I'm not a percussionist and I didn't know I'd ever need claves. I also didn't know that I'd worry about their sound, cause, c'mon - they're just sticks. But I actually heard some claves in a local store and the sound was muffled and, surprisingly, I didn't like them at all.
So, apparently, there are good and bad sticks...
I'm glad I got these Studio 49's. The sound is clear and clicky, just as I imagined the sound of claves would be. I banged them for some time, but the wood is so hard that there are almost no visible marks of using them after a couple of months of occasional playing.
Anyhow, I'd highly recommend them.