Axis issues .... and what about Trick?

Hi,

I'm expanding my set-up to a double bass kit with two single pedals. I'm looking to get a top of the line pedal that will last years and won't give me any trouble.

I'm between Axis Longboards and Trick Bigfoots. I like both pedals. I'm sure I'd be happy with either one.

BUT....

I've read so much about Axis having issues...like falling apart after two weeks of playing...and not being able to reach support at the company. Is this being overstated on some of the forums? I know the Axis would save me some money...but I'd rather spend the extra to know that it won't fall apart on me.

If anyone can tell me if they've had any problems with Axis.

Has anyone had any problems with Trick? I haven't heard any....I'm just wondering.

Cheers,

SonorPlayer
 
I have only the Trick Pro1V in a single pedal and haven't had a bit of trouble with it since I got it about 10 months ago. It is the easiest to adjust and play pedal I ever had. I also looked at and tried the Axis and Demon Drives over a period of three months and the Trick always came out on top. For the type of music I play I chose the short board, but a friend of mine on another forum bought the double long boards and love them.

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Dennis
 
Go Trick! That's all I can say on the matter.
I know for a fact that they have good costumer service, and their gear is second to none on quality and speed.

You will not regret getting the Pro-1v Bigfoot it's an awesome pedal I only wish I owned one :(
 
wow! those pics really make the Trick look very sexy!

what type of music do you play?

also, if anyone has ideas on bigfoot vs standard. I've heard people say if you play heel up then you need the bigfoot....but then someone else would say you only need the bigfoot if you play heel down. what's with that? what are the bigfoot/longboards suited to?

I personally like to play both heel up or down depending on what I'm after. I agree with Thomas Lang in that sense...don't stick to one or the other use them all as needed. you know. BUT i would mostly play heel up when i'm doing some serious double bass and I want power.

Also, I do find the beater on the Trick a tad light for my liking. Anyone got ideas on a good beater. Has anyone tried the Sonor two-way beater on the Trick pedal?

Any thoughts welcome....

SonorPlayer
 
I play just about everything except metal. I have no problems playing either heal up or down with the short board, although most of my playing is heal up in recent years. I didn't buy the Trick for it's extreme speed, but for it's smoothness and easy adjustability. I no longer have to go crawling on the floor for a simple adjustment. I would recommend that you go and find one in a store that you can personally check out. It's a lot of money to lay down on something that you might not like and pedals are a very personally piece of hardware, one size doesn't necessarily fit all.

Dennis
 
Yeah that trick pedal is sweet. I tried the double longboards and fell in love with them. I don't know what makes them so awesome, but awesome they are. When you're playing them it's like they aren't even there.
 
Check out this thread.

If you're not mechanically inclined, get the TRICK.

If you can turn screws, AXIS pedals are completely user adjustable to factory specs (even the drive shaft) should you experience wear from heavy-longtime use. Anything on them can be fixed, upgraded by a user with a mechanical background.

All moving points on AXIS have bearings (TRICK not).

Compression spring on TRICK has its limitations, most are able to work within those limits.
 
With regards to Axis' "issues": I have heard and read of some people wanking a year or two ago about their customer service (which could easily be biased) but haven't heard anything as of late. I have also read (probably the same thing you have) regarding the quality of Axis. My experience of owning an AL-2 longboard double-pedal has been awesome. I am pretty adamant about maintaining my pedals (and kit overall). Going on a couple years now and haven't had any issues. Obviously, nothing goes without flaws...some more than others and like any "product" Trick is as subject to problem(s) as any of the others. Nothing bad as of yet, but look at Toyota's issues.

I think the Trick is a beautiful pedal and probably operates as well as it seems like it should. Truth is, you'll be getting good stuff no matter which way you go. As long as you keep whatever you buy, maintained properly and don't abuse it...it should last a good long while.
 
Axis are very good pedals, I have never heard of any falling apart period lol, unless they are misused, massive over-tightening or under-tightening of all screws or something. An Axis longboard double with iron cobra beaters, is a match made in heaven :D. Then again, i have never tried cobra beaters on a trick, but im sure it would be the same.

My advice, is to try and get your feet on some and try them out, play with the adjustments and see which suits your feet better.
 
Hey everyone, thanks for all the input.

I tried out the Axis and Trick today. Axis feels good and light and probably great for speed. Trick is amazing and probably great for everything!

But my drum dealer gave me an Axis to take home with me to try out and see if I like them. He has two single Axis Longboards that he wants to get rid of because he finds them too light for his playing style. They're like new almost never used. He said he'd sell me both for half the price of what you'd pay for one! In my part of the world Trick would cost about One Thousand Euros for two singles. I can get both Axis for 1/4 the price.

Is it a good deal you think? Sounds good to me but it wouldn't be worth it if the Axis pedals start falling apart within a few months. Since I have the Axis at home now to test out what problems should I look out for/consider before making the buy.

I'm really considering taking him up on it because of the amount of money I could save in the long run. Also, it'd free me up the get the second bass drum and a few other things for the kit alot sooner. (Gee, Sonor S Classix....Axis pedals...Meinl cymbals....my kit is gonna look very Derek Roddy lol. He's not a bad drummer but I'm not into the whole blast beat thing.)

