My big secret to double bass is actually the magical read carpet!
I’ve been using Axis A longboards pretty much exclusively for almost seven years now. I’m not saying this is a permanent switch, but I’m giving Pearl Eliminators a try and trust me, this could be serious (who talks this way about drum gear – well, us drummers).
When I first got my A longboards, there was definitely a hype around them. I was so excited to get them you wouldn’t even believe. My first reaction was pretty much “This is it? Okay…” After a while I started getting the hang of them and eventually I definitely found a connection – this was probably around 2007. I’ve always liked them, but I’ve also seen their flaws.
I had my first real problem during spring 2007 (if you don’t want to count the E-kits I originally bought but that never worked and I never got replacements despite of several promises) when the heel block on my left pedal started giving in. My friends at SMI gave me longboard upgrade kit and everything was fine again. Until towards the end of 2009 when the same problem came back and again on the left pedal! During the spring I’ve tried to see what my options are. There are no spare parts in Finland and I really don’t have time to wait for shipment from the US with all the shows I’ve got coming up.
I just had a week and a half off from drumming and when I finally got back behind the kit I had three days before the next show. I checked the status of my left pedal and it was even worse than I thought it was. I have a bunch of really important and big shows this summer and I do not want to have my pedal break during line-check, 30 minutes before one of the most important shows this year. So I decided to give Eliminators a quick try.
I originally bought them a couple of years back when I needed an extra pedal for a ribbon crasher and figured I’d get a pair in case I ever wanna play something slower where I need the power. I’ve played around with them every now and then and I’ve always liked the feel. Three days ago I put them on and they just felt right from the first second. Yes, they are a little bit heavier so maintaining fast double bass for longer periods of time is harder. (Then again, that’s why you should practice.) The speed is definitely there. I could hit 220 with them right away. And the power I’m getting is something I don’t even believe is possible with Axis.
I’ve played on them for three days now and the big test is tomorrow when Sotajumala has a show in Tampere. I could go either way, but until I get a new heel block for my Axis, I’m “stuck with” Eliminators. Eventually I might go back to Axis if I feel the heaviness is too much once/if I start reaching 230 and beyond. For now, I can play everything with Eliminators I could with Axis. It’s a little bit harder, but I also get a lot more power.
I do have Demon Drives too, but I just haven’t been able to find the right settings. I know they’re smooth and fast, but for me, I just haven’t found the winning combo yet. With Eliminators everything just feels right straight away. I feel there are some design flaws in Axis and I feel like it causes me worries every now and then. Plus spares are really hard to get in Europe. With Pearl, I can get pretty much any part anywhere. And when I can switch from chain to belt in less than a minute and it just works I have to wonder why do I even consider alternatives?
I’ll leave you with a final thought. After seven years on Axis I could jump on Eliminators just like that, hitting the same speeds as before and getting more power. After three days on Eliminators I have to say my A longboards felt like complete strangers today. This sums up what I’ve always told people who ask me about my pedals. It doesn’t matter what George Kollias or Derek Roddy use. It’s all about what feels good for you. It’s the drummer that counts, not the pedals.
