Tip provides increased surface area and durability for an unbelievable sound that lasts! Elongated taper and overall length provides additional comfort for the most current multi-tenor drum set-ups. A full tip shape, molded from black nylon, provides both increased surface area and durability for an unbelievable sound that lasts! The hickory shaft generates a great response from the drums and a deep, dark sound quality is produced. The elongated taper and overall length provides additional comfort for the most current multi-tenor drum set-ups. John Mapes is a marching percussion designer and educator who has achieved an unprecedented 29 WGI medals since 2005. In addition to his successes in competitive indoor percussion – which include leading Chino Hills High School and Pulse Percussion to 5 World Championships – John is incredibly active in Drum Corps International. In 2013, John joined the design team of the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps as battery arranger. Previously, he worked with Blue Devils B and Esperanza Drum and Bugle Corps. As a long-time Vic Firth artist, I have played and taught with all of the sticks and mallets available,” says Mapes. “While teaching, there were certain sticks that produced the sound I most desired. However, that did not always mean that they had the feel that our performers preferred. Combining the desired sound and the feel became the focus of a product I knew could be a great addition to the Vic Firth catalog.”