler: not all drumsticks are created equal—especially when you're just starting out. A well-chosen pair makes all the difference: comfort, progression, sound... and enjoyment! So settle in, we're taking you on a 100% ProOrca tour.

1. Why is the wand crucial when starting out? 🧐

At ProOrca , we like to say that the stick is an extension of your arm, almost a piece of yourself, which must respond instantly to all your requests. Poorly chosen? Uncomfortable play, pain, discouragement. Well chosen? Turbo-charged progress!

The grip

👌 The right grip is the club chair: your wrists take it easy and fatigue disappears;

⚡ the wrong pair, it's straight to the gut-twisting stick – hello to solo-bobo-style tensions at the end of the set.

The balance

🎯 With a well-calibrated ProOrca, your keystrokes fall right on the click – “Never below 120 BPM,” we tell you! The right stick sculpts your sound: tamed volume, chiseled flares, the audience asks for more;

🤯 Choose poorly, and you're guaranteed trouble: every shot becomes a pain. A poorly controlled bounce and it's a failed break. Your crash will cry, and so will the sound engineer.

Accuracy

😃 When the pair is right, the fun kicks into high gear: you play more, progress faster, and deliver a champion's tom-drum.

😩 If it's not tailored for you, it's a quick descent into frustration-land and motivation evaporates.

In summary:

In short, never underestimate those 40 centimeters of wood !

2. The characteristics of a drumstick: every detail counts 🌳

Before you adjust your metronome, take a close look: a drumstick isn't just "a piece of wood." It's a carefully balanced cocktail of material, profile, and tip. Basically, it's the natural extension of your forearm... but with more style.

2.1 . Wood – the soul of the strike

Maple

Lighter, perfect for supersonic speeds and electronic kits that don't like big machines. Be careful, it breaks quickly!

Oak

Heavyweight with built-in knuckle duster; if your metal set calls for a jackhammer-like punch, this is it. But if it's too rigid, it tends to break, which can be a real problem for your credibility in the middle of a concert, as well as for your wallet.

Hickory

The unbeatable classic. It takes your breaks without flinching, with incredible bounce and total versatility. Solid but not too rigid, it adapts better to strikes.

Why do we only make hickory drumsticks at ProOrca ?

Because hickory (which grows exclusively in North America) is the only type of wood that has all the characteristics essential for an excellent stick: flexible and strong at the same time, rigid without transmitting vibrations , and fibrous to prevent (in principle) shocks from breaking the sticks like glass.

This type of wood is mainly used to produce drumsticks, but also for hammer handles . Pure coincidence? Not necessarily, aren't all drummers a bit of a DIYer?

Other wood species (or composite materials) are offered by certain brands, each with its own characteristics and some limitations to their use. This is why hickory remains the king of woods for drummers, and not just for lumberjacks!

In summary:

2.2. Height, weight and balance – the wand triad (not magic)

Every gram influences your endurance.

Every gram counts. Every millimeter can cost you a failed break. Welcome to the secret workshop of feeling: where the precision of a stick can make the difference between a break that slams and a plan that collapses.

Drumstick neck

• Thin neck drumstick = turbo-acceleration, with the rebound
• Short/Thick Neck drumstick = resistance and "forward" behavior of the rod, which naturally goes forward

Diameter of the drumstick

For beginners, it is recommended to take 13.6 mm for small hands (7A) or 14.4 mm for versatility (5A).

Length of the drumstick

40.6 cm long (= 16") is the standard. Afterwards, some prefer to play a little shorter, or a little longer, like tennis rackets.

The longer it is, the more reach you have—ideal for chasing crashes without straining your back. These are our XL and XXL models.

But be careful: length means leverage. Too long, and your control goes on vacation. Too short, and your shot loses projection.

Diameter of the drumstick

The average diameter of a drumstick is around 15mm.

Thick stick (diameter > 15mm) = more wood in hand = more weight = more punch.

Thin diameter (< 15mm) = speed, surgical precision… and less fatigue if you do sets in a row.

At ProOrca, we often say: “It's not you who plays too fast. It's others who can't keep up.”

Balance point

This is the center of gravity of the wand.

At ProOrca, it is calculated to the tenth of a millimeter and varies depending on the length of the neck.

🚦 Our recommendation at ProOrca

The magic triad isn't a myth. It's what lets you play harder, faster, longer—without sacrificing comfort or style.

🇫🇷 At ProOrca, each pair is matched by ear to ensure proper balance, bounce, and sound.

2.3. The tip of the drumstick

Tip wood

When the tip is cut from the same hickory as the stick body, your cymbals begin to sing like a gospel choir: they overflow with warm harmonics, the dynamics breathe, each accent tells a story.

The rebound , however, remains alive; it captures the slightest micro-impulse from your wrist and returns it as is, without filters or artifice.

Eco-friendly bonus : once the drumstick is used up, everything gently returns to nature — no plastic lying around, no regrets.

Over time, the wood develops a patina; it darkens a bit, polishes itself, and reminds you of each of your concerts like an old perfecto soaked in sweat and riffs.

