The Boa-Pedal (Gatzen Pedal)

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,

OK, I went to a 18 Bass Drum and gripped it to it as well.

Look what I used to depress the pedal !

Remember this pedal is not explosive but reacts really fast, is very sensible.



Best regards!

Alex Sanguinetti

D. Slam wrote: P.S. Hey, Alex are you sure that pedal isn't that old?! I think I see a caveman footprint on that mutha! Seriously though, Alex, if it works for you, that's all that matters.

Dear Don,

I don't know, for me things from the 80's are not what I call old. Since we are both about the same age and we've been playing about the same time (it's possible that you started earlier 'though, I started at 13), like you I've seen how equipment has changed during these years, plus we are aware of how it was also before we started (more or less).

So equipment from the 80's I basically consider modern, or contemporary equipment, imagine from the 90's, hahaha.

What I mean is that the drums from the 80's and 90's they are almost the same as today. In the earliest 70's it was significant different, as it was in the 60's (pretty different from the 70's). The drums during the 50's were not in my opinion too different from the ones in the 60's, but they were in the 40's and ...

I'm not sure if you agree...

In any case, I don't break any equipment, (sticks, skins, pedals, cymbals or anything) so in general I concentrate in light equipment (to play and transport). You wouldn't believe how lite are my cymbals stands, for instance, lighter that the ones made in the 60's (which I own too), I also play very much and hate to carry the drums (no roadie ever of course).

I can put all my drumset, cymbals and hardware in the trunk of a small european regular car. And still is plenty space for other things or instruments - in the trunk, this of course with an 18 Bass Drum, not to count bass drums of smaller sizes.

Now if I would play louder music (or however you prefer to call it), the only change I would need to make, in my opinion, is the size of the bass drum, and a bit the direction of my cymbals. Of my hardware only I should change the bass drum pedal to have more attack.

In any case I'm not against progress at all, in fact I'm always trying new things. I'm glad the companies keep experimenting and bringing new products to the market all the time, some are useful for me and others not. But some of the ones I don't need might be very useful for others and it's all cool for me.

Better to have a lot of choice that just a few.

Have a great day, guys!



Oh, by the way, exactly 30 years back!



Alex Sanguinetti