http://drummechanix.com/?product=speed-king-pedal-in-traditional-silver-finishYou can either send him yours and pay a little over $100 to have it restored (which I did) or just buy one directly from him for $149. Best thing I've bought in years. Kicks (pun intended) bASS!-Beau
I've considered sending mine in, but once I factor in the cost of shipping, I'd much rather have his pedal and hang onto mine for a spare.
I have only one complaint about mine. The hoop clamp don`t quite tighten without doubleing up the rubbers on my Sonor BD hoop !!
Bill Fulton still has one listed in the classifieds. When he re-furbs them they're as good or better than new and the price is right!
If you own a vintage Ludwig set, ya gotta have a Speed King to complete it! Such a simple design, yet so efficient in operation. I puchased my 60's era Speed King from a VDF member and am playing out with it on my '68 Ludwig Standards. It still has the original beater!
So,what is the verdict here?
80 pro/20 con ?
I have never been too impressed with them,but after reading this,maybe I will grab one again,and use it..
JC was asking about the Speed Kings with the big WFL on the footboard.
Thats what I am useing now. I am thinking mine is late 50's, early 60's as most of the stuff I got with it was. Mine was limp when I got it but the springs were untightened. Like I said before, after I took it apart and cleaned out the clay it is nice.
I like Speed Kings well enough. I tend to always have one in use. I have worn out about a half dozen over the years, so I feel qualified to state that their sturdiness is modest. These days replacement parts, and repair wisdom are both much more available than for much of the Speed Kings history.They are fast, but their action is different because of the compression springs. This particular feature is probably the one that determines whether you are a Speed King fan.I also use a Caroline (wonderful), Yammie Direct Drive Flying Dragon (also wonderful), Capelle (more cool than great) and a Tama/Camco which is more to my liking than the Speed King--though no more sturdy.
I'm not sure why a compression spring would be any different than any other spring. There are at least 6 different springs on pedals: compression coil, extension coil,combination coil, torsion leaf,concentric leaf and leaf. There is even a rubber band pedal. Many of the extension coil spring models use poor springs, giving a false view of the capability of that design but in the final analysis a spring is a spring, and as long as it is designed to retain it's potential energy ,even after extreme deformity , one is as good as the other.
The Speed King definitelu has a different feel, more what they call drect drive. After I started using it, I never went back. So much more speed and control at least for me, thought there is obvious loss of efficiency in my sloppy pedals.
if you've ever had to rely on practice studio drums, you're already dealing with a set that is not yours and most likely uncomfortable to play in no mater HOW YOU SET THEM UP FOR YOUR COMFORT. Four things I ALWAYS insist on bringing with me .. My Ludwig suprophonic snare drum, cymbals, sticks and most importantly .. my Ludwig speed king pedal .. I will NOT use another and I don't care how good other pedals are professed to be .. it is hands down the best bass drum pedal bare none
you know, for some reason , I don't think Dennis Chambers uses one of those.
