MAPEX FALCON BASS DRUM PEDALS

squeak-free and fl eet. The response from the
double chain drive was instantaneous, no lag
or wobble, and eerily quiet. One endorser says
he ‘forgot’ he was playing them.
Swapping cams takes a couple of minutes
involving two grub nuts, and while you’re at it
you can easily adjust the beater and footboard
angles. Meanwhile, trying out the three
different beater rod weights – 0gm, 10gm and
20 grams (interchangeable using the supplied
Allen key) – takes seconds. And you really can
feel the difference. One smart suggestion is to
practise with a heavier weight and swap to
lighter for performance…
Now I’d like to say here that I clamped
on the pedals and launched straight into
page 100 of Derek Roddy’s
Evolution Of Blast
Beats
. I’d like to say that, but I’d be lying… how
on earth does he play that stuff? What I can
say is that for heels-up playing – which is, face
it, the way most rock drummers play most of
the time – the pedals are ideal. The slim
footboard is great for pulling your toes
DOUBLE BEATERS
are spaced to strike equidistantly
from the centre of the head
BASEPLATE HAS
a ‘Suregrip’ rubber-covered bottom
and adjustable spurs
FOOTBOARD HAS
a narrower waist than most
and thus appears longer
The slim footboard is great for
pulling your toes half-way down the
board and stomping. It almost wills
you to play faster
half-way down the board and stomping. It
almost wills you to play faster. While for
heels-down I found if I shoved my toes up
under the stop my average size 9s (43s) sat
perfectly on the heel plate for comfort.
Verdict
“The smoothest-playing pedals ever made,” is
Mapex’s sweeping claim. I don’t know about
that but they must be contenders. Pearl’s
Demon Drive pedal, which I tried last year, was
more complicated, daunting and expensive,
although a fabulous piece of engineering.
The Falcon is simpler, more accessible and
intuitive. It has plenty of adjustment but
manages to feel effortless, light, smooth and
silent of action. There are several innovations,
but they are useful, not gimmicky. The Falcon,
like Tama’s Iron Cobra and DW’s 9000, is a
pedal that many drummers will, I’m sure,
come to love.
Rating ✪✪✪✪✪
TRY IT WITH...
MAPEX ORION KIT
The top-line Falcon bass drum
pedals will help you get the
most out of Mapex’s top-line kit.
DEREK RODDY’S
Evolution Of Blast Beats . If you
can master the techniques, the
Falcons can handle the action.
JULY 2010 RHYTHM 93
RHY178.gear_mapex 93 20/5/10 8:01:6 am