****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I got this set at a discount from Amazon warehouse because it was missing a piece (that I didn't need), but this seems like the place to give some feedback. I ended up cutting a 13" to fit my 10" by making a compass: forcing a pushpin through a large zip-tie 5" from the eye of it, and a hobby knife.Materials: compared to cheaper options, the material is more dense and heavier, and for this reason, the bold term "silencing" in the product description is warranted. If you're considering this sort of solution for noise problems, the Ahead brand has produced a quality product. The pads are rubbery enough that glancing strokes feel pretty weird but anything straight ahead feels as good as can be expected from this type of dense foam rubber.I need (want) to practice my particular kit and I'm stuck in an upstairs apartment. Playing at coffee-shop dynamics during day hours with these pads will hopefully keep the downstairs neighbors happy. Without any treatment of the bottom heads, a fair amount of bass is still produced, and even V-drum players have problems with downstairs neighbors from pedal stomping, so don't expect any miracles unless dynamics are brought way, way down. I've got an extra set of heads that I've attached upside-down to the bottom heads using rubber bands, and a pillow and blanket up against the outside of the bass drum to kill some of the extra bass. Volume is way better for neighbors now. Goodbye tone but hello practice opportunity.Mom or Dad, if you're buying this for Junior and he/she didn't ask for it, it will not get used unless the desire to rehearse is strong enough to do so with light strokes. These make the instrument sound pretty dead and limp so the will to practice motion better be there or these will collect dust. If Junior is already trying to play quietly and struggling to keep neighbors (or you) happy, I suggest these.
