Drummers shopping for a double bass drum pedal might be surprised by some of the prices these days. Standard professional models typically start at over $500. Super-sophisticated models can go for over $1000. Well, the good news is those pedals are typically second or third pedals professional players buy. Most drummers don’t need to spend nearly that much to get a really solid product.
This list focuses on the most popular price range for double bass drum pedals – under $300. We selected our 4 favorite double bass drum pedal values within that range. Specifically, these pedals cost between about $150 to about $300. They’re all great to learn on, can last for many years, and are made by trustworthy brands. If you choose any of these, you can be sure you’re getting a lot for your money.
On with the list! These are the best double bass drum pedal values under $300.
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Tama HP30TW
Double Pedal
Tama is known for their hardware values, such as the complete pack we mention in Best Values: Drum Hardware Packs. The company is good at incorporating features drummers value most into affordable designs. The HP30TW double bass drum pedal is a good example of that approach. This pedal isn’t sophisticated, but it’s higher quality than its price might suggest.
Even though the Tama HP30TW is the least expensive pedal on this list, it should be noted there are cheaper options available. You can spend under $100 on a double pedal. Would we recommend them? Usually not. If $100 is your budget limit, that’s understandable. However, we feel spending the extra money for this Tama is worth it, even if it means waiting a little longer to save the money. Compared to cheaper options, the HP30TW feels smoother, performs better, is easier to maintain, and has a warranty.
This pedal has single chain drives and one solid footboard. That’s common around this price point. It’s not quite as solid as most double-chain pedals, but the Tama has a nice lightweight feel. It’s responsive and quick. Strokes have some side-to-side wobble, but that’s the case with any pedal around this price. The key is minimizing that unwanted motion as much as possible, while keeping costs low. Tama did a pretty good job of that with the HP30TW.
You’ll get standard adjustment features with this model. You can adjust the angle of the footboard and beater, although not independently. The beaters have two playing surfaces – felt and plastic. The spring tension adjustment is well-designed, with large ergonomic nuts. Those features aren’t elaborate, but they’re certainly fine to learn with.
Overall, the Tama HP30TW would be a great choice for drummers who want to start learning double pedal on something a bit nicer than the cheapest options. This pedal wouldn’t be ideal if you plan on playing very hard – you’d probably want something heavier-duty for that. However, for standard use, the Tama HP30TW could be something you get years of solid practice time with.
Gibraltar 5711DB
Double Pedal
The Gibraltar 5711DB has many of the same features as the Tama HP-30TW above, including single-chain drives and one solid footboard. However, the Gibraltar is a bit more robust. It’s not a heavy-duty pedal, but the parts are made with more substance. There are very few plastic parts – a welcome choice in an industry that has incorporated more plastic as the years have gone by.
This pedal has standard adjustments. The tension is adjustable, along with the footboard and beater angles. You can’t adjust angles independently, at least very easily. By removing and repositioning the chain, you can move the footboard up or down relative to the beater. It takes some time and effort, but there’s a way to alter the footboard angle if you really want to.
The feel of the 5711DB is quite responsive, especially for the price. You’ll have some side-to-side movement, but the stroke is solid overall. The smooth footboard is nice if you like to slide your feet around as you play. Footboard texture is a personal preference, of course, but many drummers prefer smooth surfaces rather than those with stamped logos or rubber grips.
All together, the Gibraltar 5711DB is a great value, from a company that specializes in making solid semi-pro hardware. The single-chain drive isn’t ideal for very heavy hitters, but more moderate players could get very good use out of a 5711DB.
Tama Speed Cobra
310 Double Pedal
The Tama Speed Cobra 310 double pedal is based on Tama’s standard professional Speed Cobra series. The 310 may not have all of the features of the pro line, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a solid value. By retaining most, but not all, of what makes the high-end version popular, Tama was able to come up with a smart pedal design that sells for under $300.
This pedal’s most notable characteristic is the longer footboard design. Extended footboards slightly change a pedal’s fulcrum point, sitting further back from the chain than standard lengths. The effect on a player is subtle, but it helps many drummers who play repeated patterns. Continuous eighth and sixteenth-notes tend to flow a bit more naturally with extended footboards.
The Speed Cobra 310 is also the first pedal on this list with double chain drives and two solid base plates. The double chain drives make strokes more direct and easier for hard-hitters to trust. The solid base plates add stability to each stroke by taking away unwanted twisting, which can occur with standard wire bases.
In terms of adjustments, there isn’t much beyond what’s included with the pedals above. This pedal’s value is less about adjustments and more about the built-in design specs. You can adjust footboard and beater angles, but only in tandem. The beaters are two-sided and have fairly standard weights.
In total, the Speed Cobra 310 is one of the better pedal values you can get. The extended footboards and smoothness of the pedal’s feel aren’t common under $300. It’s a very solid semi-pro pedal. If you want to dig deep into playing double bass pedal, plan on playing lots of continuous patterns, and want to keep your costs reasonable, this Tama is certainly worth considering.
PDP Concept Series
Double Chain Pedal
PDP has been a popular name in drum hardware for many years now. The company (part of DW Drums) makes a variety of pedals. Some are geared more towards beginning students, but their Concept Series is made for working musicians. The double chain-drive pedal is road-worthy, combining features that give it a smooth, solid feel, built with parts made to last.
This pedal has double-chain drives. Much like the Tama Speed Cobra 310 above, that helps alleviate side-to-side wobble. It also gives drummers peace of mind in terms of durability. The double base plates also add solidity to the overall feel. Along with a fairly-tight heal hinge, the Concept pedal has a clean and predictable stroke. Beater and footboard angles are adjustable in tandem, but not independently.
Another similarity to the Tama Speed Cobra 310 is the extended footboard design. Like we explained before, extra length brings the pivot point back, providing a nice feel during continuous bass drum patterns. Once you get the pedals flowing, the pedal does more of the work, helping to keep the momentum going. It’s not a design every drummer prefers, but more and more double-pedal players are looking for extended footboards.
The differences between this PDP Concept and the Tama 310 are in subtle details. We find the Concept to have a bit more natural power, while the Tama has a tiny bit more dexterity and speed. They both feel nice, but the PDP Concept might be a more natural fit for players who mix more single pedal work into their playing. The feel of the Concept pedal is more balanced, rather than focused on speed.
All in all, the PDP Concept is a well-made pedal that would work well as either a first or second pedal. It’s an upgrade from any sub-$200 pedal out there. It has a solid feel, along with a good mix of speed and power. We really like PDP’s reliability, as well. It’s a durable pedal that would work equally well in a practice room as it would on a live stage.
Wrap-Up
Those are our picks for the best double bass drum pedal values under $300. Sure, there are cheaper options available, but none give you the kind of value of the pedals we just mentioned. They’re all well-made and would all work very well for learning techniques on. Some even have good enough performance and durability for live shows. So, if your budget is somewhere in the $150-$300 range, you certainly have some great options!
By Peter Treuden – About the Author
Rather use a single pedal? Here’s our picks for Best Values: Single Bass Drum Pedals Under $100!