Axis and The problems with Them!

[hardhitter]

OK I know I have not been on the forum in a good while but I have to rant here.

I have been playing Axis Al-2 for about 3 years now. Well mine broke about 3 months ago now and they are still broke (I can't find all the parts and Axis doesn't have them in stock). I have tried to get new ones but Axis is so far behind in production you can't even get them for 2 months. I have had nothing but issue with Axis and there pedals. The workmanship is lacking big time. I have broken 4 springs, stripped out all the screws trying to keep them tight and the foot boards keep coming loose. But in spite of all this I still want new ones. I have tried to play on the trick PRO V-1 (big foot) and there just not as fast. I have also tried the DW900 but none are like the axis for death metal.

Well I just got off the phone and NO Can do on the new pedals, not till at least next month! I can't believe this. What a bad company this is! I have there triggers as well. I guess it's time for me to find new pedals and triggers. How can an active drummer who plays 2 to 3 times a week relay on a company like this?

[Fat Elvis]

i am glad you posted this. Although I play DW pedals, i have been curious about the Axis pedals. I have not switched because I am happy with the DW's -- they are built very well and have a smooth feel.

I do have the turbo single and accelerator doubles. I recently switched back to the turbo single to see how i liked it and WOW i love the feel a LOT more than the accellerators. I was thinking of selling the doubles and getting either the double 9000's, turbo doubles or possibly axis or something like that.

I think i will stick with DW :)

[harryconway]

Seems to me you have no choice but to buy another pedal(s). 9 Axis pedals on eBay right now. Get yourself a back-up pedal. Maybe 2, and then start working on a spare parts collection.

[hardhitter]

The problem with Ebay is warranty! They have a 2 year warranty ( and you will need it) but how do you prove that on Ebay? You really shouldn't need 2 sets of pedals. If you pay $500 for pedals they should last more then 3 years or at least be able to fix them.

[Fat Elvis]

The problem with Ebay is warranty! They have a 2 year warranty ( and you will need it) but how do you prove that on Ebay? You really shouldn't need 2 sets of pedals. If you pay $500 for pedals they should last more then 3 years or at least be able to fix them.

sounds like the warranty isn't doing you much good anyway. Personally I would switch pedal brands.... i dont like supporting companies with bad customer service.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

I'm maybe just having a shot in the dark here, but have you tried the Yamaha Flying Dragons? They might be the ticket.

[A7X]

I ordered my Axis double pedal Feb 12th, and I'm told I will have wait it least another 2 months to get them. Apparently a ton of people at started purchasing them latly which ended up putting there production way behind. Also the only place that makes them is a small factory in california and there doing there best to try and keep up with the orders.

[harryconway]

The problem with Ebay is warranty! They have a 2 year warranty ( and you will need it) but how do you prove that on Ebay? You really shouldn't need 2 sets of pedals. If you pay $500 for pedals they should last more then 3 years or at least be able to fix them.
O.K., then don't own a back up pedal, and don't have any spare parts. I like to have a back up pedal at every gig I play. Silly me.

[=J=]

have you tried the Yamaha Flying Dragons? They might be the ticket.

For what its worth i used to play DWs before i downsized to a single. I tried the flying dragons and they were much nicer in my opinion.

[DamoSyzygy]

I ordered my Axis double pedal Feb 12th, and I'm told I will have wait it least another 2 months to get them. Apparently a ton of people at started purchasing them latly which ended up putting there production way behind. Also the only place that makes them is a small factory in california and there doing there best to try and keep up with the orders.
This is definitely the reason. Axis is basically a family business that has completely outgrown its own supply capability. Ive had the occasional issue getting them into stock here.

The company is still relatively new and are still coming to terms with the massive demands placed upon them. As Im aware, they are gradually catching up and will eventually be developed enough to cope, but in the meantime its going to be a little frustrating.

[a58chevy]

I had the very same with problem with my axis... but they never stayed tight for more than three songs since the day i got them. I put up with it for three months and after many replaced screws I took them back got a full refund and went to DW9002's. I play death metal and I'm doing alright with them.

[Molar Tooth Brush Stroke]

I Here What Yer Saying!


I'm Not A Big Fan Of Axis ;( A Bit Over Rated!
They Are Real Close I Have Some Ideas For Them!

The Concept Is In The Ball Park Though!!

Maybe In A Few Years The'll Get It Together!

Bets Of Luck!

[crazyhorse]

Eh... I bought an Axis pedal over 8 years ago and it's been rock solid. So.... for what it's worth my experience has been great.

