The Bass drums pedal is a significant component in every drum kit. I once asked my band to work without their bass drum pedals. They were so much uncomfortable because their feet had no work to do. Therefore, once you are used to having tour legs at work, it can be hard to forget.
Bass drum pedals work in the same way as the hi-hat control. When you step on the footplate, a chain, belt, or metal drive mechanism is pulled downwards, bringing the beater or mallet forward into the drum head.
The pedals reduce the workload of the hands when one is drumming. There are so many touches that need to be performed, and we cannot leave all of them to our two hands. This is why several manufacturers are working hard to minimize the work of our hands.
Tama Drums made their first iron cobra pedal in 1992. They have made improvements to correct the mistakes of the previous products, as well as introducing new features. Tama Speed Cobra 310 and Tama Speed Cobra 910 are the improved versions of cobra iron pedals.
Thus, we shall compare these two great accessories products. This comparison will help us get to know the different features of these single bass drum pedals.
Tama speed Cobra 310 Vs 910
This is a detailed comparison of the Tama speed cobra coil pedals. We are doing it side-by-side so that we can determine which one is the best. The comparison will cover the major features such as cost, build quality, overall performance, etc.
Let us go through it and get the best out of it;
Pedal Beaters
The difference between the Tama Speed Cobra 310 vs. 910 comes at this point. The beaters are so different from these fantastic products. Therefore, you should be keen at this point because this determines the ultimate winner.
The Tama cobra 310 beater is a cheap beater made by Tama that features a felt head. The felt head is less resistant to wear and tear, thus can be used for some time before being replaced. It is cheaper, yes, but a little let down for the 310 bass drum pedal. However, taking into account its price, then it is acceptable.
On the other hand, Tama Speed Cobra 910 beater is made of a new design. The newly designed Accu-Strike beater is designed from a Butadiene rubber material that has an outstanding lifespan. It cannot wear down quickly because of the quality material used.
Tama Speed Cobra really remains young for an extended period. The good thing is that it offers a great level of attack. You can step on this pedal for an extended period, but it will remain the same.
Bass Drum Clamp
This is another point where the difference between these two products emerges. The bass drum clamp equipped with a kick drum pedal is essential because it keeps the pedal firmly attached to the bass drum.
The 910 pedals use a Para-Clamp II pro. This clamp keeps the single pedal firmly flat on the floor regardless of the angle of the bass drum. On the other hand, the 310 bass drum pedal uses a downgraded hoop clamp that still works well. The problem with the downgraded hoop clamp is that it can be challenging to use; thus, you might struggle when setting up, especially on an unfamiliar bass drum.
Build Quality
Making a side-by-side comparison between these two Tama Speed Cobra pedals gives us the similarities between them. You should know that the Speed Cobra 310 would sacrifice itself in terms of affordability than its bigger counterpart Tama Speed Cobra 910.
Tama Speed cobra 310 vs. 910 are both excellent single bass drum pedals. Their appearances are almost similar. This similarity gives a massive bonus to the affordable Tama Speed Cobra 310. They both look junky, and they are outfitted with a hefty baseplate and frame.
The hefty base plate and the frame make this pedal remain stable even when firmly pressed. The materials used to make this product is of high quality. This makes these double pedals durable and, at the same time, resistant to wear and tear.
Footboard
All the drummers who have reviewed these two pedals gave positive feedback on the extended footboard. They both have a virtually identical extended footboard that feels wonderful to play. I like the extended footboard of this single pedal because it fits well to your foot, and you can feel it all the time.
They also feature a robust double chain drive mechanism. Thus, when you place your foot onto it, it can act quickly and cannot be broken by force applied. The design of these pedals is similar; thus, we can only get the difference after further assessment.
Other components
Other components are different in the two pedals, including the hinge plate and spring mechanisms. Tama Speed Cobra 910 has a hinge plate with a 3-piece simple construction with a new guard lock that enhances durability.
On the other hand, the Speed Cobra 310 has a stable hinge plate that employs a cylindrical brass sleeve to maintain the hinge pin free from damage.
910 Speed Cobra has an advanced super spring and O-ring, while the 310 pedal has a downgraded spring and O-ring. The 310 pedal uses a LiteSprocket similar to the one used by the 910 pedal. This Sprocket provides a natural feel and smooth action. It also reduces the weight of the pedal.
Price
The good thing with both Tama Speed cobra 910 vs. 310 is that they offer great value for your money. These two have different prices, with the 310 recommended for beginners, while the 910 bass pedal is meant for professional drummers.
The price of Tama Speed Cobra 910 is two times the price of Tama Speed Cobra 310. The big difference in cost is worth it. It depends on the level you are at as a drummer and the taste you need in a drum pedal.
If you are an experienced drummer, it will be right for you to have the more expensive pedal. However, the rest of the drummers can use any pedal; the difference will not be noticeable.
Final verdict
After that beautiful comparison, both these drum pedals have great features. I consider both of them winners in their categories. However, when you consider the two terms of durability, performance, and reliability, the ultimate winner is the Tama Speed Cobra 910 pedal.