A septet of sticks that come from the heart...
Canadian manufacturers Los Cabos are still relatively new kids on the block when it comes to drumstick manufacturers. Looking at the sticks we have on offer here reveals that in that short time (almost six years) they have certainly gained a whole heap of experience at providing sticks suitable for many different styles of playing. All of the sticks we have here are made from red hickory, a wood that not only looks different but also is well known for being more durable and longer-lasting than other woods because it comes from the very heart of the tree. The review sticks we have here are the company’s Intense 5B, Rock, 2B, 8A, 7A, 5A and Jazz models, which represent just a small cross section of the sticks that Los Cabos currently have available.
The Rock model, along with the 2B, is the thickest of the sticks at 0.626”, with both feeling solid and quite heavy in the hand. The main difference between the two is that the Rock model has a much thicker shoulder section, which adds slightly more weight, particularly at the front end of the stick. The intense 5B model is slightly longer than the Rock and 2B models but is also slightly thinner, running in at 0.598”, meaning that they feel a little lighter than the other models too, but carrying the extra length makes these sticks very useful.
The 8A model bears a close resemblance to the 5A model, being exactly the same length and almost the same weight, with the main difference being that the 8A has a round bead tip and thin shoulder, whereas the 5A has a teardrop-shaped tip and slightly thicker shoulder. It’s also lighter in appearance and feels slightly less dense than the rest of the models in the range.
Next up, the Jazz model, which is longer (0.025”) than the 5A model and practically the same weight, but has a teardrop-shaped tip as opposed to an acorn shape, offering slightly more definition, particularly from cymbals. This stick might be just slightly too heavy and dense for small-band jazz situations, but as an ’all-round’ jazz stick it’s very capable. The final model, the 7A, is considerably shorter, thinner and lighter than the other models, with an acorn tip and gradual taper, and is absolutely perfect for those aforementioned quiet playing situations.
Conclusion
All of these sticks share one consistent quality: great balance and perfect roundness with no hint of warping. Each pair is very well matched and the finish of each stick is consistently good, with nice-feeling varnish helping to protect the dense grain of each model. As with any sticks, we recommend that you try out a pair for size to find out if they suit your playing style (for example, the 8A model is almost identical to the 5A in weight, but they have different tips and shoulders). These sticks are well made, well matched and very consistent across the range.
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