At NAMM 2013 Mapex Drums introduced their new Saturn IV series, new products in the Mapex Falcon hardware series, and the Nomad snare drum and The Black Widow drum kit as additions to their Black Panther line.
In the videos, Mapex artist and product manager Joe Hibbs personally takes you through a tour of the Mapex booth at the music trade show and shows the new Mapex gear that will become available this year.
New Mapex Saturn IV series Mapex completely revised and revamped their flagship Saturn range. Now in its fourth generation, hence called Saturn IV, is available in two editions both faturing drums with a hybrid of maple plies and 5.1 mm walnut shell for a round, dark low-end. Saturn IV is offered in two different editions (and price points): the Saturn MH (Maple Hybrid) Edition and the MH Exotic Edition.
Both editions feature the same redesigned metal parts: Mapex wanted lighter parts to make the drums sing a bit more. It also means that after twenty years Mapex decided to eliminate its unique ITS suspension systems on the floor tom and bass drum spurs, because they made the drums heavier.
The Mapex Saturn IV range features new legs, feet and brackets on the floor tom, new memory mark spurs on the kick drums, reduced sized bass drum claws plus the new Mapex Soniclear suspension system.
Saturn IV MH Edition versus Saturn IV MH Exotic The Saturn MH Edition features six-ply snares and toms, and eight-ply bass drums and the hardware only comes in chrome finish.
The Saturn MH Exotic series features the same specifications as the Saturn MH Series but have an outer ply of exotic wood veneer, available in five distinct burl finishes. New mapex artist Russ Miller plays an MH Exotic with a Natural Ash burl finish. The Exotics all come standard with black chrome hardware.
Addition to the Mapex Black Panther line The Mapex Drum Company also announced two new additions to their flagship Black Panther series: the Black Panther Nomad snare, and the Black Panther Black Widow drum set.
Nomad snare drum The enw Black Panther Nomad snare drum (model BPBR3601LNM) was developed in conjunction with legendary artist Will Calhoun, drummer of Living Colour. The 13x6 inch, 1.2mm brass shell snare features a traditional 45 degree bearing edge, Sonic-Saver hoops, and the smooth Black Panther throw-off. This is a cylinder drive strainer that employs 'micro-lock' technology providing a silent, yet tactile 'click' as it's turned, allowing precise tension control of the premium snare wires. The Nomad snare will be available in stores in April.
Black Widow drum kit Mapex has taken traditional thin 5.1mm maple shells and combined them with a centered bearing edge with rounded back-cut to produce a classic balance of attack, body, and warmth. By increasing shell and drumhead contact, the edge profile limits unwanted overtones and produces a more rounded and centered tone.
Other features of the Black Panther Black Widow kit (model BPNW628XFLTB) include SONIClear tom suspension and floor tom legs, low-contact bass drum claws, memory mark bass drum spurs and lug casing. Its configuration is 22 x 18 inch Virgin bass drum; 10x7 inch plus 12x8 inch rack toms; 14x12 inch floor tom and a 16x14 inch floor tom.
Falcon bass drum pedal At the Winter NAMM Show 2013 Mapex also premiered their new Falcon hardware series including an addition to the Falcon bass drum pedal line.
New features include a reduced base plate size, interchangeable drive options (strap and direct drive are possible), footboard height adjustment, a self adjusting hoop clamp, beater angle adjustment and a beater with interchangable weights.
The PF1000 single bass drum pedal has a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $ 359.00. The PF1000TW double bass drum pedal's MSRP is $ 709.00. Idem for the PF1000LTW lefty version of the double bass drum pedal.
Falcon hi-hat stand The new Falcon HF1000 Hi-hat stand features a lockable quick-release wing nut on the clutch, extreme height adjustment, a foldable footboard that clips onto the stand for easy transportation, footboard height adjustment, tension adjuster, removable swivel legs, and high-friction rubber feet with retractable spikes. MSRP:$ 339.00
Falcon snare dum stand The new Falcon SF1000 snare stand features a centered omni-ball snare basket, hi-friction rubber feet with retractable spikes and offers extreme base height adjustment. MSRP: $ 169.00
Falcon boom stand The new Falcon BF1000 boom stand features a single-point boom arm adjuster with position markers, a tilter, a lockable quick-release wing-nut and a hide-away boom arm. MSRP: $ 209.00
