Sonor Giant Step Kick Pedals

[kage]

Has anyone had a chance to try these... they look pretty amazing... especially the twin effect and triple. I'm wondering how sensitive the heel kick part is.

Single


twin effect


double


triple


middle

Never seen anything like the middle pedal

[aydee]

Too expensive to find out!

[Mr. Pasquini]

I've played the single, the twin effect, and the double. All great pedals, but SO expensive.

[harryconway]

When these Sonor pedals were first shown at the NAMM show several years ago, I was very intrigued with the middle pedal and the Off-Set pedal (shown here): http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u...4-3415_IMG.jpg well, my money finally went for an Off-Set.

Originally Posted by Gilded

Never seen anything like the middle pedal

Since you live in Australia, hunt down Sleishman. He makes a center pedal design (found here): http://home.hetnet.nl/~winnie-/galle...s/pedals1.html The Sonor, Off-Set, and Sleishman are the only center pedal designs manufactured. Just like high end Sonor drums, the high end Sonor pedals are great pedals and they deliver. But they may not be everyone's choice. Certainly, we don't all play Axis pedals, etc. So I went with the Yamaha Flying Dragon Direct Drive for my single pedal needs, and an Off-Set pedal for my double pedal fix. As far as the Twin Effect and Triple, they work well enough, but you basically have to re-learn a new right foot technique. Something I wasn't going to put the time into doing.

[kage]

They are indeed exspensive. I want to try them all though...I really want to know what that heel pedal feels like. Imagine putting a twin effect on each of your kicks on your double kick set!

I read a reveiw on the twin effect somewhere and the guy said the heal pedal gets in the way when you try to use it as a single... but that would probly go along with learning the new technique to play that crazy pedal.

It appears the foot board length is adjustable too. Am I correct?

BTW, I love that pedal gallery at the Sleishman site. I ended up surfing around the web for 3hrs. looking and reading about old drum stuff. pure nostalgia :).

[Class A Drummer]

look really good. Built in Vruk. Expensive indeed, probably very nice pedals though and most likley worth the money if you are willing to drop the cash.

[Leadfoot]

I bought 2 Sonor pedals at one time. One was a 400 series, the other a Giant Step. My opinion is that the Giant Step is very overrated. The pedal had a feel that was much too light for my taste, no matter how I adjusted it, even tried pedal shaft weights. The last straw for me was at a gig one night as I was playing a rather heavy tune, (hence my screen name) the clamping device which holds the beater to the axle shaft slipped out of position so when I released the pedal, the beater came back & rested on the footboard. To make the situation worse, the fancy docking plate prevented me from quickly switching to my backup pedal, (the 400, which has a standard clamp on it.)
In short, I'll never own another pedal on which the chain sprocket and the beater clamp are not one integral piece. I sold the Giant step shortly thereafter & kept the 400, which ironically is a much better feeling & simpler pedal, not to mention veeeeery inexpensive, I think I paid $65.00 for it. It feels every bit as good as my DW 5000 pedals.
Sonor over-engineered the G.S, far too many adjustments for it's own good. It's a goofy pedal, I was very disappointed with it.

[drummerchick435]

Originally Posted by aydee

Too expensive to find out!

according to massmusic.net:

Single: 410 US$
Twin Effect: 689 US$
Double: 889 US$
Middle: 1,285 US$

[Leadfoot]

Originally Posted by drummerchick435

according to massmusic.net:

Single: 410 US$
Twin Effect: 689 US$
Double: 889 US$
Middle: 1,285 US$

Those are suggested retail prices, NEVER PAY RETAIL!

[aydee]

Originally Posted by drummerchick435

according to massmusic.net:

Single: 410 US$
Twin Effect: 689 US$
Double: 889 US$
Middle: 1,285 US$

ouch! I'll stick with my Eliminators, thanks

[razorx]

massmusic is almost always the cheapest place to go.

[kage]

Actually heres what I found on Massmusic.net...

single- Sale Price: $410.00 (Regular Price:$658.00)

Twin effect- Sale Price: $689.00 (Regular Price:$1,119.95)

Double- Sale Price: $898.00 (Regular Price:$1,459.95)

triple- Sale Price: $965.00 (Regular Price:$1,569.95)

middle- Sale Price: $1,285.00 (Regular Price:$2,088.95)

And it appears they will beat a competitors lowest price.
I think the Middle is the most exspensive pedal I've ever seen. And the single is the most exspensive single pedal I've ever seen.

