By Contributing Author Dango
Choosing a double bass pedal is no small matter–read our comprehensive reviews to find out which is the best fit for your needs.
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In today’s market there are several great options when choosing a bass drum pedal.
Over the past twenty years, it has become very popular to start players on a double pedal at a young age in order to build their coordination.
Regardless of musical tastes, a double pedal can be a great addition to any player’s setup.
Several companies make fantastic pedals these days, and we’ve done the research for you so you can choose a double pedal with confidence.
DW 5000 Series Double Pedal
- Dual-chain Accelerator sprocket
- Tri-pivot toe clamp (U.S. Patent no. 8330032)
- Delta II ball bearing hinge (U.S. Patent no. 5431081)
DW pedals are often the choice of touring pros, regardless of what kind of drums they play.
The DW 5000 series has been around for several years and is a very solid choice for a gigging drummer in any genre.
There are several easy adjustments possible with the beater, the tension, and the angle of this pedal and footboard. Retailing at $450, it’s a very competitive choice.
Summary:
- Solid choice that’s been a favorite of many drummers for decades
- Easy to adjust to your preferences
- Reasonably priced option
Tama Speed Cobra 910 Double Pedal
- Dual Kick Drum Pedal with Iron Cobra Coil
Tama has led the way in metal drumming and as such they have developed the ever-growing Iron Cobra line of pedals.
Their current fastest double pedal, that is still a chain drive, is this Speed Cobra model.
It comes in at a street price of around $450 and will be a little bit lighter and faster feeling than some of our other choices.
Summary:
- Offers both speed and power; fastest option from Tama.
- More lightweight than other double bass pedals.
- Longer footboard provides good leverage and minimizes player effort.
Axis Longboard Double Bass Drum Pedal
Axis pioneered direct drive pedals, which don’t have a chain.
Nowadays DW, Pearl, and Tama have all joined into this elite market for the metal drummers that prefer super fast pedals.
These pedals are very expensive due to their machining process and are harder to find replacement parts for.
The Axis Longboard pedal carries a premium price of around $750 that make them a luxury to most drummers.
Summary:
- Direct drive pedal (no chain).
- Super fast, making them ideal for metal drummers.
- Pricier than other options.
Pearl Eliminator Redline Double Bass Drum Pedal
- Interchangeable Cam System (US.PAT.#6172291)
- 4 Individual Cams
- Belt Drive: Provides a very comfortable, natural feel similar to a direct-drive system.
Pearl pedals have been a mainstay over the last several decades due to their consistency and their accessibility.
The Eliminator Series offers several options of adjustments for the cam, the beater, as well as chain or strap drive.
The Pearl Eliminator Redline can be ordered with a double belt drive or a double chain drive, and is a very solid choice for around $450. Plus, it’s more versatile than its more expensive brother, the Demon Drive.
Summary:
- Model offers extensive adjustment options.
- Moderate price point for such a versatile pedal.
- Both belt and chain drive options are available.
Yamaha Double Bass Drum Pedal
- A premium, professional grade single pedal you expect from Yamaha
- Smooth, single kick drum chain-drive pedal for an effortless fluid motion
- A double chain drive offers reliable and durable operation with uniform action with an optional belt included
Yamaha makes great instruments and especially great drums.
Of the big Asian brands, their pedals are much less popular than Pearl and Tama, but nevertheless solid.
This Yamaha pedal comes in around $650 and has plenty of options, though also more difficult to find replacement parts for.
You’ll find that this pedal feels great as well and lands somewhere between Pearl and DW in smoothness.
Summary:
- Easy to adjust, with three cam positions, a weight-adjustable beater, and independent beater and footboard angle adjustments.
- Case is included.
- Can change out the chain drive for belt drive.
DW 9000 Double Pedal
- EZ Infinite Adjustable Cam
- Floating Swivel Spring
- Delta II Ball Bearing Hinge (U.S. Patent No. 5431081)
After the 5000 pedal was a fan favorite for over a decade, DW outdid themselves with the 9000.
