Looking For A
Better Bass Drum Pedal?
It's not surprising. The bass drum pedal is like an extension of your body. Using your foot requires a balance between speed, precision, and a solid attack. The perfect kick pedal is key for improving your skills.
Drum companies offer a range of models today. The old cliche "you get what you pay for" can certainly be applied to drum pedals. Since the bass drum pedal IS so important and handles constant use, it is highly reccomended to Get a Good One! You won't regret it.
The name brand and type of pedal (single, double, chain, strap) relates more to your preference than what is "best". It may take a cycle of trying different pedals to find the right one for you. To narrow your search, the following article explains what's up with bass drum pedals today.
Historical Development
The bass drum pedal as we know it today can be traced back to William Ludwig and his need for a better pedal. Prior to 1908, Ludwig mostly played circus marches; however, during a job performing at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago (USA), he was required to play jazz and ragtime rhythms.
The simple wooden pedal he used just wouldn't keep up.
Therefore, Mr. Ludwig designed a spring-loaded pedal that could operate well at faster tempos while keeping the force of the hit.
This new pedal was later made out of metal in 1910 when William and his brother Theo formed Ludwig & Ludwig. The famous Speedking pedal was later based on this design in 1937. The Speedking's construction is shown in the following section on bass drum pedal types. See how is compares to models used today.
Number of Pedals
One lump or two? No, not sugar cubes...pedals! Let's consider the choices.
One footboard, one beater - simple yet effective. The single pedal has served drummers well for over a century and continues to be a popular choice for players of all musical genre.
The use of two bass drums appeared in teh 1950's with Louie Bellson, who pioneered the technique. Double bass drumming grew in popularity from the 1960's through the 1980's.
A more recent innovation has allowed the same rhythms while eliminating the need for a second bass drum...the double pedal!
Just when drummers were getting used to the idea of a double pedal and one bass drum, a Scottish drummer named Kevin Mackie invented a new breed of pedal call the Duallist.
Kevin's Duallist has one footboard with two beaters that hits the drum when pressing and resleasing the pedal! The effect is two beats for every one stroke with your foot.
If that wasn't unique enough, a second pedal was later added to operate a THIRD beater. Crazy Stuff. This bass drum pedal technology lends itself to limitless rhythm patterns. Here's a look a Kevin Mackie's Duallist pedals:
Drive Train Choices
The job of a drum pedal is to transfer energy placed by your foot to the drum head. The "transfer" of power is achieved by what I'll call the "Drive Train". There are 3 basic types to choose from:
Chain- just like a bicycle chain. A single chain is usually found on cheaper bass drum pedals while a double chain is used on more expensive ones. Why? The higher priced pedals are made to operate smoother and more solid. A second chain provides better control throughout the motion.
 Strap/Belt- this is a piece of flexible material that may be nylon, polyethylene coated fabric, or various other materials that have the same strength and flex. The picture to the right gives an exmple of a strap drive train.
Solid Shaft- a solid piece of metal that connects the by pedal by means of specially designed fittings. The famous Ludwig Speedking pedal is shown to the left.
A company called Axis has design a modern day Speedking that used aircraft aluminum and steel for a very quick action. The use of solid parts has allowed Axis to use "leverage" to increase power of the attack without making the pedal sluggish or hard to push.
Beaters
The bass drum beater is used to strike the drum head. Have you ever noticed that there are many different types? Each one gives a unique feel when hitting the head. The volume is also affected by the shape and type of material it is made from.
 Most bass drum pedals are designed to receive any beater shaft, so this shouldn't be a concern when buying a new one. This univeral design also allows for a quick switch out.
Beaters can be found with the same type of surface all the way around. A mix of different materials has also become popular for a broader range of choices. This results in less beaters to keep track of.
There is a lot more great information to go through, so head back to the Drum Set Hardware page.
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