Dr. Pedal?

[peter c]

Well, I can't say I can
remedy everything but I
have helped a lot of guys
work their pedals, make
adjustments etc. and im-
prove on the pedals that
they have, without hav-
ing to go out and buy
new ones.

I am pretty familiar with
most pedals. If you are
having problems, post and
I will try and help you
out the best that I can.

[img]smile.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ November 21, 2003 06:42 PM: Message edited by: peter c ]</font>

[ladanny]

Peter,

Maybe you can help me with this one: I grew up playing on a Ludwig Ghost with great luck. The feel is just great. For fear of breaking it and not being able to find anything, I got a DW5000AH single with double chain, weights, accel, etc. Well, it feels SOOO heavy and slow compared to the Ghost.

Four main differences:
1. Ghost has a spring PULLING forward too.
2. Ghost is a solid foot board.
3. The beater weights are VERY different.
4. Ghost is direct link, not chain.

I use an old Danmar red wood beater on the Ghost.

Any suggestions on getting the DW to feel more like the Ghost?

I also have a new Yamaha Flying dragon direct drive, and it feels really good to me.

Danny

[Randy walker]

the weights and double chain are the problem straight off. That's why the direct drive Yamaha feels much better. You could try a nylon drive pedal and get close to the same feel too.

[peter c]

Maybe you can help me with this one: I grew up playing on a Ludwig Ghost with great luck. The feel is just great. For fear of breaking it and not being able to find anything, I got a DW5000AH single with double chain, weights, accel, etc. Well, it feels SOOO heavy and slow compared to the Ghost.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The Ghost Pedal was a classic, longboard design. The problem and I think you touched on it is that it's a part of history and well... a ghost from the past. Realize that only a longboard, with direct-drive, can give you that same kind of response. It's subtle but what is helping your action on the Ghost is that your heel is helping to trigger the back-pedal, allowing the beater to come back faster. I have an Axis-A Longboard, which is heaven and this is why. You are not going to duplicate that unless you get an Axis-A Longboard. I suggest buying a used one on the market for parts but more so that you can open her up and understand her workings, without feeling like you are at risk. You want to know your pedal inside-out.

Four main differences:

1. Ghost has a spring PULLING forward too.
2. Ghost is a solid foot board.
3. The beater weights are VERY different.
4. Ghost is direct link, not chain.

I use an old Danmar red wood beater on the Ghost.

Any suggestions on getting the DW to feel more like the Ghost?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thank you, Randy! I think he is onto the solution, possibly. Try his suggestion and you should get, at least, a partial result but if not the total, loosen the spring tension all the way and try a different beater and we'll take it from there. The beater can make a big difference, along with the double-chain, which Randy hit on, right away. There's only so much we can due with that, though it is theoretically possible to remove the chain entirely, replacing it with a kevlar strap. Hmm... That might be an idea but let's start with the basics. Again, that's a fine pedal, with a special, classic, small cam-design, which allows for a good combination response and power. It is analagous to the Blue Cam in the Eliminator series from Pearl. We should be able to make that thing go, with some work.

I also have a new Yamaha Flying dragon direct drive, and it feels really good to me.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Well, there, you have the state of the art. Direct-Drive is the wave of the future. I, myself, feel that these are the best designs in pedals today, Axis, DW9K and the Yamaha FD's. Remember that only Axis has the longboard design and from what you have said, this has become something of a factor for you - like me.

[img]wink.gif[/img]

Keep us up on this. There's more that we can do if we don't score on these.

Before I forget, let me know if you play heel-up or heel down and if heel-up, tell me what the ball of your feet are on the footboard.

[img]cool.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ November 22, 2003 12:26 AM: Message edited by: peter c ]</font>

[ladanny]

Thank you Peter and Randy.

I tried the Axis longboard, but it didn't feel natural to me. When I got the Yamaha, I compared it with a DW 5000 strap turbo model. The Yamaha and DW both felt GREAT. The difference that I found is that withe the DW, I played better heal up. With the Yamaha, I played better heal down. I got the Yamaha because I tend to play heal down more often than not, including fast doubles. As you pointed out Peter, the long board of the Ghost helps with the return action from the heal, and that's the only thing missing with the Yamaha. However, I feel VERY comfortable with the Yamaha now. I was just trying to see if there was a way to "save" the DW that's sitting all alone. Maybe I'll pull out an extra kick drum and play around with double kick! [img]wink.gif[/img] That could be a hoot!

I did try switching the beater on the DW, but it just made the action feel strange. Can I really change the double chain to a strap? Never thought of asking DW. I live about 20 minutes away from them. Maybe they'll sell/give me the parts?

Suggestions?

[peter c]

Interesting that your Longboard experience was not favorable. Tell me, was it the Axis-A, with the VDL (Variable Drive Lever) that you tried? I'd be interested.

This is a key option on this pedal, allowing the angle of the drop to be change, which changes the action drastically, which Pearl circumvented (patent), using the cam idea.

I would contact DW about the pedal and the issues that you have brought up. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain in calling them.

I'm not surprised that you liked the DW5K, heel-up. Tell me, did you lower the ball of your foot
on the footboard, when you tried using it?

I am a heel-down player that is moving towards heel-up. I have found that there are basically
two issues that concern me. The first is angle at which the strap, lever or chain pulls the beater down and the footboard.

Being heel-down, I have developed a heel movement that helps push and pull the beater. This is best utilized with the Longboard.

The only other suggestion would be investigating the VRUK.

Let's take it all, step by step.

1. Remove the weights.
2. Try a lighter beater.
3. Loosen spring tension.
4. Adjust the distance of the
beater more towards the head.
5. Call DW.
6. Change spring.

Let's see what happens.

[img]cool.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ November 22, 2003 02:59 AM: Message edited by: peter c ]</font>

[alexsanguinetti]

To Iadanny the "Ghostman",
I'm going to suggest something very sophisticated (hahaha):

If you like so much the Ghost why don't you get another one?

I mean, probably if you sell DW you can even buy two!

This doesn't mean I might not agree with some of the good suggestions of the other guys but if I love Pepsi why try to buy a Coca-Cola and see what I can add to it to make the taste like Pepsi?

Just look in the internet for another one! USA must be full of Ghost looking for an owner. Best luck!

Warm regards,
Alex Sanguinetti

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ November 22, 2003 08:25 AM: Message edited by: Alex Sanguinetti ]</font>

[FlamTriplet]

Axis A Longboard. One of the greatest pedals ever made. And with the Ekit trigger system, it's unbeatable.

[ladanny]

Hi Alex,

I thought of that very high tech solution too! hahaha

My fear is that some day, I WILL have a hard time finding a used Ghost, so I thought it would be better to put a proactive plan together and find something "modern"

Peter, unfortunately, I don't remember if the Axis had the option you are talking about.

I will contact DW to see if I can swap out the double chain and sprocket for a nylon strap version. When I tested the DW, I did try playing heal down as well. Basically, I could play heal down for "normal" beats, but if I wanted to do anything fast, I HAD TO play heal up. When I tried to play fast heal down, my foot could not keep up. With the Yamaha, I really HAVE TO play heal down. The design and action of the pedal does not work well for heal up at all. I think the sliding into the pedal might work, but I don't use that technique.

Again, I will keep you posted on what happens with DW.

Also, never tried the VRUK thing....

Danny

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ November 22, 2003 11:14 AM: Message edited by: ladanny ]</font>

[Randy walker]

You should be able to change the chain to a strap, you will have to change the cam also. At least I think the cam has to be changed, DW can tell you, but all of their pedals can be upgraded and or changed.