Same grip as a standard 5A, but longer for some extra reach around the kit. Small Acorn tip for warm cymbal tones. A very versatile stick model in size. American Hickory dowels have to meet very strict quality characteristics to be made into a Vater drumstick. Vater's Hickory is stress released which is done by slowly raising the temperature at the end of the drying cycle for 8 hours. This relieves the stress in the wood and produces straight sticks that stay straight.