Names of Product: H3 Drum Science Drum Stick Wax
Websites: www.h3drumscience.com
Price: $9.99 / $5.99 on Musician's Friend.com
Reviewers: Caryn Havlik & Christy Davis

Caryn's Take on the stuff....

We all know that women don't sweat, right - we glow? So why would we ever need sticky stuff for our drumming grip? Besides, those drum gloves with the leather fringes look way cooler, as does the duct tape or gaff tape on your sticks. (I've also tried sandpaper to minimize the dropsy's and slippage -with little success). What could there possibly be out there to combat the wet banana hands that exertion or nerves can create? Sound the introductory fanfare for the blue drum stick wax by H3 Drum Science. Whether you're just about to set down behind the kit for a big shoooow, or you have limited time in a studio to put down the perfect beats, I tell ya, this wax really helps bring a holding peace.

The drum stick wax comes in handy round silver container, about the size of a collector's Altoids tin (you know, the breath mints?). So, when you pull it out of your gig bag, people will probably think that you're trying to have fresh breath to face your crowd. Or you just might convince your fans that you chew tobacco - a most attractive quality among baseball players (and those who are not)- and you're really hardcore into flirting with mouth cancer, but I digress.

But wait, that's not the only tantalizing detail about this drum stick wax. It smells sort of like cinnamon, vanilla, allspice and possibly cardamom, all combined. Think aromatherapy candles, really - certainly a better smell than the average drummer after a show! (Hmmm... maybe this could also be the emergency scent to slather on post-show, just in case you have to meet with those important industry people?)

The wax itself is a lovely Mediterranean, perhaps Caribbean blue color that didn't seem to stain my clothes when I wiped off the excess on my dark colored pants. To use the wax, you simply rub it on the sticks, on the part where you'll be holding them, and then beat away on your marching band bass drum, twirling kit-in-the-cage, or what-have-you. It wore off for me on my 5B's in about 8-9 songs (maybe a 45-50 minute set). So, for the second go-round, I just spread some more on. The residue is minimal on the sticks themselves, even after re-application. Then again, I break sticks with some regularity and probably won't ever need the H3 Stick Cleaner that the company also sells to remove any buildup.

In the studio as my hands got clammy laying down tracks, the wax was indispensable. I must say too, that the wax was an amazing reassurance at a few freezing cold warehouse shows during the winter months, where I couldn't feel my hands, let alone think about my grip. Come to think of it, the wax was also useful for the shows in the intimate little warm rooms, when even my calluses were slickery. There is no substitute for a good solid grip, but the blue wax of wonders by these H3 Drum Science people is a great back-up plan (in addition to the gig bag stocked with extra sticks - possibly also waxed).

I should confess, that for all this trumpeting, my initial reaction on receiving the promo pack from the drummergirl editors was disappointment that all, ALL(!) of the 3 pages of press quotes endorsing this wax were from drummers who happen to be menfolk. Incidentally, one of my favorites was a quote from Pete Lockett (Björk and Sinead O'Connor's drummer) - about how the wax will probably work well for anything from "timbale sticks to taiko tree trunks". I am, however, pleased to report that there was one drummergirl endorsee on their website (http://www.h3drumscience.com) - Melena, drummer for Macy Gray, Sting, and Barry White, among others. Perhaps they can add this drummergirl reviewer as well. I'm a fan, although not quite yet a convert.

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Caryn Havlik currently drums for Broadband playing gigs all over New York City - especially great are the one that include brownies (with or without nuts) for the audience! Check out their website for all the latest gigs.

Well….no more! H 3 Drum Stick Wax frees up your wrists and hands to utilize more range of motion. The consistency is a bit tacky, but not too gummy or sticky. The only critique of the wax I can offer is that of the scent. It is a bit of an antiseptic smell and could be likened to a commercial sanitizer or soap. The use of essential oils would perhaps lift the odor and give the wax a more natural aroma. Otherwise, I highly recommend H 3 Drum Stick Wax for those who need to get a grip on their sticks.

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Christy Davis has been playing drums in New York City since 1989. She is currently drumming with Rebecca Moore and "Prevention of Blindness" as well as "Major Matt Mason" and the "Music for Aardvarks" band. When she is not drumming, Christy is busy taking care of her two- year old daughter, Stella. She and husband Charles own and operate the East Village gift shop, Exit 9.

The Giveaway - Take II....

Yep that's right, Drummergirl has three more tins of this awesome stick wax to give away to three lucky readers, courtesy of Mark Holden and the folks at H3 Drum Science. If you don't win, we highly recommend buying a tin for yourself anyway and giving it a whirl! It's a reasonable investment for great results.

All you need to do to enter is send an email to competition@drummergirl.com on or before Tuesday September 30th to be in the running for one of the tins of Drum Stick Wax.

Only one entry per person will be accepted. The drawing is random and all results are final. Your email address will not be used for anything besides entering this competition. All emails will be deleted after September 30th.

© September 2003 Happy Mazza Media, LLC.
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