I am now one with the Pearl E's.

[Lad.]

Well, the verdict of the case is :

Pearl Eliminators
Belt drive
Complete with blue, white, red, and black cams.

So far so good. It's going to take some getting used to but I like it so far.
The beaters are big and beefy, which put out some good thumping on my bass. So far with belt drive, it's pretty good, but I always have that fear of stomping down once and feeling the pedal smack rock-bottom, due to the strap snapping. I have no clue why, it's just a big fear so far.

I'm having a little trouble finding how to set up though. This concerns the distance of the beater from the head, the tension of the springs, and which cam to use.

If I tighten the tension too tight, it's hard to get consistant hits on the beater. Of course it feels better because there's good rebound, but it feels like there's a lot of UMPH that has to go down to make the beater meet the head.

If I have it too loose, I don't get inconsistant hits, but just one thump on the head.

So far, I have played with the black cam and the blue cam. The blue cam feels OK so far, but it seems I've had more comfortability with the black cam.
I haven't tried the red cam or the white cam.

Could anyone give me some adjusting tips? I want to get this bad boy adjusted to where it's comfortable. Once that starts, I'll begin working on double strokes.

[peter]

First, congrats!

Now, as to set-up, let me just tell you that Virgil
uses the blue and red cams but mainly the blues.
I use the blue cams mainly. We're all waiting for
the purple one coming in June.

Look at the base that the beater slides into. There
are markings. The one in the middle is where you
will likely find the best action. With the blue cam
and the spring tension closer to loose than tight,
you should get a good start.

Don't forget the Power Shifter. Before you discard
this, set it (the footplate) all the way forward. I
want you to try that and see if you can feel the
difference. You want to try things and not be af-
raid of new things.

Let us know how it goes. :D

[Lad.]

I agree about Blue and Red. They are mainly the best ones I've gotten so far.
Black and White didn't do much for me ( kinda like TV huh? )

I tried your settings, and they're hard to get used to. Where I have it now, there is enough space between the beater and the head to make a quiet thump. The step on the pedal also seems rather short, so it would be hard to work with doubles and reall fast double bass. About the notches ( marks ) whatever you wanna call them...I couldn't find them. I set the powershifter all the way forward. It still feels rather odd. Is there any way you could get a picture of how yours is configured and show it to me, Peter?

[vdreignsuponus1]

im sry im such a dumbass..but what the hell is a cam?! i probably know EXACTLY what u guys r talking about, but im a loser..:(

[Grzegorz]

The cam is that thing where the chain/belt is moving on. In standard Pearl's Eliminator set you've got four of them (red, white, blue, red). Everyone have an influence on the pedal action.

[peter]

Let me try...

[Lad.]

For example, this is a cam (http://www.pearldrum.com/eliminatorcams4.jpg) , vdreign.

[peter]

The pictures I took were weak.

Let me re-phrase and encourage you to experiment
with what works for you.

If you are not getting enough power from them, pull
the Power-Shifter back to neutral (middle). Try the
plastic sides of the beater. Also pull back the beater,
loosening the uni-clamp. The markings are on the
side of the uni-clamp.

Let me ask you - Before this pedal, were you able
to get desirable power and action from your stroke?

Good luck and let me know.

[Lad.]

Yes, I was able to get power, but the pedal was limited to few settings. The problem with the last pedal was it would squeak like no other, it was always too loose no matter what, and I couldn't feel sufficiant rebound with my foot and the pedal. I think I found a good setting today with the Pearl E's. The blue cam, slightly tight, beaters averagely far from bass drum, and the powershifter at the middle. I have trouble with getting really fast single strokes though.

[peter]

You have to get used to them.

Here - Lift the footboard a little more by
loosening that screw on the top of the
strap and then tighten it again. Maybe
that will help also. Keep me up on it.

[Lad.]

I decided that was the best idea to go for.
Also, how come anytime I want to move it, I have to unscrew it all the way, then suffer having to find the nut on the inside and then screw it tighter? Why can't I just loosen it, move it, and tighten it again?

[peter]

You're talking about the Power Shifter, there, aren't you?
The nut is getting caught in the rugh (likely) underneath.
What do you do? Leave it in the middle as the front is too
uncomfortable and the back too 'dead' for you.

Sounds like you're on it. I hope you get it. I think you will!

:D

[Lad.]

Oh Peter, you know I'll get it, haha.
I changed the beater around to where it's the hard plastic part. I like the sound better actually.