Offset Eclipse Double Bass Drum Pedal Review

Symmetrical Design for Ergonomic Playing

Created by seasoned drummer Charles Fisher, this OffSet double bass drum pedal offers a new way to play complex rhythms. Double pedals are nothing new in the world of percussion. But this model has a distinct design with the potential to improve your comfort behind the set while also giving you more uniform sound.

Instead of the traditional long-arm build that most double bass pedals have, you’re getting two shorter arms with center beater positioning. As a result, your bass and snare can be right in front of you. It’s a more ergonomic way to play, which can have a profound effect on your performance.

OffSet Double Pedal Specs

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of what this pedal can do, here are some important details to know:

Dual-sided beaters
Free-standing design
Swivel hoop clamp, velcro, and anti-skid spurs
Adjustable cam wheel
Dual chain drive
Two 12.5″ x 3.5″ pedals
Quad drive springs

All that sounds good on paper, but how does the radical pedal design fare on the stage or in the studio?

In this OffSet double bass drum pedal review, we’re going to break down everything the pedal has to offer. We’ll take a look at its advantages and disadvantages to help you determine if it’s a worthy addition to your set!

Likes

At its core, this kick drum pedal is meant to help you get a more efficient setup. It certainly does not disappoint in this department. With a standard arrangement, you would have one pedal directly in front of the bass drum while the auxiliary pedal is off to the side by the hi-hat. That’s efficient enough, but it forces you to position the snare away from the kick.

That’s not the case with the OffSet Eclipse. The centered design lets you keep the two most critical parts of your kit, the snare and the bass drum, right in the center.

Not only does this pull the rest of your kit closer to your seating position, but it can also improve the stereo image in your cans while recording. In most cases, the mics picking up the kick and snare are centered while everything else is panned accordingly. When the kick and snare aren’t physically centered, what you’re picking up doesn’t always match up to what you’re used to hearing. A centered arrangement like this solves that issue.

While positioning is important, it comes second to sound. We’re happy to say that this pedal doesn’t ruin your sound. In fact, it can enhance it! That’s because both beaters are positioned right in the sweet spot of the batter head. Typically, there’s a noticeable difference in punchiness on the slave pedal. Many drummers even compensate by adjusting the pressure they apply. With both beaters on that sweet spot, you can produce even sound across the board.

Another thing we like about the OffSet double pedal is its flexibility. There are a lot of ways to adjust the feel and performance of the pedal to meet your playing style. You might encounter some issues here at first, which we’ll get into a bit later. But for the most part, the pedal easily caters to any drummer.

First off, there are the footboards. Thanks to their large size, you can use any technique you want. On top of that, the cam has multiple points of adjustment. With the turn of a drum key, you can push it forward for speedier attacks or slide it back for more punch. You can even make fine-tuned adjustments to the footboard height and spring resistance.

All of these small details work in tandem to help you get the exact feel that’s right for you. That alone makes the pedal worth considering.

Dislikes

With this new innovative design, there are some drawbacks. The first is simply getting used to the new position. While it works well for many drummers, some are going to have a harder time making things work. Depending on the complexity of your setup, you might have to move your floor tom around or compromise the position of your ride cymbal to make room for the pedals.

If you’re used to playing with standard double bass pedals, it could take some time relearning the footwork, too. There’s no denying that it will feel different. You can’t rely on your dominant foot to pick up the slack from your non-dominant one, which could be a problem when you first start using this pedal.

OffSet’s dedication to flexibility can be a double-edged sword with this kick drum pedal as well. There are way more adjustment points on this model than standard pedals. Even adjusting the tension can be a hassle because there are springs on the pedals and the beaters. When you don’t follow the adjustment directions to a tee, you could be left wondering which screw to turn to get the results you’re after.

Another issue we have with this pedal is its stability. OffSet has done a fine job with construction. It’s a solid unit that’s clearly built to last. However, this pedal can produce a lot of torque when you start getting into it. The swivel clamp is meant to get rid of lateral torque, but it’s just not up to snuff. With some heavy playing, that clamp isn’t going to do much to keep the drum hoop steady. Even the velcro and spurs may not be enough for those playing some intense rhythms!

Overall – 4.5 Stars

All in all, we’re going to give this OffSet double pedal 4.5 stars. For a vast majority of drummers out there, this is a game-changer. But, it’s not for everyone.

You might have to make some adjustments to how you set things up and adapt before you can take advantage of everything this Eclipse kick drum pedal has to offer. That said, the benefits are enticing.

It’s more ergonomic and will give you a better overall sound. Who doesn’t want that?

Ultimately, it’s going to come down to your priorities. If a more comfortable and efficient playing position is what you’re after, the OffSet double bass drum pedal could be your solution.