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[Bart Elliott]

Billy's Stickball Shaker, manufactured by Rhythm Tech, just received "Best In Show" at the 2010 NAMM Show.

Congratulations Billy!

I was in the studio with Billy this past weekend and got to see the Stickball for the first time; looking forward to picking one up as well as reviewing it here at the Drummer Cafe.

The Stickball will be available at your local pro drum shop, as well as online through our affiliate links with Amazon.com and Musician's Friend.

http://www.drummercafe.com/music-industry/news/rhythm-tech-stickball-shaker.html

[Larry Rankine]

Bart, what's the typical time frame for items introduced at NAMM to show up at retailers?

[Bart Elliott]

Bart, what's the typical time frame for items introduced at NAMM to show up at retailers?

It really depends on the product, manufacture, and retailers. Small, easy to produce items can be days, while others can take months. Too many variables to ever be certain, although savvy manufactures are prepared to ship when introducing a new product.

In the case of Stickball, it's already in stores. You can see from my links (above), Musician's Friend has it, which probably means Guitar Center has it, and Amazon has it via Sam Ash. It's up to each dealer to stock their store; some may have it, some may never have it. Other than making a physical trip to your local store, you could call and ask.

[cavanman]

I bought one of these on the last day of 2009 (tax reasons of course), before the NAMM show. I got it  from Musicians Friend. I also remember seeing one at the Sam Ash in Hollywood about the same time. They were in the channel by the time of NAMM. Just not everywhere.

I've been practicing and using the Stickball for a couple of weeks. It's a very cool and inexpensive accessory. You definitely have to feel your way technically with it as it totally changes the way the stick feels in your hand. Most noticeably when playing a drum with the stick tip. There is also a difference from playing with the 'split' in the ball positioned vertically or horizontally.

I give the Stickball high marks for value considering the price and what you can do with it creatively.

Jim

[David Stanoch]

My friend Mark Powers (see: http://www.drummercafe.com/reviews/cd/ritimista-world-percussion-play-along.html) & I were messing around w/a pair of these up at Walfredo Reyes Sr.'s home when we were up there immediately following NAMM consulting on his new edu project.

Walfredo said someone @ NAMM gave them to him. When you're an artist of his stature, people just give you stuff left & right I suppose...

Anyway, I thought they were really interesting and cool. I didn't even know they were the brainchild of Billy Ward until I got home and read it here @ the Drummer Cafe!

We enjoyed placing them near the tips of the sticks for a mallet-like application (very cool on the drums or your leg, but not so happenin' on cymbals w/their hard-plastic casing). They also felt different but kind of "tribal cool" on the back of the stick w/our hands wrapped around them for a muted sound - actually I think I just flipped them around so I could play w/the butt end of the stick. They were also very easy to use as tradtional shakers w/no stick at all as well!

Of course, they were great just upward from the fulcrum for the classic "Jim Keltner approach." I know Jim tapes egg shakers and the like to his stick and Billy's design offers a quick set or release application for that which is very convenient.

It's apples and oranges on that level. It kind of reminds me of when not long after people noticed Steve Gadd using a muffling ring on his snare drum, Remo started manufacturing them. Gadd cut his out of old heads and I remember one famous drummer saying, "Why would you want to do that when they make them now?" and another saying "Why would you spend the money on the pre-made ones when you can make them yourself?"

For years, I've used these nice "kid's percussion conga shakers" that Remo used to make. The have a body in the shape of a conga drum and a handle and are very ergonomic to hold w/a stick, either above or below it, w/no tape needed. Remo doesn't make them anymore, I don't believe - or at least not the same way, so for me something like this is a nice option. Kudos Billy!

[kmaley]

Congrats Billy!
Gonna pick one up ASAP!

[Bart Elliott]

I just got two more Stickball Shakers! I'll keep two in my pop/rock stickbag, and one with my jazz stickbag. I'm set!

Special thanks to Richard Taninbaum of Rhythm Tech; what I nice guy!

[Bart Elliott]

I used the Stickball Shaker at a gig this weekend. My set-up was a hybrid kit; 16x16 Kick, Djembe and lots of toys. I played the Stickball Shaker with my foot by placing the drumstick in my shoe along side my foot. I have done this before, but not with the Stickball, so when I did this ... it was on the spot, during the gig!

It was a risk, but it worked perfectly. I was amazed at how well the shaker responded. Normally I would have to adjust my movement to accommodate the shaker, because each one responds differently ... but this one was a breeze! 

[Don Elkington]

I walked into the Guitar Center here in little old Eugene, Oregon and there was the Stickball.  Whhhhoooooot!