DW 9000

I will do a better review of this pedal in the next few days but just let me say that the DW 9000 is unbelievable.
I used it the other night for a gig, then the next night used my 5000 strap, let's just say i struggled a tad using the 5000 after playing the night before on the 9000. This pedal is just so smooth and accurate and very stunning looking.
But I should say I was at Guitar Center recently as a judge for the current drum battle and played a direct drive Yamaha and that pedal felt really good too.
Anyway, the 9000 is worth ever penny.

hey randy were you judging at the guitar center in tempe?

No, Scottsdale, I will be there this Tuesday also with my friend Troy Luccetta.

Thanks for the review Randy. I compared the DW5000 strap and the Yamaha Direct Drive and ended up with the Yamaha. I have a double chain DW5000 that feels like mush now compared to the Yamaha. I've only spent a little bit of time with the 9000 and it seems VERY nice. I know the Titanium 9000 is VERY different from the regular 9000. Have you tried the Titanium Randy?

I looked at them at NAMM, but my understanding is they do not make those anymore. They were a limited version.

I've got the Titanium and just love it! It's a lot different from my old 5000, plus the pedal boards have a bit of a flex to them. But, it's the smoothest, quietest pedal I have ever used. I'd like to get another one (but I don't have another $600 laying around!). I saw the 9000 at a Guitar Center in St. Louis, but didn't get a chance to play it enough to tell a difference between that one and the Titanium. I think they may have had it set up kind of goofy there as well.

I have the 9000 double and also the new 9000 hi hat stand which is by far the smoothest hi hat stand I have ever had. All the 9000 gear seems to be the kind of equipment that you just forget about; like it's not there. Not to mention the convenient, intelligent features that DW always seem to think of for all of their hardware...

STARRDRUM

How does it compare to the Eliminators?

Never played one, but my opinion would be that the 9000 blows everything pon the market right now for accurate and smooth control.

Randy,

How does it compare to the Axis A Longboard?
It is the smoothest pedal I have ever played.
It hardly takes any effort.

Matricks,

As for an Eliminator comparison to these
"direct-drive" mechanisms like Axis and
Yamaha (Flying Dragons) - they are really
very different animals.

I have two Eliminator belts. They are
really fine pedals. Push the shifters
forward and the beater back, with any of
the cams and you will get smooth action.

However, there's nothing quite like the
direct-drive pedals. You may not like them.
Some drummers complain that they're "too
accurate". Not I.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ September 24, 2003 10:54 AM: Message edited by: peter c ]</font>

The 9000 in my book blows the AXIS, the AXIS has no friction in terms of action/reaction. The 9000 is VERY smooth but still retains the friction needed. It's hard to explain, all I can say is try one for yourself and I think you will be pleasently surprised at how this pdeal reacts. At this ppoint after using the 9000, I cannot go back to a 5000, I could feel the work needed to play the strap 5000 verses the lack of work needed to use the 9000.
Now I don't own a direct drive Yamaha but after lightly testing one out could see that this pedal has the same characteristics of the new DW.

Very interesting, Randy.

I think I know what you mean,
when you say the Axis has "no
friction". As to "friction
needed", I take this to be
something relative. In other
words, some drummers don't
like friction. Everyone is
different.

Thanks for the info. I will
have to try one, somehow.

DW has always made thoughtful
hardware. It sounds like they
have done it again.

I will be looking forward to
more information about it
from you.

[img]cool.gif[/img]

Don't get me wrong, the AXIS serves a purpose and for a time I used one and still own a double pedal AXIS. but it's way too smooth and has no reaction to it. The 9000 offers both fluid action, smooth feel and friction buit in a subtle way. More so to not to disturb the feel of the pedal.
I could be talking outside my realm here but I have never played a pedal such as this before, the nylon 5000 ha sbeen my pedal of choice for many years and before that I used a Yamaha nylon. When darryl introduced the AXIS I immedialty scored1, but then realized after about a year that my foot technique had actually weakened because of the AXIS. So when I returned to playing a 5000 it actually took work and practice to go back to playing silly things like doubles, 2 on top and 2 on the kic. I actually had to retrain my foot to play these simply things because of the usage with the AXIS.

Long winded rant over. [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

Randy,

Just the other day, I was on the
phone with Darrell, at Axis. He's
the nicest fellow. We talked about
the design behind his pedals and
especially the Axis-A Longboard.

One of the things we talked about
is player reluctance to change the
original configuration on the Axis'.

For instance, the beater distance
is something that I have changed
and at his suggestion, loosening the
Allen screw, above the spring as-
sembly and rolling the beater back
towards you. At the same time, you
should probably loosen the spring
tension some but you may not have
to, depending. This gives you a
lot more resistance, which I hear
some players complain about.

