Best Drumsticks for Nu-Metal 2026 | MetalForge Expert Guide
Best drumsticks for nu-metal drumming: what Joey Jordison (Promark TX515W Signature), Ray Luzier (Vic Firth Signature), and John Otto (Zildjian) actually play. Thicker sticks for groove-based power and explosive impact — ranked budget to pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drumsticks does Joey Jordison use?
Joey Jordison of Slipknot played his own Promark TX515W signature stick from 2008 onward — a 5A-class, hickory-construction model with a long taper and round wood tip, optimized for the reach and speed his explosive playing required across a large kit. Earlier in his career he used aluminum-core Ahead sticks.
What drumsticks does Ray Luzier use?
Ray Luzier of Korn plays his own Vic Firth signature stick, a 0.590" diameter model with an oval tip built for the driving, low-end power Korn's groove-locked riffing demands.
What's the best drumstick diameter for nu-metal?
A 5A-to-5B diameter range covers nu-metal's demands well. A standard Vic Firth 5B sits at the power-first end of that range, while Joey Jordison's Promark TX515W sits at the 5A-class end, trading some diameter for reach and speed.
Do nu-metal drummers need thicker sticks than extreme metal drummers?
Often, yes. Nu-metal's groove-locked, mid-tempo riffing rewards stick mass over blast-beat speed, which is why a full 5B diameter is a proven standard pick rather than the lighter sticks extreme metal's blast-beat drummers favor — though Joey Jordison's 5A-class Promark TX515W shows reach and taper can substitute for raw diameter.
What drumsticks does John Otto use?
John Otto of Limp Bizkit has played his own Zildjian stick since 1994, the same year he signed with Zildjian for his cymbals.