George Kollias walks us through some photos and descriptions of his new Axis GK Signature Pedals. Axis is also one of the new Sick Drummer Studio sponsors, and we thank them for all they continue to do. You can check out our upcoming events for the studio here and visit Axis on the web at www.axispercussion.com.
George Kollias and Nile are gearing up to hit the road again beginning August 30th in Warsaw, Poland and ending up September 29th back in Torun, Poland. They will then play a few dates in Australia November 14th throught the 17th. The band is then off to South America for six more dates in December. Get out and see them wherever you can. Keep updated on the Nile official Facebook page or on George's official page.
From George: "Here are some new photographs of the first Axis GK Signature Pedal prototypes. Note – this is the pair we made for this upcoming tour, just to check'em out for good. We installed the new parts on one of my existing pairs, so the final pedal is coming out with some more great features, such as the new Hell Block and Rim Stoppers. These pedals are ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!
Picture 1: Overhead View
Picture 2: Side View
Notice the Mictrotune Spring on the side, beautiful! Also, my pedals come with the standard beater bracket, not the A21. After trying both a lot, I think the standard beater bracket has more action than the 21's, which equals to "more speed".
Picture 3: The Logo
The Logos on the boards are lazer-prints, there are no holes in there, so it's even more comfortable for sliding or playing with no shoes for some of you.
Picture 4: Manster Design
I couldn't be more happy with the board design. My good friends at Manster Design NAILED IT! Visit www.facebook.com/mansterdesign to see more of their work!
Picture 5: Side View 2
Axis did it again, this pedal looks and feels so good that that I can't tell you how happy I am with it! I love everything Axis did in the past as well. I've been playing Axis for about 15 years, but having the opportunity to come up with something EXACTLY for my needs is outstanding! You guys need to try this soon, I have a feeling maaaaany people will get into these pedals!
Picture 6: Microtune Springs
They work as good as they look! You play a metal gig and you crank the springs to maximum tension, next day you have a jazz gig or rock gig and it takes 30 seconds to adjust the pedal to where it needs to be. This is perfect for me because I am really into multi-style drumming, for sessions, gigs, jams etc… I also can't remember how many times my students had difficulty to even push down my pedals but I couldn't just adjust the old ones, it took so much time. I had to remove the pedal from the bass drum and so on. Well, problem solved.
Picture 7: Microtune Tension
Microtunes can be installed on any Axis pedal and it actually only takes about 2 minutes to do so. What I really LOVE about these springs is that it takes 30 seconds to change my spring tension from Death Metal to Jazz settings. Seriously, and it feels it works more smooth than anything else I've tried too!
Picture 8: Drum Key Screw
Notice the long Drum Key screw on the spring. This is where you adjust the tension quick and easy, and I tell you it gets even tighter than the regular Axis springs! It's also super durable! These 2 metal pieces holding everything in place.
Picture 9: Beater Angle Adjustment
The beater angle can be now adjusted with a Drum Key screw too, which makes my life also super easy. This is a feature that exists in the newer Axis pedals and OF COURSE I wanted it for mine too.
Picture 10: Direct Link – Details
Now this is a huge change over here. We re-designed the direct links and made it shorter. Not exactly, we actually raised the bottom side and that lifts the pedal up a little bit more, it's a small detail, but SUPER important.
Picture 11: Direct Link – Board Height
With the new re-designed Direct Links there is no need for Toe Risers anymore. I remember several people from different countries asking me where to buy Toe Risers (or Toe Spacers) but it was tough. These Direct Links bring the board EXACTLY where it needs to be!
Picture 12: Direct Link – Old and New
Here you can see the difference of the old Direct Link (left) and the new re-design Direct Link (right). Believe it or not, that gives a lot of action on the pedal! Also, the newer Direct Links come with a Drum Key screw that allows you to change the VDL a lot easier today, which means faster settings and more possibilities.
Picture 13: Beaters
This beater is also on the GK model. This is an old idea which we used on these pedals and it works GREAT! No more plastic beaters that melt while playing 🙂 I had enough.
Picture 14: Beater Surface Adjustment
The Drum Key screw adjusts the beater surface to land on the head, on the right angle and get more sound – brilliant idea! Notice also the brass head? That gets a little more weight on the top for MORE SPEED without making the beater heavy at all.
Picture 15: Color Options
My pedal will be coming out in Silver and Black! The black version will be the same, beautiful as well! Also, both versions will be coming as a Double Pedal or single. You will have any option like any other Axis pedal.
Nile Tour Dates:
2013-08-30 – Warszawa (Progresja)
2013-08-31 – Wroclaw (Firlej)
2013-09-01 – Katowice (Mega Club)
2013-09-02 – Wien (Escape Metalcorner)
2013-09-03 – Budapest (Club 202)
2013-09-04 – Prague (Nova Chmelnice)
2013-09-05 – München (Backstage)
2013-09-06 – Bologna (Zona Roveri)
2013-09-07 – Spreitenbach (Open Circle Festival)
2013-09-08 – Darmstadt (Steinbruchtheater)
2013-09-10 – London (The Garage)
2013-09-11 – Manchester (NQ Live)
2013-09-12 – Glasgow (Audio Glasgow)
2013-09-13 – Dublin (Button Factory)
2013-09-14 – Dudley (Rock Zombie)
2013-09-15 – Brighton (The Haunt)
2013-09-16 – Cardiff (Bogiez Rock Bar)
2013-09-17 – Paris (Divan Du Monde)
2013-09-18 – Würzburg (Posthalle)
2013-09-19 – Breda (Mezz)
2013-09-20 – Vosselaar (Biebob)
2013-09-21 – Haarlem (Patronaat)
2013-09-22 – Leeuwarden (Romein)
2013-09-24 – Copenhagen (Amager Bio)
2013-09-25 – Hamburg (Markthalle)
2013-09-26 – Rostock (Alte Zuckerfabrik)
2013-09-27 – Szczecin (Slowianin)
2013-09-28 – Gdynia (Ucho)
2013-09-29 – Toruñ (Od Nowa)
2013-11-14 – Brisbane (The Hifi)
2013-11-15 – Sydney (The Manning Bar)
2013-11-16 – Melbourne (The Corner Hotel)
2013-11-17 – Perth (Amplifier Bar)
2013-12-14 – Lima (Bar Etnico)
2013-12-15 – Santiago (Caupolican)
2013-12-17 – Buenos Aires (Roxy Live Show)
2013-12-19 – Curitiba (Music Hall)
2013-12-21 – São Paulo (Carioca Club)
2013-12-22 – Porto Alegre (TBI)
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