[CW] best CW paddle

[Rich Dailey, KA8OKH]

>Hmmmm... interesting... I've worked the world with my BY-1 and as far as I'm concerned, it *IS* the best and anyone who nit picks about that paddle is just looking for something to bark about.  ;-P

I think it is safe to say at this point to anyone looking for the *best* paddle
that it is a matter of personal preference.  For me the fun is in the test driving
of a new device.  Heck, if it doesn't feel right,  I won't use it - if it does, I do,
or will... well you know what I mean.

I play drums for a semi-notorius group, as well as session gigs, and my preferred 
kit is munged together from Mapex, Pearl, Tama, and other brands.  While I can't
put a vibroplex spring on a bencher or nye,  the point I'm getting at is that I tried
various pieces until I found something that had a response that I was comfortable
with.  It's not pretty,  it's not the flavor of the week (man, do I see this a lot with
drummers),  not too many others can play it the way I have it set up,  but I'll
make it talk to 'ya.  And it's *fun* for me to use.

My paddle of choice at the moment is a vibroplex deluxe iambic set for *very* close
spacing,  light on the springs,  and no oil, thank you.  Not to say I might break the bank
later for a kent, or one of the other multi-c note units (I'm cheap by circumstance, not
by choice - I play drums, remember?).  I've "tweaked" the iambic a little - polished and
ported you might say - the deluxe as we know has the famous "jeweled" movement.  But
I also mirror polished the ends of the pivot pin,  and payed very close attention to it's
free play adjustment... just enough to not bind it up.  Made sure the contact points are
flush... was amazed how many paddles, bugz,  and straight keys have contacts that are
out of wack when they are closed.  Folkz,  this is a "key" adjustment.  The manufacturer(s)
could perhaps pay closer attention to this.  In the case of the vibroplex iambic,  I liken it
to a 1976 Harley Davidson.  I bought one new,  took it home and immediately had to tighten,
adjust, and tune.  And then sold it on Ebay (Heh-heh, just kidding).  In any event I fully
expected it to be *not* to my liking when it came out of the box.  But the fun is in the
details.

And it's not to say I won't shove it aside next week for something else (which I will -
SKN, remember?).  My point of all this drivel is that I tried a lot of different things
out,  and I'm still open to suggestions.  But get *something*,  and use it!  If two hack
saw blades and some tin foil work, use it!  Try everything you can get your hands on.
Ask for permission before you start spinning set screws though.  Just have fun with it,
without inflicting too much pain on others.  Musicians, feel free to apply these rules to
you're hobby as well -hi!

Just resubb'ed to the list after a couple years hiatus.  Great reading.
Now, let's talk about bugz... oops, outta time.   Drive safe and sober,

Rich, KA8OKH

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Rich Dailey, KA8OKH - Phyllis Dailey, KB4NPI
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