The Boa-Pedal (Gatzen Pedal)

A couple of other interesting things here. Hadn't noticed. Not major, but the two drum keys are a different finish. One is straight chrome, the other sanded/brushed finish.

And the T knobs to tighten the units to the hoops are different. Even though I got these pedals within a week of each other they obviously came from different lots.

I get the feeling if I keep looking I'm going to find other things strange about this puppy.

Asaph wrote:Obviously I like the way the unit works or I would not have gotten a second one. I mentioned I would post a pic (on the other thread) of a problem encountered (among others) in the construction of the pedal relating to the beater rotor and the hole for the beater shaft being off, hence the beater tilts to the right. It seemed more logical to post the pic on this thread about the BOA. I thought it was both pedals, but it's just one:



Owing to camera angle you can see the beater on the right tilts to the right. It's actually an 1/8" out, which is quite a bit for such a short distance.

Cannot tell from this angle as it is
not in line with the cam. The two
pedals are set differently, though.
I can see that right away. The
cam and beater distance is set
at the same time and with the
same mechanism.

Regards,

I guess my carpenter's eye shows it for what it is, which is out. Measured with a micro plumb, it's an 1/8" or more out.

Your observations of the cams is interesting considering both pedals are set to the exact same places at all operating joints. By eye, both beater shafts are set at the same angle. To hold the pedal boards down while I took the shot a metal bar weighing about 20 pounds was placed on them. There is no gap between the boards, nor gaps at the pads. So, what would be off to show one cam higher than the other? Perhaps I mismatched the beater angle by one notch. I'll check and see if that makes a difference. In any event, it isn't about the beater angle north and south, it's east and west that shows the manufacturing defect.

Well, this gets even more interesting. Just for the sake of it, owing to the possibility that my settings are off a 1/32" or something, I set both pedals to factory stop settings. Then I placed the beaters as close to the test board as possible without touching. Two things.

The beaters cannot be made the same angle. One is 5/16" closer to the test board than the other, or vice-versa, 5/16" farther away. That means the teeth are not set the same on each rotor.

Second, the dimension of the beater rotor and the round head of the beater are perpendicular. A level placed against the two shows that. Placing the level against the pedal with the caddywampus drilling shows the hole is so far off it's ridiculous.

Unless I see them straight on,
I can't tell what you are looking
at. The cam settings have to be
the same to tell. Could you make
them the same and take a photo
but dead-straight?

Also, have you located where the
sound you noticed was coming
from? Have an Allen handy? See
if the screws are all tight. They
have Locktite, btw.

Equalize everything including the
board-length and link-receiver
settings, as well as the toe.

There is still hope.

Regards,

Yeah, I'll take a photo of the one pedal that's off with a level up against it and you'll see what I am talking about. Actually, I'll take two. I'll take one looking down so you can see the difference in beater angle, too, but that is not a major thing. My point is, the pedal's manufacturing process obviously has lapses in it, or did.

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This was the easy way to show the beater is off. It's pretty clear in this photo, especially if you just look at the optional screw hole in the beater rotor. You can easily see how the shaft does not pass through its center in straight fashion. Or just look at the axle. It's obvious the beater is not at 90 degrees to it.

Just a quirk. The pedal still plays. It just looks odd looking down at it attached to the bass drum.

Excellent photo, Asaph. I see
exactly what you are talking
about and if you have all the
related tightened and this is
still the case, we really are
talking about something very
elementary and reflective of
poor manufacturing/assembly.

I am sorry about this.

Regards,

Not a major deal. When I use them the off one will be on my left.

Sheesh, you talk as though it's your pedal, Pete. Not your doing. Like Don has stated, red flags when this unit went to market under the Pacific name, not DW. Had to be a logical reason. They gave Gatzen the green light but obviously held back on some things, either to cut down cost or not have anything truly competing with the major lines under the DW name.

Assuming it is made in China or Taiwan ... making drums like I do over the years, and getting lug packs with dirt in them, and you find out the kind of manufacturing situations they operate over there, and getting so many items made in China that are caddywampus in some way, it's just what is produced over there. Quality control is not what it should be. Just the way it is in the global economy.

Still, the pedal is unique, and I'm glad I got them.

I take it to heart because of my regard
for Bob. I do not think it's his doing at
all. In the end DW is responsible for the
enactment of the Gatzen concept. As you
pointed out correctly - it is about quality
control and the company's to circumscribe
the priority at their bottom dollar.

Regards,

They gave Gatzen the green light but obviously held back on some things, either to cut down cost or not have anything truly competing with the major lines under the DW name.

Asaph, The last half of your statement is a keen observation
and is what I've always felt and suspected. Truth is, the
Boa concept is brilliant and had DW thought of it, it would not
have been placed under the "Pacific" brand. And you can bet
that QC would be much better.

It was a unit that DW never really pushed. And I believe that
it's because they really didn't want this thing competing with
and blowing away their 9000 line. It does that anyway but
there aren't enough of them out there now to be a threat...
That, and the poor quality control that DW has allowed to go
unchecked.

I wonder why is that???