Toad
Member
I'm an old timer lol, and all I've ever played on was Speed King pedals. Reason being when I was a kid and played I bought Speed Kings because: there was no leather strap to break, they said Ludwig on them, they were called Speed King (sounded cool) and I didn't know anything else.
Due to the way life goes I quit playin' drums for a long time.
Way later in life I took up the drums again. When I went to buy pedals I was flabbergasted by the selection. After much research and window (price) shopping I just got Speed Kings again because it was a known thing for me. I didn't want to buy some new whiz-bang expensive pedals only to hate them and kick myself. At least I knew how Speed Kings were.
My son # 2 now has drums also and we broke down and got him some DW 8000 pedals. They are awesomely smooth and solid and nice lol. My instant impression when I played them was, "Oh, maaaaaan! How nice!" And he loves 'em.
(On a side note, after only a few weeks, on his right pedal, the spring broke on the bottom loop right where it attaches into the tension adjustment eyelet. I promptly bought a slew of replacement springs.)
At any rate, I read somewhere that Speed Kings were Ludwigs' very first product. It's my understanding that back then all drummers played heel down all the time...
...now here's the thing - the article went on to say that the "speed" of a Speed King was in the return of the beater, not the forward beating motion.
The internal dual springs in a Speed King push instead of pull like most other pedals.
The only things you can adjust are the spring pressures and somewhat the length of the beater rod.
They are a very durable no-fuss pedal. I've never broken one. Just buy some spray silicone lubricant lol.
Well, heck I just thought I'd throw in a couple of facts and opinions for any kids who wonder if they should get a Speed King.
Keep in mind this is coming from somebody (older dude) who's not too fancy with the footwork, never have been, never will be. Powerful, yes. Fancy, intricate, subtle and technical, no. If I can't do it I don't do it.
Due to the way life goes I quit playin' drums for a long time.
Way later in life I took up the drums again. When I went to buy pedals I was flabbergasted by the selection. After much research and window (price) shopping I just got Speed Kings again because it was a known thing for me. I didn't want to buy some new whiz-bang expensive pedals only to hate them and kick myself. At least I knew how Speed Kings were.
My son # 2 now has drums also and we broke down and got him some DW 8000 pedals. They are awesomely smooth and solid and nice lol. My instant impression when I played them was, "Oh, maaaaaan! How nice!" And he loves 'em.
(On a side note, after only a few weeks, on his right pedal, the spring broke on the bottom loop right where it attaches into the tension adjustment eyelet. I promptly bought a slew of replacement springs.)
At any rate, I read somewhere that Speed Kings were Ludwigs' very first product. It's my understanding that back then all drummers played heel down all the time...
...now here's the thing - the article went on to say that the "speed" of a Speed King was in the return of the beater, not the forward beating motion.
The internal dual springs in a Speed King push instead of pull like most other pedals.
The only things you can adjust are the spring pressures and somewhat the length of the beater rod.
They are a very durable no-fuss pedal. I've never broken one. Just buy some spray silicone lubricant lol.
Well, heck I just thought I'd throw in a couple of facts and opinions for any kids who wonder if they should get a Speed King.
Keep in mind this is coming from somebody (older dude) who's not too fancy with the footwork, never have been, never will be. Powerful, yes. Fancy, intricate, subtle and technical, no. If I can't do it I don't do it.