Mapex Saturn Vs Mapex Orion

[mikei]

Hello All,

I think I am going to go Mapex. Either kit will be a 7 piece.

That said, if I go with the Saturn, I will be going with Shane at Just Drums. He offered me a great deal.

However, I did find a new Orion 7 piece that was a floor model and has less than 30 mins playing time for just over 2K delivered to my home.

The Orion is just a bit more and I can swing the extra if needed.

What would you do?????

Thanks

Mike

[harryconway]

I'd go with the Saturn. Walnut interiors. Just a little bit different.

[Joe P]

I'd definitely take the Saturns. Much better bang for your buckin my opinion, and I love the sound of those shells!

[LayinDown]

I'd go with the Saturn. Walnut interiors. Just a little bit different.

I thought the Saturn's had the Walnut layer on the outside, not the inside? Otherwise, they are the same shells as the Pro-M. I could be wrong; I often am!

[RobertM]

I would go with the Saturns as well. The Walnut interior makes them different from your average maple kit, the Saturn finishes are great (much better than the Orion finishes, in my opinion), and the tom hardware is pretty cool. It is also a very versatile drum: I've seen jazz players to metal players use a Saturn.

I once spoke with a rep. at Saturn, and he said the Saturns were the most popular drums among their endorsees--if that kind of thing matters to you.

[mind_drummer]

Saturn all the way man ! Ask yourself why many of Mapex endorsees choose saturn over Orion. BTW, Jeff Ivester from Mapex sent me an email two years ago telling me that PRO M & ORION share mostly the same shell, it's just that Orion has an exotic or burl ply outside and cast hardware with mounted BD spurs and floor tom legs.

I thought the Saturn's had the Walnut layer on the outside, not the inside? Otherwise, they are the same shells as the Pro-M. I could be wrong; I often am!

The walnut is inside, 4 outer ply of maple and two inner ply of walnut.

[nhzoso]

Hey Mikei,

Definetly go with the Saturns. Oh and I just happen to be selling my Saturns if your interested : ).. I live in East Rochester NH.. It a 5pc standard size shells and toms mounts only.. Bought new in 2007.. Color is rootbeer burst. I hate to do it but I need the cash

[nhzoso]

Hey Mikei,

Definetly go with the Saturns. Oh and I just happen to be selling my Saturns if your interested : ).. I live in East Rochester NH.. It a 5pc standard size shells and toms mounts only.. Bought new in 2007.. Color is rootbeer burst. I hate to do it but I need the cash

Yes I am quoting myself.. I am glad I did not sell them. came close but the wife surprisingly insisted that we try to keep them and lo and behold everything turned out ok so far and I still have my kit..: )

What did you end up getting Mikei?

[trkdrmr]

I like the saturns better, they are warmer.

www.massmusic.net has a blowout on saturns in twilight stardust and mango burst. Much less than anyone else.

[drummer girl09]

This isn't for saturn or orion, but does Mapex make acrylic sets? I haven't ever seen one from Mapex.

[Ironcobra]

Never mind which drum kit, you're buying ANOTHER drum kit?

The regular Saturns sound okay to me, it's the limited edition birch/walnut Saturns that sound fantastic.

[trkdrmr]

it's the limited edition birch/walnut Saturns that sound fantastic.

Chris from family guy: "Whhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat???"

Now I have to look into those. Sounds cool. Amazing what I missed while deployed.

EDIT: here is what I found: http://usa.mapexdrums.com/news/news_story.asp?ID=196

Mapex USA announced the release of a special edition of its hybrid shell Saturn Series drum set. The new set features a Birch and Walnut composite shell in two new lacquer finishes. The drums will be sold as a five-piece shell pack only and is available exclusively through the Five Star Drum Shops.

The Saturn Birch shell is composed of four interior walnut plies, and two exterior plies of birch. The result is a thin 5.8mm shell wall on the toms. The 7.2mm bass drum is constructed with two walnut plies on the interior of the drum, surrounded by four birch plies.

“Like our maple and walnut Saturn, this shell produces sonic properties that are exclusive to Mapex,” explains Joe Hibbs, Manager of R&D and Artist Relations for Mapex USA. “ The birch gives the drum plenty of attack, but the walnut rounds out the overall sound. It’s quite unique.”

http://usa.mapexdrums.com/images/news/SW628XBFSFS_front_hi.jpg

[trkdrmr]

And more
The drums will be sold as a shell pack only and have limited availability. The sizes include a 22x20 bass drum (with no tom mount), 10x8 and 12x9 tom toms and 14x12 and 16x14 floor toms with legs. Hardware and snare drums are sold separately. Multi-clamps and tom arms are included for the rack toms. MSRP for the Special Edition Saturn Birch is $2,739.99. Add-on components will not be available.

Not a bad price! Chop 30-40% off that for street price!
The sound is actually attacking but warm, which gives the soundman an easier job to EQ them,” says Greene. “The toms have more of a round sound but are still warm. After hearing the drums on one of the shows I discovered that these Saturn's are amazing.”

Opposite Greene is Darrell Robinson who has played for Jill Scott, Floetry, Musiq Soulchild and LL Cool J. “This walnut and birch drum is absolutely killin’. The toms are easier to tune and the overall projection is better. I can easily hear Eric’s kit and he can easily hear mine, which is very important with the two drummer thing.”

Galaxy fade
http://usa.mapexdrums.com/images/news/SW628XBFSGA_front_hi.jpg

[Amoredrummer]

I like Both I personly would which ever one I feel more comfortable playing. But both saturn and Orion are amazing in the way tht mapex paid close attention to the details in these kits.

[Ironcobra]

The amazing thing about the Birch/Walnut Saturns is that they have both the characteristics of a warm Maple shell and a punchy Birch shell. It's not a bit of both, which is what's expected from a hybrid shell, but it's all the warmth of a Maple shell and all attack of a birch shell. The 12" tom resonates like a E-kit with a huge subwoofer, but sounds authentic like a real drum. Awesome combination.