Griffin Quick-Kick Double Bass Drum Pedal Review: Heavy-Duty Performance Meets Unbeatable Value
Every drummer reaches a point where their creative ambition outpaces their gear. For me, that moment happened during a particularly fast thrash metal cover where my right foot simply couldn’t keep up with the sixteenth-note bursts required. I realized that to unlock the next level of my playing—whether it was for rock, metal, or even intricate jazz fusion—I needed to transition to a double kick setup. The problem? High-end double pedals can easily cost as much as a mid-tier drum kit. I spent weeks searching for a solution that didn’t feel like a plastic toy but wouldn’t require a second mortgage. This is exactly where the Griffin Quick-Kick Double Bass Drum Pedal enters the conversation. If you are struggling with “mushy” response or a lack of power in your double-stroke rolls, finding a pedal that offers professional-grade adjustability without the professional-grade price tag is the ultimate goal. Before you settle for a subpar entry-level unit, you should see its full feature set and user reviews to understand how it bridges the gap between budget and boutique.
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Navigating the Mechanics: What to Consider Before Buying a Bass Drum Pedal
A Bass Drum Pedal is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for any drummer looking to expand their rhythmic vocabulary and physical capabilities. It acts as the primary engine of your drum set, responsible for the “heartbeat” of your music. When you invest in a quality double pedal, you aren’t just buying hardware; you’re buying the ability to execute complex patterns, maintain steady ostinatos, and provide a thunderous foundation for your band. The main benefit lies in the mechanical efficiency—a good pedal translates the energy from your foot to the drumhead with minimal loss, allowing for faster play with less fatigue. Without a reliable pedal, your technique can actually suffer, as you begin to overcompensate for poor spring tension or sluggish chain action.
The ideal customer for this type of product is an intermediate drummer looking to break into double-bass techniques or a gigging professional who needs a rugged, reliable backup pedal that won’t let them down on the road. It’s also a fantastic choice for home studio owners who want a versatile unit for different genres. However, it might not be suitable for those who are absolute purists of direct-drive systems or those who require the ultra-lightweight, high-precision feel of thousand-dollar boutique pedals. If you are a casual player who only plays slow ballads, a high-performance double pedal might be overkill, and you could consider a high-end single pedal instead.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: A double pedal requires significant floor real estate. You need to ensure your drum rug and kit layout can accommodate the secondary pedal and the connecting drive shaft. The Griffin Quick-Kick Double Bass Drum Pedal is adjustable from 20 to 27 inches in width, making it adaptable to most kit configurations, but you should always measure your space first.
- Capacity & Performance: Look for the drive type. Double chain drives, like the one found on this Griffin model, offer more stability and less “side-to-side” play than single chains. The cam system also dictates the “feel”—linear cams provide a consistent feel, while offset cams (power cams) accelerate the beater as it nears the head.
- Materials & Durability: This is where budget pedals often fail. Look for all-metal construction. Plastic components in the hinges or clamps will inevitably snap under the pressure of heavy playing. A weighted pedal plate (base plate) is essential for keeping the unit from “walking” away from you during a performance.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Double pedals have many moving parts. You want a unit that is easy to lubricate and adjust. Features like “beater shaft locks” and “memory locks” are lifesavers, ensuring that once you find your sweet spot, the pedal stays there show after show.
While the Griffin Quick-Kick Double Bass Drum Pedal is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
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- Kick Drum Pedal with Spring Tight Single-chain Power Glide Cam
- Dual-Chain Accelerator Drive System
Unboxing the Griffin Quick-Kick: A Heavy-Duty First Impression
When the Griffin Quick-Kick Double Bass Drum Pedal arrived at my studio, the first thing that struck me was the weight. At 13 pounds, this isn’t some flimsy piece of sheet metal. It feels substantial, rugged, and ready for abuse. The unboxing experience was straightforward: the pedals come mostly assembled, requiring only the connection of the drive shaft and the insertion of the beaters. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it includes a drum key and hex wrenches, which even have a dedicated holder on the pedal itself—a small but incredibly thoughtful design choice that I wish more “premium” brands would adopt. You can check the latest price and availability to see how this value compares to the market leaders.
Visually, the black finish and shiny plate coating give it a sleek, professional look that fits right in with any high-end kit. The all-metal construction is apparent in every hinge and bolt. Compared to previous versions of “budget” pedals I’ve used, the Griffin Quick-Kick Double Bass Drum Pedal feels much tighter; there is very little lateral wiggle in the footboard, which is usually the tell-tale sign of a cheap pedal. The quad-sided beaters are a standout feature right out of the box, offering different surfaces (felt and plastic) to customize your attack. Initial setup took me about 15 minutes to dial in the spring tension and beater angle to match my preferred feel.