Seems the biggest complaint on these so far is the price. I could see how that docking plate could be a pain if the pedal breaks and you need to use a spare thats not a GS.

[kage]

The pedal had a feel that was much too light for my taste, no matter how I adjusted it, even tried pedal shaft weights. The last straw for me was at a gig one night as I was playing a rather heavy tune, (hence my screen name) the clamping device which holds the beater to the axle shaft slipped out of position so when I released the pedal, the beater came back & rested on the footboard.

It's funny you say this because I'm having the same kind of issues with my Iron Cobra flexi glide. I've only used for a few months now and I can't seem to find my sweet spot. There has to be 1000 different settings with the beater weights, beater angle, etc...I tighten the springs all the way and it still feels like there is nothing there....I actually put some hard beaters on the other day and that help alot, seeing thats what I played for the last 5 years...Hmmm.. now that I think about it TAMA makes an accesory for the Iron Cobra called cobra coil.. It's a spring that goes under the footboard so it rebounds faster or gives some resistance or something. Man, maybe thats what I need!

Truthfully nothings ever been the same since I started playing with a double years ago thus eliminating my Ludwig Speed King I learned with and loved. Does anyone know of a double pedal compairable to a Ludwig Speed King?

The first time my IC beater angles change while I'm playing, like what happened to you and your giant step Leadfoot, it's going on ebay.

[Leadfoot]

Originally Posted by kage

It's funny you say this because I'm having the same kind of issues with my Iron Cobra flexi glide. I've only used for a few months now and I can't seem to find my sweet spot. There has to be 1000 different settings with the beater weights, beater angle, etc...I tighten the springs all the way and it still feels like there is nothing there....I actually put some hard beaters on the other day and that help alot, seeing thats what I played for the last 5 years...Hmmm.. now that I think about it TAMA makes an accesory for the Iron Cobra called cobra coil.. It's a spring that goes under the footboard so it rebounds faster or gives some resistance or something. Man, maybe thats what I need!

Truthfully nothings ever been the same since I started playing with a double years ago thus eliminating my Ludwig Speed King I learned with and loved. Does anyone know of a double pedal compairable to a Ludwig Speed King?

The first time my IC beater angles change while I'm playing, like what happened to you and your giant step Leadfoot, it's going on ebay.

I can see these pedals being used for jazz or some of the lighter styles of playing, where one doesn't tend to play so heavily but as I stated, I'll never own another pedal which has independant beater/sprocket adjustments, it's simply a weak link in the chain.
I too, grew up using a Speed King, then when I went to double bass I started using Ghost pedals, (the best product Ludwig ever discontinued). Now my standard is the DW 5000 & 5002 doubles. I have two of each, never any issues whatsoever although they don't feel much like a Speed King- nothing does that I've come across.

[kage]

Originally Posted by Leadfoot

I can see these pedals being used for jazz or some of the lighter styles of playing, where one doesn't tend to play so heavily but as I stated, I'll never own another pedal which has independant beater/sprocket adjustments, it's simply a weak link in the chain.
I too, grew up using a Speed King, then when I went to double bass I started using Ghost pedals, (the best product Ludwig ever discontinued). Now my standard is the DW 5000 & 5002 doubles. I have two of each, never any issues whatsoever although they don't feel much like a Speed King- nothing does that I've come across.

I don't want get to far of the topic of the giant beat but... I found this good review for the Trick pro 1V last night... he basiclly says you can tune it feel much like a speed king. The trick does use the same concept as the speed king with its direct drive and compression spring setup. Here is the link, it is a good read, check it:http://www.unitedgrooveworkers.com/i...d=37&Itemid=15

The Giant Beat double and the Trick pro 1v double are almost the same price. After reading that review I want the Trick but I guess I'd have to compare the two.

I actually spent a few hours tweakin my iron cobra flexi today. I put on hard beaters and played with all the settings and its feels 10x better. I still want to try that cobra coil though because I have this theory that it might make it feel more like a speed king... i think the pedal would rebound faster and stick to my foot more. Also found out they sell a stiffer spring upgrade for my Iron Cobra.

I would like to hear more about this Giant Step. There is a Twin Effect on Ebay right now. $321.00 Buy it now price. thats like half price lol. Here it is:http://cgi.ebay.com/sonor-giant-step...QQcmdZViewItem

[harryconway]

Originally Posted by Leadfoot

I too, grew up using a Speed King... although they don't feel much like a Speed King- nothing does that I've come across.

