Vic FirthLive Wires Brush

I struggle to get regular brushes to cut through in live situations, even when mic'd but I still need a brush sound. These are brushes made of slightly thicker wire that have had the ends melted or welded to form a tiny dot of metal at the end of each wire. The result is more projection on drum heads and cymbals while maintaining a brush sound and feel. If anything, some people may need a little something more to get really loud. I have had none of the tips come off and I don't see how that would ever happen. It seems like they have maybe touched the ends to a welder or heated in some way to make it molten and form a little dot at the end. It is not a separate piece of metal added to the end so it can never separate.

I play brushes often in the two bands I'm in. One is an "acoustic" three piece dinner band. I say "acoustic" because the bass and guitar are acoustic instruments, but they are mic'd through a Bose PA. Thus the sound is too loud for my acoustic brushwork on a cocktail kit, and, ironically, I actually have to mic my snare drum! A drummer acquaintance mentioned that the Vic Firth Live Wires would boost the volume, so I took a chance.These brushes are ridiculously cool! They offer a crisper sound on the snare and the volume is significantly increased. I was able to eliminate the snare mic at a recent show. Accent on the cymbals is much, much stronger than with standard brushes. (I also use sizzle chains for a long sustain.)Note that a couple of reviews claim that the beads on the end make a "screeching" sound, but I don't find this to be the case. To me, the brushes offer the same sound and feel of standard wires, but with a significant volume increase when "stirring the pot" on the snare, and more definition and volume on the cymbals.

Can't judge them on durability, longevity, but for overall feel, these surprised me. Didn't like the feel of the soft(ish) rubber handles as I took them out of the package, but when playing with them in a live setting, I forgot all about that and just played the songs. Any tool that makes you forget what you're holding and concentrate only on what you're doing is a good tool in my book!

Always wanted these brushes and finally found them for a nice price. When I received them it didn’t have the top to the tube. The tube was bent up even the handles on the brushes were bent up (I straighten them out the best I could before this picture) it causes a little difficulty when I try to push the handle through to fan out the wires.

I love these!!! I would give them 5 stars, but there is a set belonging to my friend (which is where I first played them) and the tips on his have all broken off. I just want to warn users of that possibility. However, that did not deter me from buying my own set because they sound freaking awesome!!! I play jazz with them and use them at church for quiet songs. They are louder and harsher than regular brushes, which is why I bought them. They fill the void between hotrods and standard brushes. Mine have not lost any tips yet, and maybe they won't as long as they are not played like rock sticks.

These really sound awful lol. If you're going for the nails on the chalkboard type brush sound, then this is the product for you! Only reason I gave these more than 1 star is because they work pretty well with my cajon and especially on my bodhran. If you just play set however, definitely don't recommend.

I use this pair of brushes for a light acoustic (non-jazz) gig, playing like one would with sticks. It's a great in between sound...a little more defined than regular brushes, especially on the cymbals, but softer than sticks. For this purpose I'm giving it 5 stars. However, I don't use them for jazz gigs that require the stirring and sweeping that you normally think of with jazz playing. They're too harsh of a sound for that stuff in my opinion.

They are indeed louder do to the added metal on the tips, but these are not the usual quality I would expect from a Fic Firth item. Disappointed.

Pleasantly surprised by these brushes. Was suspicious they seemed a bit gimmicky but the tiny metal ball ends to each wire don't produce the scratchy over defined sound I expected. They are however just as advertised. An increased slap / tap stroke volume is clear but not over pronounced. When you need your fly swatters to cut through just a tad more they're ideal. Excellent for fiery uptempo accompaniment and soloing. Outstanding in fact. Would help give big band players that bit more definition when forced to control tempo with brushes during ballads. They really come into their own when playing more tappy grooves and rhythmic swishes in contemporary Latin or funk styles. Having purchased a pair of dreadlock rakes and found them interesting but of limited general use I'm delighted with this set and recommend them for all but slow ballad and discrete low volume singer backing. Top tools. When you need to create some heat these are perfect.

If you are playing brushes and struggling to be heard, these are the tool for you.Pro's:Greater volume from the drums.Almost stick like definition from cymbals.They're robust (outliving any and all of the many brushes I have tried).Notched for differing degrees of splay.Casing is not brittle (like some) and can take a knock/rimshot.Cons:If you're playing very softly, the sound off the skin is "raspier" than a normal brush and not so nice.

Tengo varias escobillas y estás dan un plus de volumen y proyección tanto en tambores como en platos. Calidad Vic Firth. Muy recomendables.

Très bon balais,dommage que le prix soit un peu élevé,donc pas à la portée de toutes les bourses,mais la qualité est bien là.

Ils sont bien pour jouer certaines musique . Les balais sont bien réglables; si qui important pour moi. Ils donnent un son plus frappés que des balais traditionnels.