Pros & Key Benefits
- Exceptional build quality with heavy-duty, all-metal construction.
- Double-chain drive provides a smooth, powerful, and stable feel.
- Highly adjustable, including a power cam system for extra speed.
- Versatile quad-sided beaters and the ability to convert into two single pedals.
Cons & Limitations
- The factory spring tension can feel a bit stiff for players with a lighter touch.
- Higher weight makes it sturdy but slightly less portable for frequent travel.
Deep Dive: Performance and Field Testing the Griffin Quick-Kick
To truly understand if the Griffin Quick-Kick Double Bass Drum Pedal lives up to its name, I put it through several weeks of intense practice sessions and a few rehearsals. My goal was to see if it could handle the rigors of fast metal drumming without losing its settings or falling apart. I focused on four key areas: Build Integrity, Drive Action, Adjustability, and Versatility.
1. Build Integrity and Rock-Solid Stability
One of the biggest issues with mid-range pedals is “walking”—the tendency for the slave pedal to slowly drift away as you play. We found that the Griffin Quick-Kick Double Bass Drum Pedal addresses this beautifully with its double spine, weighted pedal plates. These base plates are 13 inches by 5.5 inches, providing a massive surface area that grips the drum rug. When combined with the special clamps designed to keep the main pedal safely connected to the bass drum hoop, the unit stayed perfectly in place even during my most aggressive sixteenth-note runs.
The material choice here is alloy steel, which gives the pedal a sense of permanence. As one user noted, the pedal arrived “heavy and well-machined,” and our experience mirrors that. We didn’t encounter any of the stripped threads or loose bolts that sometimes plague lower-cost hardware. The “shiny plate coating” isn’t just for looks; it seems to protect the metal from the sweat and humidity of a rehearsal space, which is a major benefit for longevity. If you’re tired of pedals that feel like they’re going to snap under your feet, this is a feature that really sets it apart.
2. The Double-Chain Drive: Smoothness and Power
In the world of pedals, the drive system is everything. The Griffin Quick-Kick Double Bass Drum Pedal utilizes a double chain action. Why does this matter? A single chain can sometimes “twist” or flex, leading to a loss of power and a less-than-accurate response. The double chain here ensures that every ounce of energy from your foot is transferred directly to the cam. We found the action to be remarkably smooth, thanks in part to the frictionless bearing hinge. There’s a certain “heft” to the stroke that feels authoritative—perfect for rock and metal where you want that deep, punchy “thud” from your kick drum.
The power cam system is another highlight. It’s fully adjustable and designed to accelerate the beater speed as it approaches the head. This “offset” feel helps in achieving those quick double-taps without having to exert massive amounts of leg strength. While some users mentioned it felt “a bit noisy” initially, we found that a quick application of lithium grease to the chain and hinges made it whisper-quiet. The smoothness rivaled some pedals we’ve tested that cost twice as much, making it an incredible value for the money.
3. Customization: The Quad-Beater and Tension Control
Every drummer has a specific preference for how their kick sounds and feels. The Griffin Quick-Kick Double Bass Drum Pedal offers an impressive level of customization. The triple spring adjustment allowed us to fine-tune the return speed of the pedal. If you like a “floppy” pedal for jazz or a “tight, snappy” return for metal, this unit can accommodate both. We particularly appreciated the double locking spring tension rod, which prevents your settings from vibrating loose during a set—a common frustration with cheaper hardware.
Then there are the quad-sided beaters. Having four different attack levels on each pedal is a game-changer. You can flip to the felt side for a warmer, more traditional sound, or use the plastic side for a sharp, “clicky” attack that cuts through a wall of distorted guitars. We also tested the beater shaft locks and memory locks, which kept the beaters at the exact height we set throughout our testing. To experience this level of control, you should consider this as your next upgrade.
4. The Secret Weapon: Double-to-Single Conversion
What really surprised us was the versatility of the Griffin Quick-Kick Double Bass Drum Pedal. It’s marketed as a double pedal, but it ships with extra hardware that allows you to convert it into two completely independent single pedals. This is a massive advantage for drummers who might own both a single-bass kit and a double-bass kit, or for those who want to use one pedal on an electronic kit and another on an acoustic kit simultaneously.
