Yea, I'm with you. I use a VF X8D, or a VF X5A/X5AN, depending (I like the way the nylon tips sound on As, and they last longer!). But I go through at least a set a week. I do have a few sets of laminated maple Ludwigs, as well as hickory Ludwig 1As in the stick box that are probably 20 years old (I could shred those in an afternoon, but I loved 'em!), a few Johnnie Rabbs 7A straights (when he was making sticks - remember?) and a few odds and ends, including an old Joe Morello set that someone gave me, probably from the 60s, judging by way they look.

I had a pair of the Simon Phillips sticks of the same era, bought at " the sound chamber " in the late 80's never broke them, and I was brutal with rimshots. The logos were worn off. Lost them sometime in the early 2000's

Anyone remember mr Phillips model number? 747?

i have a set of 20's leedys that are very nice pencil great rebound

I have the first real drumsticks I ever owned. They are Ludwig 5B that my band director gave all the drummers in beginning band in 1967. I keep them as a display with my 1966 Rogers parade drum.