I was just wondering if anyone knew if Vic Firth is maybe going to discontinue the Scott Johnson sticks, and the Vega tenor sticks. My high school is using them this year, again. I'm not worried now about being able to buy them at stores/online or anything like that, there is still plenty! Just, do you people think they will eventually discontinue the products?

Just an "up in the air" question...

Thanks,
-Justin

I doubt it, How many drummers do you know use the vega's? Dang near everyone I've talked to uses vega's or HAS used vega's at one point. And I'm pretty sure ScoJo's (though not as popular as Ralphies) are still a huge seller for Vic Firth. It would dumb for them to discontinue ScoJo's sticks, Promark would snatch him up for an endorser in a split second.

And if they do discontinue the lines, Well, The system blue's may have to be my new stick line, Its the same stick. Its also the same price for the snare and tenor stick (no more paying 10-12 bucks for Vega's when ScoJo's are 8) And I do like the wood feel over the paint too. But I doubt Vic Firth would be dumb enough to lose that big of an endorser/stick.

I guess you're right. Either way we have to use Vic Firth products, because my instructor is a Vic Firth endorsed educator. It's pretty cool.

And if they do discontinue the Vega's/ScoJo's a solid pair of Ralphies are always really nice. thats the biggest reason I use ScoJo's, Vic Firth got lazy making Ralphies or something, I bought around 5 pairs last year, Only one of them are truley solid like the ScoJo's. And I've heard great things about the Aungst Hybrids for the tenor players.

i doubt they would discontinue scojos. maybe the vegas, but scott johnson is still a vic firth endorser, as of now

Relax guys, As of now Scott is still with Vic Firth (stated above)so those sticks aren't going away anytime soon.

Most that will happen is that the name will change. The stick will remain the same. They have done it with the Casella sticks, so no worries.

First, the Vega stick has ALWAYS been known as the Scott Johnson "Vega" Tenor Stick. It was never "really" Sean's stick.

Second, as far as it goes right now, Scott is still a Vic artist. If he were to leave though, they would probably just give his implements an MS# as they have with the other drumsticks (Casella,DeLucia,etc...) whose artists have chosen not to be partnered with their company.

They discontinue the product if it isn't selling well, not if the "name" leaves.

Actually, it's not the same stick.

The DC50 is shorter, has a larger diameter than the SSJ and isn't coated in paint.

Well, I did not know that, I thought it was the ScoJo with no paint. As for the Vega being Scotts stick, It's still his stick for Vic Firth. I'm pretty sure Pro-Mark have an endorsment with Sean Vega now, So the Pro-Mark Vega stick is Sean Vega's stick.

The System Blue sticks are very similar at a glance online, but if you look close enough at full pictures, they are different. Another way to tell is the sound. ;-)

As for the discontinue topic. Besides the fact Scott is still a VF artist. There are many other sticks that can replace them. My best choice for a replacement if ScoJo did switch and the products were discontinued, Aungst outdoors and Aungst Hybrid for them. The Aungst outdoors require a small angle change compared to what you can do with Scott Johnsons for sound, due to the bead shape (personal experience haha). And the Hybrid is extremely similar and in my opinion, better from every aspect.

Finally, don't worry about it. There are plenty of sticks in the world that you could choose that you would like personally. Don't just go by what people say about them, try them yourself. Different strokes for different folks. That's all for now. Have a nice day!