sonorplayer
Member
Hi,
I've been gone from the forum for many years. I've actually been away from playing drums for years. 2020 gave me the chance to get back into it. So I pulled out my old e-kit and started playing again.
I got a Tama Speed Cobra 310 single pedal to practise with. I had played the higher end speed cobras. The one thing that has really suffered from not play is the foot technique. I wanted to get that going. But I just wasn't getting on with the more affordable speed cobra. Not really sure why.
Anyway, only having a short while I decided to look around for something else that might suit me better. Despite the fact that I'm a big Sonor guy it had totally slipped past me that they had released a Standard version of Jojo Mayer's signature pedal. I had an interest in the pedal when it first came out, but had heard about all the problems people were having. Thats how I arrived at the higher end Speed Cobras.
Plus I actually seen that video of Jojo that went viral. He was playing somewhere the same year the pedal came out. Two or three times during the performance the pedal collapsed on him...and he wasn't happy about. Any see that video? I think it got pulled from youtube because it wasn't great marketing for the pedal.
While I got on okay with the high end Tama speed cobra ... I was always interested in the concept behind the Perfect Balance pedal. To some degree or another, I always felt I was fighting modern pedals. But modern pedals were all I knew. I'm in my 30s. So I never tried vintage pedals and didn't know the feel was more balanced. And while I did play a Sonor Giant Step...I'm not sure I ever tried it with the strap that comes with it.
So only recently did I discover the Perfect Balance Standard. It was appealing. I wouldn't have the issues of the signature pedal.
I did find that there wasn't an awful lot of info out there about the standard version despite the fact its actually been out for...a couple of years now?
So I thought I'd put this up just so people can read it if they happen to be thinking about the pedal.
It arrived today. I have to say I'm quite surprised by it so far. I had to buy it online because I'm in the middle of a lockdown. And because my nearest Sonor dealer doesn't keep the pedal in stock. They've only had the signature version in once or twice. But they tend not to stock the Giant Steps either.
But because I had to buy it blind I really didn't know what I was going to get. While its only the first day...my first impression is...this is the pedal I've been looking for. It just felt so natural and effortless under the foot. Its just doing what my foot asks it to do. And some of the foot technique that I've been rusty on...started coming back to me as I got warmed up. I put on some music and started jamming to it...and actually started to feel like a drummer again. I haven't felt that in some time.
Of course, it doesn't perform miracles. But I was playing with an ease I don't I've ever felt. I've had some great pedals in the past like Giant Steps, Speed Cobras, Axis, Trick, DW and there's probably a few I'm forgetting. Is this the best? It's certainly made the best first impression.
I now know that I prefer a round cam and strap drive. And I think its safe to say this is the only pedal I'll be using going forward. And...I think it's Sonor's best pedal.
Of course, it might not suit everyone. If you like a real heavy pedal. This probably won't be for you.
I feel this can be a powerful pedal. I really haven't touched the settings. The spring came with no tension on it - short of falling off. Guess they done that because they figure every player will just set that to what they want anyway. So I just turned it a couple of times so there was a tiny bit of tension on it. Just to start from...and it worked for me. So I don't plan to touch it.
I never really liked using tension to get the pedal to do the work for you. I don't like the resistance you have to fight.
So right now I'm real happy with how it worked out. I did hear talk of a double version that they've been working on. But that was being talked about since the signature version was released. Its yet to see the light of day. Hope they do come out with a double version of the standard...otherwise they're giving me an excuse to spend extra money on a second bass drum
Hopefully I'll be picking up another Sonor kit very soon.
It'd be great if they came out with a hihat with the same footplate. It's a bit larger and very smooth.
If you're considering the pedal and have questions let me know and I'll help if I can.
Also, if anyone wants a good deal on the Tama SC 310 single pedal just let me know. It's brand new. Happy to let it go cheap. I'm in Europe.
Cheers.
I've been gone from the forum for many years. I've actually been away from playing drums for years. 2020 gave me the chance to get back into it. So I pulled out my old e-kit and started playing again.
I got a Tama Speed Cobra 310 single pedal to practise with. I had played the higher end speed cobras. The one thing that has really suffered from not play is the foot technique. I wanted to get that going. But I just wasn't getting on with the more affordable speed cobra. Not really sure why.
Anyway, only having a short while I decided to look around for something else that might suit me better. Despite the fact that I'm a big Sonor guy it had totally slipped past me that they had released a Standard version of Jojo Mayer's signature pedal. I had an interest in the pedal when it first came out, but had heard about all the problems people were having. Thats how I arrived at the higher end Speed Cobras.
Plus I actually seen that video of Jojo that went viral. He was playing somewhere the same year the pedal came out. Two or three times during the performance the pedal collapsed on him...and he wasn't happy about. Any see that video? I think it got pulled from youtube because it wasn't great marketing for the pedal.
While I got on okay with the high end Tama speed cobra ... I was always interested in the concept behind the Perfect Balance pedal. To some degree or another, I always felt I was fighting modern pedals. But modern pedals were all I knew. I'm in my 30s. So I never tried vintage pedals and didn't know the feel was more balanced. And while I did play a Sonor Giant Step...I'm not sure I ever tried it with the strap that comes with it.
So only recently did I discover the Perfect Balance Standard. It was appealing. I wouldn't have the issues of the signature pedal.
I did find that there wasn't an awful lot of info out there about the standard version despite the fact its actually been out for...a couple of years now?
So I thought I'd put this up just so people can read it if they happen to be thinking about the pedal.
It arrived today. I have to say I'm quite surprised by it so far. I had to buy it online because I'm in the middle of a lockdown. And because my nearest Sonor dealer doesn't keep the pedal in stock. They've only had the signature version in once or twice. But they tend not to stock the Giant Steps either.
But because I had to buy it blind I really didn't know what I was going to get. While its only the first day...my first impression is...this is the pedal I've been looking for. It just felt so natural and effortless under the foot. Its just doing what my foot asks it to do. And some of the foot technique that I've been rusty on...started coming back to me as I got warmed up. I put on some music and started jamming to it...and actually started to feel like a drummer again. I haven't felt that in some time.
Of course, it doesn't perform miracles. But I was playing with an ease I don't I've ever felt. I've had some great pedals in the past like Giant Steps, Speed Cobras, Axis, Trick, DW and there's probably a few I'm forgetting. Is this the best? It's certainly made the best first impression.
I now know that I prefer a round cam and strap drive. And I think its safe to say this is the only pedal I'll be using going forward. And...I think it's Sonor's best pedal.
Of course, it might not suit everyone. If you like a real heavy pedal. This probably won't be for you.
I feel this can be a powerful pedal. I really haven't touched the settings. The spring came with no tension on it - short of falling off. Guess they done that because they figure every player will just set that to what they want anyway. So I just turned it a couple of times so there was a tiny bit of tension on it. Just to start from...and it worked for me. So I don't plan to touch it.
I never really liked using tension to get the pedal to do the work for you. I don't like the resistance you have to fight.
So right now I'm real happy with how it worked out. I did hear talk of a double version that they've been working on. But that was being talked about since the signature version was released. Its yet to see the light of day. Hope they do come out with a double version of the standard...otherwise they're giving me an excuse to spend extra money on a second bass drum
Hopefully I'll be picking up another Sonor kit very soon.
It'd be great if they came out with a hihat with the same footplate. It's a bit larger and very smooth.
If you're considering the pedal and have questions let me know and I'll help if I can.
Also, if anyone wants a good deal on the Tama SC 310 single pedal just let me know. It's brand new. Happy to let it go cheap. I'm in Europe.
Cheers.
