DW5000 Direct Cajon Pedal; Unboxing and Review

I've owned many cajon pedals over the years. LP, Gibraltar, Dixon, DW, Meinl, etc. Some cable driven, others direct-drive. To be honest, I've not been satisfied with any of them. They all eventually have broken on me.
I finally gave in and ordered the DW5000 Direct Linkage Cajon Pedal (DW5000DLCP). Hoping that this one will last the test of time.
Here is my unboxing and review of the pedal.
Feel free to reach out to me with any questions/comments.
Thanks.
(btw - the song in the background is from a jazz quartet I play in)

[@UncleDanBand64]

I had a double direct drive. I think it was meinl. Hated it. Just recently got in the Ortega Hill played direct drive. I am loving it and it is super compact.

[@mindset925]

I just ordered this because the Meinl direct drive pedal is lacking in the action. Thank you for posting this video.

[@brentroman]

Your welcome. I also got this to replace my Meinl direct. I found it lacking as well. Also- more importantly, I couldn’t adjust the location of the “pedal”. It was more in front of the cajon and obscured my hands and side auxiliary items.

[@fredrikmoback146]

Are you happy with it? Great vid, thanks 🙏

[@brentroman]

Yes. Have been using it all this time. Built very well. Love the “low profile” aspect to it. Best cajon pedal I’ve ever used.

[@fredrikmoback146]

@@brentroman Thanks👌 I’ll get one asap.

[@fredericfiset8147]

Awesome stuff, thanks for the review Brent! BTW do you know if the mechanism on this pedal is interchangeable if someone would like to play it with their left foot?

[@brentroman]

I’m pretty sure you “can” set it up for left foot playing, yes. I think I saw that somewhere. I haven’t done it myself, but I think I remember seeing that posted somewhere.

[@dfromcool]

Great review Brent! Very helpful. hope this isn’t a dumb question, but have ever played Cajon in a Jazz context or do you know of anyone who has? Thanks so much and Happy New Year!

[@brentroman]

I have played it in a jazz context a few times. But usually- only as a BD with foot pedal. Occasionally I will use brushes on some of my cajons as they have a textured surface and sound good. But depending on the gig, I might just play brushes on a compact snare or frame drum. But it can be done.

[@dfromcool]

@@brentroman hey Brent thanks so much for the reply! I appreciate the expert input! All the best to you🥂

[@jamesfquinn]

If I remember correctly, you have another cajon with two playing surfaces, and you use a kick pedal on the rear surface. That appeals to me because it would free your hands - and feet, too - to use the entire front surface without interfering with the cajon pedal. Are the DW linkages long enough to operate that pedal?

[@brentroman]

Yes- I have a Gon Bops Mixto cajon with two sides. I have been using that one with the cable version DW pedal. But the cable has been getting increasingly loose and is causing issues as of late. So, I will most likely use this new pedal with my A Tempo cajon (that you see in this vid) for my upcoming Chicago World Music show. Short answer- no, it isn’t long enough to reach the back. But,…perhaps I can make my own linkage bar or steal/modify one from a double bass drum pedal to make it work. Ultimately that IS the goal.

[@jamesfquinn]

@@brentroman - I did an online search for double bass drum pedals and found many that use metal rod linkages, including the DW DWCP3002 3000 Series Double Bass Drum Pedal. Maybe the parts for that pedal would work on your new cajon pedal.

[@brentroman]

@@jamesfquinn thanks! I’ll check em out

[@DarrenRoberts123]

I'm in a very casual band so cant justify spending too much. I'm worried about positioning on a lot of the direct drives but concerned on how much of a delay I'll experience with the cable? Especially considering I won't be spending a lot.

[@brentroman]

Yeah- it’s a shame they are so expensive. But, it has lasted and never broke since I purchased. The best cable option I’ve ever used was the DW one with cable. But even with that one, I’ve had to purchase new cable linkages once they go bad. Direct is just better than cable. Cables eventually break/wear out and there is a bit of delay/spongyness. Meinl I think makes a cheaper direct pedal- but I’ve never used it before.

[@najnacisi]

did you try Schlagwerk CAP200 and how it is compared to this one?

[@brentroman]

I have not tried it yet, no. So, I do not know how it compares.

[@bestOskarEverxD]

Say, did the cable version of this pedal feel a lot worse in action ? There are apperiantly replacement cables. These pedals are really expansive, couldn't find the direct link used yet but the cable one more so.

[@brentroman]

You should read some of the comments and responses above. Short answer- Yes, the cable has more play/delay/squish than the direct. I MUCH prefer the direct. The pedal on the direct is slightly longer actually than the pedal for the cable. Both versions are expensive. Yes, you can order replacement cables. I have. The replacements eventually need replacements. (And from past experience, the time for delivery of the replacements is long- and that’s ONCE you are able to finally get in touch with someone at DW that knows what you are talking about. (Sigh) I wish it wasn’t this difficult. I STILL do use my DW cable drive pedal for my cajon at church. But I use my direct pedal for professional gigs with my band. I wish something cheaper/lighter/more compact existed. But, SO FAR this direct drive IS the best cajon pedal I have used to this day. (And I’ve tried several over the years) Hope this helps

[@bestOskarEverxD]

@@brentroman Perfect, thanks a lot! Yes, I was looking at a used cable version, for around 200€, but I think I'll lay back then and take your advice and see if the direct drive version ever pops up.

[@brentroman]

I will say that this cable pedal is the best of the cable pedals I’ve ever tried. However it just isn’t as good as a direct pedal. I heard Shlagwerk in Germany invented a new cable foot pedal for cajon but I think it’s even more expensive than this DW direct pedal. Also, it doesn’t seem to lack down as small. But, I haven’t tried that one. So, can’t speak of its quality

[@najnacisi]

@@brentroman try it please :D

[@brentroman]

If schlagwerk or rep wanted to send one to me for free, that would be great. But, I’m not willing to spend the big amount of $ just to “try” it out.