Mapex launched three new Black Panter Artist Series snare drums at NAMM 2015: the Chris Adler 'Warbird', the Matt Halpern 'Wraith' and Russ Miller's Versatus snare. 'Versatus' is a form of the Latin word Versatilis, meaning versatile. Russ has been designing for seven years to get the best versatile snare there is. He shows you how to play it to get the most out of it, and talks about all the efforts it took to build this drum.
The Mahogany Sandwich His 'Mahogany Sandwich' has a shell built as a Maple/Mahogany/Maple combination. Developing the feel of the drum was the hardest part of the process. To get that feel, the combination of wood density, diameter and thickness was important, and Russ and Mapex eventually found the perfect sound and feel in the 4 5/8" depth. And that is not really a common size.
"The gets everything done-snare drum," as he likes to call it, has a dry, focussed sound and has a 4-ply Maple Reinforcement Ring on the batter side only. It comes with Puresound snares because Russ feels these are the best snares on the market. Watch the video to get all the details on the snare from Russ Miller himself.
When you order the Versatus snare, you get, besides the personally signed picture booklet, a free download card for the new Arrival Trio album. This record features the Versatus on every track.
Versatus' main features:
14" x 4 5/8"
Mahogany / Maple Hybrid Shell
Top Side - Batter Rounded & Reinforced 45°, Snare Side - Rounded 35°
Sound: Versatile, Articulate, Controlled
Transparent Cherry Over Burl Finish
Black Brushed Chrome Hardware
Puresound 16-Strand Custom Series Snare Wire
Mapex Sonic Saver hoops
Russ' personal choice of snare wires and drum head fitted as standard
a personally signed picture booklet is included with the snare
