My first encounter with this kind of noise maker was at a freinds, but his was 2 meters long and much much bigger in every sense. They do sound remarkable similar though, so size doesn't matter as they say...
I like to have acoustic things that make sounds in my studio to add a little extra to recordings. Samples wont really do it as you should play these things as they are an instrument, not just a static noise.
This rainstick is about 1m long and 5-7 cm wide.
It has a rough surface but atleast the pins from the cactus are pulled out :)
It has a clear and distinct sound, the pebbles does not get muted by the wood at all it seems.
I'm almost temped to open it up and see what the pebbles look like - there seems to be to many to fit and still make so much sound.
It will 'play' for 25-40+ seconds if you gradually tilt it.
You can shake it, roll it and tilt it for different effects.
Much more than you would have expected and I am so happy I bought it!