[xush]

sorry to hear of the original poster's difficulties.

I've dealt with their customer service many times and they've always been very helpful and quick about offering resolutions or replacement parts. I think they're definitely getting swamped right now, hopefully they'll catch up ASAP.

[Drum-Head]

On the Donati forums, a very respected member named Peter has been having problems not only with his pedals but with the company itself lately. Here is part of his post that was a review of the Trick Pro V.1 then someone asked him to compare Trick with Axis.

"On Axis:

I still marvel at the Axis-Design. It
really is a great idea. The problem
is that it is just not as practical to
use the pedal.

This fascination with Allen screws
is almost a fetish. If we are to be
made to use them, the pedals should
come with combo-keys, like the one
that Gatzen sent out with his pedal
(Boa). Not having an Allen wrench
on the gig is just so lame to have
happen to you. I can't tell you what
that is like, on the gig, though, I
suspect some of you have exper-
ienced it. For those who have, I
share your pain.

This beater-angle on these Axis
pedals.... I don't know how much
frustration has been poured out on
any other subject that rivals this.
I have pleaded with Darryl to get
with it, adopting the Uni-Clamp, as
everyone else has, besides the
Boa and Trick (their own designs)
on realizing the importance of be-
ing able to adjust beater-angle in-
dependent of the cam adjustment
but I think Darryl may be beyond
that, now. It's clear that Axis is
not moving forward and are not
listening to their customers. It is
sad, really because I have seen
such enthusiasm on the part of
their consumers turn to bitterness.

The truth is that the VDL is the
best Universal-Cam, out there, in
my opinion. It's SO EASY to change
and it addresses the most essent-
ial issue, relating to the cam, which
is the angle of Link-Receiver pull-
down. The Boa-Pedal addresses
this directly. The Eliminator's do
actually touch the subject matter,
too. However, the power of the
VDL is undermined by the antiq-
uated and clumsy Allen design and
which just strips over time, on re-
adjustment. The pedals just sit
and collect dust, while Uni-Clamp
designs continue to please. The
hoop clamp is also something that
we have heard complained about,
over and over again but this is
falling on deaf ears, I am afraid.

I feel myself the best consumer
a manufacturer could ever have.
I am loyal as the day is long. I
have tried my best to support
Axis, over the years. I have con-
veyed your views in my commun-
ications to them but nothing has
changed. I am sorry about that.

The market says it's time to move
on, though, I will always have a
soft-spot for the VDL design and
Darryl - an innovator.

Btw, I think that if Darryl did go for
a Uni-Clamp design and address
that issue on the hoop-clamp, that
he would make quantum leaps to
taking back a market share that is
still available for claim.

[...] I hope to inform. Any questions
and I will be glad to answer.

I have no stake with any of these
manufacturers, btw. I just want the
best pedal to be designed and manu-
factured for all of our sakes."

Lets hope Axis pulls it through.

[Guinness]

I have to agree with the fact that Axis is definitely lacking in the area of customer service. When I was in the market for a new pedal I did my research and was considering Axis. I e-mailed them with questions regarding the longboard pedals vs. the standard and issues regarding the benefits of heel-toe vs. heel down playing. I finally decided on the Dw9000 series and am more than happy. I got a reply from Axis about 2 weeks later after my DW pedal had already arrived, and I kid you not...this is what it said, "Regardless of which Axis pedal you buy, expect it to outperform any pedal you have ever tried." Maybe not word for word, but pretty close if not. Ridiculous. That company sucks.

[BrianW]

Strange, i have actually had really good experience w/ axis customer service, maybe they are just really busy.
About 6 months ago i broke one of the axis beater (at the shaft) i called them and they sent me a new one asap. i think it took a week to get. no questions of what warranty i had or wanting me to send the broken one to them first. Very nice imo.

Right now i JUST started to have a few issues with the u-joints on the drive shaft connecting my double pedals. There seems to be a bit of play in them. Maybe ill give axis a call and see what kinda customer service i get now..

[sticksnstonesrus]

I guess I'll have to see how mine turn out...so far I'm so unbelievaby pleased with the performance of my AL-2s. Just got out of the studio with them last night. Flawless.

Not throwing any stones here, but lots and I mean lots of people do things to their equipment which isn't right, thinking it is...over-tightening lugs and screws (with pliers and such), over playing (stomping), or just putting their stuff through paces they weren't designed for...mind you you'll never hear that side and then somehow it becomes the equipments' fault for breaking. I agree, that customer service is priority one along with quality controlled workmanship in the product. Yes, there are flaws that will happen and companies should be responsive to keeping (us) the user, satisfied. At the same time, companies need to keep a scrutiny among those who abuse the products or they'd all go under.

