Thanks guys,
@DaN: Cool, do you drum in an orchestra or a band? I used to drum too, or rather play a variety of percussion instruments. Even marched a couple of times, so I guess I should\'ve spotted the things you point out. But I agree now that you mention them.
As far as the drumsticks go, however, -contrary to what i too thought at first- several sources (among others contemporary woodcuts) suggested that the sticks used at the time wood have looked something like that. Ie. more like timpani sticks than modern drum sticks.
The good news are that the forearms and drum are separate so they can be positioned in a variety of ways.