With a vast majority (95.9%) of participating dealers reporting upwards-trending or level sales of drum sticks and mallets, these accessories would seem to be a consistently solid source of income for MI retailers (a similar survey in 2021 found 90.9% of those polled observing “up” or “level” sales trends).
Read on to learn more about what types, materials, and brands of sticks are connecting with players in 2024.
When compared to last fall, sales of drum sticks & mallets for your retail business, are…
Up: 77.3%
Down: 4.1%
Level: 18.6%
What specific types of drum sticks or mallets are selling best for your business?
Sticks: 80.9%
Brushes: 3.8%
Mallets: 7.2%
Rods: 2.9%
Swizzles: 1.9%
Brush/Stick Combos: 2.5%
Brooms/Cajon Brushes: .5%
Timbale Drum Sticks: .3%
What’s the most popular drumstick or mallet material at your store?
Hickory: 77.9%
Oak: 7%
Maple: 10%
Synthetic (metal, plastic): 5.1%
Which brands are generating the most profit for your operation?
Promark: 80.3%
Vic Firth: 78.8%
Vater: 62.5%
Zildjian: 62.5%
Meinl: 45.6%
Ahead: 40.3%
Regal Tip: 31.5%
Innovative Percussion: 24.3%
On-Stage: 19%
LP: 11.8%
Diamondback: 7.2%
Arduro Silent Sticks: 3%
Finley: 3%
Wincent: 3%
With respect to sales of drum sticks & mallets, what trends have you been noticing?
“Nylon tips continue to decline. There’s still demand and room for innovation in the ‘rod style,’ quieter sticks.”
Shane Kinney
Drum Center of Portsmouth
New Hampton, New Hampshire
“Drummers want less loud drums. Low volume solutions for both drums and e-drums are sought after.”
Stefan Korth
Custom Drum Shop
Hamburg, Germany
“We have two school districts that have significantly increased their mallet percussion for students, so our mallet sales have increased accordingly. Drummers are always experimental and will try new models of sticks as they come out, but most go back to the model they were using.”
David St. John
Music & Arts
Glendora, California
