Vater

Vater Percussion is a well-respected American manufacturer of drumsticks and percussion accessories, based in Holbrook, Massachusetts. Known for its dedication to quality and consistency, Vater has long been a staple brand among drummers in a wide range of genres, from jazz and rock to metal and beyond. The company specializes in crafting drumsticks, brushes, mallets, and other percussion tools, all made with a deep understanding of drummers’ needs and preferences.

The roots of Vater Percussion go back to the 1950s, when founder Jack Adams opened Jack’s Drum Shop in Boston—one of the city’s most iconic drum retail stores. Adams’s shop quickly became a hub for top drummers in the area, and it was within this space that the earliest Vater sticks were handcrafted. Adams’s grandsons, Ron and Alan Vater, would later take over the operation, officially launching Vater as a manufacturing brand in the early 1990s.

What sets Vater apart from many other stick manufacturers is its emphasis on wood selection and quality control. The company uses only the highest grade of hickory, maple, and birch, and each stick is carefully matched by weight and pitch to ensure optimal balance and performance. Vater is also known for being one of the first major drumstick companies to individually computer-match pairs, a process that has since become industry standard.

Today, Vater products are used by a wide array of professional drummers, including artists like Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Stewart Copeland (The Police), Mike Mangini (Dream Theater), and Josh Freese (Foo Fighters), among many others. The brand continues to innovate, offering a diverse product line that includes signature sticks, specialty brushes, and even environmentally conscious models made from sustainable materials.

Despite its global reach, Vater Percussion remains a family-run business with its roots firmly planted in Massachusetts, and its commitment to craftsmanship and drummer-driven design is as strong as ever.