I guess part of the "fuss" about this pedal is the fact that Bonham used it. It's also a long-lived proven pedal. The design is just great.....the compression springs, the metal arch under the beater & the footboard & pretty sturdy too.

I dismissed the pedal outright in the 60's & 70's because I thought my feet were too big (15's). I received a seized pedal in a box of hardware a year ago and I got it working. I use it & it only with my 58 Gretsch kit & I love it.....the balance is great....feels beautiful.

I've changed my mind about the pedal being too small for my foot.

It's just a great all round pedal & I can see why it's still a popular - even after all the advancement in pedal technology over the last few decades.

I think it's a lovely pedal in both feel and design. My like for them has nothing to do with the association to Bonham or anyone else. I like them because it's what I started out on. Plus, I was taught heel-down technique as being the "proper" way, so the option for the heel plate to be flat all the way to the end of the heel is very comfortable, in my opinion.

But, I also agree that the heel hinge squeaks and that it could have been built a little better in some regards. They tend to work for a long time, but when they break or seize up in the middle of a gig, it can be catastrophic.

I'd like to see a SpeedKing II that addresses some of the issues... that would be on my hot to get list.

Yes, I think this pretty much sums up this pointless, futile thread.

One point to counter what was said by the original poster: If the speed king is such a horrible, vile, evil piece of junk as you so imply, then why is it still in production 75 years after it was first produced?

Toilet

That or maybe low self esteem. Besides isn't the Swivelmatic as bad or worse. I'm still playing a Premier 2002 but I must admit its not as smooth as it used to be...