Mapex M Birch vs. Pearl Export vs. Yamah Stage Custom

[sssssssss]

Hello!
I'm about to buy a drumset in the region of 1450 euros (cymbals & additional hardware included) and was thinking of either Mapex M Birch, Pearl Export or Yamah Stage Custom. The Mapex would seem like the best offer, as they provide an extra 8" tom for free with the fusion configuration (22, 10, 12, 14, 14SD). The only thing is I never heard one of these kits live, I just searched for some videos to hear what they sound like, and they seemed a bit too dry, closed sounding (which is quite probable in a birch kit). They seem to have a faster decay than for instance Pearl Export.

What would you recommend? How satisfied are those of you who use Mapex M Birch?

[metal overlord]

Hello!
I'm about to buy a drumset in the region of 1450 euros (cymbals & additional hardware included) and was thinking of either Mapex M Birch, Pearl Export or Yamah Stage Custom. The Mapex would seem like the best offer, as they provide an extra 8" tom for free with the fusion configuration (22, 10, 12, 14, 14SD). The only thing is I never heard one of these kits live, I just searched for some videos to hear what they sound like, and they seemed a bit too dry, closed sounding (which is quite probable in a birch kit). They seem to have a faster decay than for instance Pearl Export.

What would you recommend? How satisfied are those of you who use Mapex M Birch?

The Mapex, because the yamaha stage custom is no better than an export, and a Mapex is much bettee than an export.

[Mr. Pasquini]

I'd say any other than the pearl but the Mapex would be my first choice.

[DamoSyzygy]

Personally, Id be going the M Birch. Better wood and nicer finish quality than the other two, although the Yamaha hardware is quite nice at that price level.

[metal overlord]

Oh, and with any drum set. If you don't like the sound of it, get new heads. and what do you mean "decay" faster than an export?


Anyway, Mapex makes very fine drums, you will be pleased. Birch is a good wood, too.

[Drummer30]

The Mapex, because the yamaha stage custom is no better than an export, and a Mapex is much bettee than an export.

Yamaha no better than an export? I tend to disagree strongly here because Yamaha's hardware is the superior of all three kits and the general wood and construction beats the export any day. Just wait till I get the yammie-love mob over here (jk, we're peaceful people except for the whole drumming thing). As for the best for the wood you receive the Mapex will be better for sure.

[konaboy]

Yeah I wouldn't be putting the Export and Stage Customs in the same category, not even close when comparing quality and hardware!

[metal overlord]

Yamaha no better than an export? I tend to disagree strongly here because Yamaha's hardware is the superior of all three kits and the general wood and construction beats the export any day. Just wait till I get the yammie-love mob over here (jk, we're peaceful people except for the whole drumming thing). As for the best for the wood you receive the Mapex will be better for sure.

Wood wise, sound wise. Im not speaking of actual quality of hardware. I'de take a yammy over the pearl, and the mapex over both.

[sticky.widget]

Oh, and with any drum set. If you don't like the sound of it, get new heads. and what do you mean "decay" faster than an export?


Anyway, Mapex makes very fine drums, you will be pleased. Birch is a good wood, too.


I've always been a TAMA guy, but tested and picked up a set of M-Birches about a month ago and have never looked back.

They're excellent quality, moderately priced, and have a very nice range of sound options depending on head configuration. You'll not be disappointed....

Cheers!

[nhzoso]

If the M-Birch sounds dry and decay's faster to your ear than why not look into a Pro-M, same kit just all maple instead.

I don't know all the differences here. I mean to say Yamaha has much better hardware?? Who knows, it may be better but Much better?? It's not like Export or Mapex Hardware is going to fall apart.

I have Sonor series 400 hardware with my Mapex Saturns and I cannot imagine needing better or sturdier hardware and they are just about bottom of the line hardware for Sonor. I have looked at the hardware in stores for the Mapex -M series and it looks and feels just as good as my Sonor 400 series.

[rendezvous_drummer]

The Mapex, because the yamaha stage custom is no better than an export, and a Mapex is much bettee than an export.

Are you serious? I own both a Yamaha Stage Custom and a Pearl Export, and the Yamaha smashes the Pearl in terms of quality of wood, sound, hardware, everything that is a positive aspect. The Mapex...it's a good kit, but honestly, nothing beats Yamaha.

[sssssssss]

Woohoo! First off, thanks for all the replies!
I see most opinions obviously plead for the Mapex.
Honestly, I thought just the same - the Mapex seems to offer a bit higher quality at about the same price...
nhzoso, I would definitely go for the Pro M, those drums sound absolutely gorgeous, the problem is I don't have enough money for a maple kit:(

[nhzoso]

Woohoo! First off, thanks for all the replies!
I see most opinions obviously plead for the Mapex.
Honestly, I thought just the same - the Mapex seems to offer a bit higher quality at about the same price...
nhzoso, I would definitely go for the Pro M, those drums sound absolutely gorgeous, the problem is I don't have enough money for a maple kit:(

h ahhh I guess they seem to run about $200 more than the Birch, Have you looked into a nice used set on E-bay?

