Re: Gibraltar Catapult www.youtube.com/xinovatorrx
George is a good player, no disrespect to George. Its not about George, its about Cartapult. Would like to see some heat on the Catapult.
I had trouble with the roller bearing on the foot board separating/loosing contact with the beater stalk when using heavy, short strokes, this caused a 'clack' when the two meet up together again. You mentioned 6 months to get used to Catapult. This is not reality, most pro drummers would need only 6 hrs to burn in a new pedal, along with 1 gig to call it done.
A bass pedal should offer enhancement to a players technique, not limit it, at least that's how it is here in america. Catapult needs to convince the market to insure its survival, not any one drummer. I like the attempt at something new, but will bite only if it can support and ultimately enhance an old dog's tricks.
I hope this helps
Good ol George : this was the first time he actually sat down with the pedal and used it for a length of time.
The doubling up part was in the first half hour of using it.
So it was even a test play for him. Unfortunately I can only load bits and pieces up on youtube but we plan to put up some more this weekend.
Your points are valid. I understand your predicament with the seperating movement.
It would not take you 6 months to get that under control. Give it a chance and give your muscles a chance to adapt to moving with the footboard. The pedal can be sooo fast if your foot movement is with the footboard and not trying to catch the board making your clack sound. I too can make that sound if I think about it like a conventional pedal.
Consider it is not suppose to limit or work like a rotary shaft design. Its mechanical design has different physical and geometric comps.
MBS Fitness results show that conventional style pedals have actually caused fatigue in the flexor muscles. Over the years this has become the norm. The conventional pedal alters what you do and you have to fight against it(resistance).
With resistance comes fatigue.
The Catapult action doesnt alter the natural movement of your foot (less resistance)Less fatigue but at the beginning it may feel weak because you need to retrain.
Yes you need to retrain but its for a better overall performance.
Since when does a pedal offer the player improved performance without having to work on your own ability?
How many years does it take to learn to use your trusted rotary shaft style pedal properly? I am sure it was not over night.
When anything new comes along, expect a lot of resistance and to see a loyalty to the past products that have existed for so long. If it was not for the rotary shaft / bell cam and the complications that go with it, an alternative would not be now on offer.
Designers and inventors of 100 years past that give the players the opportunity to express their talent in different forms.
www.youtube.com/xinovatorrx
I have all the respect in the world for engineers that give up all their time to invent. Play your bass drum how you want and enjoy it!