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Anyone using Ahead Aluminum Drumsticks??

Me.Play.Drums - Fri, 04/02/2010 - 15:13 | 5,729 views

Before I go and drop $30 (plus shipping) on a pair of sticks, I'd like to know if anyone has used them. I am referring to the Ahead aluminum drumsticks (not necessarily the Lars Ulrich signiture ones, by why not? He's pretty cool). They boast the following:

"precision crafted of aircraft grade aluminum with super durable, replaceable shaft covers. Ahead drumsticks combine a 70-75 Easton Alloy with a super hard urethane cover and feature a built in vibration reduction system. The precision alloy core guarantees weight and balance variations of less than 1%, compared to as much as 20% with wood. Super high impact tips come in different shapes to fit any style of play. Replacement covers and tips are available to keep your Ahead sticks going and going."

Now, that sounds great and all, but then it is their job to make them sound great. Should I stop worrying and assume that if they are good enough for Lars Ulrich, then they're probably good enough for me?

Anyway, if you have an opinion on these sticks, I'd love to hear it. Thank you.

Drummer Comments (4)

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DISARRAY Says Re: Anyone using Ahead Aluminum Drumsticks??

Submitted On: Sunday, Oct 3, 2010 - 11:16 PM

here is something yo consider. play them at the store BEFORE you buy. i have students who bought these and i totally feel like they play just like a "bad" stick. if you pick through a batch of wood sticks, you can tell the good from the bad by sound and vibration. the good ones are solid and higher in pitch. the bad are lower and have a sort of dead feel and an odd vibration which translates into a weird feel on the head and a tone that lacks attack. this is how the ahead sticks and the composite sticks feel to me. if you can deal with that, the durability is worth it. hope this helps and remember, only my opinion.

Me.Play.Drums Says Re: Re: Anyone using Ahead Aluminum Drumsticks??

Submitted On: Monday, Oct 4, 2010 - 8:29 AM

Thanks, I appreciate it. Unfortunately this is part of the problem; at the store they are in a package and you can't actually hold them or try them out. You've given me enough of a reason to not spend $30 on them, though. I'll just stick with wooden sticks, I'm used to them and, other the an occasional break, they haven't let me down. Thanks.

DISARRAY Says Re: Re: Re: Anyone using Ahead Aluminum Drumsticks??

Submitted On: Wednesday, Oct 6, 2010 - 7:21 AM

I MAY OFFER ANOTHER SUGGESTION FOR ISSUES YOUR HAVING. oops, sorry for yelling. i too had 5b issues as well. would brake tips off all the time. specially vics. and the slipped. grip was to large. i found a small grip, better weighted stick for metal/attack/heavy hitting in a vater 3a nylon. they are called fatbacks and have a monster shoulder by the tip. this weights them to the front a bit more for power and keeps the from wearing as fast. more meat to go through. pick up a set just to try. 85% sure youll find what your looking for in these. keith

Me.Play.Drums Says Re: Re: Re: Re: Anyone using Ahead Aluminum Drumsticks??

Submitted On: Wednesday, Oct 6, 2010 - 9:06 AM

this isn't the first time vater sticks were suggested, but it is the first time the explanation was made to make as much sense. The next time I'm up for a pair of sticks, I will take this suggestion and get the vater 3a nylons. Thanks for the tip, Keith.

Slim Drummer Says Re: Anyone using Ahead Aluminum Drumsticks??

Submitted On: Monday, Sep 27, 2010 - 1:19 AM

I know its late but Ill drop in my 2cents. I have the exact sticks you are talking about for 4 years and havent broken them yet. I play metal on an acoustic kit but i dont have a heavy hand either. They are by no means unbreakable tho. Iv heard of plenty of people breaking them, aparently sand flys everywhere! So if your not a basher they'll probably last for a long time.

jgodshall Says Re: Anyone using Ahead Aluminum Drumsticks??

Submitted On: Tuesday, Aug 3, 2010 - 2:34 PM

I took the plunge and gave them a try. I use them as a practice stick, and then switch to a promark for gigs. It's worked out ok so far. It's certainly a different feel...heavier, and you feel like you're playing 'through' the drum. I end up playing louder with them too, which doesn't workout too well in gigs in small bars. I also chew up sticks pretty good, and the aheads eliminate the sawdust. They aren't indestructable and you'll eventually have to replace the top portion, and you also need to use tape for them to have the right feel and balance, so that's another continuing cost, but I'm getting 3-4x the life out of them as I would a regular wooden stick. hope that's useful.

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Me.Play.Drums Says Re: Re: Anyone using Ahead Aluminum Drumsticks??

Submitted On: Tuesday, Aug 3, 2010 - 2:54 PM

Thanks...that is very useful.

wooddjembe Says Re: Anyone using Ahead Aluminum Drumsticks??

Submitted On: Friday, Apr 2, 2010 - 9:30 PM

I have used ahead sticks and they are very durable, 3x the cost but 3x more durable. In my opinion I do not like the balance or feel, but it would depend on the style of music you want to use them for and the type of drum. Lars does heavy metal on big drums with bright and loud cymbals. In comparison, buddy rich used a medium weight wood stick with a different bead to hit drums of a different style. I would assume with the weight and because their nylon, these sticks are loud and cutting. This means that they would most likely be fine in expanding your arsenal of sticks with variety if you have use the kind of sound Lars has. I have used them for marching snare and they take a lot to crack and the covers are what break, yet I still personally prefer the sound and feel of wood sticks. I do not play much heavy metal, but a great drummer I know who plays heavier stuff likes Vater sticks a lot because of their durability and feel. Keep trying new sticks and pushing the limit. Let me know how it turns out.

Me.Play.Drums Says Re: Re: Anyone using Ahead Aluminum Drumsticks??

Submitted On: Saturday, Apr 3, 2010 - 9:11 AM

You have made some good points. I do play a lot of heavy metal, so maybe they would make a reasonable addition, but not necessarily a replacement. I usually use something around a 5b nylon tip. I feel like they slip a lot. Not out of my hand, but to the end of it, making me grip just the end. That starts to hurt my hand after a minute. Thank you for the input, you gave me a lot to consider.