Pro-Mark Drums — Metal Drummers Who Use Pro-Mark | MetalForge
Which metal drummers use Pro-Mark sticks? See every pro in MetalForge's database who endorses or plays Pro-Mark gear — kit specs and prices.
About Pro-Mark
Pro-Mark has been manufacturing drumsticks out of Houston, Texas since 1957, when founder Herb Brochstein turned a chance discovery of Japanese-made sticks into an import business. Now part of D'Addario, Pro-Mark remains one of the largest stick catalogs in the industry, with products exported to some 110 countries.
Why Metal Drummers Choose Pro-Mark:
- Broad Catalog – One of the largest drumstick lineups in the industry
- Shira Kashi Oak – The first US brand to bring this dense Japanese white oak to market
- Model 2B – An extra-heavy, extra-wide stick built for the hardest hitters
- Signature Series – Artist models spanning rock, metal, and beyond
Metal Applications:
Pro-Mark's wide range of weights and materials, including its extra-heavy 2B model, has made it a reliable choice for hard-hitting metal drummers who need durability without sacrificing feel.
Pro-Mark History
Pro-Mark traces back to a chance encounter in 1950s Houston: drummer and shop owner Herb Brochstein was sold six pairs of Japanese-made drumsticks by a passing salesman, and found them better made than the domestic sticks he'd been selling.
Brochstein tracked down the Japanese factory through contact Tatsuo Kosaka, and in 1957 founded Pro-Mark — its name derived from "The Mark of a Professional" — to import and sell the sticks in the United States.
Pro-Mark became the first stick maker to bring Japanese Shira Kashi white oak to the US market, an alternative to hickory that built a distinct niche in the company's catalog.
The company remained a family business for over five decades, passing from Herb Brochstein to his son Maury Brochstein, until D'Addario & Company purchased Pro-Mark in 2011.
Now operating as part of D'Addario's stable of percussion brands alongside Evans drumheads, Pro-Mark's factory and offices remain in Houston, with products exported to roughly 110 countries and a roster of endorsers spanning rock, metal, jazz, and marching percussion.
Pro-Mark Milestones
- 1957: Herb Brochstein founds Pro-Mark in Houston, Texas, to import Japanese-made drumsticks.
- 2011: D'Addario & Company purchases Pro-Mark from the Brochstein family.
- 2013: Founder Herb Brochstein passes away at age 85, having led Pro-Mark for over five decades.
Pro-Mark in Metal
Pro-Mark's broad, durable catalog — including its extra-heavy, extra-wide Model 2B — has made it a common choice for hard-hitting rock and metal drummers. Since the 2011 D'Addario acquisition, Pro-Mark has kept a broad artist roster across rock and metal alongside its jazz and marching lineup, distributed through D'Addario's retail network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Pro-Mark sticks do metal drummers use?
Hard-hitting metal drummers commonly reach for the Pro-Mark Model 2B, an extra-heavy, extra-wide stick, or the brand's Shira Kashi white oak sticks for added durability.
Is Pro-Mark good for metal?
Yes. Pro-Mark's broad catalog spans a wide range of weights and materials, and its Shira Kashi white oak sticks and extra-heavy 2B model give hard-hitting metal drummers durable options.
Who owns Pro-Mark now?
D'Addario & Company purchased Pro-Mark from the Brochstein family in 2011. The company's factory and offices remain in Houston, Texas, where Herb Brochstein founded it in 1957.