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), Shannon Larkin (Promark Signature), and John Otto (Vic Firth 5B) 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. John Otto's 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.
What drumsticks does Shannon Larkin use?
Shannon Larkin of Godsmack plays his own Promark signature stick, built at a standard diameter with an oval tip tuned for the explosive, radio-ready punch behind two decades of multi-platinum Godsmack records.
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 John Otto's pick sits at a full 5B diameter 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.