Wow, I'm surprised, maybe they've turned over a new leaf, as I've heard they don't even do that kind of service for endorsers. 

Oh, and although I'm way late, I like their Acousticks and Splashsticks.  I have a pair of their wood hande wire brushes that are ok too. 

I can't say it really surprised me krisdrum, as I thought they would stand behind their products because their latest catalog mentions it several times. What did surprise me was Musician'sFriend.com telling me to contact Vater, as it was a manufacturing defect. John even said it was probably due to not using enough glue in the manufacturing process. But Musician'sFriend.com could have done more. Either Interstate Music or Music123.com told me to keep the damaged pair of Zildjian DIP sticks I got, but which were still playable, and sent me out another pair free of charge. M.F. needs to take a cue from them.

krisdrum, what exactly does the TAP feature do for the brushes? Does it help keep them from spreading and bending? Thanks, Prank

I've just heard that Vater is notorious for not being a customer/endorser friendly company.  I hope that has changed and your experience isn't a fluke.

As for MF, look at their parent company and how difficult they can be to deal with.  MF stands for the other MF as far as I'm concerned.  I'll never order something from them again.  They took 6 months and 3 boxes (1 with a guitar stand, 1 completely empty) to get me 3 pairs of drumsticks.  That is just uncalled for.

As for "TAP" brushes, I'm not entirely sure.  I just needed a wood handle brush.  The wires will bend, as mine have, even though I keep them in a cardboard tube.  The only feature the Vater have that might make them unique is a metal "rivet" imbedded in the end of the handle, for scraping cymbals and such.  Other than that, pretty standard from what I can see. 

I understand completely regarding MF krisdrum, as I don't intend to order from them again either. They are slowly killing off local drum shops since they have become the Wal-Mart of music stores. Guitar Center may have good prices, but most other online drum shops will match MF/GC prices.

Strangely enough though, my local drum shop won't match Online prices for me, so I'm forced to buy most of my gear from Interstate, Music123, e-bay, etc. But being a poor man, the bottom line for me is how cheaply I can get the needed item. But no more MF/GC!!

I'm going to try the TAP brushes, but I guess I'll just have to put up with bent wires either way, huh? Thanks, Prank

dchang0, I must admit I'm quite jealous of your job and you getting to know such great members of the percussion industry. If I remember right, you work at a drum shop/musical instrument store, right?

I don't know what your career plans are, but you would make one heck of a drum shop owner or a valuable employee to any of the companies you mentioned. Keep up the great work and keep taking drums and hardware apart because you could wind up in R&D somewhere. Prank  

Just wanted to update you guys and gals on my Vater replacement shipment. I got it today, with an added surprise PoorButGood, a free pair of SplashSticks!! I also received a handwritten note from Mr. Coviello (Sales Manager for Vater Percussion) apologizing for my troubles and letting me know I might like this pair of free SplashSticks. Duh!!! I was going to buy a pair eventually, so Mr. Coviello was nice enough to include a pair. He must have ESP!!

dchang0, when you see Mr. Coviello and the other Vater representatives, tell them they now have a regular customer. I'll just have to switch off each time I buy, one purchase will be Vater, the next Regal Tip, etc!!  

BTW, I also got an extra special package yesterday that I can't go into details about (get yer minds out of the gutter, and it wasn't illegal!! ). I also got another package today along with my Vater sticks, a freebie from Maker's Mark!! I got two cool etched tumblers along with 11 stirrers made from their famous bottle sealing wax!! Life is too good!! Prank