Mapex M Birch vs Mapex Pro M

[Nineball]

Alright finally after being unable to decide for the past few months, I have narrowed it down to these two Mapex kits as one of my next, either the M Birch in Honey Amber or the Pro M in Red Wood Fade. For the M Birch I was looking at the Crossover 22 setup which would have a 22" bass, 12"rack tom and 14 and 16 floor toms with a 14x5.5 snare and a decent hardware pack, but I would need to buy one more boom stand (not a huge deal). For the Pro M, I was looking at the classic setup which would have a 9x12 rack tom, 16x16 floor and 7x14 snare with a 22" bass and what seems to be a very solid harware pack with everything I would need included. It also comes with a BP snare, while it's not the best BP I have heard it is really pretty nice.

If I go the M Birch route, I could then buy a nice Black Panther, I was looking at either Premium Walnut or Hammered Stainless Steel and would get 4 new AAX cymbals - 14" stage hats, 20" stage ride , 16"aaxplosion and 18" aaxplosion crashes. The Pro-M would have the same cymbal setup without need to spend an extra 80-90 on a stand, but won't have the walnut or hammered stainless steel snare (though it does come with a cherry/maple snare). The M-Birch totals to $1876 where the Pro-M is $1888, so there is really no difference at all. I think I am leaning slightly to the Pro-M, but am really torn here and am just looking for input on what people think would be a better decision.

[Just Drums]

Personally, I would invest in the Pro-Ms. If it takes you a little longer to save up for the cymbals and other goodies, so be it. The Pro-M 14x7 snare that comes with the Classic is nice and deep and the free 13x6 BP is also very nice.

Pro-M baby!

[Celereon]

I personally own an M-Birch and I would recommend it no end. I think it is a fantastic kit and will definitely satisfy you. Of course, the Pro-M is just that little bit better. What I'm saying is basically, either way you won't be disappointed.
If I were you, though, I'd take the Pro-M if you could stand to wait a couple of months or however long it is until you save up enough to get that snare anyway.
Besides, the BP snare that comes with the kit is, as you said, quite nice.
Cel.

[Clubdrums]

I've got the same pro m classic setup in blue pearl and i love them. I'd buy them again if i had the choice. I play the 14X7 pro m snare a lot more than the black panther because i simply like it better because its deep and sharp. The BP is great too and its got a sweet crack to it. The bass is deep and the toms are really warm. The stock heads dont do the drums very much justice so I'd aslo consider investing in some good double ply heads. My Evans G2 clear sound great on them.

[MapexMan]

I have and M Birch and my son a new Pro M, so it's any easy comparison in our house.

They are both good, different, but good.

However, the Pro M is better IMHO and the hardware it too - 2.3mm power hoops, better hi-hat stand and a wee bit easier to tune....

[Doncaster]

Personally, I would invest in the Pro-Ms. If it takes you a little longer to save up for the cymbals and other goodies, so be it. The Pro-M 14x7 snare that comes with the Classic is nice and deep and the free 13x6 BP is also very nice.

Pro-M baby!

Hi,

Pro M are made of Asian maple. Do you have any idea how it affects the quality of sound?

[Norske]

Hey Nineball,

First, it seems that everyone is stating a preference for one kit over the other, and not considering sound qualities. The Pro-M is maple, and the M Birch is exactly that - birch. Maple and birch drums have distinctly different sound characteristics. Birch drums have more attack, and higher pitch. Maple drums generally produce lower tones but more subdued attack. You really have to listen to both and decide which sound you like best before you buy.

The type of music you're playing may influence your decision as well, and whether or not you will be recording.

Just my own thoughts, and I hope they help. But I would have to say, being the owner of two Mapex kits, that either way I know you won't be disappointed.

By the way, the finishes are incredible, and I own both a Honey Amber and a Black Forest Cherry M Birch kit. Pictures do not do them justice, they're gorgeous.

[Cymbalrider]

I own a Pro M and these things are definitely worth buying. However, I'm not a fan of that 22x20 sized bass drum. Mine is 18" deep and I can't stand it. The Birch kit seems like a good option too but I know birch rings a lot. With the Pro M you really will not have to worry about muffling drums in any way.