Comparing Buddy Rich Model Drumsticks

Fred Patton
Fred Patton
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Published 2020-01-04
In this video, I compare the Vic Firth Buddy Rich model drumsticks with vintage Ludwig Buddy Rich 15As from the 1980s, like the ones he used. I've owned many pairs of both types of sticks, but haven't seen any direct comparisons, so I thought it might be interesting to show the differences.

The Ludwig sticks certainly weren't the only drumsticks that Buddy Rich used (I once bought about 20 pairs of Slingerland BR sticks), but he did use them while he was playing Ludwig drums in the 80's, and I saw him use them in live performances many times.
All Comments (18)
  • @thecrippledrummer
    The Ludwig sticks came out in around 78, when he switched back to Ludwig drums for the last time.
  • @paulnieftjr4461
    Thanks for a great video, I agree with you Vic Firth should make a Buddy Rich stick true to the Ludwig model.
  • @jd6356
    A lot of drummers dont know that MR BUDDY RICH himself wrote the book on Modern Day Drum Rudiments . This was around 1941 ( dont remember the exact date ) Ehst he did for us 80 + years ago is still used today , except for a few more rudiments that have been added to his. . THANKS BUDDY. RIP
  • @zeichner42
    Thanks for an excellent comparison video! I liked the VF Buddy signature sticks when they first came out in about 1990-91 & bought about a dozen pairs. The finish was a white stain covered by clear lacquer. Their current version of their BR model isn't the same & has white paint that flakes & gets over everything. Vater has a “West Side” model that has a light clear lacquer (almost a natural finish), and is very close to the original VF BR signature sticks. I'm definitely going to check out the alternatives mentioned in the comments!
  • @janartemy
    When I saw the Buddy Rich band in at Basin Street West in San Francisco, I went up on the bandstand with a bunch of other high school drummers and 'borrowed' several pair of his sticks after the show. There must have been 20 or 30 extra pairs of sticks in a pouch mounted on the second floor tom. The sticks had a noticeably unusual shape: They were tapered down maybe 1/8" or so where the stick would lay between the base of the left hand thumb and first finger (and on the right hand where the stick would be gripped between the tip of the thumb and the first finger) - and then were tapered back up again to the original stick thickness for the rest of the stick length. Wish I still had a few pair, but they are long gone. I have a very clear memory of this, but have never seen this design duplicated. The sticks (of course) had his name on them.
  • @robinjohnson6301
    Nice video - very informative! The Bopworks Memphis R&B Model looks exactly the same to me. So if you like the Ludwig 15A, that naturally seems like the way to go. If you want to stay with Vic Firth, the closest stick they make to the 15As are the Matt Garstka Signature Sticks. I use them all the time and love the way they feel!
  • @jeffreynichols1664
    Fred check out Bopworks sticks Memphis R&B Model which was based on the Ludwig Buddy Rich 15A.
  • @miscellaneous5215
    Very interesting! I'm not one to buy signature sticks but I had to buy the current VF Buddy sticks. They're so good!
  • @georgenugent1548
    I've still have a couple of pairs of Buddy rich slingerland sticks , i did get a pair of the Vic Firth ones , as soon as i tried them out , i could never get use to them just to heavy for jazz, maybe, ok for rock drumming , really couldn't see Buddy using this type of stick .
  • @dylangatenby9928
    Hey Fred! I know Buddy did play the 15A model from Ludwig but he also played a Pro-Mark 5A according to his daughter.
  • @billyGU1
    The London Drumstick Company makes an exact replica of this stick! Based on an original from the late 70's. They're exactly the same. Yeah, wow though the VF and the original are nothing like each other.
  • @evanchapm
    can you please do this with Stevie Gadd sticks? I had an OLD pair and I swear there were smaller then his Vic Firth ones now!
  • @jd6356
    I noticed that MANY of the Vic Firth signature model Sticks are not the same as what they are made out to be. I wonder if the DRUMMER allowed V.F to place their names on the sticks but would NOT allow them to produce and sell the exact same same sticks.
  • @jd6356
    I dont know why VIC FIRTH call their model BUDDY RICH signature sticks when they are not even close to the look, feel and weight of Buddies sticks. ..I have 3 prs of buddies sticks. 2 pr used by him and 1 pr NEVER USED by anyone. He gave me all 3 prs. I had the honor of playing with him and his band during a multi show GIG for the USO in the late 1960s. Can u imagine a 19 year old drummer swapping licks with him. ANYWAYS thanks for your comparison . I also have sticks from Louis Bellson, Gene Krupa, Ginger Baker, Charlie Watts , Dino Danelli,Dave Clark, Pete Best and more