Customer Reviews

Ludwig Speed King Single Bass Drum Pedal

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Old school drummers like me grew up playing with this pedal and loving it. This new edition is simply an updated version of a superior design that addresses its well-documented squeakiness. There just simply is no comparison to the inferior strap and chain drive pedals that dominate today's market.

The Ludwig speedking Bass Drum pedal I first purchased in 1967. It is anultra strong and super fast pedal. Just as well built today. As they were in 1967. The dual springs are incased in the foot pedal and the direct pull pedal clamp is a smooth as butter. This is why when I came back into drumming in 1972 and again in 2007? I have always owned Speedking By Ludwig. This drum pedal is world reknown. And has more than reaned it's place in the drummers hall of fame. Fast, Responisive and quiet. Dual berrings and cast steel frame. Well worth the price and the Name "Ludwig"

I use a Yamaha Flying Dragon (Direct Drive) set of twins for my two bass drums with that kit. But on my Ludwig Bonham Amber Vistalite I use the Speed King. I also have a 70's original Speed king in my Living room china Cabinet. Basically there is not much difference between the two. Same weight and action. I like a direct drive pedal as opposed to chain(Cams) or straps. On my Ludwig kit I find myself backing my foot off the pedal and droping it down and mainly working it with the ball of my foot for the fast response. So far is has held up fine, but if it breaks I will probably want another one because for the single bass action I really enjoy it! The Yamaha pedals like much of todays modern pedals are heavier and are a kind of different thing I think. On my 24" Maple kicks I would use those actually. But for the felt beater and a 26X14" kick the speed king is a groove!

I'll second that reveiw, sure it's an old design and it squeaks like a rusty door hinge, check it out on "Since I've Been Lovin' You" on Zepplin III by Zepplin, the squeak that is, and you can clearly hear it. But there is nothing, nothing that feels quite like it on this planet anyways. Every other pedal comes up short, my Speed King and I are best friends. Hook it up to your bass drum and give it a good hard kick and you'll know you've got something by the tail. Those twin compression springs start humming and god is in his heaven and the world is alright again, I wish everything was this easy.

First off, I gave this 4 stars because I haven't played this particular pedal. I used to play an original Speed King (wish I still had it!)and there's a reason it's called a SPEED King. Easy to play, easy to do quick "skips",(like a double bass) and easy on the shins! I LOVE Speed King pedals, and there are a lot of other drummers that swear by them. There's nothing fancy about them, they're just GREAT pedals..the best in my opinion, and I've played quite a few. I used to almost CHERISH that pedal! You could switch drum types etc, but the pedal STAYS! For what it's worth...excellent pedal and I highly recommend Speed King!

When I bought my Ludwig kit from a great shop in Birmingham UK, they threw in a brand new Ludwig speed king FOC. Great I thought, I have a pedal that all the top drummers have played. Unfortunately, as soon as I starting playing it I became very dissatisfied. I can't fault the power that this pedal brings to the gig. It's load and that's it. I found the Ludwig pedal awkward to play. I play heel down and finding the heel section pivots around the centre of the heel was odd and difficult to get used to. The beater also hit me on the shin a few times. The engineering design of this pedal is based on a Trebuchet. But I thought I'll adapt to that. But sadly I did not have time to. A couple of times the connector strap between the pedal and the cam kept coming off during a gig and for the first and only time in my life the beater flew off during another gig. I fixed that with a tighter twist of the retaining screw but after a couple more gigs the thread in the sintered (cheap alloy) cam stripped. I had to get a pedal quickly and was a bit strapped for cash so I bought a £60 pedal with plastic cam and single chain. I found it more reliable and faster. For me the Speed King is walk down memory lane where it should be left.

I'll give it an "okay" for now. I've been playing a Pearl pedal (Powershifter I think)(chain drive) for over 12 years and this Ludwig pedal will take some getting use to. One thing for sure, if you try to mount it to a Roland KD120, the linkage and the hoop touch, so you really have to back the pedal off until it is barely hanging on. These pedals were probably designed with a real kick drum in mind anyway. I tried to do heal-toe doubles and it didn't seem responsive to that idea. I then analyzed the problem and attributed most of that issue to my dense carpet; I'll probably try it out again on a firm surface. The attack angle on this pedal is not adjustable, which doesn't seem to be a huge problem since I'm always applying some ammount of forward pressure anyway. So far, I would say this pedal would be a pretty good fit for beginners and intermediates. For those with a great amount of control, it might be worth trying out the more expensive line of direct drive pedals. I'll probably offload this one onto my Roland KD 8 and use it for effects (cowbell).

I don't play drums that much when I first received the pedal I wasn't to happy with it. It felt like my stock Pearl pedal. I have felt cheaper pedals feel and respond better then this one. But I have see other better drummers on my set just kill with this pedal.

but a two edged sword.

Has a tendency to hit you on the back stroke on the shin.

I wish they would bring back the Ghost.

I am so disappointed with the Speed King!! My first pedal was a Speed King and I loved it!!! So when I saw there was a new Speed King I got it, boy what a mistake! Don't waste your money with the new version, save your pennies and find an original, it will be well worth the investment.