Cheap, But Quality Double Pedal

[drumlinefreak13]

I own a Pacific DP402 and I can't go very fast with it and am asking your opinion on which double pedal is best for a maximum of $120.

[BlackHawk2029]

any double at that price isn't going to be an upgrade. you can't go fast because you haven't developed it. you won't be automatically fast. Grab a book of snare rudiments, apply it to your feet daily playing with a metronome for 45 minutes-an hour. ONLY GO AS FAST AS YOU CAN HANDLE for 2-3 minutes at a time. If you screw up, start over. you'll get it.

[BlackHawk2029]

ALSO, once you get some of your rudiments down, try applying them to your hands, using the opposite hand and foot. it'll improve your coordination like you wouldn't believe!

[ermghoti]

I seem to remember the 402 being well-regarded among cheap pedals. Agreed: this is not an equipment problem, you need more/better practice.

[Rimshot]

but that was a style reason.
The thing that you have to get used to with most double kick pedals is the lag on the slave pedal. This takes practice. The two pedals don't act the same way, so you can't use your two feet the same way. This is why the first time most people sit down with a double pedal they have difficulty getting an even spaced beat. Play with the tension adjustments a bit and practice. Get good on your "not so great" pedal and then try a better one.

[Minion]

I had a set of Pacific DP402 for quite a few years and they aren"t bad for cheap pedals but they aren"t very responsive and don"t have the adjustments necessary to set them up properly.....

I recently Broke my Pacific pedals and decided to get a better set but only had about $225 so I picked up some "Pearl P1002" double kick pedals for abount that price and WOW what a differance .... They are pretty much the same as the Pearl Eliminator pedals accept use a single thick chain drive as opposed to a double chain , but can also be switched to belt drive , they are the most adjustable pedals I have used and don"t have that lag you get when useing cheaper pedals....

I advise to just spend a few extra buck and get a quality pair as you playing will improove....

Cheers

[Rimshot]

I have an old (20+ years?) Yamaha strap drive double pedal and I tweeked it with new bearings and better springs and it alleviated some of the sluggish lag on the slave pedal. It's nice to know that the newer ones are more efficient.
I only stopped using it because it didn't suit my style of playing, but I am a big fan of many of those "killer" drummers that use it well.

[1,2,1234...]

Originally Posted by drumlinefreak13

I own a Pacific DP402 and I can't go very fast with it and am asking your opinion on which double pedal is best for a maximum of $120.

Save your money and get something decent. It's well known that cheapie pedals like Dixon and Pacific are cheap for a reason. The Pearl is better, but why not wait and get a professional pedal like the Iron Cobra or the Eliminator? Even the most expensive pedal won't help you if your technique isn't good. So like the others said here, practice is the key.

[drumlinefreak13]

i'm pretty good, it's just the pedal i have isn't as responsive...i've gone to music stores and flown on the iron cobras and gibraltars. i just want something more responsive.

[Jammer429]

I started out with these pedals and I have got to say that they are actually pretty good the guys above me gave some pretty good advice I know that these petals aren't the greatest but keep practicing and you will conquer the pedals if anything adjust the springs on the pedals if still no luck you can pick up some springs and replace the ones on the petals but if you must buy a new set of pedals you can get the ones I have I think they are a great for me: but they cost 180 but take in consideration what the other guys said trust me it will pay off especially when you get a better pedal

not much but I hope this helps

[RAMI]

Originally Posted by drumlinefreak13

i'm pretty good, it's just the pedal i have isn't as responsive...i've gone to music stores and flown on the iron cobras and gibraltars. i just want something more responsive.

I'm sure the salespeople just love you at these music stores.

[drumlinefreak13]

haha i only play the electronic sets because i hate hearing loud, inexperienced people try to play the acoustic sets. not trying to seem big headed; just saying crashes don't sound good being used as hi-hats or rides unmic'd.

