When it comes to browsing and choosing drum pedals for your bass drums, there are a few characteristics to look out for.
These are characteristics that should stand out to you so that you can make a decision based on what you need out of your kit.
In this article, we present you with a guide on what is currently available on the market and what makes these pedals a great choice. We also review our favorite bass drum pedals and describe their key features.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Bass Drum Pedals
- OUR TOP PICK: Drum Workshop, Inc. (DWCP3000)
- RUNNER-UP: Percussion Plus 900P
- BEST DIRECT DRIVE BASS DRUM PEDAL: Gibraltar 6711DD 6700 Series
Table of Contents
What is a Bass Drum Pedal Used For?
A bass drum or kick drum pedal is a mechanism that drummers use to allow them more control over their kit. It is a pedal that pulls a small mallet against the largest drum, which is often the centerpiece of the kit.
It effectively allows the drummer to use their feet to play the bass while their hands control the array of smaller drums before them. Two main types of pedals are commonly used -- a single bass drum pedal and a double bass drum pedal. Each offers various perks and different forms of control over the sound you can produce. Each will be better for creating a particular type of music over the other.
The Double Bass Pedal
These pedals are better for music that requires the drummer to have a faster tempo. Often used for rock and metal, these upbeat, faster genres allow the drummer to keep up and set the bassline for the music. It allows more control and, when compared to a single pedal, demands less strain on the drummer for this type of music. This is because you are not only using one leg.
The Single Bass Pedal
These pedals are used for music that has less of a requirement on the bass and has more “groove” to its sound. Jazz, blues, and classic rock drummers often use a single pedal. These genres are less demanding on the drum’s bass to set the flow of the music. Also, they often have a slower tempo when compared to the heavier styles of modern rock and metal.
How to Choose a Bass Drum Pedal
There are a few characteristics to look for when selecting the drum pedal you want. Of course, you must decide whether you want a double pedal or a single pedal. However, you’ll also want to look out for speed, accuracy, comfort, and versatility.
While a good pedal doesn’t make you a good drummer, it will certainly help your performance. It helps to look at the specs and do a little research. Here are a few things to look out for in a drum pedal:
Comfort
Pedals are extensions of your feet, much like your sticks are extensions of your hands. Thus, it is essential for the pedal to be comfortable for you. You’ll want to be able to play these for a long time, repeatedly, without suffering strain of any sort. Don’t mistake your legs adjusting to the sudden use of a pedal as discomfort. Make sure the pedals are a reasonable distance apart. Your legs should be comfortably resting and should be able to easily step and bounce as needed.
Accuracy
This is mostly dependent on the workmanship of the pedal. You’ll want a pedal that responds quickly and hits its target, the bass drum, squarely. The lower-end pedals often have problems in their mechanisms that require you to tighten them repeatedly. This is to make sure they actually respond to your push without delay.
Versatility
This refers to both the skill of the drummer and the performance of the pedal in tandem. A good drummer knows that both single and double pedals work well for different sounds and tempos. Some of the best drum pedals offer you both single and double options, with the added versatility to switch between their use as needed.
Comparison of the Best Bass Drum Pedals
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Review of the Best Bass Drum Pedals
The following are reviews of six of the best bass drum pedals we’ve found. We have ranked them based on different categories to help you with your selection.
Best Overall:
Drum Workshop, Inc. 3000
No products found.
PROS
CONS
Buyer’s Experience
People are incredibly satisfied with the Drum Workshop, Inc. 3000. They find the robustness and performance to be top-notch. However, many people who have bought this product have reported a few problems with delivery. In some isolated instances, some essential pieces for the pedals were missing from the packaging. Otherwise, the overall consensus is that these pedals are top quality and outshine their competitors.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product is a fantastic addition to any drummer’s kit. It is incredibly robust and can withstand any kind of punishment that may come from heavy playing. This makes it great for more upbeat genres, such as metal and rock. It also has a quality of workmanship that allows it to perform well with the slower tempos, too.
