THE VIC FIRTH VIDEO FACTORY TOUR
Artists across the globe know and respect Vic Firth Company as the leading drumstick manufacturer in the world, and they don't let anything come between their hands and their instruments except Vic Sticks. Through behind-the-scenes footage and one-on-one interviews with some of the world's most revered artists, the hands that play Vic explain the groundbreaking manufacturing process of the hands that make Vic.
NOT ALL DRUMSTICKS ARE CREATED EQUAL.
WARNING: This is a long, comprehensive video of how Vic Firth makes drumsticks. I'd advise you not to watch it unless you want to understand all there is to know about how Vic Firth makes drumsticks. You will also see and hear some of the greatest artists of today playing and talking. Enjoy!!
Vous êtes francophone et souhaitez découvrir l'histoire de Vic Firth en vidéo avec des sous-titres français ? CLIQUEZ ICI!
FACTORY TOUR, STEP BY STEP:
The Passion Behind The Perfect Pair™
Vic explains why he started making drumsticks in the early 1960's. Gavin Harrison performs.
The Science Of Wood
After all, that's where a great drumstick begins! Jojo Mayer performs.
Step 1: Green Boards
We start with "green" boards -- undried wood cut from a live tree. Russ Miller performs.
Step 2: Cut on Site
The wood is cut on-site to meet our strict standards of consistency. Abe Laboriel, Jr. performs.
Step 3: Kiln Dried
Our wood is dried to exact specifications in our own specially modified kilns. Thomas Lang Performs.
Step Inside our Kilns!
Get a close-up look at our exacting drying process. Steve Jordan performs.
Steps 4 and 5: Squares and Dowels
Our carefully dried wood is reduced gradually to minimize stress. Peter Erskine performs.
Step 6: The Special Sander
Before grinding, dowels are sanded to guarantee uniformity. Tony Royster performs.
Step 7: Dowels are Inspected
All dowels are carefully inspected by hand before being sent to the grinders. Alex González performs.
Step 8: The First Grinder
Learn about the advantages of Vic Firth's stone grinders over traditional wood lathes. Kenny Aronoff performs.
Step 9: The Second Grinder
The top half of the stick and the tip profile are shaped by the second grinder. Gerald Heyward performs.
Step 10: The Finishing Room
Clear finishes, paints and Vic Grip are applied before printing begins. George Kollias performs.
Step 11: Injection Molded Nylon Tips
Nylon tips are injection molded to keep them from chipping or flying off. Alex Acuña performs.
Step 12: The Printing Process
Special pad stampers apply artwork to the sticks. Joey Heredia and Joey De Leon Jr perform.
Step 13: Weight-Matching
Sticks are sorted into weight groupings within a 2 gram tolerance. Steve Gadd performs.
Step 14: Pitch-Pairing
Each weight grouping is matched by pitch. Dave Weckl performs.
Steps 15 and 16: Color Matching and Bricking
Sticks of equal weight and pitch are then matched cosmetically for consistant stick-to-stick color and bricked for shipping. Steve Smith performs.