The Art Of Making Drumsticks

Drumsticks Made in America
Our Houston, Texas manufacturing plant is a 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility. ALL Pro-Mark American Hickory and Maple sticks, and over 50 percent of our Japanese Shira Kashi White Oak sticks, are made here. We use only premium, hand-selected wood. Each stick is hand-finished and hand-inspected for that classic Pro-Mark look, feel, and sound. A consistent supply of premium quality wood means consistent production of the highest quality drumsticks. Our relationships with wood mills in the US and Japan, many dating back to 1957, assures Pro-Mark of priority delivery, and guarantees an uninterrupted year-round supply of wood.

Drumsticks Made in Japan
About 50 percent of Pro-Mark Japanese Shira Kashi White Oak drumsticks are still made in Japan ... in the same factory that has supplied us since 1957! Originally, Pro-Mark Oak sticks were individually turned and shaped by hand using tools that, by today's standards, were very crude at best. Today, our Japanese factory employs some of the worlds most advanced production machinery.

The Millenium II(tm) Process
Pro-Mark now has a new and exclusive treatment for its American Hickory and Maple line of drumsticks. Most manufacturers buy wood that has been kiln-dried, or utilize their own kiln. Pro-Mark takes two additional steps to better control the moisture and stabilization of the wood before and after the turning process.

The Millennium II(tm) process is a proprietary system which is unique to the drumstick industry. This treatment actually strengthens the wood and improves its resonance. It reduces the chance of warping during production, shipment and storage at retail stores or distribution warehouses.

We're now using an environmentally friendly finish as opposed to the ordinary lacquer used by most other manufacturers. This finish is completely non-toxic, with no waste or residue, which is hazardous and difficult to dispose of. It makes Pro-Mark sticks less sensitive to moisture changes than standard drumsticks. The result is significantly improved quality and consistency as well as a finish that is more comfortable to the touch. The Millennium II(tm) facility in Houston is a well-guarded secret.

Lathing vs. The Grinding Method
We use high-speed precision lathes, custom designed to our specifications, to make Pro-Mark premium quality drumsticks. This is a tried and proven way of manufacturing. It is fast and efficient, and allows us to hold exacting, length and diameter tolerances. Lathing is superior to the "stone grinding" method used by some stick makers. Stone grinding produces so much heat during the grinding process, that water must be continuously poured over the dowel to keep it from burning. Raw, unsealed wood can be adversely affected by water. We believe our manufacturing methods are superior to the stone grinding method as well as standard lathing. The end result is a better product for drummers the world over.

Quality Control
High speed, precision lathes are used to cut the sticks. Specially designed, custom built, state-of-the-art computer-driven machinery guarantee each pair of sticks is matched by both weight and pitch (or "tone"). Automated machinery install the nylon tips. Yes, computers and automation are important, but Pro-Mark drumsticks are still made with the human touch. Human hands, eyes, and ears inspect every pair a minimum of seven times during manufacturing. We believe in live music and live people to make our quality control the very best in the business. We'll stop using people, when computers start attending concerts!!!

Questions or Comments? Call our Drummer's Hotline at 1.877.PROMARK or feel free to contact us with your question. Incidentally, factory tours are available year-round by advance request.