While major brands like Vic Firth and ProMark dominate the market, a new drumstick brand called “elbow stick” is gaining attention for its quality and originality. We interviewed three professional drummers active in South Korea — Choi Jihoon, Bell Road, and Kim Donghyun — who shared their real experiences using various models of elbow stick. Their honest voices reveal the true value behind this rising brand.
Choi Jihoon (Drummer): A powerful and unique alternative to major brands
With the rising prices of major stick brands, many drummers are searching for reasonably priced alternatives. Among them, “elbow stick” stands out — especially the SKULL model, which offers both strong performance and individuality.
I’ve mainly used Vic Firth’s 55A until now, and the SKULL works perfectly alongside it. The brand philosophy — “sticks made for bigger sound” — can be clearly felt during actual performances. For live shows or recordings that demand more volume, I choose the SKULL without hesitation.
Compared to the 55A, the SKULL is slightly thinner but longer, offering more dynamic range and impact during swings. It maintains a similar feel while delivering stronger attack and presence. Also, since these sticks are uncoated, they offer excellent grip for drummers who sweat easily. There’s no slippage, just natural control and consistent stability even during long sessions.
Design-wise, the printed mask character in the middle of the stick is a unique feature that adds style and individuality not found in other brands.
If you’re currently using 5A-style sticks, I strongly recommend the NASU model. If you’re looking for more power and volume, go for the SKULL.
Bell Road (Drummer for the band "Fleet"): A power-focused stick that matches major brands in quality
When choosing drumsticks, most drummers think of big names like Vic Firth, ProMark, or Vater. But elbow stick’s build quality easily rivals them. I currently use the ROUGE model as my main stick, and I recommend the NASU model to my students — most of whom now use it too!
The ROUGE is slightly longer and thinner than typical 5A sticks, making it feel natural and light in the hand — great for a wide range of players, from teens to adults. One of its standout features is its front-weighted balance, which helps generate louder and more powerful hits. While it may take a short adjustment period for those used to evenly balanced sticks, once you adapt, it offers the perfect balance of power and control.
Finding the right stick is like finding your wand in Harry Potter — you need to try many. In that journey, elbow stick is an excellent option to experience. If you want a standard stick, go with NASU. If you want something just a bit longer and thinner, I highly recommend the ROUGE.
Kim Donghyun (Drummer): A new 5A alternative that awakened hidden power
Ever since I started playing drums, Vic Firth 5A has been the most recommended and the one I used for years. It was a safe, proven choice — until one day, my teacher recommended the NASU model from elbow stick.
I hadn’t heard of the brand before, so I was skeptical, but I was surprised by its performance. Actually, it felt like the perfect stick to unlock the power I was lacking.
Compared to Vic Firth 5A, NASU is a bit shorter but thicker, which allows much better energy transfer when playing — resulting in more powerful sound. Also, unlike conventional models labeled with numbers (5A, 7A), elbow stick uses unique names like NASU, ROUGE, and SKULL. Each comes with a printed character design in a different color, making them visually enjoyable as well.
It’s not just about being “unique” — the satisfaction during real performance was incredibly high. I’m confident that for those who’ve used 5A sticks, the NASU model can be a refreshing and powerful new option.
The new go-to, chosen by the pros.
Real reviews of the elbow stick, straight from the stage.
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