Double Bass Pedals

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ez_willis

ez_willis

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What features does this pedal have that this one don't that warrants the dramatic price difference?

And what should I look for and avoid when buying a midrange double bass pedal?
 
Never used a double-bass pedal myself, as I do not need to play 128th notes on the bass drum :D

However, I'd imagine the major difference between a Pearl and a DW pedal really is the brand name. There might be slightly better construction in a DW pedal, but I've used a Pearl single pedal for 9 years, banged the Hell out of it haulin it around, and it always worked great for me.
 
I don't have any experience with Pearl pedals, but I used to own a set of the DW 9000s. In my opinion they were just a bit too over the top. They have a lot of cool features and tons of adjustabilty, they're really smooth and powerful, but for the money, I think the DW 5000's do just as well and for almost $200 less. Again, I can't speak for the Pearl pedals, but I know DW pedals are built like tanks.
 
i've played em both. the pearl is about qualified to wash the gym socks of the dw9000. in short, the 9000 is about the smoothest, most responsive pedal you'll ever play. and it's just about infinitely tweakable.

the pearl.....not so much. but in terms of having 2 beaters on one head, it gets the job done, i guess.

i've got an older style dw5000 and it's very nice--but it's nowhere near the pedal the 9000 is.

if you're an experienced drummer and put your feet on them, you'll immediately feel the difference.


cheers,
wade
 
I'm not an experienced drummer, I'm a bass player that can play drums good enough to not have to bring a drummer in. :p

I'm not looking for a comparison of the two pedals I linked to, I'm more looking for an explanation of what features the higher end models(read: more expensive) have that the cheaper ones don't.

I want to buy a double bass pedal. I won't be spending $400 it, though.

Which pedal would you recommend?

And I already have a DW7000. Do they make a conversion kit or something? :o
 
Really, all of them will do the job and if you've got a heavy foot you might want to just go with the one that strikes you as the toughest. DW will cost plenty for the name, I like TAMA, I've used Gibraltar and Pearl and DW and all of them were fine once I got the hang of them. The only one to ever break in such a way as to be irreparable was the Gibraltar.

Quieter action, smoother drive, and increased sensitivity are what you're paying for. I've got a foot like a fucking brick, so all of that is lost on me except for quiet.
 
I tried both of them before, once you fiddle with your springs and adjust tension a little you can get them to feel very alike. I bought the DW5000...like mentioned before...you'll get use to whatever you get.
 
DW: Better response, adjustability, reliability
Pearl: Much less of all of the above, but gets the job done
 
ez_willis said:
I'm more looking for an explanation of what features the higher end models(read: more expensive) have that the cheaper ones don't.
well........i'll make a guitar/bass comparison. it's like the difference between a Squier and a Custom Shop. does that help? ;)

really, the "features" aren't so much.......as much as it's in the feel, really. it's all about the feel of the pedal and how it reacts to your foot and playing style.

given your self-description, you're likely one who probably wouldn't fully appreciate the higher-end instrument, and you could certainly '"get by" with something less costy. much like some folks are happy a the squier strat, where some need to have an original sunburst 57.

ez_willis said:
Which pedal would you recommend? And I already have a DW7000. Do they make a conversion kit or something? :o
i've seen conversion kits in the past, but haven't looked lately. if you like the 7000, the 7000 double is certainly a capable pedal. i had to use one at a gig once, and i felt at home on it. other than that, i'd look for an older 5000. there are lots of used ones out there.

but really, go to banjo mart, slam cash and the like and play a bunch of em and buy the one you like the best. does that advice sound familiar? :p :D


cheers,
wade
 
mrface2112 said:
well........i'll make a guitar/bass comparison. it's like the difference between a Squier and a Custom Shop. does that help? ;)

Tremendously. I love my Squier.

mrface2112 said:
given your self-description, you're likely one who probably wouldn't fully appreciate the higher-end instrument,
I concur.

mrface2112 said:
but really, go to banjo mart, slam cash and the like and play a bunch of em and buy the one you like the best. does that advice sound familiar? :p :D


cheers,
wade
It sounds vaguely familiar, and I'm sure I've given that advice in the past, but I've only owned 1 kick pedal in my entire life, it's not a double, and have only been playing drums on and off for a couple of years, so I'm relying on you folk to make me an informed consumer.

I assume that is acceptable 'round here. No?
 
ez_willis said:
I assume that is acceptable 'round here. No?
Absolutely! :D but the truth of the matter is that your kick drum "style" (the way you play the pedal--brick foot like supercreep or considerably softer foot like me, etc) will be the ultimate factor of which pedal works best for you.

so while we all have our favorites, you'll need to find the one that works best for you. i'd LOVE to have a 9000 double pedal--it's just so smooth and quiet......but my $80 used 5000 gets the job done pretty well, and like you, i have no desire to drop $500 or more on a kick pedal.

honestly, if you like the way the 7000 single pedal plays, you'll like the 7000 double pedal--it's more of the same. and it's a VERY capable pedal. i'd check ebay and buy used.


cheers,
wade
 
mrface2112 said:
Absolutely! :D but the truth of the matter is that your kick drum "style" (the way you play the pedal--brick foot like supercreep or considerably softer foot like me, etc) will be the ultimate factor of which pedal works best for you.

No doubt. I'll go kick a few.

Thanks!
 
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