Vater Stick and Finger Tape

I ordered the tape with a pair of David Silveria sticks via Musician's Friend. Without the shipping and handling, they only cost $3.99. but with the DSK's and S$H, it cost around $20 alltogether.

My sticks have never slipped out of my hand since I've wrapped them around my David Silveria sticks. I broke my wrist, and that caused them to slip out because I had no strength in my wrist. But other than that time, they give you less fatigue and the tape doesn't make your hands sweaty. Also, the tape doesn't unravel.

When I first started using them, I had some caluses build on my hands. They kept rubbing against my skin and became a bit uncomfortable. But, after you've been drumming for 7 years like I have, you get used to it.

The tape isn't like regular tape. Instead of being sticky on one side, it feels like gauze wrap. Instead, when you wrap it, wrap it upwards, then (without cutting it off) wrap it right back downwards. See, the tape sticks to the tape when they touch together and are pressed together. So, after using it. don't let the start point of the tape touch the roll itself. Or else you'll have some trouble getting it back off.

The tape really works. Most people say it isn't good because it doesn't stick like electric tape or duct tape. But me, and three other drummers in my school think it's the best tape you could use. And take my work for it, I've been playing with many different kinds of tape and sticks for 7 years.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

There is a use for these, I just have not found the perfect fit yet. For the first 3 years of my playing the drums, I suffered from the occasional blister. I assumed this was due to my fingers not being thick skinned enough, and due to improper technique. I was right about the second part, but this problem did not go away. Specifically, right below my thumb print, the thumb finger on both hands would wear off skin after playing a 3 hour session, and would bleed. It jurt the next day and I used to try and play through it but could not. My drum teacher recommended good old bandage tape for medical use, but this would sweat off quickly. I used duct tape for the next 5 years which worked to cover the blisters, but still the outside was slick and once wet with sweat would cause the stick to slip out of my grip.

In came Veter Stick and Finger tape to the rescue. I put them on my sticks, and this kept them from slipping. The more tape i applied, the worse my blister would get. If I put duct tape and finger tape applied, the issue would be solved. Eventually I switched to putting vater tape on my hands and this seemed to do the trick. I notice it is a little sticky, and leaves a trace of stick behind, but it does not slip away like medical tape bandage and hold strong. Not a bad trade off, and it doesn’t smell bad like hockey tape.

All in all, this stick tape is a must for a drummer, and has helped me build strong calasses that enable me to play for longer periods of time without the need to reapply tape. I am gratefull for this, and will continue to experiment with the best use of this tape be it on the stick itself, or on my hand, or on both.