DW MFG MDD2 Double Bass Drum Pedal, Direct Drive, Anodized Graphite
The MDD2 Graphite is a direct drive double kick pedal, anodized dark grey. It hides a feature nothing gives away: its pivots do not turn in drilled holes, but in bearings threaded into the material. That is what keeps the linkage free of play for a long time.
What sets it apart
- Threaded bearings in the linkage and in the cam
- Pivots tight from the factory, and adjustable later
- Anodized Graphite colour on both halves
- Floating-rotor direct drive
- Perforated footboards and contoured heel plates
- Soft leatherette case, carried as a backpack
Threading a bearing in rather than drilling a hole
In an ordinary pedal, the pivot pin turns in a bore, sometimes fitted with a bushing. Over time, the bore goes oval under repeated load and the joint develops play. Nothing can then take up that wear: the part has to be replaced.
Here, the bearings are mounted on a thread. The assembly stays adjustable: you can reset the preload to close up any play that has appeared, instead of replacing the whole arm. On a pedal you keep for ten years, the difference is considerable.
Why play matters more in direct drive
A chain hides some flaws: its give absorbs tiny misalignments before they reach the beater. A rigid link hides nothing. Every tenth of a millimetre of play passes straight through and turns into a slight wobble at the start of the stroke.
A direct drive therefore demands more carefully made joints than a chain drive. It is one of the reasons it took so long to catch on in high-end pedals.
Black on a mechanism people look at
A direct drive pedal shows off its linkage: it is visible, it moves, and many drummers buy it partly for that. In Graphite, you can still read the mechanism, but without the shine that pulls the eye away from the rest of the kit.
And as everywhere in the line, the colour is a dyed oxide layer: it holds up on the edges your sole brushes with every stroke.
Specifications
| Pivots | Threaded bearings in the linkage and cam |
|---|---|
| Drive | Direct, floating rotor |
| Colour | Anodized Graphite |
| Type | Double bass drum pedal |
| Cam adjustment | Adjustable pivot |
| Alloy | Aircraft-grade aluminum |
What it is for
- Intensive daily playing, where pivot wear comes quickly
- Drummers who keep their gear for several years
- All-black setups, right down to the linkage shaft
- Fast music that needs a drive with no wobble
- Replacing a direct drive double pedal that has grown imprecise
Compare with other manufacturers
How other direct drive pedal manufacturers handle the joints:
| Manufacturer | Comparable model | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Tama | Dyna-Sync | Sealed bearing joints, not adjustable by the user |
| Pearl | Demon XR | Lighter assembly, with priority given to weight over adjustment |
| Yamaha | FP9500D | Direct link with a conventional pin, maintained by replacement |
| Gibraltar | 9711 Series Direct Drive | Multi-piece construction, with spare parts easy to find |
Frequently asked questions
- Can you take up play that appears with use?
- Yes. The threaded bearings let you reset the preload instead of changing the part.
- Why is a direct drive more demanding?
- Because nothing absorbs mechanical play: whatever moves in the linkage ends up entirely under your foot.
- Does the Graphite finish change the feel?
- No. It changes the look and the surface durability, not the mechanism.
- Do the bearings need lubricating?
- Checking that everything is tight and dusting it off is enough for normal use.
Avis clients
How many years has your direct drive pedal stayed free of play?
Aucun avis pour le moment. Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience après votre achat.