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How old is this WFL SPeed King pedal? Last viewed: 7 hours ago

Posts: 170 Threads: 46

I've never seen another one like it. It doesn't have a single part in common with a "modern" (i.e., post 1950-ish) Speed King as far as I can tell - it looks like a predecessor to the later classic design.

A friend just picked this up. It's hard to see in these quicky cell phone photos, but the painted parts are a very dark green, which are re-painted but he said is an exact match to the original paint that was mostly flaked off. The 'yoke' looks like it's cast from brass. The foot board is very well worn in the spot where the words "Speed King" originally were, so it's hard to make out in the photos, but in person you can see it still.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Scott

Posted on 14 years ago
#1
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

this Wfl speed king was Introduced in 1938, Oh and Scott man she's a beauty!

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 14 years ago
#2
Posts: 621 Threads: 41

Really nice!!...marko

Posted on 14 years ago
#3
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

Man! I would love to have that................Clapping Happy2

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 14 years ago
#4
Posts: 392 Threads: 30

checker758: Hey can you choose to have the “heal plate” lift (or not) like on the 50s etc. Speed Kings? I find that with my WFL Speed King HH stand I’ve grown accustom to using that option to help lift the cymbal when I put a tambourine on top of it (and to get more hieght for a kind of Hi Hat crash thing I do). Just wondering about the history of that heal plate flip option. I haven’t owned a SK bass pedal yet.

:)

“In fact your pedal extremities are a bit obnoxious”. – Fats Waller
Posted on 14 years ago
#5
Posts: 170 Threads: 46

From 510

checker758: Hey can you choose to have the “heal plate” lift (or not) like on the 50s etc. Speed Kings? I find that with my WFL Speed King HH stand I’ve grown accustom to using that option to help lift the cymbal when I put a tambourine on top of it (and to get more hieght for a kind of Hi Hat crash thing I do). Just wondering about the history of that heal plate flip option. I haven’t owned a SK bass pedal yet.:)

Yes, the heel plate operates just like later Speed Kings. In fact, there's one interesting design element in this WFL that isn't in the later ones: the later ones just have a screw that goes through a plain washer to hold the heel plate in place. This one uses a special washer that isn't round - the sides are straight / flat, and it fits perfectly between two raised ridges in the bottom of the footboard, so it doesn't turn or spin, and creates a longer 'tab' of washer to hold the heel section in place. (I imagine they did away with this because of the need to use a custom washer.)

Scott

Posted on 14 years ago
#6
Posts: 392 Threads: 30

From checker758

Yes, the heel plate operates just like later Speed Kings. In fact, there's one thing an interesting design element in this WFL that isn't in the later ones: the later ones just have a screw that goes through a plain washer to hold the heel plate in place. This one uses a special washer that isn't round - the sides are straight / flat, and it fits perfectly between two raised ridges in the bottom of the footboard, so it doesn't turn or spin, and creates a longer 'tab' of washer to hold the heel section in place. (I imagine they did away with this because of the need to use a custom washer.)Scott

Thanks for sharing your observation and that info! That special washer is a tribute to the early craftsmanship that went into that solid pedal. I think it is probably fitting that your pedal was used so much it had the logo rubbed off. It must have been a favorite!

Cool1

“In fact your pedal extremities are a bit obnoxious”. – Fats Waller
Posted on 14 years ago
#7
Posts: 19 Threads: 1

From checker758

I've never seen another one like it. It doesn't have a single part in common with a "modern" (i.e., post 1950-ish) Speed King as far as I can tell - it looks like a predecessor to the later classic design.A friend just picked this up. It's hard to see in these quicky cell phone photos, but the painted parts are a very dark green, which are re-painted but he said is an exact match to the original paint that was mostly flaked off. The 'yoke' looks like it's cast from brass. The foot board is very well worn in the spot where the words "Speed King" originally were, so it's hard to make out in the photos, but in person you can see it still.Any ideas?Thanks.Scott

Hey Scott

Here's a photo of what I believe to be one of the first Speed King pedals which I've just recently bought (haven't quite got it yet). It was advertised as 1936 (maybe a prototype?) William F. Ludwig started his company properly the next year if I remember right and patented the design for the internal twin springs inside the posts. On my earlier version they are still outside - the later design obviously worked better! On the upper section of the footboard it says 'Twin Spring - Speed King - pat pend'

. The original paint on this one is gold coloured.

I use a couple of the later 50's Speed King pedals - great design!

Dan

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Posted on 14 years ago
#8
Posts: 170 Threads: 46

Thanks Dan, very interesting. "My" pedal (it actually belongs to a friend, but I'll claim it as mine for the purposes of this discussion!) looks like it shares some parts with yours. The entire footboard assembly is identical, and including the "Pat. Pend." inscription, and it looks like the yoke may be too. The only difference I see is the main section with the two upright posts.

Your comment about the Pat. Pend. makes me wonder - at what point was the patent no longer pending? Are there SK pedals of this style that don't have that inscription?

Scott

From DanCam

Hey ScottHere's a photo of what I believe to be one of the first Speed King pedals which I've just recently bought (haven't quite got it yet). It was advertised as 1936 (maybe a prototype?) William F. Ludwig started his company properly the next year if I remember right and patented the design for the internal twin springs inside the posts. On my earlier version they are still outside - the later design obviously worked better! On the upper section of the footboard it says 'Twin Spring - Speed King - pat pend' I'm sure he would have had the patent by the time your pedal was built. The original paint on this one is gold coloured.I use a couple of the later 50's Speed King pedals - great design!Dan

Posted on 14 years ago
#9
Posts: 165 Threads: 31

From DanCam

Hey ScottHere's a photo of what I believe to be one of the first Speed King pedals which I've just recently bought (haven't quite got it yet). It was advertised as 1936 (maybe a prototype?) William F. Ludwig started his company properly the next year if I remember right and patented the design for the internal twin springs inside the posts. On my earlier version they are still outside - the later design obviously worked better! On the upper section of the footboard it says 'Twin Spring - Speed King - pat pend' . The original paint on this one is gold coloured.I use a couple of the later 50's Speed King pedals - great design!Dan

Hi,

I know this is an old post, but maybe you'll see this! Is this pedal for sale?

Please let me know!

SAZ

Posted on 9 years ago
#10
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