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What's so great about Speed King pedals?

Posts: 4009 Threads: 209

From calfskin

A pedal is basically a recoil catapult and like a catapult, there are many factors that contribute to the smoothness or speed that the object( beater ) is propelled with. So, a Ghost, or a Gretsch Floating Action or any other pedal has an action that is determined by a lot of mechanics. The spring recoil is only one of them and Ludwig didn't invent magic springs. Any differences you sense between those three pedals is the result primarily of the mechanics of leverage, rotational force and friction, pedal angle,pedal mass----a whole bunch of stuff.. It would be possible to convert the shaft ends of a speed king to an extension spring design, leaving all else the same and feel no difference whatsoever. It would all depend on the temper and relative stiffness of the springs employed and the freedom of the extension..

Wow! When did the forum get all sciencey and stuff? LoLoLoLo

Posted on 12 years ago
#51
Posts: 1273 Threads: 22

From CherylG28

Serious question. Why do people like these? I am thinking of getting a new pedal, but then I thought, why not an old one? So what's the deal with the Speed Kings?

I don't know. I got one, for free, back in the 80's. God help me, I threw it away. It was a clunker. However, I think it's a matter of taste/feel/chops. Folks make the best out of them; I couldn't deal with it. I used a Yellow Jacket, then a Tama single spring, forever, before falling in love with my DW5000AD3. Can't imagine a better, more versatile pedal - maybe a DW9000.

B

PS - Vintage Ludwig dudes and gals, don't hate me.

Vintage Drum Fan (Not a Guru)
Posted on 12 years ago
#52
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

From Ludwig-dude

Wow! When did the forum get all sciencey and stuff? LoLoLoLo

It's just that there are some smart guys and gals on here...

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 12 years ago
#53
Posts: 541 Threads: 102

I have a Speedking that I'm happy with. However, I recently bought an old Speedmaster for my Cocktail kit and initially it felt tiny and rickety, but it's growing on me! Thinking of trying to take it to a gig!

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Get off! Get your f**in' clothes and get off! Right now! Pull the f**in' bus over! -Buddy Rich
Posted on 12 years ago
#54
Posts: 1570 Threads: 66

From Lingontega

I have a Speedking that I'm happy with. However, I recently bought an old Speedmaster for my Cocktail kit and initially it felt tiny and rickety, but it's growing on me! Thinking of trying to take it to a gig!

the earliest speed kings had an almost identical footboard to that and black columns, in crackle paint.

Posted on 12 years ago
#55
Posts: 507 Threads: 4

From Ludwig-dude

Wow! When did the forum get all sciencey and stuff? LoLoLoLo

I asked for Calfskin's reply, so you can't really blame him.

I am still chewing over his reply, since I agree with most of it. But Speedking springs compared to a Gretsch FA are extended at opposite ends of their strokes--which is why I believe the way the springs behave provide different feels. (Just a belief, not knowledge, certainly not science, and happy for the insights)

Thanks Calfskin,

Patrick

Posted on 12 years ago
#56
Posts: 629 Threads: 227

Here is the first Speed King.It has an odd paint job,that doesn't look brushed on.V

58-Blue Diamond-Pearl Clubdates
65-WMP Clubdates
66-Green Sparkle Clubdates
67-Root Beer Clubdates
65-Cream tiger-stripe Pearl Presidents
60's Red Sparkle Artist LTD
60's yellow sparkle Trixon's
??'s Kingston-MIJ--3piece kit/Pearl snare
many vintage pedals,cymbals,parts,ect,ect
Posted on 12 years ago
#57
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

Wow! Too cool..Party

Where the heck did you find this? I would buy one of those in a heartbeat......

Compression springs in this too,right?

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 12 years ago
#58
Posts: 53 Threads: 12

TWO THINGS:

First, I've had em all, Pearl, Yamaha, Axis longboards, DW 5/9000, Iron Cobra, Slingerland, and the new Tama Speedcobra is an amazing pedal. Feels like part of your foot. Timing is perfect.

Second, I just picked up a Speedking to use on a vintage kit to keep it period correct. QUESTION: It looks like someone cleaned this one up pretty good, but the heel swivel piece is on backwards. It works fine but when it's flipped over the smooth half is toward the heel and the tread part is toward the toe part. Was this some kind of mod people did (when the footboard is depressed the heel comes up so you can not only get rebound and spring to pull the beater off the head, but as you rock on the pivot, your heel pulls the beater back too), of did someone just screw up when refurbing this thing??

Posted on 12 years ago
#59
Posts: 168 Threads: 10

I sort of like them I have a WFL one that is clean as a whistle and performs well, I find the metal link a bit un-natural though. but I have yet to find my perfect pedal, I have had DW5000, Pearl Eliminator, Premier 252, 50s Martin Fleetfoot, Gretsch floating action (about 5 of these).

It's a matter of taste, Speedkings are pretty well made but I think there is a fair amount of hype that goes with them, a bit like the Ludwig 400 which the world is in love with and I find horrible. It is personal, so I would definitely try one as it may be a match made in heaven.

Posted on 12 years ago
#60
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