|
Let’s first have a look at the quaintly-named ‘Thai Sticks’, which are proving very popular with drummers and percussionists these days. They look interesting too, but why do they look like they do? What’s their advantage as opposed to conventional drum sticks? Well, they are what they look like - that is, bundles of thin sticks tightly bound together and designed to be as effective as solid wood sticks, but be easier on wrists in use and offer a different percussive tonality. Regal Tip offer a range of Thai Sticks, and maintain that ‘..unlike any other bundled sticks on the market, Regal Tip's wooden percussion sticks are bound together from the inside to increase strength and durability.
Thai Sticks (£22.99 rrp) feel strong in your hand and are perfect for special effects, or any musical situation where a drumstick is too loud and a brush is too soft...’ After the success of the original Thai Stick, and following numerous requests from players around the world, Regal Tip expanded the line to include a larger version called ‘Fatty Thai’ (£21.99rrp), and ‘Fan Thai’, a flared version (£22.99rrp).
For 2007, Regal Tip has decided to offer the popular Thai sticks series with a vacu-formed rubber sleeve for additional grip and control so we now have the new Grip Thai Stick (£18.99), the interestingly-named Grip Fatty Thai Stick (£21.99) and the Grip Fan Thai Stick (£21.99). Sorted!
Incidentally, a signature version is also available designed in conjunction with Barenaked Ladies multi-talented drummer,
Tyler Stewart, called the ‘Ty Phoon’ (£22.99rrp). See what they did there?
Thai/Ty? Just thought I’d mention it... Anyway, due to its slightly different design, Tyler's stick offers maximum adjustment from a ‘tighter to looser’ sound, so Ty’s Thais are a useful and versatile design for anyone looking for a different kind of sound. New Nylon Wide Taper Sticks Also coming in to the Regal Tip catalogue are chunky 5B Nylon Wide Taper sticks, featuring beefed-up tapers and larger nylon tips, plus 0.600” x 16” dimensions. This stick is available in 5A, 7A and Jazz formats. Typically around £9.99rrp per pair.
Regal Tip’s comprehensive endorsee range of sticks is swelled by the addition of the John ‘JR’ Robinson Performer Series sticks (£11.99rrp) and John ‘JR’ Robinson Performer Series Brushes with an 8.25” length, retailing at £25.99.
Talking of Regal Tip brushes, also new to the RT line-up is the Fat Cat Nylon Brush, easily identified by its extra thick handle covered in hi-grip rubber. The nylon wire used in the brush is extremely tough, and the slightly increased brush length helps balance out the whole brush and provide greater flexibility when playing. £22.99rrp.
J.D. Calato Manufacturing Company, Inc., manufacturers of Regal Tip brand products, has now introduced a one year warranty on its percussion products. Calato state they will '...guarantee all products that we manufacture to be free from material and/or workmanship defects for a period of one year from the date of purchase', adding that the warranty excludes wear and/or damage from formal use and the functionality designs of the product during the course of playing. Further details about the new Regal Tip
warranty scheme can be found at: www.regaltip.com Copyright Gear Magazine 2007 http://www.jhs.co.uk/gearmagazine.html
|
