American Hickory Studio Drumsticks. 5A sized in the grip with a gentle taper and an acorn-style bead that puts out great tone from around the drum-kit. A very well balanced, responsive and solid feeling stick. Hickory. Hickory is the most popular wood used for making drumsticks. Hickory is denser, heavier and more rigid than Maple. Hickory can also absorb a great amount of shock, which reduces hand and wrist fatigue. Dark, or "brown" hickory, is found closer to the tree's center and is slightly denser and heavier than "white" hickory.