So, in the previous two updates we have looked at ten of the new Mapex drums for 2020 and here we will be looking at the last four.
First up…
The Shadow has a 14×6.5” birch/walnut shell, which is 7-ply 6.85mm. It’s finished in a natural gloss and has chrome hardware. The drum comes with Sonic Saver hoops, Cylinder-Drive strainer, SONIClear 45’ bearing edges, in-line locking B-lugs and Remo Ambassador heads.
This drum has plenty of spread to it but lots of attack too. You can also really hear the body of the shell.
http://mapexdrums.com/us/products/drums/snares/black-panther-2020/bpnbw4650cxn/
Predator
The Predator is the copper shelled drum of the new line.
It has a 14×6” 1.2mm seamed copper with rolled/moulded SONIClear 45’ bearing edges in a brushed/gloss finish and chrome hardware. You also get in-line locking B-lugs, Cylinder-Drive strainer, 16 strand wires and Remo Ambassador heads.
I like copper drums and this had a good solid copper sound. It has a lot of spread to the sound but is fat too at lower tensions. I wasn’t convinced when it was cranked up, but if it was mine I wouldn’t be going that high with it.
http://mapexdrums.com/us/products/drums/snares/black-panther-2020/bpnco4601cn/
Heritage
The 14×6” maple shelled Heritage snare has a 5-ply 5.0mm Maple with 4-ply 4mm walnut reinforcement rings. It’s finished in White Strata with chrome hardware. As with many of the other models, the Heritage also has Sonic Saver hoops, Cylinder-Drive strainer in-line locking B-lugs and Remo Ambassador heads.
This is a really nice classic looking snare drum. The sound has plenty of ring and attack to it but it still seemed quite controlled too. Another good all-rounder.
http://mapexdrums.com/us/products/drums/snares/black-panther-2020/bpnml4600cwd/
Cyrus
The Cyrus has a 14×6” 1mm thick steel shell with rolled/moulded SONIClear 45’ edges. The drum has an all-chrome look to it.
You also get Sonic Saver Hoops, a cylinder-drive strainer, in-line locking B-lugs, 16 strand wires and Remo Ambassador heads.
For me, this was a good all round steel snare drum but would be really good for louder applications. It went up, it went down and sounds like a steel snare drum, but it did it well. Probably not much more you can ask of it really.
http://mapexdrums.com/us/products/drums/snares/black-panther-2020/bpnst4601cn/
Summary
Mapex has come along way since I first reviewed some of their drums probably more than fifteen years ago. These new drums have been well thought out and designed and I couldn’t see or find any issues with their production. As I mentioned in part one, Mapex designed and created all of these drums with top drummer/endorser Russ Miller and I think it shows.
All in all, I really think these drums offer a lot.
They cover a lot of bases in terms of size, sound and shell options. In addition, they play really nicely and feel very solid. And, the best part really is that they are all affordably priced and gig-ready right out of the box.
Now, they do mostly all share the same basic features with respect to the lugs, hoops, strainers and wires – that’s part of the reason the pricing is so competitive – although it’s also not the case that they’re all the same. What you get is 14 different drums with 14 different personalities, each offering their own characters.
I honestly think that these new drums are some of the best about for their target audience and price point. They certainly rival other brand’s similar offerings in the same basic product groupings.
More details available at – http://mapexdrums.com/us/products/drums/snares/black-panther-2020/
David Bateman
December 2020
