Which do you prefer, old kick pedals or new ones?

[jonutarr]

For example which do you rather use when playing a drum kit, an Iron Cobra or a Speed king?

I'm selling a Trick Pro V-1 as I like my old generic 90's kick pedal better but I'm thinking of getting something else

What do you prefer?

[vintagemore2000]

I would rather use a ludwig squeek king, than an iron cobra, but my main pedal is a usa made DW 5000 pedal!!!Jumping2

[O-Lugs]

SpeedKing!

[thisbright14]

Kinda depends on the kit for me. I dig the vibe of older hardware on older kits.

As far as modern stuff goes, I really like the Iron Cobra with a standard felt ball beater. The last Iron Cobra I had lasted for 8 years of heavy touring with no problems. For the bucks they seem like a killer pedal. However, I heard that in the last years they made some changed to them that make them less durable. Does anyone else know anything about that? Not sure as I don't own one currently.

I really like Yamaha's pedals as well.

I don't mind the older DW 5000 single chain drive pedals with the same standard felt ball beater instead of the double sided thing....if I can get one to stay attached to the drum through an entire set!

I also dig the feel of older pedals like the Speed King and the strap drive Rogers Swivo pedals, but I stick to modern pedals for touring.

Pedals are about as "personal preference" as you can get with playing drums! Its all about what makes your feet the happiest!

-Ad

[lucky]

I used a speedking for years and then I tried the dw 9000 strap drive and never looked back.

[mcjnic]

DW and Speed King and DW and a Slingy and DW and ...

DW

[james]

Speedking! In fact recently traded an iron cobra for another vintage speedking.

James

[section2]

I've been playing a DW 5000 for nearly 20 years, and it's served me very well. But a couple of weeks ago I switched to a Speed King and couldn't believe how much better it felt. Pedal choice is highly personal, and they make great pedals today, but man... that Speed King just feels so good to me. It gets bonus points for the cool vintage vibe, and for packing up incredibly well for travel.

[Batterhead]

You mean there is something other than a Speed King?

I've been using the same SK since 1964. And you know what?.....I've NEVER heard it squeak!

[jonnistix]

My brother played a DW 5000 for years and loved it. I, on the other hand, have currently all older and vintage pedals. I have two TAMAs, a Ghost and a stamped steel MIJ strap drive. The TAMAs are different eras, one is a thinner, smaller, lighter chain than the other, and I prefer it to the heavier chain. Now the Ghost, well, it is what it is, old and persnickety, creaky and just smooth as silk. The steel MIJ, I know you all want to know, it is probably the best for practicing you can get. It will put the muscle on. It is actually a good old pedal. It is the original from the Star factory and came with our Majestic kit and works amazingly well considering what it actually is, a cheap copy of the Rogers strap drive of the early 60s, nice and light, quiet and really fast.
So, in order, Thin chained TAMA, stamped steel strapper, Ghost, then the heavier TAMA. I don't like all the newer pedals. They are like an electric seat in a car. Once you start messing with all the adjustments, you can never get it right......

[OsakaBop]

For playing live I prefer a rock solid, new pedal. My go to model is the TAMA Iron Cobra single pedal using the double chain drive. I like to use this with a Vintage Bomber beater.
I have a Slingerland Epic, a Ludwig Universal, and a 68 Pearl standard but they are more for show or playing the practice room. I tried to play a show with the vintage Pearl and the bottom plate came unscrewed in the middle of a tune- I can`t have that happening...

[vintage drum bug]

Long Live The Speed King!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MIKEY777]

Well,let me see i have 40 vintage[60s too 1978] Ludwig Speed Kings and No Tama--So i say Speed King All the way..Mikey

[Kona]

Last September a Speed King was included in a box of old parts when I bought a 58 Gretsch kit to restore.

I never played one - as I've said elsewhere here I've always thought it would be too small for my large foot.

I restored it and gave it a try.......and loved it! It's so smooth and effortless to operate. I use the SK now in place of my Gibraltar 9611.

Speed King gets my vote. It's so cool to use an old piece of hardware like that and have it work so well - I'm impressed.

[Olimpass]

I have yet to try a SpeedKing. I love my Slingerland pedal, don't know the model no.

[kevins]

I have yet to try a SpeedKing. I love my Slingerland pedal, don't know the model no.
Thinking that's a model #938 Tempo King ... got the model number from the Rob Cook book.
It's listed by name and number in the Drum Guide too.

[JWG]

thats pricey for a 7000. is it a double?

what is the problem exactly?

