Mapex M Series Snare

[darknessdude16]

Hi guys, I've just bought a 'brand new' (it actually is brand new, tags n all) Mapex M Series 14" Snare from eBay,Black Forest Cherry if must know =) and I got it for £72 which is roughly $141 U.S or $163 Canadian. I've had a look around and it seems that I've done a very good deal for the quality of the product. Just wanted opinions really, do you think that i've got a good drum at a low price?

[IDDrummer]

I've got the same snare - it came with my kit. If you've got the M Series and not the Pro M, then the drum is basswood instead of maple. It's still a well made drum, but the basswood will sound different than maple. I find that mine chokes a bit if tuned too tightly, but at lower tensioning sounds quite good.

I'd say you made a decent purchase!

[Deathmetalconga]

I've got the same snare - it came with my kit. If you've got the M Series and not the Pro M, then the drum is basswood instead of maple. It's still a well made drum, but the basswood will sound different than maple. I find that mine chokes a bit if tuned too tightly, but at lower tensioning sounds quite good.

I'd say you made a decent purchase!

What kind of wood is basswood? Where does it come from? Sounds like it would be softer and warmer and deeper, like mahogany. Where does it rate in hardness?

[IDDrummer]

What kind of wood is basswood? Where does it come from? Sounds like it would be softer and warmer and deeper, like mahogany. Where does it rate in hardness?

It's quite soft - about 400, whereas the harder woods like maple and birch are in the 1600+ range, IIRC.I've built a few bows, and used to know a lot of the specs for different woods, but one thing pushes out another, you know.

Not sure about origin, but it's a pretty popular wood because it is clear-grained and carves easily.

[Deathmetalconga]

It's quite soft - about 400, whereas the harder woods like maple and birch are in the 1600+ range, IIRC.I've built a few bows, and used to know a lot of the specs for different woods, but one thing pushes out another, you know.

Not sure about origin, but it's a pretty popular wood because it is clear-grained and carves easily.

I think soft woods can make great drums - Odery has some made of pine. Although I imagine they could scratch more easily, they would be lighter.

Nice Myspace page - don't feel bad about turning 43 - I turn 42 Wednesday the 28th and I feel like an old fart. I've never been this old before in my life.

[AveyTare]

I've got the same snare - it came with my kit. If you've got the M Series and not the Pro M, then the drum is basswood instead of maple. It's still a well made drum, but the basswood will sound different than maple. I find that mine chokes a bit if tuned too tightly, but at lower tensioning sounds quite good.

I'd say you made a decent purchase!

as far as I know, m series drums are birch, not basswood...

as for the snare... I owned 14/5 1/2 m snare and it wasn't the best snare around... but if tuned properly and if you'll buy good heads...

[driver]

I played a Pro M kit at my bands rehearsal studios and the snares quite nice. One had a Remo coated controlled sound head on and it really sounded great. A real nice ring (very slight) and good crack. So make sure u buy some great heads for it when you get it!

http://www.remo.com/portal/products/3/8/50/159/co_controlled_sound.html

[IDDrummer]

as far as I know, m series drums are birch, not basswood...


I am aware you can get M Birch these days, but it is not the same as the older M Series. The original M Series drums (before Mapex differentiated the line into Pro M and M Birch) were basswood. My drum is certainly basswood, though I can't speak for the one this fellow just bought.

[AveyTare]

I am aware you can get M Birch these days, but it is not the same as the older M Series. The original M Series drums (before Mapex differentiated the line into Pro M and M Birch) were basswood. My drum is certainly basswood, though I can't speak for the one this fellow just bought.

sorry, my mistake ;) mine was basswood I think, as there was no "birch" on the badge <or how do you call it :p> anyway, it wasn't great, but it might was because of bad tuning, so...

[darknessdude16]

Thats all kool, they seem like a decent enough drum to play. Anyone have anymore general feelings about the M Series particularly the snare i've just bought?

[Ogg]

I bought a new Cherry Mapex M Birch (my avatar) two months back and am more than pleased with it...apart from the snare. I find the snare 'rings' far too much despite whatever tuning/tention I use, although I'm about to change the factory heads this weekend to see it this makes a difference.

[joey]

i dunno bout everyone else here but i got my mapex m-birch n really love the snare with remo cs reverse dot its is ammazing lol well i like it not as good as top of the line ones but as snare go on mid price kits it very good