These sticks are great. Not only these, but also the lightning rods and the hot rods. Never had the thunder rods but they are all the same just different diameters. I got the cool rods to use on a stripped down kit for acoustic music. If you play hard, the rods will eventually break but they are pretty durable and last longer than regular sticks if taken care of. Definitely recommend these for quieter playing/practice/acoustic applications. The cool rods are a little thin for my taste, feel like 7a's. I prefer the lightning rods or the hot rods which feel more like 5a's. But that is just preference. Compared to other brands, these are the ones to go with.