[mike s]

i've had a top of the range pearl pedal , then moved onto a speedking for the last 12 years , i also loaned a DW 9000 and have to say i prefer the speed king .
with all its faults its still the best pedal i have ever used!

[sammypenn]

I don't think I'll ever give up the Ghost.;)

[Christophonic]

I bought a DW 9000 double pedal, but the slave portion has only been used a handful of times. I love how smooth the 9000 action is. I have yet to try a speed king, and I'm kinda jonesin' to do so! If I love Luddy drums as much as I do, I guess I owe it to myself!

[deadhead]

Just recently switched over to a Slingy Tempo King, it has taken a little getting used to, but I'm loving the responsiveness. I like the feel of it better than my Pearl. I'm also extremely fond of my flat base Slingy hi-hat stand.

[thisbright14]

How can you spend $300.00 on a pedal and have it not clamp to any BD hoop?

Amen Brother!

-Ad

[teverson-sr]

I'm afraid I'm going to go outside the box-Premier 252.This replaced my Sonor Champion around 83'and I've collected these orphans ever since.Right now I'm alternating between a solid bar and a strap drive version.And I have a mid-70's Pearl on my practice set.Odd about those Pearl pedals-the beater hits the head WAY beyond it's 90 degree point,so I heated and put a Z in the beater rod.All better-MUCH more responsive.
This does not include the 8-10 Pedals in my attic that just didn't work out.It's a used car lot of pedals.

[jonutarr]

Interesting feedback
Seems to me a lot of the newer pedals have a heavy feel to them which I don't like but some people do, I might have to try a speed king

[MIKEY777]

Interesting feedback
Seems to me a lot of the newer pedals have a heavy feel to them which I don't like but some people do, I might have to try a speed king
Try it you will Love it..Speed king that is..Mikey

[ddrumsr]

Used Speed Kings for years, still have a few. Then switched to a Pearl belt pedal which is a bit heavier feel but really fluid. Just recently started using a Pearl Demon Drive. All the benefits of a Speed King (direct drive), but with modern features and unlimited adjustments (light, heavy, power, light). It works for me, but may not be everyone's cup of tea. I don't think one is better than another, just whatever feels the best individually. I like the old and the new.

[OsakaBop]

It's funny- my first pedal was a Speedking- just came with the set in 1976. I guess it was almost new at the time- worked perfectly for about 10 years and I never Knew it was special. You`all gonna kick my ass but my least favorite pedals are the DWs- the raised heel plate is so strange feeling to me.
I have a Sonor Giant Step pedal that is like a Mercedes Benz it`s so nimble (cost almost as much as a Benz I recall...) Anyway- I "like" most pedals I have played except single chain types- the pedal plate then can move side to side too much. Other, for me it`s all in the spring and foot board adjustment. I use an Iron Cobra, double chain, as my workhorse pedal mostly because it is so adjustable and sturdy.
Now you `ve got me tempted to try a Speedking again as well.Sumo Dude

[thisbright14]

I too am tempted to buy another Speed King. Almost got an old one for $15 a few weeks back but the guy flaked out.

I grew up playing on one in the school jazz band and it worked great. I have played them since and LOVE the feel. A good friend of mine still plays on one, but his is real flimsy. The metal connector thing falls off almost every song or two. I can't take those chances when playing in front of large crowds. Thats why I go with modern pedals.

Does anyone know how to fix that problem? The whole metal hinge loose and falling off?

-Ad

[EricP]

Never once found a Speed King that felt right for me. Recently got a Ghost dirt
cheap off feeBay and it is the smoothest pedal I've tried. Granted, I should
try some of those other newer ones like the DW you guys are talking about and
have heard that those older Camco chain pedals are highly sought after too.

[reniegreg]

I love my modern Yamaha strap drive for my blues kit.
The Slingerland Tempo King is great on my jazz kit.
My backup is a Calato Regal Tip strap drive.
I recently bought a Yamaha direct drive, but after fiddling with it for 3 days, I cannot get my foot to like it, have to sell it.
A box of junk I got in a deal has a Ghost in it that I have to try out next.

[JWG]

just watching the poll here,

it may change over the next few days but it would seem its half and half.

I suppose pedals are like sticks, guys use whatever they like the feel of, there isn't really a "right" or "wrong"

[atomicmorganic]

I'm suprised that there was only one mention of Tama Camco, no mention of Gretsch Floating action or Camco strap drive or Slingy Yellow Jacket. All great pedals. By the way, I voted new pedals. Been playing DW, Axis longboard and Taye.

[TheHotIron]

I have several from the 20s and 30s that work just fine for me,.. some action is a little strange to get used to, but others are great!