Who Will Use This Most
This is the type of drum pedal that is perfect for any kind of drummer. It is an all-around great pedal that serves well for any situation and can help you deliver a bombastic performance. These are robust and made to be able to perform with any kit.
Bottom Line
This is the best overall set of bass drum pedals on our list. This is because the Drum Workshop, Inc. 3000 is not specialized in any way; it is designed to fit any kit and be a robust set that will serve well in any situation. This is why it has earned the number one spot -- because it is the all-around best.
Runner-up:
Percussion Plus 900P
No products found.
PROS
CONS
Buyer’s Experience
Drummers have had an overall great experience with the Percussion Plus 900P. Using them felt smooth, albeit weak. Some complained that the product wasn’t exactly as advertised and that they received a different version of the product. This didn’t affect the performance, it just put some people off, as they received a slightly different product than what they expected.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is a pedal that an experienced drummer will get a lot of mileage from. It comes with many movable parts that allow you to tailor it to your own needs and preferences. It is an excellent runner-up choice. Also, its light weight and cheaper price mean you can always try it out and find a good use for it, especially with adjustments.
Who Will Use This Most
The Percussion Plus 900P is an excellent choice for an experienced drummer who needs a pedal that they can tailor to their needs. Beginners shouldn’t use this, as it will require a bit of fiddling that you can only learn with time.
Bottom Line
This is a solid option for the experienced drummer who knows how to fit and fiddle with a pedal for excellent performance. While there are a few mix-ups that can happen with delivery, overall, it is an excellent pedal to have.
Best Direct Drive Bass Drum Pedal:
Gibraltar 6711DD 6700 Series
No products found.
PROS
CONS
Buyer’s Experience
With an overall positive response, Gibraltar is known for its quality products. This pedal is a perfect example of their promised quality. It gives you a great feel and makes an excellent choice for everyone. Both beginners and experienced drummers will enjoy using it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Gibraltar 6711DD 6700 stands out for its brand name and for the quality associated with the brand name. Gibraltar is incredibly well-known for its hardware, and the specialization in this allows its quality to skyrocket. This is why we recommend this pedal so highly; it is specifically designed to perform excellently with any drum kit.
Who Will Use This Most
For drummers who don’t mind the price and are willing to spend as much as is needed, this is the pedal for you. You get what you pay for, and this pedal delivers immense quality. It is user-friendly and does well for someone of any experience level.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that, even though it is somewhat expensive, the Gibraltar 6711DD 6700 is well worth it. You get fantastic quality from this pedal and are guaranteed excellent performance. Robust enough to take any punishment, you will be slamming and rocking out for a long time with this pedal.
Best Electronic Bass Drum Pedal:
Yamaha KU100 Beaterless Silent Kick Pedal
No products found.
PROS
CONS
Buyer’s Experience
While many buyers were satisfied with the performance of this quiet kick pedal, many found that it was too effective at what it does. It is intended to muffle a drum set to allow for quieter practicing. That way, you can practice in your house without disturbing your neighbors. Some found that it was too soft to register on a mic, however, and decided it wasn’t suitable for performance purposes.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Out of all the pedals we have reviewed, this is perhaps the weakest. However, it shines in its specialized use -- being a quiet hammer. This makes it useful as a good option for those who are wanting to practice without disturbing others.
Who Would Use This The Most?
This pedal has a specific use. It is used for practicing, rather than performing. For this purpose, it works well most of the time. For this reason, this is the pedal for any drummer who wants to practice out of the studio.
Bottom Line
A reasonably average pedal, it only really shines in its particular use as a quiet pedal. All it is good for is practice, but for this, you can use it quite well. It won’t disturb your neighbors and allows you to practice freely without the bass ringing out of your home or apartment.
