Got to play out with the Armory last night for the first time. We played support to an all girl band (the same ones as last year) at a fantastic venue nearby. It was a 1920's ballroom in an Art Deco style - bet our sound was a shock to them! Got some great compliments on their sound,
My view at soundcheck.
The Armory looking sparkly in front of Anna's DWs.
Mapex Armory - Photon Blue
Mapex VXB kit - Transparent Black
Mapex & Pearl snares
Paiste Alpha & RUDE cymbals
Remo & Vater
Tama Silverstar Red and Black Fade
Pork Pie BOB 14x6.5
AAX Crashes
16" Ozone
18", 19" Fast
17", 18", and 19" Freq
Paiste 2002 24" Ride
Paiste 2002 14" Hi hat
I got my new (to me) Mapex Horizon kit set up today. I bought this from the youth department of our church for $350. I've got to get a cymbal arm mount for my other tom, replace the heads, and get me some new cymbals, but it's a nice kit that I'll use to teach my boys how to play on.
As a Saturn owner myself. . . . AWESOME!!!
So what heads are you using now ? the stock emperor clears ? I'm using EC2's and I like them a lot.
Just...wow!
Love everything about your kit. Color, configuration, cymbals, etc.
Proudly playing:
Doc Sweeney Drums
A bunch of snares
A bunch of cymbals
Off-Set double pedals
I think I love to play the drums simply because you get to hit 'em!!!
Thanks bunches!!!
One of my next purchases besides a drum tarp, will be a rack....will lessen the amount of stands and attachments needed.
Will also eventually get all Sabian AAX cymbals too. Have my eye on a 20" Sabian AAX Stadium ride. But I must say the 2 8" Wuhan Splashes sound great and are only $20 new.
Last edited by PeterBowman; 05-08-2016 at 08:01 PM.
Very nice Peter, the color worked out excellent, congratulations. What is your double pedal, looks to be an older direct drive, and nice assortment of cymbals
Mike
Last edited by myk; 05-08-2016 at 10:48 PM.
Very nice, Peter!
Had my fist gig out with the new Saturn V's on Saturday, and I'm definitely noticing a bit of extra punch and sustain, even over my previously-owned Saturn III's. The deep water maple burl looks fantastic under the lights, restrained and sophisticated - even the band commented, much to my surprise. I only ran it as a 4-piece as it was a rather small stage, but I'll get some pics up when I can get the whole kit together in the right venue.
A-kit: Mapex 6-pc Saturn V in Deep Water Maple Burl
1976 Ludwig Supraphonic 400, DW Design Black Nickel over Brass and Black Panther Velvetone snares
14" Zildjian A Mastersound hi-hats
21" Meinl Byzance Transition Ride
18" Sabian AAX China
Many Paiste Signature cymbals!
Roland SPD:ONE Percussion pad
Protection Racket cases
E-kit: Roland TD-12 with VEX
Did a little work on my kit today. I cut a mic hole in my kick drum then installed a protector around it. Then I tuned the kit and played around a bit. I can't wait to get my time mount so I can install the 8 inch tom and some new cymbals. Cymbals alone will enhance the sound 100 fold.
Dumb question time...
Are the Mapex Saturn III's any good?
I probably didn't express the question very well - and I apologise to anyone that may have just screamed 'WHAT!' but I'll try to expand on it a little. I've read that 'earlier' Mapex drums were not of the same quality as the stuff they are currently producing but I'm not sure what era the original posters were referring to - or their definition of 'early'. I've only been drumming for 3 years and my knowledge of drums manufactured before this is practically nil.
I'm considering buying a used Saturn and already know I definitely like the Saturn IV and have no reservation regarding sound/quality/value for money ratio etc, but I know little about the Saturn III. I believe the shells are the same walnut/maple (I think I've seen a birch/maple - or maybe birch/walnut? Saturn III but I'm not 100% sure) - the difference seems to be badges/colour schemes - am I missing something?
I've seen a few used Mk III's on eBay recently, priced reasonably, in good condition, only driven carefully by one mature lady owner etc etc. I guess my question is would you recommend a Mk III Saturn or suggest I wait, scrape an extra few hundred £ together and opt for a Mk IV and (other than the cosmetics) what is the difference between the Saturn III and IV?
Last edited by crispycritters; 05-18-2016 at 01:57 PM. Reason: Typo/incompetence
Pretty sure the difference between III and IV are mainly cosmetic. Mapex didn't introduce the SoniClear bearing edge to the Saturns until V. One of my kits is a III and it's one of the best sounding kits I've ever owned.
Yeah the 3's are really nice, I owned 2 of them and miss the 22" BD kit. The 3's have a much better badge IMO although alot of people really hated them as I recall. I personally do not like the Pacman ghost looking new badges but not enough to not own one : )
Ludwig Classic Maple 22x16,10x8,12x9,16x16
7" Moon Gel Practice Pad
Sabian HHX Legacy
Decide whether this is love for the craft or simply an ego thing
http://www.redskymary.com/ NOT MY BAND, JUST A GREAT LOCAL BAND WHO SHOULD BE SOOO MUCH BIGGER IMO
Thanks for the replies guys. Its good to hear they seem to be essentially the same drums as the Saturn IVs. I'm not worried about the badges - and don't understand why that is an issue for anybody.
I really like the undrilled bass with the sliding/removable bass drum mount - I wish Mapex had kept that feature on their newer models, if I decided to go the one up/one down route (which is likely as its probably all I actually need) I already have spare snare stands and hardware clamps if I decide to mount the tom to a cymbal stand - no nasty holes to cover, additional hardware to buy or redundant mount still in place. Good stuff.
I'll go back to my daily eBay watch, now I know the III and IVs are so similar its doubled my chances of finding a good one. Thanks chaps.
Last edited by crispycritters; 05-19-2016 at 02:04 PM. Reason: Gibberish
I got my tom mount in and added my 8 inch tom to the kit. New cymbals will be in this week!
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