American Hickory Power 5B Wood Tip Drumsticks. Similar grip as 5B but with 1/2" extra length. The "big brother" to Power 5A. Hickory is the most popular wood used for making drumsticks. Hickory is denser, heavier and more rigid than Maple. Hickory can also absorb a great amount of shock, which reduces hand and wrist fatigue. Dark, or "brown" hickory, is found closer to the tree's center and is slightly denser and heavier than "white" hickory.