Are you serious about drumming in Guitar Hero? If you’re looking to take your gameplay to the next level and get a more authentic feel, one of the simplest and most effective upgrades you can make is switching to real drum sticks. You might be surprised at just how much of a difference it makes.
The drum sticks that come included with Guitar Hero Drum sets are, to put it bluntly, pretty basic. Manufacturers like Red Octane understandably cut costs where they can, and the included drum sticks are often the first place they compromise. These stock sticks are noticeably lighter and, more importantly, often inconsistently weighted. In fact, when weighed on a digital scale, it’s common to find significant weight differences between two sticks from the same Guitar Hero set. For example, one stock stick might weigh 28 grams while its partner weighs a much heavier 36 grams. This imbalance can hinder your performance without you even realizing it.
Switching to real drum sticks designed for acoustic drums offers immediate advantages. Real sticks are typically heavier and, crucially, precisely matched in weight. A pair of quality sticks will usually weigh around 54 grams each and be within a gram or two of each other in terms of balance. This difference in weight distribution and balance translates to a dramatically improved drumming experience in Guitar Hero. The added weight might seem counterintuitive, but it actually works in your favor. Heavier sticks utilize gravity to your advantage, requiring less effort from your wrists and fingers to generate power. This leads to a better bounce off the drum pads, resulting in increased speed, improved accuracy, and reduced fatigue, especially during those marathon play sessions.
Furthermore, using real drum sticks isn’t likely to damage your Guitar Hero drum set. In fact, it could potentially extend its lifespan. Because the heavier sticks do more of the work through momentum, you naturally apply less overall force to the drum pads. While they are heavier, the net impact force can be less than when you are tempted to hit harder with lighter, less responsive stock sticks.
If you’re ready to make the switch, you can find excellent real drum sticks at any local music store for around $10 a pair. Brands like Vic Firth and Zildjian are highly recommended for their quality and consistency. When choosing a size, consider that sizes like 5B are a good middle-ground – offering a comfortable thickness for most players. Sizes range from thicker (like 2B) to thinner (like 7A), with 5A being another popular slightly thinner option than 5B. The best approach is to visit a music store and physically hold different sizes to see what feels most comfortable in your hands. While you’re there, roll the sticks on a flat surface to ensure they are straight and ask if you can test them on a practice pad to get a feel for their rebound.
Upgrading to real drum sticks is a small investment that yields a significant return in your Guitar Hero drumming enjoyment and performance. It’s a simple change that can truly make you feel like a guitar hero drum legend.