[Mystic]

Alright, first of all I don't think you will get a bad kit in that price range no matte what kit you get and 2nd I think a lot of the sound depends on the room it is being played in, what heads are on it, and how they are tuned... so you say the mapex decays faster, but what if you were listening to a recording of it with 2 ply heads on it? All in all I have the export and I have heard the mapex, and to honestly say I like the I.S.S. hardware with the export better than what the mapex offered, but I think they are both great sounding kits and you aren't going to go wrong with either.

[Keeno]

Why not throw the Gretsch Catalina's into the mix. All maple shells, pro quality, intermediate price...free 16" Floor tom, deep 6" x 14" snare.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gretsch-Drums-Catalina-Maple-Fusion-Shell-Pack-with-Free-16-Floor-Tom?sku=445670

[Bob Smith]

I would get the mapex they sound awesome and thier hardware is pretty sturdy. But the pearl set does feature the ISS holders but i think lacks just a little in the sound quality.

[sssssssss]

yup, i totally forgot about the gretsch and it actually sounds like a great option...for the future:))as i ordered the mapex already. hopefully there isn't much to worry about concerning them... they also provide an additional 8" tom ,that's important for me:D

[prempex]

good choice, my new mapex i got for christms came with an 8" tom.
stock skin is nothing special, but ive replaced it now, so its all good.

[schist]

First of all, are we talking regular poplar-wood Exports or the maple Export Customs?

[Class A Drummer]

Out of the 3 i would go with the Yamaha. But for a mid level set i would defintley go with a Gretsch Catalina. Much better quality for the money in my opinion.

[hyperdrummer]

I'd say any other than the pearl but the Mapex would be my first choice.

I agree here. But what is with the ISS hardware? I had an Export kit with it, and it truly sucks if you use Evans heads. The Evans head has a thicker rim and sticks out of the bottom of the hoop, and when you tighten the mount down, it pinches everything out of tune, making tuning a bit if a challenge at times.

Mapex should have good sustain. Alot of computers and cameras can't pick up lower frequencies that well, making alot of resonance inaudible.

And to think I used to be an avid Pearl fan.

[metal overlord]

I agree here. But what is with the ISS hardware? I had an Export kit with it, and it truly sucks if you use Evans heads. The Evans head has a thicker rim and sticks out of the bottom of the hoop, and when you tighten the mount down, it pinches everything out of tune, making tuning a bit if a challenge at times.

Mapex should have good sustain. Alot of computers and cameras can't pick up lower frequencies that well, making alot of resonance inaudible.

And to think I used to be an avid Pearl fan.


ISS is no differant than any other mounting system. Just a differant name.

[sssssssss]

i guess they have enough sustain for my ear sitting behind them and playing, but in an amplified situation, fot the public's ears, i'm not quite sure they do. anyways great to see almost everybody recommending mapex :D

[Marshmallow Jones]

I had about the same budget as you, I did as much research as I could and decided that I liked the extra 8" tom that came with the Mapex, and the hardware was as good as most stuff out there. So I went with Mapex, swapped out the heads and I have really liked it. The snare is the only downside, pretty ring-y but it's tuneable.

[punkdrummer1]

mapex is probaly the best I think, but why not Tama superstars?

[sssssssss]

mainly beacause they'd be approximately the same deal as the mapex (with outer plies of basswood instead of maple...) but without the additional tom :D

[spartacus1989]

Too be honest, Mapex has the best sound and the best hardware out of the 3.

[metal overlord]

mainly beacause they'd be approximately the same deal as the mapex (with outer plies of basswood instead of maple...) but without the additional tom :D


I thought M birch is 100% birch?

[Big_Philly]

the problem is I don't have enough money for a maple kit:(

Maybe have a look at the Sonor Force 3007, they're maple and I think they're around the same price as the M birch and Stage Custom, maybe a little more but it should be possible to get one for under 1450 euros. Only problem is that you wont have much budget left for cymbals.

[tomk]

ISS is no differant than any other mounting system. Just a differant name.

The ISS is different. These latch onto the rims of the drums. They can actually distort the hoops over time so I've heard. Opti-mounts are better which is why they are on Pearls more high end drums.

[sssssssss]

No, the Mapex isn't 100% birch. It's mainly birch, but it's got 3 outer plies of maple (and 6 inner plies of birch).

I looked into Sonor 3007, but for sure I can't afford all the cymbals I need...

[Drummer30]

Too be honest, Mapex has the best sound and the best hardware out of the 3.

I agree that the Mapex may be fair contest in sound for the Yamaha but the construction quality and hardware will be much better than the Mapex. The Yamaha hardware is all made in their motorcycle factory and if rugged and functional. I have set up my kit in bunch of different ways with the same hardware. Ask anyone that owns or has owned a Yamaha, there are few companies who compare to them.

[sssssssss]

I tried the Yamaha Stage Customs so far... indeed the Yamaha hardware is great. But I also took a look at a Mapex VX - which is an inferior series to the M Birch I ask about - in store and its hardware does seem excellent as well.