Light Black Metal (Ahead Drumsticks Lars Ulrich)

Member Name: mo79

Product:	Ahead Drumsticks Lars Ulrich
Date:	16/02/06 (3454 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Attractive, brilliant performing, value for money, 60 day warranty, good on hands, cymbals, not wood

Disadvantages: Can be initially slightly heavy, could be a pain to change tips and non-interchangeable covers.

It's unfortunate that Metallica's Lars Ulrich may be remembered more as 'that rock star who got uppity about people downloading his songs for free' than the arguably creative drummer (though easily not best) of one of hard rock's biggest bands – but stuff happens.

Despite this, Lars remains popular due to his band's legacy and often underrated creativity. So it makes sense for drum hardware manufacturers to benefit from this.

I developed an instrument for drums – like many who were teens in the 80's and early 90's – by hearing Metallica and witnessing Lars. I however would never have bought one of these as it's a £30 luxury, got as a present. It is however worth it. It does however make feel like a Lars fawner also.

The Lars Ulrich model of AHEAD's (Advanced High Efficiency Alloy Drumstick) Easton Alloy drumstick is a special drumstick as soon as you see it. It'll appeal to Lars fans as it's very familiar having featured in concert films since the late 90's – a classic black with white nylon tip. To juice full money's worth the sticks come in a plastic, rubber cap ended case with...instructions of usage, somewhat.

Firstly, these US manufactured sticks come with a 60 day warranty. This is just unheard for drum accessories like these, therefore proof that AHEAD is confident with their product.

The sticks themselves are basically around 5A quality (different signature models in the AHEAD range have different lengths and diameters according to featured artist preference. I'm sure Tommy Lee's is large..), but are slightly heavier. These are not wood sticks.
The handle, which features a white bottom, is alloy. The rest is plastic. I've heard that some players have found these a little heavy but it took no more than a week or so to get used to them. I found I loved them within a day, this might've been accelerated by awe of the gift itself. You'll find that it might be heavier on the handle slightly, but the overall weight distribution makes it easier to move around the kit with little strain. And of course one of AHEAD's claims is their reduction of fatigued hands and joint damage. I haven't been using them long but they really do significantly feel better. AHEAD claims 50% less shock and vibration than wood sticks, and less than 1% weight variation compared to wood sticks. The sticks are well engineered and this can't be contested at all. These are perfect general hard rock sticks.

Not being wood also creates a different character of hit. Coupled with the nylon tip (that can come off and be changed be with same or different quality tips if needs be) you find that there's quite an efficient response in movement, hitting and sound production. Though I have to admit I'm not sure whether I'm also imagining some things.
Also, these sticks will last 6-10 times longer than wood sticks. And no wood means no splinters of sawdust piling up on your floor (at least I get that..) and keeps cymbals cleaner. The method though for changing worn or broken tips seems a bit of a messy hassle involving pliers, hair dryer and some super-glue, perhaps. If the sticks original tips last a year or more then I'll consider buying a new set just to avoid that hassle as it's reasonable enough. I don't think I'd go back to wood based on how it looks as well as feels. Though I'm happy to bypass the Lars signature if it's cheaper. I'd like my own!

Stick life varies to how hard and frequent you wack (that sounds wrong...but I'll keep it) but baring in mind the precautions, listed on the reverse of the warranty sheet, that are sometimes overlooked, you're sure to keep your sticks beating longer: do not play the drums with handle ends beating the drums (I know drummers that do this, but not with these) and neither should you hit the drums with nothing but the nylon tip to avoid cracks and dents in the plastic cover. This applying to snare rim shots might be a pain for some drummers though.
Though fortunately the covers of this model (LT) can be changed, but not interchanged with a different type. Instructions to do this are included, yet this seems a kitchen disaster too involving ovens and such...Perhaps AHEAD just want you to buy new sticks entirely despite availability of changeable parts? You can chuck 'em in your recycle bin when they've kicked the bucket though.

AHEAD also plug drumming gloves and grip tape in the package – not a bad idea if you want to completely avoid severing fellow musicians heads with stray projectiles; they also just ease that general weight of grip so you focus on less-tiring drumming more. That said, the handles cup in your hands rather snugly.

Though it sounds funny to be in awe of such an item, I really am very impressed with these. I'm truly glad to have 'em. Whether or not you like Lars, these are great quality rock sticks, and if you can't find any other artist model in the AHEAD range you like, at the end of the day they're all just AHEAD Easton Alloy Drumsticks.

Look great, feel great, play great. Therefore great, bar the probable pains in changing tip and cover.

Summary: Now we know where Lars get his metal from - his sticks!