Best Double Bass Drum Pedal:
Trick Pro1-V
PROS
CONS
Buyer’s Experience
Buyer experiences range from incredible performance to waste of money. Overall, many are happy with this pedal. Still, due to its tendency to require tweaking, the consensus is that this is not the right choice for beginners. Also, it might be difficult for those who are inexperienced with adjusting drum pedals.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Trick Pro1-V stands out due to the overwhelmingly positive feedback it has received from some buyers. It is of high quality, having had years of engineering and technology poured into the design. It is relatively easy to use, with the only downside being its setup requirements.
Who Will Use This Most
Experienced drummers who are looking for ways to improve themselves will benefit the most from this pedal. This is a great option for practicing and improving your skills, as its smoothness and robustness are excellent. This is especially true after it has been fiddled with and adjusted for your needs.
Bottom Line
Years of engineering have been poured into perfecting the design of the Trick Pro1-V, and it shows. It provides excellent sound and is perfect for those looking to improve their abilities and skills on the set. With a robust yet versatile design, you can be assured of excellent quality.
6. Ahead Mach 1 PRO
PROS
CONS
Buyer’s Experience
The Ahead Mach 1 PRO is generally an excellent pedal that compares to other popular brand names, at least according to the feel of users. Many are happy to own this pedal, as its robust design and adjustability serve them well. It plays smoothly and quickly for many. Many recommend this as an adequate alternative for those on a budget.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This pedal combines the good qualities of the above two pedals to create a sort of hybrid. It has some adjustability in its springs and beater, allowing you to change the tension and make it more comfortable for the drummer. It carries with it a robustness that improves its design and will enable it to endure some abuse. However, these two characteristics affect each other and bring its quality down a bit. Its strengths come from its ease of use and features.
Who Will Use This Most
Drummers operating on a budget who want the quality and robustness of a versatile name brand would appreciate the Ahead Mach 1 PRO. You get good value for the money with this solid and dependable pedal that does not have too many issues.
Bottom Line
For those who do not want an expensive option but still want quality, this is their best bet. It offers some versatility, but enough to hamper the robustness. The Ahead Mach 1 PRO Double Chain Single Pedal is an excellent option for most situations. It serves well as a replacement option, too.
Advantages of Investing in a Quality Drum Pedal
A quality drum pedal means that you will be able to incorporate your feet into playing your drums effectively. As they are an extension of your feet, you’ll want to make sure your pedals work well and are of high-quality build.
Look out for pedals that are quick to respond and speedy. These will ensure you don’t miss a beat and can keep up and be creative with your tempo.
Another feature you’ll want to look out for is quality workmanship and a durable build. This ensures you can get into playing and be as bombastic as you like without fear of damaging your kit or pedal.
How Do You Hook Up a Bass Drum Pedal?
If you are not quite sure how to hook up your bass drum pedal, it is actually really simple. This is how:
- Lay the pedal down in front of the drum.
- Raise the drum slightly, just enough so that the pedal slips onto the outer rim.
- Using either the wing screw or drum key, begin tightening the bolts so that the pedal is firmly secured.
- Test the height of the beater, making sure that it hits just above center.
- Remember to retighten the bolts every so often, as they will come loose with use.
Here is a YouTube video to use as a visual guide to follow alongside these instructions.
Conclusion
To summarize the most critical points we detailed above, remember that two types of pedals are suitable for different styles of playing and music. On top of choosing between these two based on your needs, it is good to look out for models that are robust, fast, and sensitive. This is so that you can play effectively and allow your feet to keep up with your hands.
People Also Ask
Here are some common questions that people ask when it comes to drum kits and pedals. We have provided some answers that have been researched, as well as some opinions given by experts.
How Far Should the Beater Be From the Bass Drum?
This comes down to personal preference and the setup of your kit. If you want a loud, booming sound, set it up so that the beater is a reasonable distance (roughly 6 inches) from the drum. However, this might make some uncomfortable, as they would be further from the rest of their drums. Typically, around 6 inches is the norm.
Can You Tune a Bass Drum?
In short, yes. You can tune and tailor your sound by changing the number of holes you use. You can also tighten the rods that hold the head in place. This controls how tight the sheet is pulled, which changes the sound it produces.
