Are Vic Firth Ralph Hardimon SRH's heavier than Pro Mark System Blues DC50's?

It would probably depend on the density of the wood the particular pairs are made out of. Even among sticks of the exact same model, you'll find ones that feel a lot heavier or lighter than others because Mother Nature doesn't make every piece of hickory exactly the same.

I'd think the DC50's would tend to feel heavier when playing, though, because of their shorter taper.

Well my Hardimon's weigh more than my DC 50's.

No!, DC50 are the heavier of the two, but they have a different feel also which may be confusing you. Hardimons feel longer and very well balanced. DC50s feel like a shorter stick and are also thicker, they use the term beefy. You can also hear it in the pitch of the sticks that the heavier stick has a higher pitch. Tap each with your finger nail and hold next to your ear.

Both are very good sticks, everyone has used Hardimons and DC50s have been out only a few years and are used by the BD`s among others. I would say the DC50 and Vic Firth Scott Johnsons are very similar but still not exact.

It's all preference.

Ever notice that manufacturers always list diameter and length, but never the weight of an implement?

It's because wood by nature is too inconsistent for them to promise a specific weight for each pair without losing millions of dollars on over/underweight product.

Vic Firth has a great weight/pitch matching system, but that doesn't eliminate the possibility of two pairs of the same model having a gross weight difference.

Innovative's stuff has a denser feel to it because they use a different type of Hickory.

Consider the following-

Hardimons- 17" Long .710 dia, DC50- 16 7/8" Long .720 dia

So you could say that the 50's make up the length shortage in diameter, but then Hardmins are painted and could have a wood or nylon tip.

I like a stick right around 90 grams. I have a pair of VF SSJ's that are 100.6 grams and too heavy, but anything below 85 feels like bad wood.

Worry more about what sounds right and feels good in your hands instead of arguing weight.

It's all preference.

I have those sticks also along with the Nick Petrella concert generals in Rosewood. I like the weight and feel of the Rosewood models. They are faster sticks with the added weight from that type of wood.

I like the exercise with singles, I can only get to around 150 BPM right now!

Ha, I remember when the DC10's came out, they had some in red oak and son talk about blow up on a rim shot! Well Carson sold us on useing them.HMMMM?

I heard Dennis Mancini in 78 SCV hit a rim shot with the ebony DC 10`s and it broke! Carson said he should have taped it! HA!