Does the Speed King live up to its name?

[vexorgtr]

Just wondering. I got one in today, since it's the period correct one for my project... I just got the new production one in now, as the vintage ones are coming soon. I've been told by several that I'll love this thing.. but as always, I'm skeptical of everything. I havn't played it yet... the Baby is asleep.

You guys have a thought on it?

best picture ever.

http://adsoftheworld.com/files/images/ludwigsoup.jpg

[vintagemore2000]

To answer your question YES It Does!!! look how long it's been in production, also look at the artist that have used it and still do use it!!

[Batterhead]

Would not THINK of using anything else.
Been using the same Speed King since I bought it new in 1965.

[Snooter]

Would not THINK of using anything else.
Been using the same Speed King since I bought it new in 1965.

C'mon,really. This must be one heck of a pedal. I'll try and check one out.
I think it's great you've found the pedal you like and have stuck with for years.

[MIKEY777]

Yes they do,after 45 years playing and working and now part owner for a drum shop i have tryed every new pedal in the pass 30 years and i have always came back to the Ludwig Speed King...Mikey

[LudwigLover]

i just recently switched to using all vintage gear..and let me tell you..its not the easiest transition.

i was using a DW 9000 single..going from that to the Speed King is something you'll have to get used to.

but i wouldn't have it any other way..pedal is great! and has truly passed the test of time.
Yes Sir

[james]

Made the switch over to vintage speed kings from Tama iron cobra pedals within the last year and have never thought twice about it. Great pedal!

[O-Lugs]

+1 for the SpeedKing

[vexorgtr]

Cool... I tried it today for just a bit.. after a few tension adjustments it should work just fine.. I wish it needed less clearance to the head though..

[vintagemore2000]

That's my main beef with it also! you'll get use to it in a couple of days to a week.

[Hoppy]

I started out with a pair of Speed Kings, then switched to a pair of Ghosts and finally settled on a pair of Caroline's (by ASBA). Now that pedal was the shizzle to me (yea I know it's French...don't be hatin'). I also liked that the beater rod was a bit beefier than other pedals which let the 26's speak with extra authority.

I could never get the Speed King to dance the way I wanted?

[bhawk]

In regards to your comments about needing more clearance to the head, here's the deal. You must be using the second design of speedking pedal designed for wide bass drum hoops. The first speed kings were made for narrow hoops. I believe Ludwig built the wide hoop models around 1975. The pedals before that have a base built for narrow hoops. I learned this because my first speed king pedal worked perfectly on my vintage Rogers kit with the narrow 1.5 inch hoops. I bought a second speed king and tried it out. I discovered the link was rubbing on the head. Couldn't figure out why until I compared the two pedals side by side. The first series pedals, from the 60's, have a base which allows one inch of hoop to sit on the base of the pedal. The second series from the mid 70's onward has a base that allows 1.5 inches of hoop to sit on the base.
To remedy this, I built a wood spacer out of 3\8 inch plywood and installed it onto my late 70's pedal base. That pushed the pedal back enough to work great on my narrow hooped kit. Bottom line, when shopping for a speed king be aware that the base where the hoop sits is different from early to later pedals. I'll try and post pics in the next day or so.

[jonnistix]

Also, when buying an old S/K, you may need to clean out the towers and re-grease them as the old grease tends to dry out over the years and can slow the response considerably...I have one I traded for that has that issue and I will be cleaning and re-greasing it soon. Nice, sweet action, but a little slower that it should be. I have used a good, clean one and mine is a tad bit slower. I watched the S/K guy doing the deal and no kiddin', the old ones are slower, until they are cleaned out.
As for the old Ghosty, I think they suffer the same fate. The Ghost I traded off for the S/K, now that I think about it, may have been suffering the same reduced response. After I hit it with a few drops of mineral oil and worked it in, the action seemed to free up a bit.

[vintagemore2000]

Here are 3 of my Wfl speed kings, I have more just didn't have them handy while these three posed for the camera!

[mcjnic]

The issue I have with the sk is the same one I've had from the beginning. The beater travels beyond 90 degrees to strike the head. It doesn't strike it parallel. Every one of them has done this. I've worked on adjustments and it just doesn't help. I've focused mostly on dw pedals, though I play a bunch of different ones.

