Ahead Drumsticks

Are Ahead drumsticks any good? I see that a pair of Aheads cost about 30.00 (US) compared to your "normal" drumsticks which are in the price range of anywhere from 6.00 and up. What's the difference? Would that be a good investment?

Thanks!

Okay I used to be a big fan of Aheads coz I bought a set like five years ago and they only broke a couple of months ago. However I dont know if they've changed the formula for the plastic sheathes but my new set have cracked within a month, and thats two sheathes. I know for a fact that it isn't my technique because I dont break sticks very often, the last time I broke a normal wooden stick must be about five or six years ago.

At the moment I'd have to say that Aheads just aren't worth that extra premium, it may just be that I got a bad set because they should last longer than that.

They are really good practice sticks because they are a little heavier and when you switch back to wooden sticks they feel really light compared to the aheads.

Basically I'd say buy a set and see if you like them, all I'm saying is that you should take all that crap on the box about durability with a pinch of salt. If I could find my bloody receipt I'd take them back, that's my other bit of advice, keep the receipt coz they offer a 60 day warranty on them.

Anyway hope this helps and let us know how you get on with them if you buy them.

Edit: - Okay I've had a look on the link that dreamrealm was nice enough to post, the warranty only covers the aluminium core on the inside of the sticks not the sheathes or tips. I gotta say if the sheathes break as quickly as this set did they probably work out like 10 times more expensive than wooden sticks. Sod that, I think I'll just stick with my Zildjian 5Bs from now on.

I've been thinking about trying them myself

Although I rarely break sticks I do tend to

whittle them down alot and I'm wondering

how they hold up in that regard?

But I guess I'll just have to get some and

try them myself because everyone seems

to either love 'em or hate 'em.

Thanks Guys, I really apprecate the advice!

John- instead of getting little chips of wood coming off, you get dents in the plastic.

I myself have never broken a cover on an Ahead stick. They've only broken in the hands of my guitarist. I really like Ahead sticks. I've had mine over a year, and I haven't had to replace anything except covers. The tips are still fine (although I bought some extras just in case), and the metal part is as good as new, except that the lettering on the handle has rubbed off. In the time that I've owned these sticks, I probably would've broken about 5 pairs of wooden sticks, so I've broken even so far. Any longer and I'll make a profit off of buying these things.

Originally posted by Chabo I myself have never broken a cover on an Ahead stick. They've only broken in the hands of my guitarist.

A couple more ?'s

How long do the covers tend to last you?

With all other factors equal, are they any

more likely to crack cymbals than wood sticks?

Ahead are the only sticks I use on my own kit, they are much easyer on the cymbols and in the past year I have only broken about 5 sticks. Nothing is indistrucatable, This sticks do brake from time to time, and the plastic on them does also crack on accation, but Ahead has a wonderful customer service rep. who sends me free {censored} all the time whenever I need it.

The covers last me about 6-8 months on average.

Well, because the covers are kind of soft (could just be my perceptions), the cymbals seem to last longer. Also, I like the sound that the Ahead tip makes on rides better than either wood tip or regular nylon tip. The stock tips are supposed to have a wood-like tone, but I find it to be sort of in between wood, and regular nylon. A good mix.

I'm sold...I'll pick up some and try them out

i used to have some, and they lasted about a year. The sleeves never did break, but the metal inside did. Dont ask me why the metal would break before the plastic... I have since switched back to wood sticks (light ones too, 7A's) and havent broken a single stick since.

This may sound funny to some, but I have two pair I really never use unless I get into a club that is real cold in temperature. If I have a problem warming up and cold hands are a big no, no for me. I use the Ahead for a couple of songs. It keeps from stinging my hands up first thing of the night. I would say they are worth the money I spent. Although if you are looking for something to outlast a normal drumsticks, dont count on it. I feel the sleeves wear fairly quick.

Blastem

Hey Guys. I went out and bought a pair of Ahead 5B Rock Sticks.

I wanted to get the 5B's, but I decided to get the 5BR's instead. I'm going to try them tomorrow.

i wish i had a pair

i usually stick to vic firth 5A

I have two set of Ahead sticks and I like them quite a bit. I have the, uh... Matt Sorum Signature series I think it is. I have 2 sets incase I lose one during a show (I definitely suggest getting griptape for them, they are slippery bastards). I am in a Death Metal band so the drumming is pretty intense and the plastic sheaths last quite a while regardless. A couple things though:

1) Rimshots will break the metal core. I don't do rimshots, so it doesn't bother me.

2) Make SURE the tips are on tight! Between every song I check mine to make sure I am ok. Use a drop of superglue on the tip, but always check it anyway. I lost on once before I realized how important this was and I didn't notice it, by the time I did I had torn holes in a whole set of brand new Remo's and left quite a few dings in my ride (Good thing it is a crap ride).

3) I broke the aluminum core of one set after like 6 months of blast beats and whatnot (I actually think it finally broke on my ride). Luckily I had bought another set a bit before so I sent that recipt and the sticks back to the factory and they replaced them no questions asked.

One more tip....Make sure if you want a 5B sized stick you DONT get a 5B...See the metal core in a 5B is only .030 and it will brake faster...the 2B is the EXACT same stick as a 5B but with a metal core of .035 so it's a little thicker inside, but still the same specs. Personaly I use the Lars Ulrich sticks, they are a little longer than your avarage stick, but are still the same diamater as a 5B with the .030 core, as well as the long taper wich I like, it makes it a little easyer when reaching for the bell of my ride. Unfortunetly I do rimshots with every snare hit, so I am prone to brake them faster, but they still last me longer than any wood stick....

Hey guys. I Just tried the Ahead 5B Rock sticks that I bought and I must say, after using them, I think that I would either switch to a smaller/lighter Ahead, or I would just stick with wood (more than likely just get another pair). The ones I bought seem a bit too heavy. It was strange when I picked up the wood sticks right after the Aheads. It felt like you had nothing in your hand.

Anyway, I may end up selling the ones I got and getting another pair. eBay here I come.

I love my set, but I can't take the old sleeves off. I tried putting it under a blowdryer, but the damn things still didn't want to come off. The sleeves aren't cracked, but they definatly need to be replaced. Also, my tips are tell ing me to change the sleeves because they keep coming off, and i don't want to glue them back on before I replace the sleeves.

Anyone know how to take the sleeves off or do i just need to put it under the blowdryer a little longer?

I had that problem a few weeks ago.

The trick is to get a good sharp knife and skin it You know like those guys in army films when they've got that stick and they cut strips of bark off it?

I'm being serious, just be careful you dont cut your fingers off, cut away from the body

Of course then you have the fun of getting the new sheathe on, heat it, then smack it really hard from the base to get it on. I hate changing these things which is why I'm probably not gonna get another pair. They are however awesome practice sticks because of their weight.

Well, although it is a pain to change the covers, I only have to do it once every 3-4 months, so I don't really mind.

Originally posted by wombar I had that problem a few weeks ago. The trick is to get a good sharp knife and skin it You know like those guys in army films when they've got that stick and they cut strips of bark off it? I'm being serious, just be careful you dont cut your fingers off, cut away from the body

I knew my mom's new set of Miracle Blades would com in handy.

BTW, the infomercials are true. Those things cut like a bitch. I dropped one once and it cut this plant my mom had on the kitchen counter. Now to get the oven working...

Little known facts...