Nice review of the ASBA Caroline pedal

[Hop]

Thanks for the update w/pics!

 

[5 Style]

I kind of want one of these... or least least want to try it (though I think that I might have to live with such a thing for a while to truly appreciate it), even though I'm the type of drummer that with the right adjustments even very cheap pedals can work for me. I'm using a really low-line Pearl pedal at the rehersal spot for my band, at the bass player's place. Someone left an that old Pearl pedal there, which certainly isn't anything fancy but I decided to try it and and I feel about as comfortable with it as much much fancier Iron Cobra and Axis pedals that I have. Still, even without thinking of myself as t much of a "pedal guy" maybe this ASBA would come as some sort of revalation... who knows?.

 

[karlcrafton]

File this under....
I'm an idiot., or, I don't know WHAT the heck was up with this from the get go.....

Did a video shoot with my band on Saturday. Took the pedal and used it with that small insert thing. It was just fine, no issues, but I didn't really use it because I took the beater out and had silencers on the tom heads for doing the filming.
I DID hit the bass drum a couple times because it was a shoot in a LARGE, very echoey racquet ball court (couldn't resist). It was awesome.
Anyway, I resetting up my stuff the next day at home and I noticed that spacer really wasn't that much material, so I took it out.

Guess what happened?
The pedal fit on my hoop just fine, enough space, just like it was supposed to when I first put it on.
It DIDN'T sit back from the head like it does now.
Bizarre. I have never had a piece of gear discombobulated like whatever happened at first.
I'm not even sure what I was doing wrong putting it on either.

Well, I am SUPER STOKED this turned out to be just some dumb thing I was obviously doing, because I LOVE this pedal.
It's right with my foot all the way, and even though I can feel it's there, I'm not having to "work" it at all.

 

[Hop]

HA!
Glad you resolved the issue and good on you for sharing the update!

 

[DamnSingerAlsoDrums]

Spurred by this thread I got my own vintage Caroline out of the locker and gave it another go, will report back after a few hours clocked-in. If I can get comfy playing it, I might order a new one to add to the road kit... I feel I never gave the ol' C a fair try...

 

[boonky]

The old Caroline is great. I'm sure the new ones are equally great. Too bad the new ASBA (circa 2017) is in liquidation since February 9.

 

[DamnSingerAlsoDrums]

The old Caroline is great. I'm sure the new ones are equally great. Too bad the new ASBA (circa 2017) is in liquidation since February 9.

You mean the company? That'd be very sad: they make great products. One of my local drum shops is an Asba dealer and I've had the opportunity to see and try a few of their products, top notch quality across the board. I bought a metal series drumset (the stainless steel ones) they are great.

 

[boonky]

You might have to translate. I think it's in liquidation.

ASBA (LYON 4EME) Chiffre d'affaires, résultat, bilans sur SOCIETE.COM - 832784896

ASBA à LYON 4EME (69004) RCS, SIREN, SIRET, bilans, statuts, chiffre d'affaires, dirigeants, cartographie, alertes, annonces légales, enquêtes, APE, NAF, TVA intracommunautaire

www.societe.com

 

[DamnSingerAlsoDrums]

You might have to translate. I think it's in liquidation.

ASBA (LYON 4EME) Chiffre d'affaires, résultat, bilans sur SOCIETE.COM - 832784896

ASBA à LYON 4EME (69004) RCS, SIREN, SIRET, bilans, statuts, chiffre d'affaires, dirigeants, cartographie, alertes, annonces légales, enquêtes, APE, NAF, TVA intracommunautaire

www.societe.com

I'm a native french speaker so, no need for translation... Well it seems like you are right.

Although I'm not familiar with French law and/or business practices, it may not be the end of Asba. Maybe a new investor is waiting for the liquidation process to be under way to get the company and its assets for pennies.

 

[drummer5359]

Twenty-nine posts before me, and none of you called the Caroline pedal...











SWEET









My apologies to those of you who will have the Neil Diamond tune as an earworm for the rest of the day.








Somebody had to do it.












All kidding aside, it is a really sweet innovative design.

 

[GretschMan61]

I am intrigued by the ASBA Caroline pedal and it is only the fact that the Sonor Perfect Balance has been so perfect for me that has kept me from buying the ASBA Caroline .

 

[karlcrafton]

The old Caroline is great. I'm sure the new ones are equally great. Too bad the new ASBA (circa 2017) is in liquidation since February 9.

What????

sonofa
I guess it never fails.
For me, this pedal is really really great, and I was going to get a second one.
DANG.

 

[DamnSingerAlsoDrums]

I hope I get to put my mits on some replacement parts or maybe even a new one before they actually fold for good. My Caroline's strap just broke on a session today...

 

[Hop]

That's a bummer that the drive strap broke. A while ago when these threads started the discussion about bringing the pedal back, I checked my pedal and saw some minor 'cracking' around the bolt/washer area so I was hoping that when they brought the pedal out they were going to make the parts available. I did reach out the folks at ASBA and asked about spare parts and this was their reply:

Hello 'Hop' and thank you for your message.
For the moment, there are no plans to sell spare parts for the Caroline bass drum pedals.
Musically, Maison ASBA
Cordialement,

Negative! However, if they get more inquiries, or if a retailer was insistant on having some parts, ASBA might make them available???
I also checked the venerable McMaster-Carr catalog under 'webbing' and 'strap' / 'strapping' but didn't find a similiar material.
I wish I had a better search term, because it has to be some commercial available material.

 

[karlcrafton]

I haven't started yet, but I'm going to search for that material also.
I'll pass on what I find.
Regarding a new round of pedals, I reached out to Drum Supply and asked about liquidation or a shut down, and I attached the response I got.
I really love this pedal, but $300 is a bit to tie up with a "wait to see" on a pre-order.

 

[Hop]

I haven't started yet, but I'm going to search for that material also.
I'll pass on what I find.
Regarding a new round of pedals, I reached out to Drum Supply and asked about liquidation or a shut down, and I attached the response I got.
I really love this pedal, but $300 is a bit to tie up with a "wait to see" on a pre-order.

I'd to find out and get some of that material as a back-up for my pedals.
I hear ya about the pre-order, not sure if their pre-order process requires retailers to put some money in to move it forward. If that is the case then, I'd be reluctant to commit funds if the company is struggling.

 

[KCJazz]

I'm looking for the spring assembly parts to restore an old one.

 

[Hop]

I'm looking for the spring assembly parts to restore an old one.

Are you looking for all these parts?

 

[K.O.]

I was going to give my new one a try the next time i had a gig, which turned out to be yesterday but it was a call to fill in for another guy at a gig that started in 3 hours and I was 2 hours away with nothing loaded or ready to go and in the mad scramble I forgot to grab my Caroline. Well....next time I guess.

 

[KCJazz]

Are you looking for all these parts?


View attachment 613449

Thanks for responding. I need B and E and I'm good to go!