Another thing is I have added three
of the optional spacers, in order
to lift the footboard higher. This
alone contributed a great deal to
the action on my Axis-A. The pedal
comes at a lower level than most
other pedals.

So you have A's or X's, Randy?

You know, I wasn't kidding him, when
I brought up a longer footboard. He
says that other players have brought
this up and he is actually thinking
about it. Of course, it will be back-
ward compatible, when it comes out.

You can tell I am a longboard fan but
seriously, try these options, Randy
and tell me if they improve your
action at all. If I can help bring
more of the Axis out for you, I
would be glad to help.

[img]cool.gif[/img]

I have the A pedal, which was built in 91. No longboard.

Chances are, then, that you do
not have the VDL (Variable Drive
Lever), which is a real and KEY
innovation on the Axis-A, not
to mention the longboard, which
gives you a broader target range.

If you called or faxed Darrell,
I'm sure that he would be willing
to put together the upgrade for
you, at least giving you the
longboard.

I'm trying to think of whether
you could upgrade to a VDL.

I'll tell you what - I will ask
him for you.

[img]cool.gif[/img]

Hope I could get some more talk about the 9000 pedal since I'm waiting for mine in the mail. Whats the best price you've heard of for one?

With that new pedal coming, I might wait.

If you have not seen it yet:

http://www.creativespecialprojects.com/boa_pedal.html

[img]cool.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ March 12, 2004 06:42 PM: Message edited by: peter c ]</font>

I don't think those pedals are coming out for quite some time.

These are the pedals Randy was talking about, during the NAMM report, based on the bowflex system.

I just got this from DW:

Peter,

Thanks for your interest! The B.O.A. pedals will not be available until 2005. There are no cams on them, they operate on a direct drive system, which is in fact infinitely adjustable. Please feel free to contact us with any other questions!

Best regards,
Andrew Meskin
Drum Workshop, Inc.

I hope the new pedals (when they come out) will be cheaper. I think the 9000 is overpriced. (to me)

I agree the 9000 pedals are a tad over priced for the average Joe to walk into a store and freely pick up.
As to the info from DW, that surprises me for I heard they were going to push the release date due to overwelming response at NAMM.

well.....looks like im getting a DW 9000 double and the 9000 hi hat.

my parents are hopping accross the pond to boston....and they work out ridiculously cheap as the dollar is so strong right now....so i thought sod it. randy spoke so highly of them.....i cant wait!!!

I just ordered a 9000 double pedal and was told it will be about 3 or so months.

What will you pay for that pedal Randy....I paid $420 on ebay. Could of got it from the store for 469 + tax. As you said....very different from the 5000 dbl. Smooth and quiet. I can't see my self needing any thing else. By the way Randy I sent you an emai, about the Alesis SR. I have some questiions

steve

I have not seen any email from you, what are your questions?

I want something to practice along with (with headphones). Somthing that will provide different time sigs as well as a click or vamp etc....what type og gadget might I want?

For those buying 9000 pedals, I guarantee you will get the cheapest price at:


www.roligarciajr.com

His price is lower than anyone else's.

Hmm, depends. So many ways you could go, sequence in a computer? A drum machine, drum machines are a tad limited. The Sr16 can do a few different time signatures as can the Roland R8. The Roland personall Assistant is very handy and the price is very right. A full sequencer AND general midi sound source all in one.

well I think I'm getting some of this. I'm a dummy...so again. If i want to play to a variety of time sigs and/or sequenced music like sambas, swing etc....while using headphones in my basement but possibly want to use the gadget live....the machine for me is???

First off your not a dummy, the problem is that there are many choices and you need to decide what budget you have and what context using the device.
The SR16 can create beat lengths (time sig), so can the Roland PMA5. The nice thing about the Roland is that it runs on both AC power and batteries and is the size of a larger Palm pilot. Portable General midi device sequencer, very programmable. Has a headphone jack. works using a stylus.
Here is one for 76.00 on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=64386

Yes, I saw that one Randy ...and thanks. I'd like to stay under $100. Couple other things. Can you recommend several types of fairly decent headphones. Can the Alesis and the Roland generate different musical styles like a samba, swing etc....to play along with. Incidentally, was your 9000 price significantly different from the 422 I got on ebay?

The Alesis can be programmed to play say swing and or samba, it has quantize features up to I think 32nd notes.

As to the cost of my 9000, I am not at liberty to say what I paid for it, sorry.

headphones, I use Sony and have had good luck with a pair of Optimus (radioshack) headphones too, they cost about 30.00.
The PMA-5 is fully programmable like the SR16, but it also comes with a slew of preprogrammed patterns and the beauty of both of these is that they are midi, what does that mean for you? well, go find some news groups or other forms on the net and you can probably find tons of midi patterns that will run on which ever device you pick.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ March 24, 2004 02:08 PM: Message edited by: Randy Walker ]</font>