What's a good beater for the Axis? Right now it has a Speedking on it. I don't have the usual Sonic Hammer (is that what its called?) on it right now.

All thoughts welcome.

Sonorplayer
 
Awesome that you get a take-home test. Decades of just trying whatever in a store...and you get to try Axis' at home...sweet.

Anyways. Not that it matters, but which model of the Axis pedal did he let you try?

Secondly, money being the driver (as for many of us, it is - so you're not alone) I would jump on the Axis pedals if he is going to give you a break.

I believe the logical-man theory takes precedence here. If the pedals he is going to sell you are falling apart, don't buy them. They should be tight (properly snugged/torqued) anywhere there is a screw/bolt. It can't hurt to back a setscrew off just to tighten it back up to make sure it isn't already stripped. If you are careful and ensure you don't wrench on bolts and setscrews, they wont strip. Never over-torque those items. If they are slipping, it's cause something is or has been played beyond it's limits (abused) or someone previously over-torqued it..

Just make sure you check out what is being sold to you before you fork over any quid.

If the pedals have been taken care of, they should last indefinitely. That goes for any quality made instrument really. Even if they require some "tuning up" (new springs, replacement beaters) I would probably get them. Easy enough to replace the consumable items.

I used the Sonic Hammer for about three days. The back point of the beater, which is set on it's own rod, left a bruise on the tops of my feet (not to mention they felt overly heavy to me). Bye-bye. Replaced with the Tama Iron Cobra beaters. I happy with that setup. You'll have to find something that suits you.

Hope that helps.
 
I own the Trick and it's the best pedal i've ever played. That being said, if you can get the axis pedals for 1/4 the price of the Tricks, get those instead, they're awesome pedals in their own right.
 
well, i only got the take home test because he knows me really well and knows i won't be running off with it.

i think the model is the Longboard X Single. I think. and he said his two pedals are the same model. is there much difference between the A and X?

yeah, i'd check them out before i hand over any cash. but he did say that they're like new. there's no ware on them because he only used them for a few weeks. the worst that could be wrong is a bit of dust from lying around. but as i said, i'll make sure of that...

now its time to go play and see how they feel. i'll up-date with my thoughts on them and what pedal i pick. might even up-date with a few pics of my set-up when i have the pedals.

drum porn.....mmmmmmm......
 
The A model has a cam adjustment called the Variable Drive Lever. It changes the feel of the pedal by moving it up or down as opposed to switching cams like Pearl Eliminators. Because of the extra space the footboard angle is naturaly lower than the X model.

The X model has a fixed linkage that is set in the center. The pedal board is a little steeper. If you are the kind of persons who needs to adjust things often gets Axis A, or Trick which has even more adjustments. If you don't really need to adjust things then the X model is just as good. They all really do the same thing at the end of the day.
 
lets put it this way. i've had my axis longboards for 2 years and i've been playing 16ths at 230bpm about an hour a day for about a year on them. i've literally had NO problems at all.

i'm sure the tricks are good too. one thing i've learn't in my years of practice is that pedals are overrated. but pedals you feel comfortable with and good technique will take you a long way. i'd really suggest you go and try them out at a store (maybe you have, i didn't really read the rest of the thread properly, sorry).
 
Hey everyone,

I've had the pedal at home now for a day. I've spent a good few hours on the Axis all last night and this morning.

It's fast and light. I like that.

But it seems to be lacking in the power department. I've tried making adjustments and nothing has made it work for me. It seems like the pedal might be too light...and the beater is losing power before it reaches the head. I wouldn't mind but it just doesn't have far to go.

I found that to get the speed and power I wanted I had to work a lot harder....that's not good. I got the same results on the Trick Bigfoot at the store in no time and much less effort.

I think the Axis is good but it's not a pedal that's right for everyone. Some would love it and others would hate it. I don't hate it...but I don't think it's for me.

I think it's gonna have to be Trick Bigfoot :)

It'll be more money but I think I'll be a lot happier. as the man says 'if you can play it with ease...more please'. (i don't think anyone actually said that...)

Now I just need to get my hands on a sexy Trick...

Thanks for all the input guys.

Sonorplayer
 
I have a set of Trick kick pedals. Can't ever go back to the DW 5000's now.

There are three things I like about them:
1.) No noise....0
2.) They stick to your feet, speed can be increased a lot if needed.
3.) The left foot feels much closer to the right foot. The linkage is much more precise than any other pedals.
 
I've had an Axis since 94 and it's the only peddle i've had since. The only issue is one of the rubber supports came off which i super glued back on. Somebody borrowed it and lost the t-bar clamp. I contacted their agent here in Australia and had a replacement xpress posted in 2 days. So no problems with me and thats 16 years of using
 
the axis doesnt lack power at all, its just a matter of how you set it up. I have been using axis for about 2 years now, and i have no complaints at all. But honestly if you are going to use axis ya might want to think about getting triggers. You can put power behind the punch but it lacks consistency!
 
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