If you’re looking for a good set of brushes, the best companies to look at are Promark, Vic Firth, and Vater. These major stick companies all offer several types of brushes that vary in features.
For this review, we’ll be looking at Promark’s TB3 Jazz Telescopic Wire Brushes. These brushes are very popular, especially in jazz drumming circles.
We’ll look at all these brushes have to offer and help you decide if they’re a good fit for your stick bag.
The Promark TB3 brushes have a length of 12.312” and a diameter of 0.494”. This is a fairly standard size for brushes, but it’s worth mentioning that these are quite light compared to many others.
All the brushes are wires, and you can retract them by pulling the bottom rods down. This will keep them safe in your stick bag.
The design of these brushes is inspired by the ones that Gene Krupa used to play, further enforcing the point that these are great brushes for jazz drumming.
The overall quality of these brushes is standard for what drummers have come to expect. There’s nothing standout about them, as they produce the expected sounds.
They don’t produce a lot of volume due to the brushes being so light, making them an excellent pair to use for soft ballads and in mellow environments.
However, a lot of drummers prefer thicker brushes that produce more volume. So, you just need to compare them and see what you prefer.
All Promark drum brushes are expertly designed, and the TB3s follow that trend. While they’re very light, they’re surprisingly durable.
The impact-resistant handles do a fantastic job of keeping the wires safe when you’re not using the brushes. You just need to be careful of leaving the wires exposed, as they can bend quite easily.
Some brushes start to stick with their retractable mechanisms after a while, but that isn’t something normally experienced with these.
These brushes sound great when you play them on drums and cymbals. While they don’t produce as much volume as heavier brushes, you can still hit them quite hard to get to certain levels.
The lightweight nature also makes them very easy to use for playing classic brush stroke patterns. These are the types of brushes to use for lighter jazz.
The Promark TB3 Jazz Telescopic Brushes have a standard price tag for their segment. They’re naturally a bit cheaper than heavier brushes that are louder and more durable, but they’re around the same price as light brushes from other brands.
Thankfully, that price is very affordable. Their affordability makes it easy for any drummer to get a pair of brushes to place in their stick bag. You typically only need one pair, so these are a great option.
Not every drummer needs to own a pair of brushes. If you play jazz, it’s essential to own a pair, as there are dozens of popular jazz standards that require the drummer to use them.
People often think that using brushes is the answer to make drums quieter, but you’ll get better results when using something like rute sticks. Brushes don’t feel the same as sticks, and they produce different textures when you play the drum kit.
You have to decide if you want light, medium, or heavyweight brushes. Once you know that, you just need to look at all the options available from every drumstick brand.
It’s safe to stick with major brands, such as Vic Firth, Vater, and Promark. Any pair of brushes you get from those brands will be fantastic.
Overall, the Promark TB3 Telescopic Wire Brushes are a solid option to consider. If you play jazz on the drums, these are light brushes that will make a great addition to your stick bag.
If you want brushes that are heavy and a bit louder, these may not be the option for you. However, they’re very affordable, so there’s no harm in getting a pair in case you need them one day.
Drum Teacher
Brett Clur has a Drum Performance Diploma from Trinity College London has been playing drums for over 20 years. He is passionate about advanced concepts and uses his years of experience to teach his students about them. While he is a full-time drum teacher, he is also working on growing a YouTube channel where shares his insights. You can see him playing there, or on Instagram where he posts daily videos.
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