i have a DW 4000 series double-bass pedal. it was super cheap when i got it (about $75 new) and has worked pretty decently. i've only ever used DW's except for an old speed king i inherited a while back.

anyway, i've never seen another dw 4000. anyone ever heard of them? it doesn't seem that great but does it really even matter? how much difference can it really make? hopefully little, since i probably can't afford another for a long time.

if it does, what is a good, cheap pedal for someone used to dws?

google.com








_________________
Drums are fun, cars are sick, music is great, and life is alright.

"I never said that gear makes the player...I just wanted to exploit the other side of the argument."

It's fine. A DW4000 is a "return" to the beginning days of the DW7000. In other words, the 7000 started out as what the 4000 now is, and had a bunch of features added. If it is solid underfoot and feels OK, then that is all you need. If it's loose and slips around alot, it needs replacing or just a simple tightening. If you do tighten the pedal I recommend replacing the zinc screws with stainless...just take one of them down to the hardware store. If you don't want to do that (or can't) then use a drill with the clutch torque set to a fairly tight setting. You gotta torque them in there quick . But if you don't understand that stuff then get help.

Speed is something you will develop; brand "A" vs brand "B" is not a factor with a beginning drummer. When you learn the proper technique to gain said speed then you will be able to dial in to different flavors of the bass drum pedals.








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13612
www.billraydrums.com
www.myspace.com/billraydrums

mute wrote:

how much difference can it really make? hopefully little, since i probably can't afford another for a long time.

if it does, what is a good, cheap pedal for someone used to dws?

You know, there are things you can scrimp on, but pedals - good quality pedals, is not one of the things I'd ever recommend doing so with. We're too dependent on them for the groove.

DW's 4000 and 5000 series are old reputable designs - dating back to the sixties with the Gretsch Floating Action pedal. Not fancy, but they've got a fluid feel to them - esp. as a strap pedal.

I think I'd recommend you play some different pedals (say at a Guitar Center) - may the Axis Pedal, Pearl has some nice ones as does Gibraltar - find some that feel effortless to you and then save up for 'em. You'll thank yourself later on.








_________________
Alden Merrill

Ford Drums
Zildjian Cymbals, Aquarian Heads
Vater, Cappella and Vic Firth Sticks
Proudly playing drums crafted in the USA.

Quote:

i have a DW 4000 series double-bass pedal. it was super cheap when i got it (about $75 new) and has worked pretty decently.

I think that's the one Mike Johnston uses and he can have any one he wants free. He has a great single pedal technique.

I did some of my best playing with an old Rogers Swivelmatic. I thought the Camco was pretty good too. (that's probably similar to the DW)
Bonham used a Ludwig Speed King.








_________________
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step" Lao Tsu
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If it feels good to you then I would suggest staying with it. I wouldn't say that it's the best, but DW does have a reputation for putting out quality hardware. You may want to try some out for future reference.








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_____________________
SilverFox HR Sticks, Medicine Man rebuilt PDP Snares, PDP Drums, Zildjian, Meinl, Po Boy Cymbals, DW and Pearl Hardware and pedals

drumur wrote:

Quote:

i have a DW 4000 series double-bass pedal. it was super cheap when i got it (about $75 new) and has worked pretty decently.

I think that's the one Mike Johnston uses and he can have any one he wants free. He has a great single pedal technique.

I did some of my best playing with an old Rogers Swivelmatic. I thought the Camco was pretty good too. (that's probably similar to the DW)
Bonham used a Ludwig Speed King.

I'm pretty sure he uses a 9000. I know he used to use a 5000 single.








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Dr. Rodney McKay wrote:

Well, I only know one thing and that is that flying darkness that eats energy can only be very, very bad.

http://www.MySpace.com/PageFive

I had to go check...sorry Garrett. I remember reading it. BTW...he only plays single...no double.

this is quoted by Mike Johnston

Quote:

I always use a DW 4000. It's the lamest pedal they make and that's why I play it. I like to know that my foot is doing the work and not the pedal.

Hope that helps,
Mike Johnston
mikeslessons dot com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4ZUPEgbzu0








_________________
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step" Lao Tsu
http://www.myspace.com/whateverocks
http://www.myspace.com/frontlinetribute
http://www.myspace.com/firthoffifth2

drumur wrote:

I had to go check...sorry Garrett. I remember reading it. BTW...he only plays single...no double.

this is quoted by Mike Johnston

Quote:

I always use a DW 4000. It's the lamest pedal they make and that's why I play it. I like to know that my foot is doing the work and not the pedal.

