The Boa-Pedal (Gatzen Pedal)

Subject: The Boa-Pedal (Gatzen Pedal) Fri Jan 04, 2008 6:54 pm

THIS THREAD, SPANS THE TIME FROM 2005
TO 2008.

READ ON FOR THE SOME OF THE HISTORY.

_____________________________________

I have the pedal and have been working
with it for the last few days (2005).

Here are some notes and photos:

(This shows the Philips screws that adjust clamp
for the rim, which I had a problem with, as you
recall, when I first encountered the pedal, in
San Diego.)

(This shows the base of the flex footboard. You
can see the two Allen screws that are concerned.)

(This shows the key in the screws)

(This shows the first cam adjustment, up top.
It's a split cam adjustment. That is the first half.
You put the key in there and loosen it, and you
will notice the gears, which adjust the beater
arc, also affecting the tension. The teeth are
very fine.)

(This is the other half of the cam. Though only
about a half inch adjustable, this makes a world
of a difference in the feel of the storke.)

(Here I am, adjusting it with the key.)

(Here, I am adjusting the top half.)

(This is the screw, at the tip of the footboard,
toward the head, whick allows the board to
be pushed in towards the head, changing the
action. You'd be surprise at how much.)

(This shows me adjusting it and revealing the
teeth (gear) I mentioned before, on the top
half. This is really an ingenious idea.)

(There's another closeup, showing the teeth.)

(Here's a view showing a different setting and
from that angle. You get an idea of the beater-
pulldown lever.)

(There's a picture of the beater. Pretty cool.)

(This picture shows you the angle of the pull-
down, which is very much how the Axis does
it's pulling. It gives you maximum pullback.)

(This shows the clamp [pretty standard], which
works perfectly.)

This should give you an idea.

Posts: 1962 Join date: 2008-01-05

Admin (Pete) wrote:

I should let you know that I wrote
Bob Gatzen and when I reminded
him of this frustration I have endured,
dealing with DW on the pedal, he cont-
acted people and they are sending me
the parts concerned but I did not stop
there. I detailed a 900 word report on
every aspect of the pedal, with sol-
utions for the problems. I was posit-
ive on the positive and negative on
the negative and most importantly,
why. So, this chapter comes to a
half-close and I will let you know of
further developments in the future.

That's the way to do it, Pete, I've always believed that if you present a problem, at least try to have some sort of solution for that problem waiting in the wing. I definately believe you are going about it the right way. Idea

Don.

Posts: 1962 Join date: 2008-01-05

Btw, Pete,

You been practicing knife catching, or did you just go postal on somebady? What's up wit all the bandaids on the fingers, playah? confused

Subject: Re: The Boa-Pedal (Gatzen Pedal) Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:36 pm

Those photos were back in 2005.
I was playing bigger sticks and
busting up my hands. I have since
lightened up a tad.

afro

_________________
Pete

To the father of us, all - Billy Cobham!

Posts: 1962 Join date: 2008-01-05

Admin (Pete) wrote:

Those photos were back in 2005.
I was playing bigger sticks and
busting up my hands. I have since
lightened up a tad.

afro

Dang, dude!!! Shocked

Subject: Re: The Boa-Pedal (Gatzen Pedal) Mon Feb 04, 2008 9:25 pm

They have had pictures. Jon
Dewey was the last guy I spoke
to, over there.

Here's one for you all to see.

http://img410.imageshack.us/my.php?image=142010dj7.jpg

If it breaks and you hear it rub against
itself, the way to get through it is by
making sure the break is more sep-
arated. It will happen near the bottom,
by the holes and where the tension is
the loosest.

You will also note the finish on the
cover-plate coming off. Inevitable.

_________________
Pete

To the father of us, all - Billy Cobham!

Subject: Re: The Boa-Pedal (Gatzen Pedal) Mon Feb 04, 2008 9:28 pm

Well, I sent them 900 words on
the pedal, its issues and I even
included all the solutions.

It will accompany the broken foot-
plate and Hold-Down Plate.

_________________
Pete

To the father of us, all - Billy Cobham!

Subject: Re: The Boa-Pedal (Gatzen Pedal) Mon Feb 04, 2008 9:32 pm

I just wanted to update you guys
in the DW fiasco. Unreal. I know.

DO NOT BUY THIS PEDAL UNTIL
I TELL YOU IT'S SAFE.

_________________
Pete

To the father of us, all - Billy Cobham!

Subject: Re: The Boa-Pedal (Gatzen Pedal) Mon Feb 04, 2008 10:20 pm

Thanks Pete... I'm not in the market now for another pedal, though I should be.

Too many other things going on in a positive way, I think.

Yet I wanted to thank you for your analysis and candor!

You Are The Man!

Cool

Posts: 1962 Join date: 2008-01-05

I gotta tell you, Pete. The fact that they put this pedal under the Pacific banner was a BIG RED FLAG for me. I remember mentioning this to you some time ago shortly after you purchased and received this pedal. All of DW's top pro pedals among their other high end gear goes under the DW banner while their lesser gear is placed under the Pacific banner. Truthfully, Pete I'm a bit surprised that you didn't find this move to be a bit suspect.