[Rimshot]

I use an Iron Cobra chain drive(and I have for a few years now) and I recently tried the double at Guitar Center after reading this and it feels good, real good. The Axis is almost too easy to use (I like a little resistance). I personally prefer the Iron Cobra to the DW or the Pearl, but you know what? It's a matter of taste, those are all good pedals.
I still use my old Gretsch "Floating Action" strap drive pedal (I have two of them) and I fit them up with a set of new bearing bushings and good springs (adapted from the Iron Cobra parts) and DAMN if they don't respond well! (I hope they don't break, but I know they will).
I only use one at a time, but I might consider double kick drum (it seems more natural feeling than the double kick pedal).
My point to all of this? You seem to know what you're after, so don't be afraid to improvise and customize your pedals. It may wind up giving you something better for you than what you can buy.

[donkeystyle]

watch craigslist and ebay for good deals on an iron cobra. I sold one for 120 bucks a couple years ago. with patience you should be able to find another deal like that.

[mrface2112]

how about instead of a double pedal, get a 2nd kick and single pedal? i've yet to find a double pedal that has the feel and sound of two singles. it's a matter of physics--when the 2nd beater is hitting in a non-ideal location on the kick (as every double pedal does), you're not getting the sound or the response from the head (in terms of resistance/feel) that you get from a single beater hitting the head where it's supposed to.

there are LOTS of single cheap kick drums all over craigslist.

the only double kick pedals i've liked the feel of are the dw9000, axis, and the nice iron cobra. the rest have too much lag on the slave for me, much like rimshot indicates above--too much slack or "play" in the pedal. for me, nothing compares to two kicks and two single pedals. then again, i don't play much double kick music anymore (and don't gig on the drums anymore) so it's a bit of a moot point for me.

good luck in your quest.....i'd save a few more pennies and make a real "upgrade" rather than what will likely be a cross-grade at this pricepoint. the good pedals are expensive for a reason.


cheers,
wade

[drossfile]

Originally Posted by drumlinefreak13

i'm pretty good, it's just the pedal i have isn't as responsive...i've gone to music stores and flown on the iron cobras and gibraltars. i just want something more responsive.

they aren't as responsive as what? a dw9000? what pedal did you play that you sounded like vitek on, that you're looking to find at the $120 price point?

i'm not trying to be combative here, i'm trying to make a point. frankly, if you didn't find the IC responsive, it's a practice/technique issue, not a gear issue. at the very least, it's a matter of tweaking the weight/spring balance on the pedal.

if the $500 pedal didn't "respond," you can bet your life that a $120 pedal won't either.

[donkeystyle]

Originally Posted by drossfile

they aren't as responsive as what? a dw9000? what pedal did you play that you sounded like vitek on, that you're looking to find at the $120 price point?

i'm not trying to be combative here, i'm trying to make a point. frankly, if you didn't find the IC responsive, it's a practice/technique issue, not a gear issue. at the very least, it's a matter of tweaking the weight/spring balance on the pedal.

if the $500 pedal didn't "respond," you can bet your life that a $120 pedal won't either.

He was saying that he wants something more responsive than what he has. Something along the lines of the iron cobra. He was saying that he can fly on the iron cobra, so he believes his problem is with his pedal.


Also, a couple people have suggested 2 bass drums. That will be fine for live, but I imagine even a seasoned drum tech would have some trouble getting both kicks exactly in tune with each other and I've heard what amateurs sound like with 2 kick drums. You don't want that on your recordings.

Also, even if you get them in tune with each other, because of their different resonant frequencies, they'll still resonate slightly differently.

[drossfile]

Originally Posted by donkeystyle

He was saying that he wants something more responsive than what he has. Something along the lines of the iron cobra. He was saying that he can fly on the iron cobra, so he believes his problem is with his pedal.


Also, a couple people have suggested 2 bass drums. That will be fine for live, but I imagine even a seasoned drum tech would have some trouble getting both kicks exactly in tune with each other and I've heard what amateurs sound like with 2 kick drums. You don't want that on your recordings.

Also, even if you get them in tune with each other, because of their different resonant frequencies, they'll still resonate slightly differently.

oops. mea culpa. i totally misread that post. i thought he was saying that he's really good, and tried out the IC but was looking for something more responsive than the IC!

sorry homes.

[Beginer_Shred]

i really want a good pedal i just want a good distortion pedal or a relay pedal which ones are the best pedals.

[isfahani]

I like the relay pedal on the kick and the ring modulator pedal on the snare.