Vic Firth VFVKB1 Beater

I adore the VKB series of bass drum beaters and use either the 1/2/3 models almost exclusively now. The shape of the 1/2 is great - the rounded edge is very consistent and the flat face provides noticeably more "oomph"! They're also very nicely weighted - I've no complaints there. They're great beaters.

The felt VKB1 is my "go-to" beater now for most genres (unless I need more definition when I'll use the maple VKB2, or trad. jazz when I use the fleeced VKB3). It creates a gorgeous, warm sound and when I've used it on other bass drums which people have had various pedals/beaters on, they've all commented on how much they like the tone it gives. I've used it for a number of months now and it's still very solid. The rounded edge is starting to lose it's shape slightly, flattening out from where it strikes the drum, but it's nothing drastic and it's what I would expect after months of playing. It's still as solid as it was on day 1 though.

Overall, this series of beaters is faultless - buy with confidence!

Really popular beater. Premium medium hard felt, which is perfect for a felt beater and stainless steel shaft. It can be used either without head protection or with thin Evans patches, which don't change the sound and feel. Unfortunately the beater is on the heavy side - 'till these day there's no manufacturer who sell their beaters with specified total weight (beater and the shaft). And for some of us weight is really important. So the Vic Firth VFVKB1 Beater weighs 95 gr. The DW standart plastic felt beater weighs 99 gr. I can only use 75 gr. felt beaters. One star less for Vic Firth not specifiing the weight of their beaters.