As far as I'm concerned, they can keep that thing. Way too many other good pedals out there to be going through all that trouble for something they put in their novice lineup.

Don.

Subject: Re: The Boa-Pedal (Gatzen Pedal) Tue Feb 05, 2008 9:29 am

It was a sign, Don, even
way back, in 2003, when
I was given information
about it, including the
pricing etc.

I have hope that they
will wake up about it. I
told them exactly what
to do to fix. They have
to decide to do it. Word
has spread fast.

It really is a great design
that just needs a fix.

_________________
Pete

To the father of us, all - Billy Cobham!

Subject: Re: The Boa-Pedal (Gatzen Pedal) Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:50 pm

If and when they do fix it Pete, you should be given credit in the design patent not to mention a lifetime supply of these pedals [providing of course you still want to use them]. I'm amazed at the patience you've shown them and the money invested in postage mailing stuff to them. I've never used their products, but your experiences have definitely made me never want to either. Good luck ! Peace, TED

Posts: 83 Join date: 2008-01-05 Location: Valencia, Spain

Hi, Pete, very interesting all your bass drum threads.

I'm not much into bass drum pedals, t'hough through the week (any) I always play a number of them (10 different at least).

At the end of the 80's when I chose the Camco over the DW, being the main reason is much softer (spring) and lighter which is what I need for my playing. Before that I used tons of others like I'm sure most of you (at least 30 I would say, some I like some I didn't but can remember any longer how they feel, 'though I remember a CAF, copy of the Rogers Swiv-o-matic, that I like).

Vintage Argy Bass Drum Pedals (circa 1972)

But, since then, I had use for gigs only the Camco THE LAST 20 years, without even adjusting it once (it's always in the minimun tension).

I play with the foot a few centimeters out of the foot board, mostly flat footed.

I do have other two, a Speed King, as a substitute just in case I have a problem with mine (never did-never used it yet) and a very cheap chinese modificated WHICH IS MY FAVORITE (you will laugh when you see the photo). It's unbeatible in the department light, I play many hours a day with this one EVERY DAY.

My favorite pedal

When I say that during the week I play several pedals is because I play at students sets and school sets.

Anyway, from these kids pedal one really good, very LIGHT and very powerful and precise is the Basix. Basix is a German company that makes drums in China (as far as I know). Is an entry level kit but everything works excellent.

I have to pick a pedal for a student in these weeks who has a pedal that does not work properly, is so hard the kid has to jump (never mind adjustment, I tried it all) or avoids playing it. It's a Pearl that comes with a relative new Export (5 years). I must say I also played another set like this with the same pedal and IN THIS OCCASION the pedal was great. I will keep you updated!

Of course, always talking about CHEAP pedals that work good for me.

Best regards,

Posts: 1962 Join date: 2008-01-05

Great design? Maybe so... Unfortunately,cheaply manufactured parts and poor quality control can and will quickly kick a great design to the curb. This pedal was designed in such a way to cut cost to the consumer. The problem with that is they first cut cost to themselves by cutting corners. The consumer will always wind up swallowing that in the end.

Sorry for all your troubles, bro.... "I feel your pain." Sad

Don.

Subject: Re: The Boa-Pedal (Gatzen Pedal) Tue Feb 05, 2008 9:57 pm

Alex,

Cool direct-drive pedal. Very!!
Can you do me a favor and take
a picture, from the side, with the
pedal depressed and the beater
vertical, Alex? I would appreciate
a look at that old baby!

Don,

Well, it sucks. It's true. Sometimes,
big companies are the ones that take
an individual's idea and bastardize it
to the point, where it's totally differ-
ent than what it started out as.

I am not sure how this one falls.

What I do know is that I played this
thing every way to Sunday and even
while it was broken and I found that
I could do things with it that I could
not, with other pedals. I guess I am
passionate about getting this fix
done because I believe it is almost
there - almost to that point, where
it really does command the respect
that a guy like Bob Gatzen deserves,
for coming up with it.

Design to the production floor always
changes and I think that is what hap-
pened, here. Let's see if they can do
this fix. I have heard nothing from DW
or Bob. They are probably pissed that
I am so adamant. When they think
about it, though, they'll drink the
coffee - eventually. There is just no
way around it.

I get more questions about pedals,
these days. People want them. At
this 'ridiculous' market price, during
a very inflationary time, there is
only a small window for them to
grab a public before they go back
to more bare-bones thinking about
pedal-needs and of course, their
abilities for their pocketbooks to
withstand these costs, in a time
of increasing competition in the
industry. Things are changing.

At $200, you better deliver.

All it takes is .5 or 1mm more. I
mean - c'mon. It is a no-brainer.
Let's see if they wake up. Just
replace the boards with new ones.
It is easy to do. It just takes a
commitment from Bob and his
backers to think about us for
a change and I don't mean the
change in THEIR pockets.

_________________
Pete

To the father of us, all - Billy Cobham!

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The Boa-Pedal (Gatzen Pedal)

The Boa-Pedal (Gatzen Pedal)

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