Just a thought.

[Afrolicious]

Seems like switching to anothe company would be a wise decision. Of course other pedals will feel "slower" to you when you test them now, because your playing style has adapted to the special feel of axis pedals (I tried them once and couldn't get much out of them because they felt so strange to me). Some practice on another pedal will probably give you your speed back I guess. As MFB already stated the Yamaha Flying Dragons are great pedals and the direct drive version might be somewhat similar to an Axis pedal feel-wise.

[Drum-Head]

I just read about Chris Adler putting and end to his contract with Axis because when he needed maintenance or repairing, he would send them the pedals but for some reason they would return the pedals unfixed. Apparently he just got fed up and put and end to their collaboration.

All this doesn't sound good for Axis.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

That's a blow for them, Chris is one of their more high-profile artists.

[crazyhorse]

I LOVE my Axis pedal but I've been waiting over a month now for the slave for the double pedal setup. They were very nice on the phone and let me know it's shipping next week... guess we'll see.

[DamoSyzygy]

This fascination with Allen screws
is almost a fetish. If we are to be
made to use them, the pedals should
come with combo-keys, like the one
that Gatzen sent out with his pedal
(Boa). Not having an Allen wrench
on the gig is just so lame to have
happen to you.

Interesting - Every Axis pedal Ive ever sold has always come with a set of appropriately sized allen keys. Does this guy really know what hes on about?

[Drum-Head]

Interesting - Every Axis pedal Ive ever sold has always come with a set of appropriately sized allen keys. Does this guy really know what hes on about?

Trust me Peter knows very well what he's on about.

[hardhitter]

I just read about Chris Adler putting and end to his contract with Axis because when he needed maintenance or repairing, he would send them the pedals but for some reason they would return the pedals unfixed. Apparently he just got fed up and put and end to their collaboration.

All this doesn't sound good for Axis.

He is off there website! http://www.axispercussion.com/artists.html

[Drum-Head]

He is off there website! http://www.axispercussion.com/artists.html

It's funny that they have Franky Costanza on their page. I was backlining for him last month when he came to Toulouse and he was using Mapex Janus pedals (see attachment.) He told me that he can't stand Axis.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

8:30 wEDNESDAY MORNING
I just checked MusiciansFriend.com and their ad says that their Axis Pedals are due in on April 17th...that was yesterday. May want to give them a call.

[hardhitter]

8:30 wEDNESDAY MORNING
I just checked MusiciansFriend.com and their ad says that their Axis Pedals are due in on April 17th...that was yesterday. May want to give them a call.

'They have been moving that date back for 4 months now ! They said that there 2 months behind now. So if you order them your at least not going to get them till July. I called them last month about the date that keeps changing.

Just a little note I think I have found new pedals DW. There not as fast but I think with a little work they could be close.

[crazyhorse]

I need to call them tomorrow... Supposedly when I talked to Axis last week my slave pedal was shipping this week. I'm not holding my breath

[schist]

Funny that ... I've never had any problems with my Axis X double pedal ...

[sticksnstonesrus]

Been a couple more months since I last posted on this subject. Can't say I'd be any more happier with something else. Very satisfied. I wouldn't expect a Chris Adler to be maintaining his own pedals, and not to blame the drum-tech, cause I just don't know him or his business...but using mine almost daily, the only thing to have "gone wrong" sort of speak would be the right longboard loosening up at the base. Two quick snugs and it's back to normal. Maintenance is a normal thing and if done regularly, should provide longevity. Now, I understand that faults happen and good communication and good customer service end up being the ties that keep someone using and representing a manufacturer, as an endorsee. I can see not continuing to endorse a company, even if the equipment is great...because the service is in the gutter. Noone could speak bad on Chris for going that route. All in all though, it's a problem between him and Axis and none of us know what exactly has transpired to make it go sour. All the hearsay is just aggrevating.

I think it's petty to complain about the use of allen keys and having a variety to deal with. I keep the three or four of the different sizes in my stick bag pouch and have only needed one for the footboard. It's a drumset people, understood that simplicity means a lot and commonality of a thing like "lug-wrench everything" makes it easier to loosen and tighten such items, but jeesh...a couple allen keys is nothing to complain about. Whatever you do, don't work on a car, your house, etc. That might require more than three tools.