The cherry on the pad: on electronic drums , the wooden tip softens the click and protects your neighbors' ears.

🚦 Our recommendation at ProOrca
If you're aiming for a warm groove, a jazz nuance or vintage rock: stick to all-wood, let your cymbals breathe and give them that artisanal grain Made in 🇫🇷 .

If your sets combine humid clubs, soggy outdoors, and sensitive electronic drums: get out the nylon and enjoy a great attack.

2.4. Drumstick tip shapes: which one to choose?

The tip isn't a detail: it's your sonic fingerprint. Do you play greasy rock? Subdued jazz? Metal that razes the forest?

Choose the tip that matches your mojo and let your cymbals hum your blaze. Spoiler: we only make wood; nylon, we leave to others.

2.5. Finishing the drumsticks : with or without varnish?

A stick is a bit like a guitar neck: if it slips, the solo goes haywire.

At ProOrca , we have chosen 2 innovations:

🌲 “Raw hickory” finish: zero varnish, 100% feeling

Our chopsticks are polished in barrels, for a pleasant touch, but without varnish and which does not slip.

• Natural feel : The wood grain grips just the right amount. Your fingers breathe, your control explodes.

• Sweat absorption : no film that turns into soap after three wild choruses.

• Living patina : the neck polishes where your hands caress it, marks where you strike it—each concert is etched into the fiber like a sonic tattoo.

• Eco-friendly : zero chemicals, zero solvents, just wood and elbow grease. The planet is tapping its feet in time.

Xgrip by ProOrca: the ring that locks your hand

At ProOrca, we're the only ones to offer a ring in our Xgrip collection that's inlaid directly into the wood. Before you sweat and break out the 240 BPM beats, let's take a look at the finishing touches!

• Integrated ring : a thin, recessed rubber ring for a better grip

• Instant “lock” effect : your fingers lock against the ring; goodbye to missile launcher-style flights.

• Zero tape, zero sheath : no excess thickness, no smearing glue, no extra weight.

• Visual signature : a black circle on sand hickory—one look and we know you're playing ProOrca.

• Only here : in-house patent, locally made. Others can copy the selfie pose, but not our Xgrip .

3. Create your own custom drumsticks with the ProOrca 3D configurator

In our workshop, everything is adjustable to the nearest micron (or almost!). Everyone can finally create their own Custom drumstick .

You got it: every detail of a drumstick counts . So we coded the first 3D configurator on the market that lets you play with all the sliders — without getting out the saw or the precision scale.

Result: you create your ideal pair, we take it out of the Provençal workshop in less than a week.

The ultra-personalization of the wand

Premium hickory wood

Selected, homemade dried, calibrated to handle your Ratatatatatatttt! without flinching.

Custom tip (wood only, obviously)

Round, teardrop, barrel... Choose the shape that makes your cymbals sing; nylon can go back to dressing up.

• example of an barrel tip
• example of arrow tip
• example of a teardrop tip
• example of ball tip (or round)
• example of a hybrid tip

Neck (taper)

Thin or thick neck, for turbo-charged acceleration or a strong hit.

Diameter & length

Long reach or close control: every millimeter is adjustable.

Paired weight and center of gravity

Pairing by ear: Both hands type in strict unison.

Adjusted balance point: natural swing guaranteed.

Custom laser engraving

In addition to the Custom shape, you can add your name, logo, mantra (“I hit too hard, but it’s not my fault”), or the classic “Right/Left” if your bassist still gets lost.

🔥 Why is this configurator a game-changer (and why did we do it before everyone else)?

• 100% configurable: we're not talking about selecting a color, but about sculpting the rod from A to Z — wood, tip, neck, diameter, weight, balance... everything is included.
• Real-time 3D Preview: Compare your creation to the standard 7A, 5A, 5B and 2B ProOrca and instantly see the difference.
• Made in 🇫🇷 since 1984: local production, short supply chains, artisanal know-how that smells of hickory sawdust.
• Express turnaround: validation → manufacturing (min. batch of 6 pairs) → delivery in 8-10 days. The owner's tour before your rival drummer even receives his confirmation email.

In short: no more generic sticks. Try the ProOrca 3D Configurator, configure each wood grain, and prove that, ultimately, it's not you who plays too fast; it's someone else who doesn't have the right pair.

4. The checklist, before buying your pair of drumsticks!

Wow, that's quite a bit of information, all in all!

Questions to ask yourself?

• What kind of music do I play?
• What do I prioritize? Speed vs. strength
• What type of sound? precise vs. heavy
• Which grip? Natural or reinforced ( Xgrip )
• I want to encourage Made-in-France and eco-responsibility ?

Your checklist:

• type of wood
• tip shape
• dimensions: length, diameter, neck thickness
• location of drumsticks manufacturing (France, US, China, etc.?)
• presence of varnish on the chopsticks?

In short: choose the right essence, the right shape and the right tip, and your drumstick literally merge with your hands.

And above all, test, test, and test again! Until you find THE pair!