I like these sticks, but I don't love them due to durability. I tend to buy a pair every few months due to the wood dowels splintering and breaking after about 18-20 sets of 5-10 songs. (usually its the high-hat that eats them) I don't abuse them, but theirs a certain amount of force required when playing over 120 bpm, for a room of 20-50 people. Regular drum sticks prove to be just a bit too loud, but these sound just right. I wish they made a set with fiberglass rods, then they would be awesome. (Hello Promark, are you listening)