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Promark Hot Rods Bundled-dowel Drumsticks

Bundled Rod Drumsticks, Birch - 16" Length; 0.560" Diameter
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Item ID: PMHRODS
Promark Hot Rods Bundled-dowel Drumsticks
Price:$24 and 99 cents
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Promark Hot Rods Bundled-dowel Drumsticks
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Promark Hot Rods Bundled-dowel Drumsticks
In Stock!
Price:$24 and 99 cents
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This article was Written By

Our Product Research Team

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The Original Bundled-dowel Drumsticks

Promark is the originator of today's rod drumsticks. Drummers flock to these bundled-dowel sticks for their reduced volume and creative textures around the kit. And since Rods are available in four flavors — from the original Hot Rods and reduced-volume Cool Rods to the heavy-hitting Lightning Rods and Thunder Rods — Promark has a sound that every player is sure to love. When sticks are too loud but brushes are too soft, Sweetwater drummers recommend Promark Rods to our customers and friends.

Promark Rods: the sticks that saved rock 'n' roll

Promark Rods helped save one of rock's most popular Unplugged sessions: Nirvana's MTV Unplugged in New York. Drummer Dave Grohl, famous for his Animal-like playing approach, had trouble adapting to the acoustic setting, and frontman Kurt Cobain started getting cold feet. "The thing about Unplugged is," said producer Alex Coletti, "if the drummer doesn't really, really get it under control, it brings the show to a bad-sounding electric show instead of a good-sounding acoustic show." Alex's assistant bought Dave a set of Hot Rods the day of taping, and the rest is history. Good thing, too — up until the switch, there was talk of Dave not joining the group for the sessions, which would have been a major blow to millions of us Nirvana fans in the '90s.

Promark Hot Rods Features:

  • The original bundled dowel drumsticks
  • 0.560" diameter
  • The perfect starting point for unplugged sessions
  • For when sticks are too loud, but brushes are too soft
  • Enjoy fat, slappy drum tones and reduced cymbal volume
  • Great for experimenting with new textures around the kit
  • US made from select birch dowels
  • Heat shrink grips are comfortable in the hands
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Tech Specs

  • Type: Rods
  • Material: Birch
  • Tip Material: Wood
  • Length: 16"
  • Diameter: .560"
  • Manufacturer Part Number: H-RODS

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Reviews

End caps gone!
The plastics butt cap on the product is gone and has been replaced with a fabulous "bulb" of a soft rubbery material that creates FANTASTIC cymbal swells and great tom thumping; our audio engineer picked up it right away!
I've used a lot of rute-hybrids and these are by far my favorite for quality sound at low volume.
Music background: Retired touring performer, teacher, restoration.
Great Tool
Just seems to fit in different rooms or situations where you need a little less attack than a stick, another tool of adding just the right amount to the beat.
Music background: 55+ years of drumming
Good practice pieces
The size and weight is great for practicing. A little quieter than sticks for when the family is around. Very little cymbal rebound takes a little getting use to, but no deal breaker. Good stick alternative to have in the bag.
Always great
I've had many pairs of these over the years. These are the ones to have.
Best bundled sticks I've ever found and used
I will forever use Hot Rods. I prefer them over regular sticks and other plastic "rod" variants, because the tone is just that much better, and the attack they offer just seems fatter, too.

They are obviously only useful for low-volume or technical playing if you ask me. Years ago when I started playing drums in an apartment, I migrated towards these in hopes of reducing the overall volume for my neighbors. It not only did just that, but it helped me play more consistently and pay attention to dynamics.

If you tend to abuse drums or shred sticks, there is NO point to you buying these. Yes, they break as you use them. They usually last between four to five months for me with continual playing.

It's hard not to sound snarky when saying this, but with proper stick positioning and playing, you shouldn't shred through these that quick. If you are performing glancing blows on your cymbals as you should, there won't be a problem. If you try to play through your cymbals and hit the sides, you're going to chew through these sticks like Big Stripe Gum.

Get a pair and learn dynamics. You won't be disappointed with the sound these make.