Alternatives to wooden sticks (1 Viewer)

[Man In A Can]

Has anybody used the "Ahead Drum Sticks" ? Or any of the wood alternatives. I think there was titanium and aluminium ones about a while back.
Seem to be breaking a pair a week at the minute. I normally use Vic Firth 5B.

If so do they last longer?
Do they affect the sound?
Do they rip skins more often?

 

[ann post]

the carbon ones last longer then wooden ones. i dont know about sound or skin ripping.

 

[nonemoreblack]

I wouldn't recommend the Ahead sticks unless you have a free supply of cymbals.

The problem with them is that the plastic sleeves don't last long and you end up hitting your cymbals with bare metal. Not a good idea if you don't like cracks on your cymbals. They do have a nice feel, you can actually feel them flex slightly when playing.

I tried carbon fibre sticks once. They feel really hard and would easily fuck up your hands and wrists if you're a big hitter, and I am guessing you are if you break sticks regularly.

Bottom line..stick to wood, maybe change to Promark or Vater. I've found they both last longer than Vic Firth or Zildjian sticks. Choose each pair carefully. Look for straight and close grains in the wood, especially near the tip. Have a good look at your technique and set-up. It might be a case of having some of your drums or cymbals at an angle that eats sticks.