DW SM101R Rubber Bass Drum Beater
The SM101R is a two-way bass drum beater whose distinguishing side is black rubber. That material aims for a sound neither felt nor plastic gives: a clearly defined attack, without the sharp click of a rigid surface.
What sets it apart
- Black rubber side that compresses slightly before springing back
- Two-way beater, shaft weight included
- Defined attack in a busy mix, without the slap
- Marks the head more slowly than a rigid side
- Same format as the standard beater: your settings stay put
What rubber does that the other two materials do not
Felt sinks into the head and rounds off the start of the note. Plastic bounces back hard and produces a click. Rubber sits between the two: it compresses slightly on contact, so it keeps some body, then springs back quickly, so it keeps an audible point.
In a busy mix, it is often the compromise that needs the least correction: enough definition to come through under the guitars, enough body not to sound like a slap on cardboard.
A firm surface that does not wear the head the same way
A rigid side always hits the same spot and eventually dents the batter head. Rubber, being softer, spreads the impact over time a little. On a bass drum played hard several nights a week, the difference shows after a season.
It does not replace an impact patch stuck where the beater hits, but it delays the moment the head becomes unusable.
Specifications
| Type | Two-way bass drum beater |
|---|---|
| Surface named by the manufacturer | Black rubber |
| Weight | Shaft weight included |
| Intended for | DW bass drum pedals |
What it is for
- A bass drum that slaps too much with a plastic side
- An amplified band where felt alone no longer cuts through
- A drummer looking for attack without the beater click
- Studio work where the kick track needs little correction
- A batter head you want to spare without giving up definition
Compare with other manufacturers
Rubber remains rare as a beater surface; here is what other manufacturers offer instead:
| Manufacturer | Comparable beater | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Danmar | Felt, wood and plastic heads | Chosen by material, on single-surface heads |
| Vic Firth | VicKick range | Single-surface heads, including wood and felt versions |
| Tama | Iron Cobra two-way beater | Felt and plastic pairing, no rubber version |
| Gibraltar | Universal replacement beaters | General catalogue, without a dedicated sliding weight |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the other side made of?
- The manufacturer does not describe it the same way everywhere: its spec sheet gives white felt, its product description heavy-duty plastic. What is consistent, and what gives the part its name, is the rubber side. We would rather tell you than settle it on the manufacturer's behalf.
- What does a rubber beater sound like?
- A sharp but cushioned attack: more defined than felt, less dry than plastic. It is the surface for bass drums that need to stay clear without getting slappy.
- Is the weight included?
- Yes. The manufacturer states that the shaft weight comes with the beater.
- Do I have to readjust my pedal?
- The format matches the standard beater, so height and angle are quick to find again. Just check that the beater still strikes the centre of the head.
Avis clients
Does your bass drum slap more than it pushes?
Aucun avis pour le moment. Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience après votre achat.