The practice stick Famularo modelled after a vintage Joe Morello-era design has been a teaching staple for decades and is now in Vater's global lineup.
Vater has officially added Dom Famularo’s Pad Stick to its product lineup, bringing the long-sought teaching tool into worldwide distribution for the first time.
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Famularo, who passed away in September 2023 at the age of 70, was one of the most influential drum educators of his era. Known as “Drumming’s Global Ambassador,” he studied under Joe Morello and Jim Chapin, presented clinics across more than 40 countries over four decades, and was voted Best Clinician by readers of Modern Drummer in 2005 and 2006.
He modelled the Pad Stick after a vintage stick from his studies with Morello, and it became a fixture of his curriculum for students of all levels working on hand and grip technique, rudiments, stick strokes and warm-up exercises. He also kept one close for his own maintenance practice, using it to strengthen and stretch his hands between performances.
Built from Sugar Maple with a 0.675″ grip diameter and 16 3/8″ length, it has a drastic taper and a large ball tip that produces a clear, articulate response on a practice pad – so it’s responsive enough to reward the slow, deliberate work it was designed for.
For Australian drummers, the Pad Stick arrives through Australis Music Group in mid-August 2026.