[O-Lugs]

Isn't it funny how sensitive we can be about the sllllliiiiiiigggghhhhhtest differences in pedals?

I use an older DW5000 Turbo (means it has a footplate) for most of my gigs. That's what DW has always been to me - a pedal company. Actually, DW's a pedal company that remade the old Camco design and upgraded it a bit. In any case, the one I have is a great working man's pedal. It is built like a tank and probably wouldn't break if you threw it off a 1000 foot cliff! As far as feel goes, it's not my favorite. It has the round gear and I prefer the offset style cog better -like the way the SpeedKing's is.

I also was taught to play "heel down" when I was first learning to play and every pedal I ever put my foot on at that time was a SpeedKing. So I guess I bonded with them. My foot never forgets. I play my DW pedal for the week and then I go to the practice room on the weekend and sit down at one of my vintage kits with the SpeedKings and it feels like home!

The pedal I like the least is the DW 9000 pedal. I can't say that I hate it, but the design of it is just plain poor. Placing the spring on the inside of the armature was goofy! Oh, well.....I have one. It's like new....sitting in it's carry bag.....waiting for the day to come when I can get someone to fight over it on EBay (yeah....rrrrrrrright). :)

I haven't ever really done a complete overhaul on any of my SKs, but I have taken out the piston things cleaned them with.....WD-40 (it fixes everything!)!

I also like that the SK can be taken apart and packed in with the rest of the hardware.

[LudwigLover]

as far as the link hitting the head..just make sure the clamp is tightened firmly on the bass drum hoop..

i had the same problem until my uncle was like "did you tighten it?"
DOH

[SkyDog75]

I use an older DW5000 Turbo (means it has a footplate) for most of my gigs.

The "turbo" name doesn't refer to the plate. The 5000CX "turbo" has a round sprocket. The 5000AX "accelerator" has an offset sprocket. I use a 5000 turbo without a floor plate.

That's what DW has always been to me - a pedal company. Actually, DW's a pedal company that remade the old Camco design and upgraded it a bit.

I picked up a Camco pedal as a backup to my DW and it is EXTREMELY similar. Looking at them side-by-side, it's no surprise to learn that DW bought out Camco's tooling when they went belly-up.

It has the round gear and I prefer the offset style cog better

My Camco has a DW "accelerator" offset sprocket on it and I think I like it better than the DW 5000 turbo I bought it to back up.

[O-Lugs]

The "turbo" name doesn't refer to the plate. The 5000CX "turbo" has a round sprocket. The 5000AX "accelerator" has an offset sprocket. My main pedal's a 5000 turbo without a floor plate.



I picked up a Camco pedal as a backup to my DW and it is EXTREMELY similar. Looking at them side-by-side, it's no surprise to learn that DW bought out Camco's tooling when they went belly-up.



My Camco has a DW "accelerator" offset sprocket on it and I think I like it better than the DW 5000 turbo I bought it to back up.

Ah! Thanks for the correction! I remember it was 1985 when I bought mine and I had no idea about the shapes of the gears at that time. I should probably look for an "Accelerator" version if I decide to get another one. Thanks again! :)

[Hoppy]

Hmmm.... maybe I should clean and lubricate the ol' dogs and see what happens????

[idrum4fun]

I may ruffle some feathers here, but I've never been crazy about the Speed King. Yes, I've had quite a few of them, all of which were completely rebuilt to work like new. For me, and others, using one is an acquired "feel". For my money, I had a Slingerland Super Speed that was killer. Same principle as the Speed King, but with, IMHO, much better design. I had my metal shop friend fabricate a custom base plate for it. Fantastic feel! Still, I would certainly use a Speed King with a vintage Ludwig kit!

[FatherTime]

Hmmm.... maybe I should clean and lubricate the ol' dogs and see what happens????

I just recently rebuilt one and Jstix is right about the action improving after removing the old dried grease and repacking with fresh. Makes a big difference.

[Jim]

I find it difficult to rocker sixteenth notes going heel to toe on the SK foot board. You have to slide your foot way up and twist it to get your heel on enough of the foot board beside the heel plate to play it with your heel.

