model. Using precise methods, raw dowels are cut, shaped, lacquered, and treated, yielding fully-formed sticks. Finished sticks are matched by weight, adhering to the strictest possible tolerances. All sticks are matched according to their tuned pitch, averaging a difference of only 9Hz within any model. ActiveGrip, which debuted in 2016, is a patented heat-activated grip coating. The black coating on the sticks gets tackier as the drummer’s hands heat up and begin to sweat, essentially eliminating the need for conventional solutions. ProMark’s FireGrain sticks, which debuted in 2017, are inspired by the devastating fire at D’Addario’s previous sawmill in Prospect, Tennessee. While the blaze was a tragedy for the company in the short term, it led to the opening of a new 75,000-square-foot sawmill in Elkton, Tennessee. It was also the spark that ignited the idea for ProMark’s new line of drumsticks. Some early findings pointed to other industries using flame-tempering techniques to harden baseball bats and hammer and axe handles, as well as arrowheads. One in-depth search turned out an ancient Japanese wood hardening and preservation method that originated in the 1700s: Shou Sugi Ban. This method is still popular in the construction industry. Its benefits include enhanced durability, UV ray protection, improved longevity and the repelling of insects. ProMark’s proprietary and patented flame-tempering technique was developed by D’Addario’s in-house engineering team. Each drumstick is individually passed through a flame tunnel and receives an exterior char. In addition to creating a unique aesthetic, the open flames crystalize trace amounts of tree sap resin that remains in each stick, which builds an ‘exterior armor.’ This delays denting, chipping and fraying, which ultimately prolongs the life of the drumstick. In 2020, ProMark released SPYR Mallets using a patented manufacturing system that ensures durability and consistency. All of the SPYR mallet heads are now injection molded in-house, and the nail that connected the shaft to the head has been replaced with an insert threaded inside the head. Woodwinds In 2004, Rico International and its parent company, The Rutland Group approached D’Addario to determine if the company had an interest in acquiring its woodwind instrument reed division. Having been the North American Distributor for Vandoren since 1986, D’Addario invited the company to partner with them on a purchase, but Vandoren declined. D’Addario subsequently acquired Rico International in 2004. The sale included Rico International’s plantations in France and Argentina used to grow cane, which