If your pedal hasn't broken yet, here's an idea for some cheap insurance.

[thrdeye]

If you'll notice, there are two large rubber bumpstops on the pedal near the orange piece.

Take your pedal in your hand and push it closed. Push with some force slowly, and you'll see that the pedal bows down right in the middle (where they've been breaking).

Simple fix (so simple that I'm not sure why they didn't design it this way).

Find something similar to the bumpstops that are already on the pedal and JB weld those suckers on the pedal where it bows. The additional bumpstops will make contact with the pedal base and keep the pedal from bowing.

Close the pedal (but don't make it bow) to get a measurement for the length of your new bumpstops. Measure from the pedal surface to the top of the base, and then subtract about 1/16 of an inch (since this is about the thickness of the pedal surface plastic).

Quick and dirty picture....

http://www.pbase.com/thrdeye/image/89899835.jpg

[Vanguard]

Great idea! Simple fix if you have the resources available. I bet you could find rubber stops like that at Lowes or Home Depot.

One question...JB weld? Why would you weld on plastic? Couldn't you just use a super glue-esque adhesive?

[XeroTalent]

Great idea! Simple fix if you have the resources available. I bet you could find rubber stops like that at Lowes or Home Depot.

One question...JB weld? Why would you weld on plastic? Couldn't you just use a super glue-esque adhesive?

JB Weld is a 2-solution epoxy that's basically 'hardens as strong as steel'.

[Vanguard]

Aha. That's a smart idea.

[thrdeye]

Thanks. Unfortunately, mine snapped before I got to do this.

[IbanezBassist_v2]

Yeah, that is a good idea. Untill it breaks regardless. Then you are out of luck when you try to claim the warranty. Good luck all modders.

[thrdeye]

Yeah, that is a good idea. Untill it breaks regardless. Then you are out of luck when you try to claim the warranty. Good luck all modders.

I actually think one of the EA reps publicly stated that they wouldn't hold "attempts to repair" on a bass pedal against you since it would be obvious that it was not the cause of the pedal failure....as long as it was a situation where it snapped. Futzing with the electronics and whatnot would void your warranty.

[mohkilla]

anyone have instructions with pics on this? im a little slow :P a video would be great too

[Chris_Gonzalez]

Yeah, that is a good idea. Untill it breaks regardless. Then you are out of luck when you try to claim the warranty. Good luck all modders.

I don't see the problem with this. It's like the external "Rubber Band" whammy bar fix for the Guitar Hero guitars. You're just adding on to it without opening it or anything, so I don't see a problem.

[alexlabbe]

When I push down with my hand i see the bow, because the weight on my hand is on the tip of the pedal, but when my foot is pushing down, the whole foot brings the pedal down, so I'm having trouble understanding how it could break (unless of course, you slam your foot down the top of the pedal, it would crack). But i will probably try your idea, to prevent friends from breaking it by accident.

THanks!

[LRMZX636]

I broke the pedal clear in half during enter sandman... irritated it was clearly time to customize it

1/8 inch steel. Going to clean it up a bit with some hot airbrush designs.

[thrdeye]

Added pic to first post.

[LordFlatus]

I actually think one of the EA reps publicly stated that they wouldn't hold "attempts to repair" on a bass pedal against you since it would be obvious that it was not the cause of the pedal failure....as long as it was a situation where it snapped. Futzing with the electronics and whatnot would void your warranty.

Putting epoxy on plastic can defintely weaken it. Putting it on the stress point could indeed induce failure.

That said, it's probably okay as that mod should defintely reduce the "pushing in the middle of the pedal" flexing.

[AceFrehley]

I have a fix for the pedal as well and it is extremely easy to do. When I use the bass pedal I don't keep my foot on the entire length of the pedal. I have my toes hang over the front edge of the pedal a little bit and I keep the ball of my foot on the orange bar area of the pedal. Also, I always keep the bottom of my foot at a 90 degree angle, even when I am holding the pedal down while waiting for the next note. Basically, I am only using the ball of my foot and toes to press down the pedal and I have had no problems with it at all. BTW, this 90 degree position that I keep my foot in at all times will not cause any fatigue or pain in your leg. I have been doing this since day one and it works great!

[ChodTheWacko]

Putting epoxy on plastic can defintely weaken it. Putting it on the stress point could indeed induce failure.

That said, it's probably okay as that mod should defintely reduce the "pushing in the middle of the pedal" flexing.

Well, perhaps it should be epoxyed to the base, not the petal itself.

[Phrank-E]

Well, perhaps it should be epoxyed to the base, not the petal itself.

They make self-adhesive rubber pads. Peel and stick. I was gonna say I was thinking about cutting a piece of steel and riveting ot it. But someone already mentioned something similar.

Second idea for the hardcore. It is just a momentary mono switch. It would be cake to use a real kick pedal and mod it to work. Far easier that the full size guitar mods we have done.

[ChodTheWacko]

I broke the pedal clear in half during enter sandman... irritated it was clearly time to customize it

1/8 inch steel. Going to clean it up a bit with some hot airbrush designs.

Hmm, yeah, why not just glue/rubberband a piece of metal on top of the petal like that.
It'll make the petal heavier which also helps offset the spring strength.

[C Dress]

Nice, after seeing everyone's broken, I demand any of my friends or anyone else who plays the drums, to take their shoes off

[Phrank-E]

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c197/Phrank-E/kickpedal.jpg

You can get these at Home Depot/Lowes or whatever home improvement local you may have.

I still might add a steel plate to it.

[Adam]

Got this for my kids for Christmas (at least I told my wife it was for the kids). Now I'm kinda worried they are gonna break it that morning.

[mohkilla]

holy crap...as i was reading this right now i check my pedal for the bend part...and i notice it has cracks on the side! i think its almost gonna be time for it to snap :(....... i better get this thing fixed before it does

[bornyank1]

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c197/Phrank-E/kickpedal.jpg

You can get these at Home Depot/Lowes or whatever home improvement local you may have.

I still might add a steel plate to it.

Hey, did you install those little rubber squares? Are they high enough to be of any help? I found what I assume are similar rubber bumpers here:

http://www.amazon.com/Mintcraft-FE-S406-SELF-ADHESIVE-SQUARE-BUMPERS/dp/B000Z7D3HA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1196842548&sr=8-4

However, I thought those were probably too small to have an effect, until I saw your picture. If anyone could let me know whether those rubber bumpers, or any other rubber bumpers that can be bought online, would work, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

[Awesome]

Anyone have confirmation that this actually works or if it voids the warranty? I'd like to prevent my kick pedal from breaking if possible. Thanks!

[MamoruK]

good idea accept mine broke above the spring not below it

[thrdeye]

good idea accept mine broke above the spring not below it

Where it broke really isn't important. What is important is that it doesn't flex. If it doesn't flex, it won't (or shouldn't) break.

[ChodTheWacko]

Take your pedal in your hand and push it closed. Push with some force slowly, and you'll see that the pedal bows down right in the middle (where they've been breaking).

It all depends on where you apply pressure.
If you apply pressure directly on the spring, no bend at all.
higher up, aka the orange band side, and this won't help. I think this is common
if you play heel up.

Lower down, and you bend in the reverse direction and this will help.

Best way to go is to still get something solid on top of the petal, like these
metal plates or so.

[Kevhouse]

im pretty sure if you just superglued it in or something it would be okay warranty-wise. Sure, it may come off after a while, but if it breaks anyway you can always pluck it off and claim your warranty.