help with pedal mechanics, building my own pedal..

Quantify · Newbie Alert Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

ive tried looking around the net for an explanation of various engineering techniques used in bass pedals but have found nothing. i am mainly interested in the mechanics involved in changing the direction of the downward movement of the pedal to the sideways motion of the mallet.

im going to build a pedal that plays 4 drums, and i have most of the design brainstormed. just need some info on mechanically changing the direction of force.

kuniggety · Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 3:59 pm Post subject:

The mallet doesn't move sideways, it moves in an arc. It is attached to a gear that is driven by usually a chain which is attatched on the other end to a gear actuated by the downward motion of the pedal. Even the pedal, which goes straight down, is actuating a gear at an angle to make it turn.
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Quantify · Newbie Alert Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

thank you. is there a diagram of this anywhere?

Mr.Clam · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:26 am Post subject:

Well, if you look at an already existing pedal, you'd see for yourself. It basically works like a wheel being turned, the downward motion of the footboard pulls on a chain, which turns a wheel-type device, which holds the mallet. This causes it to hit the drum, and rotate back becase of tension springs, holding the holder in place.
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Quantify · Newbie Alert Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

Ah that sounds much more simple. Thanks

sfauts · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:04 pm Post subject:

4 Drums???

Sounds like a very good idea in theory - keep it to yourself, if it came off - you may never have to work another day in your life.

Mr.Clam · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:16 am Post subject:

Getting a bass drum pedal to hit 4 drums is pretty easy to do, if you start with the slave pedal of a double pedal, and attach 2 mallet holders onto the slave bar, and there you go.
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