# DW Bass Drum Pedals for Metal

> DW built its pedal reputation on chain drive: the DW 5000, launched in 1979 as an improved take on the old Camco 5000 design, became an industry-benchmark piece of hardware, and the 9000 Series is the brand's current heavy-duty chain-drive standard across the verified roster. The direct-drive MDD (Machined Direct Drive) extends that lineup for drummers who want DW's build quality with a zero-slack feel.

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## Company Background

- **Founded:** 1972, Santa Monica, California, USA
- Drum Workshop, Inc.

## Metal-Relevant Models

- **9000 Series:** Chain drive — DW's current heavy-duty double pedal, the most common DW model across the verified roster (Jay Weinberg, Shannon Larkin, Scott Travis, and others).
- **5000 (Series):** Chain drive — DW's original 1979 pedal design, an industry benchmark still used on the verified roster (Raymond Herrera, Sean Reinert, Nick Menza).
- **MDD (Machined Direct Drive):** Direct drive — DW's zero-slack, cam-less pedal for players who want DW build quality without chain flex.

## Confirmed Metal Drummers (11)

| Drummer | Band | Pedal | Setup Page |
|---------|------|-------|------------|
| [Abe Cunningham](https://metalforge.io/pedals/setups/abe-cunningham) | Deftones | DW 9000 Series | [Markdown](https://metalforge.io/llms/pedals/setups/abe-cunningham.md) |
| [Hannes Grossmann](https://metalforge.io/pedals/setups/hannes-grossmann) | Obscura / ex-Necrophagist / Alkaloid | DW 9000 Series | [Markdown](https://metalforge.io/llms/pedals/setups/hannes-grossmann.md) |
| [Jay Weinberg](https://metalforge.io/pedals/setups/jay-weinberg) | Suicidal Tendencies | DW 9000 Series | [Markdown](https://metalforge.io/llms/pedals/setups/jay-weinberg.md) |
| [Matt Greiner](https://metalforge.io/pedals/setups/matt-greiner) | August Burns Red | DW 9000 Series | [Markdown](https://metalforge.io/llms/pedals/setups/matt-greiner.md) |
| [Navene Koperweis](https://metalforge.io/pedals/setups/navene-koperweis) | Entheos / ex-Animals as Leaders | DW 9000 Series | [Markdown](https://metalforge.io/llms/pedals/setups/navene-koperweis.md) |
| [Nick Menza](https://metalforge.io/pedals/setups/nick-menza) | Megadeth | DW 5000 | [Markdown](https://metalforge.io/llms/pedals/setups/nick-menza.md) |
| [Raymond Herrera](https://metalforge.io/pedals/setups/raymond-herrera) | Fear Factory / Arkaea / Brujeria | DW 5000 Series | [Markdown](https://metalforge.io/llms/pedals/setups/raymond-herrera.md) |
| [Scott Travis](https://metalforge.io/pedals/setups/scott-travis) | Judas Priest | DW 9000 Series | [Markdown](https://metalforge.io/llms/pedals/setups/scott-travis.md) |
| [Sean Reinert](https://metalforge.io/pedals/setups/sean-reinert) | Death / Cynic | DW 5000 | [Markdown](https://metalforge.io/llms/pedals/setups/sean-reinert.md) |
| [Shannon Larkin](https://metalforge.io/pedals/setups/shannon-larkin) | Godsmack / Ugly Kid Joe / Amen | DW 9000 Series | [Markdown](https://metalforge.io/llms/pedals/setups/shannon-larkin.md) |
| [Travis Orbin](https://metalforge.io/pedals/setups/travis-orbin) | Darkest Hour / ex-Periphery | DW 9000 Series | [Markdown](https://metalforge.io/llms/pedals/setups/travis-orbin.md) |

Source: [DW — The DW Story](https://dwdrums.com/the-dw-story/).

## More Resources

- [Full DW brand history](https://metalforge.io/brands/dw)
- [Live page](https://metalforge.io/pedals/brands/dw)
- [Pedals Guide](https://metalforge.io/llms/pedals.md)
- [Best Pedals for Metal](https://metalforge.io/pedals/best-for-metal)
- [All LLM Resources](https://metalforge.io/llms/index.md)

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*Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*