I make fiberglass tupan sticks (switches). Perhaps you have seen them at gigs. They feature:
- Choice of length and flexibility.
- Non-slip grips.
- Blunt tip, armored with a cyanoacrylate coating.
The standard model comes in four lengths: 16, 15, 14, and 13 inches. 16 and 15 are two offered in three grades of stiffness – soft, medium, stiff, but the 14 and 13 only in soft. The model number indicates length and stiffness. For example, the softest 15 stick is 151 . (The old system used white rings below the grip to signify the amount of grinding. The most flexible had two rings and the stiffest none.)
New for 2024 (image left): a bamboo stick and two models in tapered fiberglass. (Unground – the taper inherent in their manufacturing). All have the same handle, lacquer, and cyanoacrylate tip as the standard model.
- 15B – 15″ 4 mm bamboo – especially for those who prefer not to use fiberglass on natural skin heads
- 15T – 15″ 2 mm tip tapered fiberglass (stiff) – no lacquer but factory painted
- 16TH -16″ 3 mm tip tapered fiberglass (very stiff)
Coming soon, handles with an elliptic cross-section.
I use a 14-soft (141) on my 20″ BG drum with mylar heads. When it was borrowed for performance by a Bulgarian pro, he chose to use 15-stiff instead (153).
I also offer hardwood beaters – 32 cm, 80 g – sized for BG playing. The current production (below) is blackwood acacia. I occasionally make 40 cm, for those who prefer a longer reach.
As of autumn 2024, sticks are $12 and beaters $20 (long $22). Shipping and handling within the US is a flat $10 for small-to-moderate sized orders.
CONSTRUCTION
The fiberglass is ground by hand, using frequent micrometer checks.
BUYING MORE – checking the flex grade
If you have an older stick and suspect that the white rings are gone, here’s how to tell them apart: The stiff (3) has a shaft the same diameter as the tip (apart from the cyanoacrylate coating). In the two grades with a reduced shaft, the medium (2) has a grip that is much stiffer than the shaft.
MAINTENANCE
If the glass fibers ever become exposed, please repair immediately! On the shank, use lacquer (the original finish) or shellac or clear nail polish. On the 3/4″ tip use cyanoacrylate (‘Crazy Glue’).
MONSTER PLAYERS
The wide/blunt tip is favored by most users, but a few high-speed technical drummers may notice the minuscule additional inertia. If you are one of those special people, I can supply them with reduced tips. I am also open to other customizations – let’s discuss.
WOODWORK
Beaters have a protective finish that reveals the wood grain, but they are not furniture quality. Examined closely, you may notice some scratches left over from the shaping.
Who
In North America, these tupan sticks (and now beaters) have been used in performances of Balkan brass, Bulgarian, Greek, and Turkish music. Students and occasional players also find them handy.