This might just be the one pedal that does it all and has the most options compared to all others on this list.
The adjustment possibilities on the DW 9000 pedal are almost endless, and its $650 price tag is reasonable if you simply want the best.
Summary:
- Infinitely adjustable, making it extremely versatile
- Slightly pricier than some other options, but definitely reasonable for the added flexibility it offers.
- Includes a case.
PDP Concept Direct Drive Double Pedal
- Concept Series XF Direct Drive Cobalt Aluminum Low-Mass Drive
- XF Brushed Aluminum 10.6" Extended Footboards & DW-Designed Linkage/Universal Joint
- DWSM101AIR Beaters (Lightweight Head with Felt/Hi Impact Plastic)
This is the only pedal on the list that isn’t a pro model. It’s sold by DW’s entry level brand, PDP.
This model is a direct drive pedal with no chain, and it’s almost as smooth as the big boys, but for a fraction of the cost.
At around $230, this is a great option for a beginning player who wants a solid double pedal.
Summary:
- Direct drive pedal (no chain).
- Budget-friendly option for beginner drummers.
What is a Double Bass Pedal and Why Do You Need One?
A double bass drum pedal is an extension on a normal kick pedal that allows the player to play much faster and more complex kick patterns.
They became popular in the late 80’s and early 90’s as players dropped the larger kits and wanted a more compact setup.
Initially, double bass pedals became popular in metal music, but have become increasingly common in most styles, including rock, pop, fusion, funk, and even jazz.
Double Bass Pedal Buying Guide: Things to Consider When Choosing The Right Double Bass Drum Pedal for Your Needs
The biggest factors to consider when purchasing a double bass pedal are what the pedal feels like, what type of drumming you do, and what your price range is.
Do you like a pedal super smooth and fast, or heavier with more give?
All of the pedals on our list have adjustment capabilities, but by nature some are faster than others.
Price range plays a part, too–if you’re just starting out with a double pedal, you may want to opt for the more budget-friendly option. If you’re a drumming pro, you may want to invest in a more expensive pedal.
If you aren’t sure what your preference is when it comes to the feel of a pedal, it can be really helpful to try them out at a drum store right next to each other.
Not only that, but I suggest using the same brand of double bass pedal as your hi-hat stand, because the pedals will have a similar feel.
Which Double Bass Pedal Drive Should I Choose?
As mentioned in the individual reviews above, there are three different types of drives available on bass drum pedals.
- Chain Drive – Chain drive is the most popular choice today and most of these models come standard with this type. It’s the most durable and the easiest to replace.
- Belt Drive – Belt drive is historic and comes from the early pedals. Some players have stayed with these types of pedals long after technology progressed, simply because they prefer the feel. Some pedals offer the ability to switch from chain drive to belt drive, giving you more options.
- Direct Drive – Direct drive are the newest pedals that feature all machined metal attachments. These are typically far more expensive than the other drives, but allow for the fastest pedal speed.
Standard vs. Longboard Double KICK Pedal Footboard
Most of the big companies have added different lengths of footboards for their double pedals, offering standard and longboard options.
A longboard typically does not have a heel plate. Instead, the footboard hinges directly to the pedal plate, so it needs to be longer than a standard footboard.
Some players choose a longboard pedal simply due to the size of their feet, as these footboards can better accommodate larger shoe sizes.
Others prefer one or the other based on whether they play heel-toe or heel-up, as the positioning of the ball of the foot on the footboard affects the leverage you’ll get.
Our Top Pick
- EZ Infinite Adjustable Cam
- Floating Swivel Spring
- Delta II Ball Bearing Hinge (U.S. Patent No. 5431081)
We’ve chosen the DW 9000 as the most versatile, best-all-around pedal. It’s also the easiest to find replacement parts for.
You really can’t go wrong with the DW 9000 because it can be set up to feel like almost any other pedal on the market.
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