Just want to share my little project . . . still a work in progress but already functional.
I recently got an old Ludwig Drum Pedal. This is just a standard double-chain single bass pedal.
First, I disassembled all the parts.
Eto yung mga ginawa kong modifications:
1. REPLACE BEARINGS:ORIGINAL BEARINGBrand Unknown but with markings 608v ABEC-3 . . . Japan
Nung tinanggal ko yung bearing shield . . . its filled with thick grease . . . kaya naman pala malagkit nung iniikot ko. Ayaw nga mag free-spin kahit isang revolution lang. Nilinis ko using kerosene tapos ginamit ko 3 in 1 oil as lubricant. Laki ng difference sa feel. Naging very smooth and was able to free-spin for several revolutions.
REPLACEMENT BEARING. Bones Reds Skateboard Bearings . . . China
AFAIK this is the widely used bearing in the skateboarding world. Its cheap and its fast. FWIW mentioning . . . this bearing when installed in a skateboard wheel was able to free spin for 4 minutes. So kung smoothness lang din ang pag-uusapan . . . it's smooth more than enough for a drum pedal.
JUST FOR COMPARISON . . . Original Bones Reds The big difference is the bearing ball retainers/cage.
- Yung original uses steel-cage retainers while the Reds uses nylon retainers.
- Steel retainer is heavier and totally enclosed sa bearing balls therefore more contact equals more friction equals more resistance.
- Nylon retainer is lighter and holds the bearing balls with less contact therefore less friction equals less resistance.
CONCLUSION: Mas smooth and fluid ang movement ng Bones Reds compared sa original bearing. Noticeable ang difference nila but do take note that Im using my hand to feel the bearing rotation smoothness. Pero honestly kung paa na ang gagamitin to compare them . . . baka I can hardly tell the difference.
But nevertheless, smoother bearing means less muscle stress in the long run so I'm using the Bones Reds Skateboard Bearings. 2. REPLACE BEATER HOLDERI assumed pareho lang ang diameter ng mga hex-shaped pedal shaft so I used the Vari-Pitch Beater Holder for TAMA Speed/Iron Cobra Pedals. This will give the pedal the ability to adjust the beater angle independent sa footboard angle.
3. REPLACE PEDAL SPRINGI used the High Tension Pedal Spring for DW9000 pedals. It is equipped with internal noise damper.
4. OPTIONAL BELT/STRAP DRIVE I also made an optional belt drive using dog collar strap. Gamit ko heated nails to make the holes and eventually seal them to prevent stripping. Saktong sakto ang width sa cam sprocket and is resistant to stretching.
I also provided an extra hole for optional adjustment sa footboard angle. Then luckily may nahanap akong eyelet for added durability.
5. REPLACE SPRING ARM/HOLDER (. . . STILL IN PROGRESS)
Im planning to install the QUICK TORQUE CAM as soon as the budget arrives (kaya help me to sell mga items ko . . . hehe!)
All reviews on this product states an improvement in the response and over-all performance of most pedals. Not so much for the already high-end pedals but a noticeable improvement on standard pedals. YMMV
6. UPGRADE PEDAL MOUNTING WIRE FRAME TO PEDAL MOUNTING BASE PLATE ( . . . STILL IN PROGRESS)
As soon as makakita ako ng material to make the base plate para mas maging stable yung pedal. Then I will install the footboard farther away (about half an inch more), from the cam/beater assembly. This way it will mimic TAMA Speed Cobra's "Recessed Setting" feature. And lastly, I spray painted the pedal frame with silver color for a different look.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
From being a Standard Single Bass Pedal . . . now equipped with upgraded features.
- Skateboard Bearings
- Independent Beater Angle Adjustment
- High Tension Spring with noise damper
- Optional Belt Drive
- Quick Torque Cam (not applicable yet)
- Pedal Base Plate with Recessed Setting (not applicable yet)Chain Drive
Belt DriveBeen using the pedal for the past weeks and still trying to get that sweet-spot adjustment. But between the chain drive and strap drive . . . I like the feel of the strap drive better. Mas magaan and less stress sa paa (but that's just me).
I wonder what the pedal would feel after installing the Quick Torque Cam and with the Recessed Setting feature
(kaya bilhin nyo na items ko . . . hehe).