[poppy79424]

This is sorta funny, because I was working on several pedals over the weekend. i have some parts sandblasted and powder coated and still have them all on the table. I just finished restorin another ludwig junior pedal and a slingy pedal and still working on a sonor pedal. personally I use a DW 5000 pedal at our jamhole, but have a iron cobra double in the closet and use a iron cobra hi hat at the jamhole.

[mcjnic]

Atomicmorganic reminded me of one of my all time faves. I had a pair of the Tama Camco pedals for my twin 24 Tama kit. Man, I loved those pedals. They never let me down. I remember when I ordered the kit. The store guy said the kit came with some sweet top line pedals. I had been playing the Speed King forever and saw the look of the Tama Camco's. They had the same basic look. Way closer than that other pedal they were going to include. I got the kit about four months later after they built it and shipped it on a very slow boat. I popped those pedals on those twin basses and went to town. Unreal feel.

[Stallwart]

I started on a friend's Gretsch Floating Action, went to Slingerland Epic (great light pedal) and then played a Speed King from '65 to '81.

For part of one set I used a Ghost pedal on a gig in 1973, but the footboard broke and I went back to the Speed King. I also had an original US made Camco that had been altered to chain drive (pre DW during the 70's), but it felt too lightweight for gigging. I've since converted it back to strap drive, but only use it around the house.

In 1981, I discovered the Tama/Camco chain pedal. I've played one ever since. For many years I had access to almost every brand of pedal, but none matched the feel of the T/C. I bought a spare pedal and the important spare parts that I've yet to use.

BTW, I sold my remaining Speed King to mcjnic. I don't really miss it that much.

[JWR]

I've been using the DW5000 with wood beaters for years. Recently I tried my son's Iron cobra double pedal and it was quite simple. Always been a bit attached to those old ones.

[Antipodes]

Camco by Tama - simple, fast, light, cheap, still available all over ebay.

[Ludwig-dude]

You mean there is something other than a Speed King?

I've been using the same SK since 1964. And you know what?.....I've NEVER heard it squeak!

I be thats because you MAINTAIN it....LoLoLoLo

[Ludwig-dude]

I've used pretty much all of them, be it my own or borrowed, or whatever someone had on the kit at the local open mic nites.

Personally I prefer the vintage pedals to the modern ones. Most modern pedals have WAY too many adjustments to my liking. A pedal should feel right, right out of the box without a lot of messing about with, you know?

Here's my top four with the top two pretty much interchangable:

1) Speed King
2) Ghost
3) Tama King Beat (yes the compression spring model from the 80's)
4) Gretsch Floating Action/USA Camco 5000

The pedal of choice for right now is the Ghost, but I've had a few I didn't like. The particular one I have now was practically new, so I think that has a lot to do with the feel of the ghost pedals too, since they are pretty much unrepairable as no one offers parts for them. If and when this one gives up the ghost (sorry, couldn't resist :D) I'll most likely go back to a Speed King.

[Batterhead]

I be thats because you MAINTAIN it....LoLoLoLo

Well LD, I wish I could say that's true, but it has never been disassembled for maintenance. Other than an occaisional squirt of Break-Free in the space between the rotating beater shaft and ball bearing housing every few years, nothing.

After reading the stickies about how to do it, I've been thinking maybe it's time....lol Just trying to overcome the usual "If it ain't broke......"

[Mike T]

Speed Kings for 45 years not changing now i did trade a nice SK for a tama Iron Cobra just to see how it felt it is alot different and to many adjustments for me i like things simple.. put it on kick A$$ take it off repeat...

[KapperDog]

I notice they still make a Ludwig Speed King pedal. I saw one brand new on eBay for 130 bux.

They "claim" it is unchanged from the vintage models.

Is there a difference between the 60's [vintage] models and the current 2010 model?

Thanks

[DJAM]

Hi,
And another question...
Anyone got any thoughts on a direct comparison between a Speed King and a Slingerland Tempo King?
Interested.....thanks!

[mcjnic]

Yes. They don't compare. They are built upon differing mechanics and the feel is very very different. Apples and Oranges. I personally don't like the feel of the Slingerland pedal. I own it because without the pedal, the kit wouldn't be complete. It's for resale, not for collecting. I've used a speedking off and on for most all my life. My main pedal is not vintage.

[DJAM]

Blimey mcjnic I didn't realise that! Guess I'll have to get a Speedking! You can't have too many toys! Thanks for your opinion.