And as for "Peter" and his opinions on Axis...well...sounds more like a sell for the Trick and Gatzens pedal...which is fine. No blame there either. Picking apart the Axis pedal is outright rediculous. People in this business make their own decisions about everything. He certainly hasn;t had his hands on an AL-2 (or the "A") which has every adjustment covered in his rant. And again, the Allen key thing...did he ever think it might be of blame to the guy who forgot to prepare enough by HAVING the tools he needed to cover his ass at a show? That about basic responsibility, not a fault of Axis. And the little blurb "I have no stake with any of these manufacturers, btw. I just want the best pedal to be designed and manufactured for all of our sakes."...what is that? Somekind of appology? Like the leader of the pedal-saviour regiment? please...

I'm not passing any judgement on the Axis pedal, which one is better, or anything to that effect. Go make you own formed opinion. I like mine. Would I recommend it to you? Nope. Try it for yourself and make a decision. "Try em' all" will always be my recommendation.

[Les Ismore]

I have broken 4 springs, stripped out all the screws trying to keep them tight and the foot boards keep coming loose.

What are you doing to break springs? Sounds like your useing the wrong allen wrench for the job.

Axis pedals are senstive to proper 'grounding', meaning you have to have the pedal flat on the floor both primary and slave. Most people wind up with trouble when they're not set up properly, I have. I advise clamping the pedal as flat as it will go (try to move it side to side) then use tape and put a piece on either side of the pedal clamps T bar while its on the bass drum hoop, that way when you set up again (assuming you havent removed the hoop) the pedal will be in the same position on the hoop and flat on the floor without fussing every time.

The slave side is another matter, once its attached to the drive shaft you need to level it makeing sure its sitting flat. The slave side on a double pedal is where most problems happen because its not grounded flat, even Axis will tell you this. If the slave is not flat, it will jerk on the primary, and stuff may start to get loose. The only flaw with Axis I see is the pedal is slightly 'top heavy'. They use a narrow, lightweight aluminum bottom plate which doesn't provide enough stability. The slave 'floats' easily and gets of kilter. Most co's use steel bottom plates, the added weight is a burden compared to, but it also has the effect of (unintentionally?) grounding the pedal with its bulk. The lightweight'ness of the Axis aluminum means, with the beater extended theres a slight imbalance of weight above the tipping 'axis' (ha) point. Again, in a word a little 'top heavy'.

I could be wrong on the exact'ness of the weight distribution, but even if the pedal is near 50/50 tipping will still be a problem. Ideally you want more of the weight close the floor.

Axis could help by increasing the width of their bottom plates. Its actually easy to do, I've done this (had my tec do it) with some aluminum stock cut out on a band saw. I'll post pics on 'Deathmetalconga's' mod thread soon. The wider boards help with the side to side and give a more stable platform for heavy hitting.

[The Rev #2]

I have recently bought my axis pedals. The only problems with them is that it took 2 months to get here. That's about it so far. I'm pretty happy with them and how they feel.

[Les Ismore]

If you pay $500 for pedals they should last more then 3 years or at least be able to fix them.

That's the nice thing about Axis, everything on them is user fixable, assuming you have basic mechanical skills.

a58chevy
I had the very same with problem with my axis... but they never stayed tight for more than three songs since the day i got them. I put up with it for three months and after many replaced screws I took them back

a58chevy admitted (in his Axis rant thread) he turned two set screws he wasn't supposed to. Its clearly stated in the Axis instruction booklet not to touch those set screws. But hey, who reads manuals anyway right?


This beater-angle on these Axis
pedals.... I don't know how much
frustration has been poured out on
any other subject that rivals this.

I have pleaded with Darryl on realizing the importance of be-
ing able to adjust beater-angle in-
dependent of the cam adjustment

Exactly the reason Axis came out with the sonic hammer beater. The problem is not the cam adjustment being independent, when you adjust beater angle, the foot board moves (the slave pedal on the double set-up doesn't have this problem btw, just the primary).

Axis sells shim's to go under the foot board to compensate. Agreed, its not as optimal in setting range as a uni clamp, but uni clamp adds a god bit of weight. You should be able to 'find it' with the Axis options, albeit definitely not as quickly.


The truth is that the VDL is the
best Universal-Cam, out there, in
my opinion.
It's SO EASY to change
and it addresses the most essent-
ial issue, relating to the cam, which
is the angle of Link-Receiver pull-
down.
However, the power of the
VDL is undermined by the antiq-
uated and clumsy Allen design and
which just strips over time, on re-
adjustment.

