Only Admins can see this message.
Data Transition still in progress. Some functionality may be limited until the process is complete.
Processing Attachment, Gallery - 179.96660%

Sonor Pedal - vintage -- anyone know...

Posts: 1017 Threads: 349

...much about these?

For whatever reason, I'm on an old hardware restoration kick. Got a couple of excellent Spur Lok (not sure of the model ##'s), and one I think is an 1123 -1 (flat based, with Speed King pedal), two Slingerland Tempo Kings in process -- turning out nice....

Jeez you don't need to hear all this!

BUT -- here's a Sonor I don't know anything about. Looks like some stout German engineering. But... can't find much info.

Anyone know this bad dog?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320786704869

Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 1071 Threads: 128

your right it's german eng . that's a sonor z5321 single pedal and it would have came with three tension springs , light , med , heavy and that model is of 79/80 . sonor came out with the z5321 pedal in 1975 and the were called ,

super champion . very nice pedal for sure the foot board close knock off of the speed king , by far a much better quality pedal .

80's 13 pc sonor signature
1979 12 pc ludwig power factory
Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255

bfulton

i'm a bit of a hardware loving kinda guy myself....

the hi hat stands with spurlock and non flat based are 1123-1

the hi hat stands with spurlock and flat based are 1123

the wfl hi hat stands with the speed king pedal are 1121

hope this helps some..

mike

Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 1017 Threads: 349

Mike -- cool info - thanks!

I also finished a "Dynamo" Slingerland hi hat, which I thought was very well designed and engineered. The hexagonal rod is ingenious. Also did a Slingerland direct pull, flat base -- an 803?

And just now, finishing up two Tempo King pedals -- one with abead dlasted footboard, the other polished. I found an online source to replace the bearings. Nice pedals... work on the same principle as just about every other pedal...except the Speed Kind and a few others....

What a sickness! On the other hand, I'm making lots of friends at the local hardware stores.

DOH

Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255

between working on my harley and vintage drums, i'm forever in ace hardware's fastener section. they know now just to let me do my thing. i know right where its all at.

mike

Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 179 Threads: 2

There were two versions of that pedal: that one is the Super Champion, and the other, with a longer, rubber-covered footboard, was the Phonic. I have a Phonic pedal, and have played the Super Champion.

These pedals are built like Mercedes-Benz', with features well ahead of their time. However, there is an odd thing about them: they are SO smooth and well-balanced that they are actually hard to play. No kidding! I have two friends, both professionals like myself, who have owned them, and they concur with this, so it's not my imagination. I believe it is mainly due to the high mass of the whole drive system, which is constructed from all steel parts. I never use mine, but I collect pedals, and this one is WAy too cool to part with. Probably one of the best quality pedals ever made.

JR Frondelli
www.frondelli.com
www.dbmproaudio.com

Mediocre is the new "good"
Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 285 Threads: 11

From jrfrond

There were two versions of that pedal: that one is the Super Champion, and the other, with a longer, rubber-covered footboard, was the Phonic. I have a Phonic pedal, and have played the Super Champion.These pedals are built like Mercedes-Benz', with features well ahead of their time. However, there is an odd thing about them: they are SO smooth and well-balanced that they are actually hard to play. No kidding! I have two friends, both professionals like myself, who have owned them, and they concur with this, so it's not my imagination. I believe it is mainly due to the high mass of the whole drive system, which is constructed from all steel parts. I never use mine, but I collect pedals, and this one is WAy too cool to part with. Probably one of the best quality pedals ever made.

JR, I agree with everything you've said EXCEPT that they are too hard to play!

To me that makes absolutely NO SENSE. The only pedal I own that equals, or betters it, is my Premier 252. The only down side to both is their weight in the hardware bag. The Phonic is the heavier of the two. Ron

2 attachments
Sonor ped 4.jpg
45.1 kB
Picture 1a.jpg
73.7 kB
Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 285 Threads: 11

From drums2xs

your right it's german eng . that's a sonor z5321 single pedal and it would have came with three tension springs , light , med , heavy and that model is of 79/80 . sonor came out with the z5321 pedal in 1975 and the were called , super champion . very nice pedal for sure the foot board close knock off of the speed king , by far a much better quality pedal .

Much better quality? The Squeek King is a VW Beetle as compared to the Sonor's Mercedes!

Ron

Posted on 13 years ago
#8
Posts: 1017 Threads: 349

Based mostly on JR's comments, I spent the $ to buy the Sonor Super Champion. Man, when he said it's built like a Mercedes, he's right! It is truly a beautiful piece of design AND manufacture.

It seems like a lot of products - say the Speed King - are great designs, but in order to build them to a price point, they compromise in the construction: pot metal for the footboard, assembly with roll pins (I mean seriously - the roll pin on the chrome hoop clamp sticks out about 1/8 on each side), metal on metal wear, etc.

DON'T get me wrong - I love the SK, but it does take a little work to refurbish it to where it makes sense. And they are fun to work on.

But this Sonor? Egad. Weighs a ton. Not a SINGLE roll pin -- and I haven't even started taking it apart.

I may end up unable to play it, like JR said, but it sure will be fun taking it apart.

Welcome to Drum Nerd Central.

Posted on 13 years ago
#9
Posts: 320 Threads: 24

From royal ace

Much better quality? The Squeek King is a VW Beetle as compared to the Sonor's Mercedes!Ron

Agreed. I retired the "Squeek King" because of that.

Posted on 13 years ago
#10
  • Share
  • Report
Action Another action
Something else here