But that said ... I play an SK on my Rogers Tower kit... I use a Yellow Jacket on my Slingerland Modern Solo Kit and a Slingerland AA on my Krupa Deluxe Ensemble.

[Boscoe]

Correct me if I'm wrong, (right,like I had to tell you guys that) but didn't Tama buy the Camco pedal rights instead of DW? I'm sure Tama marketed an exact copy of the Camco pedal but with Tama on the footboard. I even want to say (again correct me....) that Tama marketed the pedal as a "Camco" model for a while. Come on, somebody knows the whole story.

[jonnistix]

Correct me if I'm wrong, (right,like I had to tell you guys that) but didn't Tama buy the Camco pedal rights instead of DW? I'm sure Tama marketed an exact copy of the Camco pedal but with Tama on the footboard. I even want to say (again correct me....) that Tama marketed the pedal as a "Camco" model for a while. Come on, somebody knows the whole story.
During a period in the 80s TAMA indeed owned the rights to the name, and I assume all patented material rights as well. They did build drums under the Camco name, using all of the proper style lugs and the pedals as well.

[Randydrummer]

Great thread!

In my years of touring, especially on "fly-dates" I ALWAYS carry a Speed King. They are lightweight and can fit in my "other" pedal bag as a back-up. In addition, I have been on several rented fly-date kits and received the worst pedals ever, a Speed King comes quite handy in these moments. Again, due to the fact that the pedal can break down and fit into a drumstick bag means you can carry your pedal to open mic nights, jam sessions, or fly-dates.

Funny story. I'm touring Europe with Pat Travers and we did a show where the opening act was a legendary drum artists doing a clinic. Anyhow, this guy knows PT from forever ago and wants to sit in on "Boom, Boom". No problem!
He jumps behind my Ludwig's and notices a Speed King pedal. I ask the drummer "Will this pedal be o.k."?, he responds yeah man I own like 50 of em'....best pedal ever built. The drummer....Carmine Appice.

BTW...Speed Kings are great!

[O-Lugs]

A note about the difference between a SpeedKing and some other similar pedals like that Slingerland pedal is that the SK can function as a hinged heel plate or as a fixed heel plate. I prefer the fixed plate setting because that fits with the "heel-down" technique I was taught to play when I was young. I had forgotten that little detail for years and then rediscovered it about a decade ago when I started getting involved with vintage drums. That detail allows my foot to sit entirely flat on the pedal -which makes the effective surface area for contact much greater and gives me more comfort.

I find that the style of music I play doesn't require me to play fast 16th notes, so I don't look for pedals to facilitate that type of technique. I like a pedal that responds very sensitively to shifting dynamics. I believe the direct solid linkage makes it easier to do that. And, my foot seems to prefer the accelerator-type cog of the SK.

Plus, it looks cool!

[Mike T]

Been playing these things since 1965 always played SK's and they have never let me down and always been the best for me

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v147/Magwa/DSC02512Medium.jpg

[bonzo119]

Mike T...by any chance do you want to adopt a new son?? LoLoLoLo

[DanCam]

Been playing these things since 1965 always played SK's and they have never let me down and always been the best for me

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v147/Magwa/DSC02512Medium.jpg

Great setup! How do you have the hi-hat secured? (clamp to bass drum hoop?) I use an old WFL Speed King and love it - great design and better quality than the later ones

[lucky]

That kit would be a blast to play!!!

[Kona]

Here are 3 of my Wfl speed kings, I have more just didn't have them handy while these three posed for the camera!


vm2000 - nice group shot there!
I have a WFL bd pedal & the ludwig hihat (Walberg/Auge built) with the WFL footplate below. I use both with my vintage Gretsch kit.......smooth & very nice feel for both. It's just a great design & a great all round pedal.

I've said it before but I'll say it again:
I did not use the pedal, dismissing it as not being big enough for my feet. I went with an ASBA Caroline (Made In France). When the Speedking came in a box of hardware with my 58 Gretsch kit last year it was totally seized but I decided to try to repair it. I got it working & gave it a try. Boy was I wrong in dismissing this pedal years ago - it has got to be the very best feeling pedal I've ever used - even with my large "kippers"!

I'd say ya - the bd pedal does live up it's name. Ludwig created a winner with this design.