Therefore many steelpan players choose the painted finish because it also has a very high tonal quality. Finally, the personal taste of the player is important, since many panists do not like the brighter tones associated with the chromed steelpans. It is also felt by many professionals that the painted steelpans have less overtones resulting in a better sound for studio recordings. They include the type of steel, the quality of tuning and burning, the type of music being played, and the skill of the player. The type of stick one chooses really depends on one's personal preference and sense of aesthetic.
Wooden sticks are the traditional, standard type of sticks that are in most frequent usage.
The Aluminium sticks are newer but present the advantage of being sturdier and slightly lighter than wooden sticks. TTIL has produced a special stand for the physically challenged known as the Easi Stand . The stand is made of steel and can be adjusted to different heights and angles to accommodate the comfort level of the player. It allows the player to sit comfortably and use hands only. This basic stand can be fully adapted for use with any instrument in the steel orchestra and can be used with a wheel chair or can be specially adapted for use in a reclined or lying position.