Nothing weird about that.
I was looking into making my own when he left Zildjian and making them in all the wood options I have like, oak, rosewood, birch, male, sandalwood. For a while there with a house, garage, good income, set to live there until old age... Then we all know what happened with me.
I would guess the C-man has the dough for the gear, so...
Anyway.
They say Vic makes Zildjian sticks, but I don't really know. Zildjian's seems way more dense. The sticks look the same, but ok maybe it's the weight in general, but the Zs are more front heavy to me. It was strange at first as suddenly with the Wics they were sliding out of my hands. Just weird. Not too happy with the wax, but later batches seem less sticky. Zs cut a bit more and I personally find it easier to play jazzy ride stuff with them. Soft doubles and press rolls are easier, too.
It's maybe a bit weird with sticks and heroes and bla bla bla, but really, though subtle, it's different. Dynamic, versatile, great for Moeller and pretty effortless backbeats.
And then the tip.
So many occasions, even in the orchestra, I try every stick, but then I usually have a pair of them somewhere and there it is, super fat tone but without that enormous contact like some of those long flat tips.
Sort of strange they wouldn't make changes. Peter has 3. They still make both of Dave's sticks, I believe.
Offcourse, I have no idea how popular they are. I see them in stores, but I don't know anyone else who uses them.
What I see in general apart from the typical AC 5A is Peter's Ride stick, Peter's Big Band stick, Jojo's stick for sure(especially with females) SD-2s and SD-4s.
Apart from those other American makers there are e few here in Europe. One of the more popular ones that also has a deal with the main chains is Wincent sticks. Just change W for V and and Bob's your...
Given John's wood obsession it's sort strange DW haven't gotten big into sticks. These seem out of production, but that acorn tip is the closest I've seen.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor ... -acorn-tip