I use a Premier model 250 pedal (Keith Moon's choice too) which are usually very cheap so I have a lifetime supply of spares costing about $10 each.

[IMG]http://www.ubiubi.org/images/Premier_250_pedals[/IMG]

I've been using DW 5000 pedals for about 20 years now. I have not tried the 9000 but unless you break 5000's I doubt you need a 9000. I will say that I like one feature of the 9000 and that is the pivoting lower spring mount. This allows the energy from the stretching spring to be linear, rather than being combined with the energy to bend the spring to the side. It is minor, but I understand why it was done.

I agree these pedals can be intimidating to set up initially, but once set the way you like them, they are good to go for years.

Very durable without being overly heavy in weight.

Parts are readily available in the event you need something.

And, perhaps most important for a touring drummer, if the bus runs it over you can get another at just about any music store on earth. Of course if you are touring you can carry spares of anything but that last detail is comforting...

I played the speed king in high school and it worked fine. I just never thought it was so much better than the Asian pedal I had at the time after i had taken the effort to dial in for my preference.

I agree some pedals just feel good out of the box but most don't. And that goes for all brands. When you have the ability to dial a pedal in through adjustments, it makes a good pedal great.

I go back and forth. My old pedal is a 1969 Speed King. My 'new' pedal is an 1989 DW5000. Some days one feels better than the other. With that combo my searches and shopping have not included a pedal for many years.

I would guess I have spent more trying new beaters (wood, felt, combos) than on pedals.

DW 5000 ,Slingerland Yellow Jacket, 1980 Pearl 800 ? series

I still use a Tempo King if I know it will be a simple and/or low-volume gig, even though it can be very wobbly.

My main unit is a DW5000. It's rock-solid and conveys my intent with far less effort than the Slingerland. After four hours, that's an important difference.

But my hat stand is a Slingerland Dynamo.

Used my strap drive Camco tonite, with my Radio King's.

i play and collect vintage pedals. ive been using a red frame ludwig speedmaster for years. playing a wfl speed king right now. i recently purchased an asba caroline pedal that i'll be trying soon.

mike

I split playing a Shelly Mann Leedy,Slingerland Super Speed and a Speed King.

I got a Tama|Camco with a kit last year. It has a modern beater on it. smaller and flatter than a DW beater. I don't know if it's the combo of pedal and beater, but I fell in love instantly! I have:nt touched my DW5000 since. I have not owned a speedking since '83, but I do remember it being awesome! I have used cheap non-hydraulic hihat stands forever and if I ever find the right spurlock I'll have to get a Speedking too.

The pedals I recently discovered are the 70s Yamaha 910 and the 720 professional models. I own Tama Camco, Ghost and DW5000. For me, these Yammies smoke 'em all.