The process of conversion is surprisingly easy and took us less than 10 minutes. The inclusion of an extra tensioner set means you don’t have to “rob” parts from one side to make the other work. As one user pointed out, “it was super easy to do and worked perfectly for what I needed.” This dual-purpose design makes the pedal an investment that grows with your gear collection, rather than a limited-use tool.
What Other Users Are Saying
The general sentiment among users is one of pleasant surprise. Most drummers expect hardware at this price point to be a compromise, but the Griffin Quick-Kick Double Bass Drum Pedal consistently exceeds expectations. One user, a guitar player with a studio kit, noted that they were able to get these pedals to feel exactly like their professional-grade DW 5000, which is high praise indeed. Another drummer highlighted the “insane quality build,” noting that the machining was equal to pedals in the $400-$500 range.
However, it’s important to provide a balanced view. A few users have reported quality control issues, such as a heel plate arriving with scratches or, in one extreme case, a chain breaking after two months of heavy use. One user mentioned, “poor quality control… heel plate gouged and scratched.” While these negative experiences seem to be the exception rather than the rule, they highlight the importance of Griffin’s 1-year warranty. For the vast majority, the robust feel and “smooth, noise-free” action are the defining characteristics of this unit. Before making your final decision, read more about these user experiences to see if it fits your specific drumming style.
How the Griffin Quick-Kick Compares to the Big Brands
When looking for a double pedal, you’ll inevitably run into the “Big Three”: Pearl, Tama, and Yamaha. Each has its own strengths, and seeing how the Griffin stacks up is essential for making an informed purchase.
1. Pearl P932 Double Bass Drum Pedal with Interchangeable Cams
- Perfect Circle Cam w/ Removable Eliminator-style Eccentric Cam
- Demon Style Power Shifter Function Longboard
The Pearl P932 is a fantastic pedal known for its “Longboard” design, which gives you more surface area for heel-toe techniques. Unlike the Griffin Quick-Kick Double Bass Drum Pedal, the Pearl uses a single-chain drive but compensates with its interchangeable cam system. While the Pearl feels slightly more “refined” and has a lighter touch, the Griffin offers a more robust, “heavy-duty” feel and a double-chain drive at a significantly lower price point. If you prefer the speed of a longboard, the Pearl is great, but for pure power and value, the Griffin is hard to beat.
2. Tama Iron Cobra 200 Double Bass Pedal
- Double Kick Drum Pedal with Spring Tight Single-chain Power Glide Cam
The Tama Iron Cobra 200 is the entry-level sibling of the legendary Iron Cobra 900. It is a solid, reliable workhorse with a “Power Glide” cam that provides a similar acceleration to the Griffin. However, the Iron Cobra 200 is also a single-chain pedal. In our comparison, we found the Griffin Quick-Kick Double Bass Drum Pedal to feel more stable during high-speed playing because of its twin-chain assembly and weighted base plates. The Tama carries the prestige of a big name, but the Griffin arguably offers more “pro” features for your dollar.
3. Yamaha KP65 Electronic Drum Kick Tower
It’s important to note that the Yamaha KP65 is not a pedal, but a kick tower (trigger pad) often purchased by those looking to upgrade their electronic kits. If you are buying the Griffin Quick-Kick Double Bass Drum Pedal for an electronic kit, you need to ensure your kick tower can actually fit two beaters. The KP65 is a popular choice for this. While the Griffin pedal will work with almost any tower, pairing it with a high-quality pad like the KP65 ensures that the physical power of the pedal is accurately translated into digital sound without unwanted double-triggering.
The Verdict: Is the Griffin Quick-Kick Your Next Upgrade?
After putting the Griffin Quick-Kick Double Bass Drum Pedal through its paces, I can confidently say it is one of the best “bang-for-your-buck” hardware pieces on the market today. Its main strengths lie in its heavy-duty construction, the reliable double-chain drive, and the sheer level of adjustability that allows it to mimic the feel of much more expensive boutique pedals. While the stiffness of the factory springs and occasional quality control variances are worth noting, the overall performance is stellar.
I would recommend this pedal to any intermediate drummer looking to master double-bass techniques or any professional looking for a sturdy, reliable unit that can take a beating on the road. It solves the problem of finding “pro” features on a “student” budget. If you’re ready to stop fighting your gear and start playing with the speed and power you’ve always wanted, you should check the latest price and grab yours today. This pedal isn’t just a budget choice; it’s a smart choice for any serious drummer.
Last update on 2026-07-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API