DW Drum Workshop Delta II Accelerator Pedal, Solid Footboard

If you play heel-toe, the footboard is everything so I wanted to try this. Like all DW pedals, the engineering is excellent, but I couldn't play fast doubles on this. I returned it, but I still give it 5 stars.

I have wanted one of these ever since I watched Joe Morello's 2nd DVD "Around the Kit". One of the first things Joe brings up is this pedal. Joe explains that your foot's natural movement is assisted with this solid footboard as opposed to having a footboard that goes all the way to the base plate hinged to a heal plate. Of course this is the way for 90+ percent of all your jazz drummers as their technique is flat footed. Now I'm not really a flat footed player so let me explain. My regular pedals are Iron Cobra Power glides with Kevlar straps. But for some time now I have taken lessons from a really good teacher who is baically a jazz gig. My intent was to learn some jazz concepts to improve my overall playing, but what happened is I have ended up really getting into Jazz after about two years. The whole swing thing and independance thing has my attention. It's pretty amazing. When we set our foot on this pedal, your foot is in it's natural position and the way your foot works is a nice way to employ beats as opposed to your heal touching the base plate and attempting to pivot with your foot up in a more angled position. When I go to play heal up on these, it still works as well. I use these on my practice kit as it is building my insteps up plus I have discovered I am taking it a step further by being able to play very similar both flat footed or heal up. But heal up is still more power and good for my metal figures or routines. my flat footed technique on my Tama Power glides has also improved from playing with this pedal. If I'm going to play one bass drum and do a jazz gig, this is the pedal of my choice. I had mine put together from DW with cams and nylon straps as opposed to sprockets and chains.. My teacher has me working in books from Charles Dowd, Ted Reed,Jim Chapin, and Jim Blackley. I like reading now more than ever and I mostly listen to Buddy Rich and Louie Bellson. To play heal up with these, I find I have to (for me), bring my foot back about half way down the footboard and then with heals slightly up, work it. It takes a tad more effort , but this will help me develope further. I already see a difference when I sit on my kit with my Cobras from using these. I wonder why other companies have not made this type of footboard?

The design fits my wants and needs perfectly.

fantastic pedal. Have used it and love the way it responds.

Excellent quality pedal. Definitely meant for jazz or for those who like a softer, ankle based attack. Also check out Colin Bailey's YouTube posts and Bass Drum Control book. You may need to experiment with the spring tension, different beater heads, length of the beater shaft, and tighter batter head tuning to find the sweet spot.