Mike Mangini Wicked Piston

VHMMWP

Length
16 3/4" | 42.55 cm
Grip Diameter
0.580" | 1.47 cm

“This stick meets all your needs. It is not an ordinary stick. Balanced and powerful, it is the Wicked Piston!” - Mike Mangini

Crafted from American hickory, Mike Mangini's stick features a 0.580" (1.47 cm) diameter grip that tapers slightly toward the middle to 0.620" (1.57 cm), before narrowing down to an acorn-shaped tip. This design gives the stick a slightly front-weighted feel for a powerful strike and a clear, precise sound. Thanks to the extra length, you can adjust this weight by slightly shifting your fulcrum on the stick. You will also get a rich, punchy rimshot thanks to this added front weight.

“It's almost funny that it took over forty years to think of designing a stick almost in reverse, thus allowing its weight to be adjusted while playing. At home, I lack adrenaline, so I shorten my grip to lighten it. On tour, I need more weight, so I adjust it according to how I feel that day.” - Mike Mangini

“Mangini clearly put a lot of thought into this design, and I want to thank him. It's one of the most interesting sticks I've ever used, especially because of its shape. The result is a slight bulge at the shoulder that weights the front of the stick and offers better penetration into the striking zone for rimshots. The Wicked Piston measures 16.75 inches (42.5 cm), which leaves enough room in the grip area for better handling and helps compensate for fatigue due to the bulge.”

“This feel, combined with the large acorn-shaped bead, allowed for a very powerful sound from the toms. Every strike was punchy and deep. As for the snare rimshots, greatly amplified by this bead, they were simply exceptional. A real treat!” – Drum Magazine