Mapex Drums Discussion

[Lesizmor]

Well guys and gals, it seems the idea for a brand specific discussion thread is a good one. So I thought why not one for us MAPEX freaks?
Here is a chance to ask questions and share tips on topics like head selection and set up options about everthing MAPEX from Q series to the awesome Orions. Maybe even show off your new gear??


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[Bish]

This is a good idea, Les. I hope we see one for each brand. All drum mfg's have something for somebody and why not exploit the positives so future buyers can have good facts to go by and not just someone's opinion based on them hearing someone else's opinion.

BTW, what brand to you like, right now?

[Beave]

I can say the first time i played a Mapex birch kit, i bought it and was hooked! This time a year ago i had heard of mapex but didnt know anything about them. After owning the M birch and now the Saturn i will say they make some high quality products. One thing i noticed about the Saturn bass drums is that they have a distinct, thunderous sound. Anytime someone hears my kit they comment on how powerful the bass is and what can i say i love that sound. Of course other drums have great sound too as there are so many great brands making good stuff. I just like having something different and my Mapex gives me that with its sound and still not really a mainstream name. I still run into people that arent familiar with mapex and cant believe they havent heard them before since they are top notch. Being a drum fanatic, of course there are other kits i still want from other brands but i do love my mapex and would put it up against anything else out there in terms of durability and sound.

[Norske]

Well I guess I have to jump in on this one, since I now own my third Mapex kit. I've owned two M Birch kits previously, and now own their top of the line Orions.

Mapex has made a big impact in the drum industry in recent years, and is getting a reputation for offering the best "bang for the buck", party due to the fact that they've offered a free tom or Black Panther snare with many of their kits. Their quality is excellent, as exemplified by the fact that their plant in China has been awarded the ISO 9001 distinction, the highest award for quality given out in manufacturing. To back up the importance of that quality, the parent company of Mapex, KHS Musical Instruments, now manufactures drum shells and hardware for several other top name drum companies.

Fine quality drums and hardware hardware, competitive pricing, and top notch customer service are making Mapex one of the big names in drum manufacturing. Oh, did I mention the variety of finishes? Outstanding looking finishes in both wraps and lacquers, and they constantly release new finishes that are innovative and eye catching.

Here are a couple of pics of my past and present Mapex kits.

[Bish]

Those Orions are just stunning Norske. I bet the camera isn't doing that finish any favors either.

[itchie]

woot mapex rocks

[Bish]

Eye Candy, Itchie!!

Those are amazing to look at.

[Beave]

Guess ill post a pic of mine since this is the official Mapex thread!

[rocknroll]

I'd love to have a Mapex one day but I'm quite happy with my Ludwigs at the moment, nice kits everyone

[quikstang2]

Here's a few of mine...
vintage Mars in the original yellow before I refinished it.
1998 Mars Pro SE in transparent aqua green
2007 VX black (current kit)
and my Black Panther snares:
14x3.5" Phosphor Bronze (january 1999)
14x6.5" phosphor bronze (august 2000)
10x5.5" flat black maple (june 2000)
12x7" cherry maple (july 2006)
I also bought a 14x6.5 to match the 1998 set that I had sold (no pics though)

The first time I saw a Mapex kit was in a rehearsal room, and I laughed at it (unknown brand). Six weeks later I was begging my parents to buy me one. I've been hooked ever since. I did own a Tama Rockstar in the midst of the Mapex stuff because they offered a double bass configuration. I decided to downsize (shell sizes mainly) and I wanted the hexagonal L-rods and Mapex's ITS back, so I went for the VX. I don't see myself buying another set.

[Dustin]

I've said it before on DC - Mapex are only a couple of really household big name drummer endorses away from world domination!

While we are at it here are my Saturns...

[The Chazbo]

I love Mapex :P I have an M Birch in Honey Amber
I love it so much. Even with the stock heads, it still sounds awesome. My M Birch is my second kit, before that I had a starter kit, and the difference is just immense. I can't stop playng the kit, but my neighbours aren't too happy I'll try to get some pics up soon when I've sorted my computer out.

[The Chazbo]

Here's a test on uploading a pic...it's not very good quality, if it comes up at all

[xweasel]

I've been thinking of saving up my cash for a 7 piece Pro M, with a Black Panther snare.

Pfft, of course it has to be black. Everything looks better in black!

[itchie]

these are the finishes you can choose from

orion-

saturn-

pro m-

[Beave]

Man, an Orion in Ebony burst!!!! Im sure you have seen the kit on the Mapex catalog cover, what a beauty.

[Dustin]

Man all those colours! I remember when i brought my first kit and it was black, white or wine red only!

[Lesizmor]

Sweet kits folks..keep em coming!!! -Les

[Lesizmor]

New gear from Mapex..Just released.. The Meridian birch/maple replaced M Birch and Pro M! More in a minute!! -Les

[fiacovaz]

Is It Live or is it MAPEX?

[Bish]

New gear from Mapex..Just released.. The Meridian birch/maple replaced M Birch and Pro M! More in a minute!! -Les

OH man, they were best sellers...

[2slow]

So hows the pricing on the new stuff ??

[itchie]

this is taken straight from Harmony central

The Meridian Maple is available in eight configurations, featuring five and six-piece set-ups. All include 700 Series hardware. MSRP ranges from$1,929.99 for a six-piece Studioease configuration to $1,539.99 for five-piece set-ups, including the new "SRO" configuration. The SRO has 22x18 bass drum, 10x8 and 12x9 rack toms, a 16x16 floor tom with legs and a 14x5.5 snare drum


The Limited Edition Meridian Birdseye Maple drum set carries an MSRP of $2,489.99.

[itchie]

also dec 2008 news

Mapex Releases Limited Edition Orion Select Burl Component Pack

this looks hot!

[kaosotis]

So after deciding not to wrap/restore my Tama Crestars, I'm looking into a shell kit. Mapex is high on my list, because they seem to have good bang for the buck, etc... There's a used Mars Pro (Pro M?) 5 piece shell kit for $340. It's probably worth a look, right?

My other question is if people think places will be discounting the old kits heavily? That would be perfect for me. While I'd love the newest stuff, getting a M Birch shell kit for $500 or less would be a dream!