Hope that helps,
Mike Johnston
mikeslessons dot com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4ZUPEgbzu0

In no way is a DW4000 a "lame" pedal. Wanna know lame? Getting stuck on a 4 month gig in a foreign country with a set of Pearl FORUM series with lug casings that break almost nightly, and a pedal that looks like it was cobbled together in a bike shop. THAT's lame.

I can't use that 9000 pedal. It's too bulky, I don't like the way it feels, and it's like a bajillion dollars. Give me a DW5000 and I'm good every time.








_________________
13612
www.billraydrums.com
www.myspace.com/billraydrums

BillRayDrums wrote:

Wanna know lame? Getting stuck on a 4 month gig in a foreign country with a set of Pearl FORUM series with lug casings that break almost nightly, and a pedal that looks like it was cobbled together in a bike shop. THAT's lame.

Sounds like a Jack Koshick sponsored event.








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Empyrean Drums wrote:

BillRayDrums wrote:

Wanna know lame? Getting stuck on a 4 month gig in a foreign country with a set of Pearl FORUM series with lug casings that break almost nightly, and a pedal that looks like it was cobbled together in a bike shop. THAT's lame.

Sounds like a Jack Koshick sponsored event.

I had to steal lug casings from the bottoms of the drums, therefore turning that kit into a set of concert toms. I have never played a kit that exploded as you played it.








_________________
13612
www.billraydrums.com
www.myspace.com/billraydrums

BillRayDrums wrote:

Empyrean Drums wrote:

BillRayDrums wrote:

Wanna know lame? Getting stuck on a 4 month gig in a foreign country with a set of Pearl FORUM series with lug casings that break almost nightly, and a pedal that looks like it was cobbled together in a bike shop. THAT's lame.

Sounds like a Jack Koshick sponsored event.

I had to steal lug casings from the bottoms of the drums, therefore turning that kit into a set of concert toms. I have never played a kit that exploded as you played it.

Have you played on duct tape?

(or as I should say-paid $1000 and traveled 1000 miles for the privilege)








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Empyrean Drums wrote:

BillRayDrums wrote:

Empyrean Drums wrote:

BillRayDrums wrote:

Wanna know lame? Getting stuck on a 4 month gig in a foreign country with a set of Pearl FORUM series with lug casings that break almost nightly, and a pedal that looks like it was cobbled together in a bike shop. THAT's lame.

Sounds like a Jack Koshick sponsored event.

I had to steal lug casings from the bottoms of the drums, therefore turning that kit into a set of concert toms. I have never played a kit that exploded as you played it.

Have you played on duct tape?

(or as I should say-paid $1000 and traveled 1000 miles for the privilege)

Nope but I've played on postage stamps (as in, tiny stages)








_________________
13612
www.billraydrums.com
www.myspace.com/billraydrums

drumur wrote:

I had to go check...sorry Garrett. I remember reading it. BTW...he only plays single...no double.

this is quoted by Mike Johnston

Quote:

I always use a DW 4000. It's the lamest pedal they make and that's why I play it. I like to know that my foot is doing the work and not the pedal.

Hope that helps,
Mike Johnston
mikeslessons dot com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4ZUPEgbzu0

There ya have it. He used to say the same thing about the $200 complete drum sets. He'd walk right past the DWs, Pearl Masters, etc. and say "if I can't make this thing sound I don't have any business playing drums".








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Dr. Rodney McKay wrote:

Well, I only know one thing and that is that flying darkness that eats energy can only be very, very bad.

http://www.MySpace.com/PageFive

SGarrett wrote:

drumur wrote:

I had to go check...sorry Garrett. I remember reading it. BTW...he only plays single...no double.

this is quoted by Mike Johnston

Quote:

I always use a DW 4000. It's the lamest pedal they make and that's why I play it. I like to know that my foot is doing the work and not the pedal.

Hope that helps,
Mike Johnston
mikeslessons dot com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4ZUPEgbzu0

There ya have it. He used to say the same thing about the $200 complete drum sets. He'd walk right past the DWs, Pearl Masters, etc. and say "if I can't make this thing sound I don't have any business playing drums".

Absolutely. It's not the drums, it's the player. If you can "polish a turd" imagine how a great set will sound.








_________________
13612
www.billraydrums.com
www.myspace.com/billraydrums