Vater Percussion is an American manufacturing company based in Holbrook, Massachusetts. The company has always focused on percussion instruments, producing drum sticks, brushes and mallets. It was founded by Jack Adams, and is now run by his two grandsons Ron, Alan Vater.
Although the company began producing sticks in 1956, it did not officially become "Vater Percussion" until much later.
History
The first sticks made by "Vater" were made by Jack Adams and Ron and Alan's godfather Fred Maichle in Jacks Drum Shop in Boston, Massachusetts. Jacks was one of the first shops to offer custom models, and began producing custom models for Buddy Rich, Philly Joe Jones and Elvin Jones. In the early to mid-1980s what would become Vater began manufacturing drumsticks for Vic Firth and Zildjian Cymbals. On 22 October 1988, Vater moved their factory to Holbrook, Massachusetts. Three years later the first Vater drumsticks were introduced at a Percussive Arts Society show..
Vater guarantees their sticks to be "straighter, more consistent and of higher quality than all other leading drumstick manufacturers". Vater sticks typically have a higher moisture content than other drumsticks, which is intended to create more durable drumsticks, though this does result in a slightly heavier stick.
Besides drum sticks, Vater also manufactures a variety of timpani mallets, marimba mallets, vibraphone mallets, brushes, specialty sticks, silence mutes, stick bags, drink holders, educational products and other accessories.
Notable Vater Artists include:
Vinnie Colaiuta
Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers
Stewart Copeland of The Police
Mike Mangini of Dream Theater
Jay Weinberg of Slipknot
Max Weinberg of Bruce Springsteen
Deen Castronovo of Journey
Drumeo
Scott Travis of Judas Priest
Morgan Rose of Sevendust
Victor Indrizzo
Matt Chamberlain
Taylor Gordon (The Pocket Queen)
Tim Alexander of Primus
John Cowsill of The Beach Boys
Mike Wengren of Disturbed
Frank Ferrer of Guns N' Roses
Steven Adler of Guns N' Roses
Sasha Berliner (Jazz Vibraphonist)
Fred Eltringham of Sheryl Crow
Matt McGuire of The Chainsmokers
Chad Sexton of 311
Mona Tavakoli of Jason Mraz
Taku Hirano of Fleetwood Mac
Ilan Rubin of Nine Inch Nails
Roy Mayorga of Stone Sour
Nathan Followill of Kings of Leon
Brian Frasier Moore of Justin Timberlake
Sean Kinney of Alice In Chains
Glen Sobel of Alice Cooper
References
External links
Official website
Alan Vater Interview NAMM Oral History Library (2021)