Fix Your Ludwig Timpani Pedal Issues

Step by step process to help your Ludwig timpani pedals stay in place.
:30 Pedal does not stay in heel down position
3:05 Pedal does not stay in toe down position
4:37 Adjusting the brake pads

[@aminathomas7190]

Thank you very much! Very helpful!

[@BonoPercussion]

Glad it helped!

[@tylerking3259]

This video is pure gold -- thank you!!!

[@BonoPercussion]

Glad it helps!

[@bernieheveron1929]

Very helpful video! Thank you.

[@BonoPercussion]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DKPercussion]

Great video! Hopefully band directors will start referencing your video - wish I had thought of it!

[@BonoPercussion]

Thanks!

[@STICKSJPM]

Would love to see some repairs on YAMAHA TImpani. Gauges, Pedals, Assembly, General Maintenance, Adjustments... They seem unnecessarily complicated. Thank you!

[@BonoPercussion]

Working on it!

[@trumpeterchris]

What if the pedal keeps pulling back to somewhere in the middle? I followed your advice but this didn’t fix it. I also don’t see a break pad on my drum-it’s older, probably from the 80s. Thanks for the help!

[@BonoPercussion]

If there's no brake pad, the pedal is balanced solely between the tension on the head and the tension of the spring. You can try adjusting the range of the head to see if it helps but a new head might do the trick. If the current head is stretched then it will have a hard time balancing the spring. If that doesn't work, a repair tech may be able to make some other adjustments.

[@rustynails68]

Awesome!

[@rustynails68]

I have been playing timpani for a community band for 18 years. The drums belong to a middle school and they are very old. I suspect that the heads are not supposed to last 40 years.

[@BonoPercussion]

Thanks!

[@dariobroccardo]

Thanks for a very informative video! Super helpful. One question, if it just isnt working, could it mean that the head is completely done and needs to be replaced? Ive tried it all and pedal just won't stay. Is there any way of assessing how old/used the head might be?

[@BonoPercussion]

Glad you find it helpful! What is happening with your pedal? If the head is starting to reach an octave, it's more than likely worn out and may not be balancing with the spring. If this is the case, a new head may be the fix. If it doesn't fix it then the horizontal pull rod may need adjusting. We normally recommend having a percussion repair person do this adjustment.

[@dariobroccardo]

@@BonoPercussion Thanks for getting back to me. I'm about 99% sure the head is retired and needs a new home.
I really hope so because where I live, I AM the percussion repair person!
I rely on videos like yours, so again, thank you!

[@BonoPercussion]

@@dariobroccardo Oh cool! Let us know if you need any help 🙂

[@schnauzerloversmom]

Thank you!! Great video!

[@BonoPercussion]

Thanks!

[@ChristianPaulson-Music]

I just started at a new school and the 26" timp has a sprung pedal. I'm having a heck of a time getting the knob screwed back into the spring. How do I do that?

[@BonoPercussion]

Push the pedal to the toe down position and then try screwing it back in. You may have to wiggle the screw around a little to get it to line up.

[@ChristianPaulson-Music]

@@BonoPercussion toe down. I was doing heel down. Thanks

[@nancyguzman4995]

Thank you so much for this! what tuning app are you using?

[@BonoPercussion]

You’re welcome! I use Tonal Energy Tuner but I’ve also seen people use iStroboSoft. Just remember that the apps are not great at distinguishing the fundamental pitch from the overtones on timpani so these apps will get you close but using you ear to fine tune is always recommended.