I've heard some say the new ones aren't as good but I don't have any experience with the new ones.

thanks for the info. I hope some of you other guys might have a new version of the pedal, that way you could tell me how good the new one are (or not)

The Ludwig Speed King's are my to go to pedal..I have 50+ of these from the 60's-70's..My vote is go with a vintage one...Mikey

Take a look at the refurbed Speed King by Drummecanix. The weak points have been addressed and it costs about the same as a new Speed King.

These are now sold on the 'bay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Custom-Ludwig-Souped-Up-Speed-King-Bass-Pedal-/180697513734?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a12693f06

Hope this helps.

MW

I have a very nice speed king bass drum pedal for sale if your Interested in it? it's a middle 80's model.

thanks for the info, it seem everybody is in favour of the vintage ones. there is a guy on craigslist who has a couple for sale, but are in really bad condition.

how much do you want for the 80's version vintagemore2000?

that's a great price. at the moment I am trying to put some money together to re wrap my 67 ludwigs so it maybe a few weeks before I contact you, also my wife has to have surgery next month so please excuse me if I dont contact you quickly about the pedal

thanks again

I've had them from all eras.....The WFL era, the 60s-80s, and the new black ones. As long as the older models are in MINT condition, meaning no worn out parts (which is getting near impossible to find now) it is a fair comparison. Personally, I think the new ones feel EXACTLY the same as the earliest WFL I owned. No difference (except they have removed the squeak finally!) in my book. Why buy something thats old and worn out, or needs to be disassembled and re-greased, when you can buy a new one with a warranty?

BTW, just sold the last vintage one I had (an early Ludwig with the WFL footboard, so late 50's?), and it was in mint shape, yet extremely sluggish. Had to disassemble it, clean out all the dried grease (even though it appeared to be NOS condition) and re-grease it with new grease. After that it felt great! However, with the price of mint vintage/NOS Speed Kings going up, I sold it for a profit. It felt the same as the 3 year old one I use on gigs now, so I figured cash in on the vintage and keep the modern one.

No difference in my book.

thanks for the info. my local shop has a new one for $120, so I think I will get that. Like you say at least I get a warranty with it

thanks

again