So as it turns out, these sticks really make the snare sound without the drum sound, very soft, very delicate orchestra playing, just wire sound. When it comes to drumset, excellent application for jazz, control, ride sound, soft, delicate, sweet, no fear of being too loud, ideal for smooth, cool, small trios, quartets, ballad situations....fell in love with them, exellent contrast to sd2, sd9 and sd11 which i've used as primary jazz drumset sticks.....