Need Advice! Mapex Maple Meridian vs Yamaha Stage Custom Birch

[Walizzay]

Hi all! Im looking for a new drumkit, and my choice is down to these two. They are both in the same price range, and I can't test the kits, as there are no stores near me. Which one would be the best purchase?

Thanks in advance!

[Zeta]

Hi all! Im looking for a new drumkit, and my choice is down to these two. They are both in the same price range, and I can't test the kits, as there are no stores near me. Which one would be the best purchase?

Thanks in advance!

Meridian Maple in my honest opinion is a higher quality kit.

But they are different in sound.

The Birch is going to have more punch and focus

The Maple is going to be warmer and more resonant


Both are very nice kits so either way you can't go wrong, but I like the Mapex better.

[MDK]

Just make sure the Yamaha is a 100% Birch if you go that way, there are quite a few that are falkata, mahogany mixtures that sound completely different from birch.

You should go on youtube and listen to some Birch kits and then some Maple kits and decide on what sound you like more. There are even a few videos that have side by side comparisons. Both kits are very nice hardware and quality wise so it's really just a matter of sound preference.

[weezy]

IMO, the meridian is a better sounding kit with more interesting finish options. The all birch stage customs aren't bad, but I like the meridian better.

[kaosotis]

I had a Tour Custom (same as Stage Custom but Maple) for a year and I've had my current Meridian Maple for about 7 months.

From my perspective, the Meridian Maple is a better kit. The hardware is higher quality (but still light), and I found I get a much better tone out of the Meridians than I did the TC's, even with the same heads.

Keep in mind Meridians are discontinued, so add-ons will be tough. The flip side is they can be on sale. I know of one online vendor where you might be able to get a deal if you PM me.

[Walizzay]

Thanks for the input everyone! I've opted for the Meridian Maple, from what I've heard on youtube videos they sound better than the birch SC's.

[Walizzay]

I had a Tour Custom (same as Stage Custom but Maple) for a year and I've had my current Meridian Maple for about 7 months.

From my perspective, the Meridian Maple is a better kit. The hardware is higher quality (but still light), and I found I get a much better tone out of the Meridians than I did the TC's, even with the same heads.

Keep in mind Meridians are discontinued, so add-ons will be tough. The flip side is they can be on sale. I know of one online vendor where you might be able to get a deal if you PM me.

Hey man! Thanks for your help, it seems I dont have enough posts made to PM you though, is there any other way I can reach you? Or maybe can you PM me instead? Thanks!