[ZOLE]

I sold 2 speedkings last year.... and I was using a gibralter double bass pedal (thing is a monster) for years but I set that aside to use the new Trick Pro1v Longboard....Not to make a commercial but there is something to be said about the technology that went into this things design....After playing with it for an hour and dialed it in to find at least 4 sweet spots.....I was doing triple blasts on a single pedal faster than I could with the monsters. Another benefit that I recently discovered is that after playing 1-2 sets....my foot gets a little fatigued...not much but enough to miss a quick double now and again.... With the trick i can reach down and turn the dial once or twice to tighten it up and BOOM response is back.... I think the direct drive pedal is a whole different animal than the chain/strap driven pedals. I VOTED NEW

Z

[Snowdog]

Over the years I've played Ludwig, Pearl, Yamaha, PDP and Tama pedals, and the only one I've kept from 1987 until now is my Tama Camco. Bought it new from Veneman's for $63 and haven't had a bit of trouble with it in 23 years. Still the most comfortable for me. I now have two more for back-ups and/or parts but haven't had to replace anything yet. Sold all the rest.

Jeff

[PopsOldSkins]

Been using a Gibralter double bass pedal, but just recently switched to a Slingerland Yellow Jacket.There's just something about that old feeling.

[O-Lugs]

The old feeling for me is that most new pedals are completely OVERbuilt! They have more adjustments, but I don't need all that. A SpeedKing is the feel for me...although I do play a DW5000 from 1985 -not so much because I like it, but because it's a workhorse pedal that doesn't seem to be able to break!

[Grefal]

I know this is like ****ing in the wind but I'll take my old Rogers rocket every time. Gives me speed and sensablity when ever I need either.

[OsakaBop]

I don`t seem to hear too many people talking about the Ludwig Universal Speed Master pedals. This is my absolute favorite vintage pedal. It`s so lightweight, packs up into two small pieces for easy, lightweight travel and has great action. I own two of them and use it alot. I basically use a modern pedal live (for reliability) but if weight is an issue- these are great.
I replaced the leather strap with a Yamaha nylon PBL4 replacement bass drum pedal strap- fits like it was designed for the Speedmaster- no modifications needed.
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn87/Osakabop/BqkgHQBmkKGrHqEH-DUEuWlF3OBcBLwC6Ur.jpg
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn87/Osakabop/P1010006-4.jpg
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn87/Osakabop/P1010003-6.jpg
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn87/Osakabop/P1010004-10.jpg

[TMTM]

Was using drumwork doubles. Just bought Pearl Demon Drive doubles and they are the best double pedals so far. When using single I use my old speedking, so I use both but prefer the Demon Drives.

[TMTM]

Was using drumwork doubles. Just bought Pearl Demon Drive doubles and they are the best double pedals so far. When using single I use my old speedking, so I use both but prefer the Demon Drives.

So its new pedals for me. TOM - A Drummer

[grantro]

I own many pedals... Speedking, Dixon, Tama, Mapex, MIJ, etc.... One of my favorite is my Gibraltar Prowler double kick. It's a nice smooth pedal. But I still have the vintage pedals close by when I play the blues. Just my two cents.:2Cents:

Cheers

[Ludwig-dude]

Like I stated earlier....I've tried a lot of pedals and always end up back to the speedking. It just feels so right. Although, I have been using a great feeling Ghost pedal more and more lately. I've had a few of them in the past and could never get them to feel as good as a speedking....this one though, there's something about it. It feels real close to my trusty speedking...

So I guess that's a vote for vintage from me..... :D

[mcdrummer]

I played a speed king for years, and loved it. Eventually though bought an Iron Cobra, and now I play DW 9000s, 5000s, and 7000s. But I wish I had my speed king back.

[nemo007]

I posted this on another thread, but what do you veterans think of modifying speed kinds like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRcQwNz4cf4

[Bobby Boyd]

Newer, for me.
Of course, just my opinion, but I like the newer footboards alot more. I think the docking systems are better, (more about this in a second) Velcro is a huge plus, more adjustments.
I've A/B'd with my Camcos (Orig. and Tama, Ghost, etc...never really liked the Speed King) and still come back to the newer models, with the exception of older Yamahas, which are fantastic.
Right now, I'm going between DW 5000, Axis and Gibralter.
I played the Mapex Falcon at NAMM and that's on my list of things to get.
My favorite pedal to LOOK at is the Ghost (I have a black one not sure of the date)
Now a rant about new pedals - Who else can't stand that toggling piece of metal that connects to the hoop, ala Tama Iron Cobra? We have a nice wing nut on the side that's easy to get to, and then that stupid piece is always gravitating in a way that makes it a battle to clamp on.