Ooopsie, VDL isn't adjusted with an allen screw, its a wing bolt, you use your fingers. I suspect Peter f'd with the same screws 58Chevy did. He probably didn't read the instructions/manual either. Good rule in life people- Having trouble with a new item? Read the manual FIRST, before jacking stuff around, you may learn something.


The hoop clamp is also something that
we have heard complained about,

You know every time I put my Axis to a bass drum hoop, I want it to screw-up so I can experience what some people are talking about. Problem is, it never screws-up. Its a simple design that works very easily and flawlessly every frick'n time.

Interesting - Every Axis pedal Ive ever sold has always come with a set of appropriately sized allen keys. Does this guy really know what hes on about?

Peter is whining about a 'combo key', an over sized tool with multiple allen wrenches attached, because he can't identify the few allen wrenches he needs to carry to a gig.

Tama has a combo allen/drum key. BOA has something similar. Allen wrenches have yet to be used at a gig on my Axis pedals, though a set is carried.



Axis is totally user fixable/adjustable back to factory specs should things get lose. Not true with other pedals. Looks like I may have to post an 'Axis care and feeding' thread with pic's.

Too early with Trick, but when some hours get put on them and a few select parts start to wear, its going to be 'back to the factory' for service. Everything wears out over time. Same with DW, IC, when parts wear, its 'replace if you can', no user 'snug it up' and keep on going option.

Axis out powers Trick, DW, IC all the rest, due mainly to out-put shaft size (a full 3/8" -9mm) which directly relates to power to the secondary beater.

If Trick would beef up their out-put shaft (when I mentioned this to Trick, the response was "What's an out-put shaft"?) they would gain some power at the beater head. More power= less effort. Most find the Trick and others powerful enough, but probably wouldn't complain about more.

[Jeff Almeyda]

Ooopsie, VDL isn't adjusted with an allen screw, its a wing bolt, you use your fingers. I suspect Peter f'd with the same screws 58Chevy did. He probably didn't read the instructions/manual either. Good rule in life people- Having trouble with a new item? Read the manual FIRST, before jacking stuff around, you may learn something.



Actually, My earlier Axis pedal's VDL came with a drumkey-operated set screw. My newer one came with a wing bolt. So it is quite possible that Peter's came with an Allen adjust.

Being that Les is the Axis apologist here, maybe she knows why Axis has been back-ordered for the last decade. Why don't they re-invest some of the profits into more machining capacity? They should learn some lean manufacturing techniques and shorten their lead times.

Also why did they stop anodizing their pedals? They used to anodize all of them. Now only the black ones are anodized. The clear ones I got a few years ago had a terrible grain finish on them that looked like someone scraped it on the floor and a lacquer topcoat on top. The top coat came off and now the exposed aluminum is subject to oxidation. Just pure cost-cutting without regard to quality.

[Les Ismore]

Actually, My earlier Axis pedal's VDL came with a drumkey-operated set screw. My newer one came with a wing bolt. So it is quite possible that Peter's came with an Allen adjust.

Yes earlier models had a allen bolts. One would have to consider that an allen bolt has more holding power than and thumb operated wing bolt, it should be obvious. So what happened? Some people just can't turn a screw maybe, or don't have the capasity to solve simple problems (like a screw holding) on their own. This is the 'first' instance I've ever heard of a VDL not holding.



Being that Les is the Axis apologist here, maybe she knows why Axis has been back-ordered for the last decade. Why don't they re-invest some of the profits into more machining capacity? They should learn some lean manufacturing techniques and shorten their lead times.

Axis is made in America. Axis competes with China for materials made in the US. Axis is not supporting low wage, slave labor and world pollution from China/Asia and if you buy Axis you aren't either. They're moving at their own pace. I fully support their right to run the business they way they choose, neither Axis nor anyone else needs to apoligize.

[Jeff Almeyda]

[Axis is made in America. Axis competes with China for materials made in the US. Axis is not supporting low wage, slave labor and world pollution from China/Asia and if you buy Axis you aren't either. They're moving at their own pace. I fully support their right to run the business they way they choose, neither Axis nor anyone else needs to apoligize.

Ok, I agree with that and I support American business (I own an American business). But slave labor issues in China have nothing to do with the fact that Axis could shorten their delivery time. They need to either add shifts or increase machining capacity, it's that simple.

[turbinesaint]

I recently received my axis x pedals. For me, they were very easy to get accustomed to and I enjoy them. We'll see if they end up being worth the money or not. I really like them for heel toe playing and the extended footboard makes it easier to play both the slave pedal and my hi hat at the same time. I'm sure I could do this with any other pedal, but that was one thing I noticed right away.