DW 5000AH4 Accelerator Bass Drum Pedal, Single Chain
The 5000AH4 is a single bass drum pedal driven by one chain. The manufacturer offers its drive in three configurations: Accelerator double chain, Turbo double chain, and Accelerator single chain. This is the third — the same offset cam, with one less row of chain between the sprocket and the footboard.
What sets it apart
- Single chain drive, less mass to set in motion
- Offset Accelerator cam, as on the double chain version
- One of the three drive configurations in the series catalogue
- Tri-Pivot clamp with three pads to grip the hoop
- Delta hinge with ball bearings, US patent 5431081
- Two-way beater, felt or plastic depending on the sound you want
Moving mass, the factor people forget
Every gram between your foot and the beater has to be accelerated, then stopped, then brought back. A second chain, its sprocket and its hardware add little on a scale, but they sit at the end of a lever, where inertia counts the most.
Removing that row makes the pedal quicker to come back. It is a mechanical effect, not a matter of taste: less inertia at the end of the lever means less energy needed to reverse the motion.
One row of chain, two consequences for maintenance
A single chain leaves the sprocket exposed on one side. You can see right away if a link is catching, if the chain is rubbing against the casting, or if the alignment has shifted — three things a double chain hides.
It is also quicker to clean and lubricate. On a pedal that lives in a hardware case and on dusty stages, that ease of access ends up mattering as much as the feel.
The trade-off, stated plainly
A single chain pulls the shaft from one side only. Under a very heavy stroke, a pedal built this way can feel like it is working slightly off-axis, where two rows keep it square.
A drummer who plays hard and for long stretches will therefore lean toward the double chain. One who wants responsiveness and fine dynamics will find here what the other version does not offer.
Specifications
| Drive | Single chain |
|---|---|
| Cam | Accelerator, offset |
| Place in the lineup | Third drive option in the series, alongside the two double chains |
| Clamp | Tri-Pivot, three self-aligning pads |
| Hinge | Delta hinge with bearings |
| Baseplate | Aluminum, non-slip rubber sole |
What it is for
- Jazz and styles where the bass drum converses rather than pounds
- Drummers who favour quickness over raw power
- Playing in soft shoes, where dynamics come from the ankle
- Studio work, for fine dynamics at low volume
- Drummers who maintain their own hardware
Compare with other manufacturers
At other manufacturers, the single chain looks like this:
| Manufacturer | Comparable model | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Yamaha | FP9500C | Also single chain, with a more even cam profile |
| Ludwig | Speed King | Chainless direct drive, internal springs |
| Tama | Iron Cobra 600 | Single chain on a lighter baseplate |
| Sonor | Perfect Balance | Flexible strap, no chain, even less mass |
Frequently asked questions
- Single chain or double chain?
- The single chain has less friction and comes back sooner; the double holds steadier under a heavy stroke. At moderate playing levels, the difference is subtle.
- Does a single chain wear out faster?
- It does more work under the same load, but it is an industrial chain designed for this job. Wear remains marginal in normal use.
- Is the cam different from the one on the double chain models?
- No. It is the same offset Accelerator cam. Only the number of chain rows between the sprocket and the footboard changes.
- Which beater comes fitted?
- A two-way beater, felt on one side for a round sound, plastic on the other for a sharper attack.
Avis clients
Single chain versus double chain: which one won under your foot?
Aucun avis pour le moment. Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience après votre achat.