Why The WOODIES 5A Long Barrel Won Me Over
I don’t do a lot of product reviews on Sick Drummer Magazine. After nearly two decades of running the site, I’ve seen a lot of drum gear come and go, and I’d rather talk about something when I genuinely have something to say about it.
WOODIES recently sent me several pairs of sticks to try, covering a range of sizes and configurations. I’ve spent time playing them on both electronic and acoustic kits, and there wasn’t a bad stick in the bunch. But one model quickly became my favorite: the WOODIES 5A Long Barrel.
Why the 5A Long Works for Me
The first thing I noticed was the extra length. It doesn’t sound like a dramatic difference on paper, but behind the kit it matters. The additional reach means I don’t have to move my shoulder as much to get out to crash and ride cymbals. Over the course of a practice session or longer stretch of playing, those little movements add up. For me, the 5A Long makes the kit feel slightly smaller and easier to navigate.
That translates into less unnecessary movement, less energy spent reaching around the kit, and potentially less wear and tear on my body. I’m always conscious of playing efficiently and avoiding unnecessary strain, and the additional reach has become one of those things I didn’t realize I wanted until I had it.
The balance is also right where I like it. They feel solid without feeling heavy. There’s enough substance in your hands to feel confident playing harder material on an acoustic kit, but they don’t feel cumbersome when moving around an electronic kit.
That versatility has been a big part of the appeal. I can move between my e-kit and acoustic drums without feeling like I need a completely different stick.
Additionally, I play a LOT of ghost-notes, and I feel I’m using less energy to get the same result with these sticks, over other brands I’ve been using for years.
The Long Barrel Models
I also spent time with the 7A Long Barrel and 5B Long Barrel, and both are solid choices.
The 7A Long Barrel gives you a lighter option while retaining that extended feel and reach. The 5B Long Barrel moves in the other direction, giving you more stick in your hand while still maintaining a balance that doesn’t feel excessive. Which one you gravitate toward will obviously depend on how you play, but I could comfortably use any of the three. For my own playing, though, the 5A Long Barrel hits the sweet spot.
WOODIES Is Getting More Than the Sticks Right
There’s another part of WOODIES that impressed me: the brand itself. The packaging is beautiful. It feels considered and professionally executed, and the presentation immediately makes the product feel like something more than another pair of drumsticks tossed into a sleeve.
They’re also doing a very good job of building awareness through social media. Their reels are well shot and well put together, but more importantly, they still feel genuine. There’s a noticeable difference between creating content because an algorithm demands another post and creating content that actually represents the people and product behind a company. WOODIES seems to understand that distinction. Their social presence supports the product instead of trying to manufacture excitement around it. In a drum industry increasingly filled with short-form content competing for the same few seconds of attention, that is authenticity refreshing.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of drumsticks on the market, and stick preference is extremely personal. Diameter, length, weight, balance and tip design can completely change how a stick feels from one drummer to another. But after spending time with several WOODIES models, I came away impressed.
The 5A Long Barrel is the standout for me. The extra reach makes getting around the kit easier, I feel like I’m wasting less energy reaching for cymbals, and the sticks have enough weight and solidity to feel substantial without becoming tiring.
The 7A Long Barrel and 5B Long Barrel are also excellent options depending on your preferred diameter and feel.
WOODIES sent me several models to try, but they didn’t have to convince me to like them. I just did… And the 5A Long will be staying within reach of my kit.
Visit WOODIES Here:
https://instagram.com/woodiesdrumsticks
Review By: Ian Macdonald