What Is The Definitive Preference Between DW 5000, Pearl Eliminator or Tama Iron Cobra?

1) Iron Cobra
2) Eliminator
3) DW 5000

I have played an IC for 25 years now, so I have the most experience with it. The Eliminator I've owned for 10 years (pre-Redline model) and don't find myself playing it as much. I tend to go back to the IC the most. The only experience I have with the 5000 has been playing them in a store, or, on others' kits. Of the three, the DW has a significantly heavier feel to me that doesn't work for me. The combination of speed and
throw heft are a good match for me. Maybe l'll get around to playing around with the Eliminator and find it more to my liking.
 
For me:

1) Eliminator
2) DW5000
3) Iron Cobra

I own the Pearl, have previously owned the 5000, and have played the IC twice on others' kits.

I love the Pearl for it's flexibility and smoothness. I almost exclusively use the big white round cam.

I had a DW5000 and it was fine. There are so many configurations of the DW now that it's impossible to group them all under one heading. The one I had was from years ago - single chain, fairly round cam. If they made another model at the time, I wasn't aware of it.

The IC is an enigma to me. The two I have played were terribly heavy feeling and slooooow. (That actually fits with a cobra, which looks impressive but strikes very slowly compared to other snakes.) That said, I didn't mess with them at all; that's just how the owners had them set up. So I suspect they'd feel just fine if I adjusted them to my liking.

Currently I own the Pearl, a Yamaha direct drive, and a Ludwig Speed Flyer. I put the strap on the Speed Flyer, so I've got three pedals that feel as different as they can from one another. When I first switch from one to the other I feel a difference, but a little while later I can play the same stuff on any of them. The only one that truly feels different after an adjustment period is the Yamaha, but I still make it work the same. 😊
 
Here’s why I ranked the DWs last. Mainly due to their heavy beaters, which I’ve never liked. I simply cannot play fast doubles on any pedal with a heavy beater head, and those DW beaters are VERY heavy. Also, while I play with shoes the vast majority of the time, every now and then I play barefoot. And the 5000’s footboard and heel plate designs make it very uncomfortable to play barefoot. And finally, I just don’t like how they feel. So there.

That said, I’ve never owned one (and I never will). But if I did, who knows, I might grow to at least tolerate them.
 
Stroman said:
For me:

1) Eliminator
2) DW5000
3) Iron Cobra

I own the Pearl, have previously owned the 5000, and have played the IC twice on others' kits.

I love the Pearl for it's flexibility and smoothness. I almost exclusively use the big white round cam.

I had a DW5000 and it was fine. There are so many configurations of the DW now that it's impossible to group them all under one heading. The one I had was from years ago - single chain, fairly round cam. If they made another model at the time, I wasn't aware of it.

The IC is an enigma to me. The two I have played were terribly heavy feeling and slooooow. (That actually fits with a cobra, which looks impressive but strikes very slowly compared to other snakes.) That said, I didn't mess with them at all; that's just how the owners had them set up. So I suspect they'd feel just fine if I adjusted them to my liking.

Currently I own the Pearl, a Yamaha direct drive, and a Ludwig Speed Flyer. I put the strap on the Speed Flyer, so I've got three pedals that feel as different as they can from one another. When I first switch from one to the other I feel a difference, but a little while later I can play the same stuff on any of them. The only one that truly feels different after an adjustment period is the Yamaha, but I still make it work the same. 😊
Click to expand...
Which Yamaha DD? I'm curious and may pick one up online for an extra pedal to have ready for gigs (no drum shops in this country). Recently, I had my Speed Flyer dialed with tight tension, experimenting. Left for Summer, then returned and forgot all about that until a band practice. When I reset the tension medium-low I was stunned at how fluid the pedal was: I was getting the perfect blend of rebound and foot speed without excessive force. I could really feel the beater in space if that makes sense on slowing playing...just kinda curious if that's what a direct drive brings to the table. Control but with speed when needed? I'm probably overthinking this, especially at my skill level. Love my SpeedFlyer though!
 
HumbleSkins said:
Which Yamaha DD? I'm curious and may pick one up online for an extra pedal to have ready for gigs (no drum shops in this country). Recently, I had my Speed Flyer dialed with tight tension, experimenting. Left for Summer, then returned and forgot all about that until a band practice. When I reset the tension medium-low I was stunned at how fluid the pedal was: I was getting the perfect blend of rebound and foot speed without excessive force. I could really feel the beater in space if that makes sense on slowing playing...just kinda curious if that's what a direct drive brings to the table. Control but with speed when needed? I'm probably overthinking this, especially at my skill level. Love my SpeedFlyer though!
Click to expand...
I have the 9500D.
www.altomusic.com

Yamaha FP-9500D Direct Drive Bass Drum Pedal

The FP-9500D is a direct drive single pedal, with a solid cast link between the rocker shaft and the footboard. The direct drive "pushes" the footboard back on rebound, giving the pedal a quicker response, dynamic action and a great sense of speed. This design has been the basis for several of...
www.altomusic.com www.altomusic.com

It is very hard to describe the difference in feel of the pedals. Control w/speed when needed is definitely accurate, but maybe doesn't capture the whole picture. You'll have to get your foot on one to see if it suits you. Can you order from a place that accepts returns of you don't like it?
 
I would be happy with any of the three, but from my uneven experiences with them it would probably be a tie between the Tama and Pearl, and then the DW. This is based on a combination of how they feel underfoot and how much confidence I have in knowing I can dial it in easily.

That being said, I've recently tried out a Tama Classic and like it better than all three. Everyone's different and that pedal just feels easiest to play and adjust for me. Fortunately it's cheap, and I can even make some money back from selling my Pearl & DWs.
 
Stroman said:
I have the 9500D.
www.altomusic.com

Yamaha FP-9500D Direct Drive Bass Drum Pedal

The FP-9500D is a direct drive single pedal, with a solid cast link between the rocker shaft and the footboard. The direct drive "pushes" the footboard back on rebound, giving the pedal a quicker response, dynamic action and a great sense of speed. This design has been the basis for several of...
www.altomusic.com www.altomusic.com

It is very hard to describe the difference in feel of the pedals. Control w/speed when needed is definitely accurate, but maybe doesn't capture the whole picture. You'll have to get your foot on one to see if it suits you. Can you order from a place that accepts returns of you don't like it?
Click to expand...
Thanks! Thomann won't ship Yamaha where I reside. I'll keep looking around!
 
I have an Iron Cobra but the Elimanator seems less bulky. Also in my situation it works well with the Dixson lift on my 20.
 
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