# Vic Firth Drumsticks — Metal Drummer Endorsers

Vic Firth is the drumming world's most prestigious stick and mallet maker, founded in 1963 by Boston Symphony Orchestra timpanist Vic Firth. Now part of the Avedis Zildjian Company (merged December 2010), Vic Firth's American Classic 5A/5B/2B sizing is the industry-reference sizing every other brand's sticks are measured against — and its signature roster spans some of metal's biggest names.

## Metal Drummers Who Use Vic Firth

- George Kollias (Nile) — SGK signature model
- Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden) — SNM signature model (beefed-up 5B)
- Vinnie Paul (Pantera) — SVP Signature Vinnie Paul model
- Charlie Benante (Anthrax) — SBEN signature model (Vic Grip)
- Danny Carey (Tool) — SDC signature model
- Matt Greiner (August Burns Red) — SGRE signature model
- Matt Garstka (Animals as Leaders) — SGAR signature model
- Ray Luzier (Korn) — SRL signature model (5B shaft, ROCK tip/taper)
- Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) — SHAR2 (extended ROCK-style, longer/fatter than factory models)
- Adrian Erlandsson (At the Gates) — American Classic Rock Nylon Tip (ROCKN)
- Alex Bent (Trivium) — American Classic 5B
- Inferno (Behemoth) — American Classic 2B

## Key Vic Firth Product Lines for Metal

- American Classic 5A/5B/2B — the industry-reference stick sizing other brands are measured against
- American Classic Metal — a long, thick American Classic variant built for extra reach and power
- American Classic Extreme (X5A/X5B) — stretched-length versions for more leverage without a full weight-class jump
- Signature Series — artist-specific models built to the exact specs of drummers like George Kollias, Nicko McBrain, and Vinnie Paul

## FAQ

Q: What drumsticks does George Kollias use?
A: George Kollias of Nile plays the Vic Firth SGK signature model, blending 5A and 5B proportions for extreme-speed blast-beat drumming.

Q: What sticks does Nicko McBrain use?
A: Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden plays the Vic Firth SNM signature model, a beefed-up 5B.

Q: Is Vic Firth good for metal?
A: Yes. Vic Firth is the industry's reference stick maker, and lines like American Classic Metal and the Extreme (X5A/X5B) series are purpose-built for the extra reach and power metal drumming demands. Its signature roster includes many of metal's most recognizable drummers.

Q: Who owns Vic Firth?
A: Vic Firth Company merged with the Avedis Zildjian Company in December 2010 and continues to operate under its own name as part of Zildjian's family of percussion brands (alongside Zildjian cymbals and Balter Mallets).

Q: What is Vic Firth's American Classic sizing?
A: American Classic is Vic Firth's core drumstick line (5A, 5B, 2B, etc.) and its size numbering has become the de facto reference point that other manufacturers' stick sizing is measured against industry-wide.

## History

Founded **1963** in Massachusetts, USA, by Everett "Vic" Firth.

Vic Firth (born Everett Joseph Firth) joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra as a percussionist in 1952 at just 20 years old, hired by conductor Charles Munch, and was promoted to principal timpanist in 1956 — a position he held for 46 years until his retirement in 2002.

Dissatisfied with the drumstick options available to orchestral players, Firth began hand-crafting his own drumsticks and mallets to fit his exacting standards, and in 1963 turned that side project into a company bearing his name.

Vic Firth built its reputation on the American Classic line, whose 5A/5B/2B sizing became the de facto industry reference point that other manufacturers' stick sizing is still measured against today.

**Milestones:**
- **1952** — Vic Firth joins the Boston Symphony Orchestra as a percussionist.
- **1956** — Firth is promoted to principal timpanist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, a post he holds for 46 years.
- **1963** — Firth founds the Vic Firth Company in Massachusetts to manufacture his own drumstick and mallet designs.
- **2010** — Vic Firth Company merges with the Avedis Zildjian Company.

**Metal era:** Vic Firth's American Classic 5A/5B is among the most widely used stick models across every metal subgenre, and its signature roster includes George Kollias (Nile), Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), and the late Vinnie Paul (Pantera). The American Classic Metal and Extreme (X5A/X5B) lines extend the catalog with heavier, longer variants built for hard-hitting players.

**Source:** [vicfirth.com](https://vicfirth.com) · [Vic Firth — Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vic_Firth)

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*Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*