How 'bout a Speed King with a floor plate? Look here: http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/s...ng+floor+plate

[Leadfoot]

Originally Posted by harryconway

How 'bout a Speed King with a floor plate? Look here: http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/s...ng+floor+plate

Hmm, kind of a neat idea, I might just try that as I have some .125" aluminum sheet scraps lying around the shop, thanks for that! I also tried a Trick pedal at the Chicago show this year. Great pedal but try as I might, I couldn't get it to squeak & rattle like my good old Speed King ;~)

[dea]

One drawback of this pedal is that you must keep your heel raised or the beater will go back into the head. Doesn't lend itself well for flat footed players. This is a heel-toe tool.

This is the major reason why I went with the Vruk - which is opposite in that resting the heel on the Vruk extension pulls the heel away from the head. Think about this last sentence since it has far reaching affects.

I'm not a Vruk endorser. I merely stumbled across the Vruk decades into my playing career and this very design characteristic jumped out at me like a brick wall. I purchased one and help my impatience at bay long enough to understand the benefits.

2 years later and I am in heaven. Nothing in the over 20years I have been playing has made more of a positive impact than this tool.

[Rossco]

Originally Posted by Gilded

Never seen anything like the middle pedal

neither have i it is crazy !

[JRH7]

I own a Sonor Giant Step single pedal. I bought it slightly used(pretty much brand new) from someone on the Sonor Forum for $150.00 including shipping. I have played Axis, Iron cobra, DW and I think the Sonor has feel that is a cross between the DW 9000 and a Axis pedal. The Iron Cobra alway felt a bit sluggish but I don't really have a fast foot. I love the docking station, to me that is one of the coolest things about the pedal. Similar to all high end Sonor stuff the construction is bomb proof. When I bought the pedal I was thinking of getting a Taye Metal Works or DW pedal but then I came across the Giant Step for $150.00 and couldn't pass it up. Hope this helps!

J.

[BrianMusson]

Hi, I have the lefty version of the double-bass drum pedal, the Giant Step. I don't know what I am doing wrong, but the pedals feel lethargic. I've adjusted the spring tension and I have also adjusted the cam position. Is there anything else I am missing here? I am using the chain to drive the cam and the stock beaters.
The beaters are positioned so they strike the bass drum head parallel. The drum head is seated with a dimpling amount of slack and a moving blanket folded twice behind the head.

I like these pedals, and I've owned them for almost 2 years- and it always seems like i've had this problem no matter what I try. They certainly have a great amount of heft and have given me no mechanical issues.

I've cranked the spring tension all the way up and when trying to do single-footed doubles, it's more difficult than the Iron Cobras or the speed-kings I've used in the past.



I have always been interested in using a direct-drive system similar to that of Ludwig and Axis, so I think I'm going to take a single axis pedal for a test drive before paying the left-footed exclusive double-pedal tax(eek!).

- Brian

[Les Ismore]

They're heavy feeling pedals, its the cam and foot board that make this pedal feel slow and weighty. The beater is one of the lightest available.

Switching to strap will help a little. The plus is these pedals hit hard, though you do need a pro-level developed foot to even make them work at, or just above zero.

[MisterZero]

Hey, the twin effect looks really cool, i wouldnt mind trying it, but I cannot seem to find it for sale anywhere.You guys know where I can find this thing?

[omcd]

Thats funny, I just posted the same thing, I also are looking for one but no luck yet.

[Florian]

I use the double pedal...have for about 1.5 years now. Very light feel, but produces a heavy hit. I also love the docking station, no hoop rash, easy setup and teardown. I have been toying with the idea of Axis longboards...but cant find a set locally to play.

F

[azrae1l]

i looked up the triple just to get a pic...

check out this price!

http://www.live-n-loud.com/products/...ple-Pedal.html




better come with a free sq2 kit for that price......

[MisterZero]

5,500 dollars? C'mon. Thats gotto be a typo or something, nobody would buy it. i dont care how smooth or fast it is.

[Homeularis]

Yeah, gotta be a major typo. You can get a new 6 pc Sonor Delite drumkit for that.
Not to mention a pretty nice used car or a great bike.

[Wick]

Does anyone else make a cheaper version of the 'middle' pedal? It looks like it would be nice to play on but I don't wanna spend that much on a pedal :[

It'd be cool if Yamaha made one, cause I'm pretty sure they'd be able to sell it pretty cheap, as apposed to these expensive European companies :/

[FlyingBIZKIT]

Iv'e been wanting to play one these, but they are so expensive..does anybody know whats the most similar pedal to this? I just cant play close to $1000 for a double bass pedal