Meridian Birch or Saturn

[ChaosDecides]

I'm buying my first kit next month and am trying to decide on which Mapex series to get. I can afford the Saturn so that isn't the big concern, it's just that I can get a larger kit with the Meridian Birch due to lower costs and I was just curious if the difference in sound and the ability to stay in tune, etc. is big enough to warrant spending the extra for the Saturn? After reading the drum tuning bible I've become more informed on what aspects of the drum play the biggest part on the sound and that the price tag doesn't necessarily mean the drum is inferior/superior.

The Saturn Jazz pack, minus the snare and hardware is what I'm looking at for that series so that size configuration would apply to the Meridian as well. 20x18, 10x8, 12x9, 14x14.

I want the following setup in the end. 20x18 (using double pedal), 8x7, 10x8, 12x9 14x10 rack toms, 14x14, 16x16, 18x16 floor toms. I have the Retrosonic snare so I'm set on that.

[iontheable]

Originally Posted by ChaosDecides

I'm buying my first kit next month and am trying to decide on which Mapex series to get. I can afford the Saturn so that isn't the big concern, it's just that I can get a larger kit with the Meridian Birch due to lower costs and I was just curious if the difference in sound and the ability to stay in tune, etc. is big enough to warrant spending the extra for the Saturn? After reading the drum tuning bible I've become more informed on what aspects of the drum play the biggest part on the sound and that the price tag doesn't necessarily mean the drum is inferior/superior.

The Saturn Jazz pack, minus the snare and hardware is what I'm looking at for that series so that size configuration would apply to the Meridian as well. 20x18, 10x8, 12x9, 14x14.

I want the following setup in the end. 20x18 (using double pedal), 8x7, 10x8, 12x9 14x10 rack toms, 14x14, 16x16, 18x16 floor toms. I have the Retrosonic snare so I'm set on that.

Meridian is a fine kit for a first kit, hell its a fine kit for anyone.

Keep in mind it also comes in Maple, my personal preference and even more so, my kit.

Any shell pack you buy is, in all likelihood going to come with a snare..but I've enjoyed using two in my kit

But by all means, if you have the means for a Saturn..I say why not? Hope you stick with it, with a price tag like that.

I salvaged my first kit for under $80 and learned 'the basics' (or so I thought) I'd say invest in anything remotely close to a decent kit to start on...and once you master those, you can treat yourself to any kit.

[ChaosDecides]

Originally Posted by iontheable

Meridian is a fine kit for a first kit, hell its a fine kit for anyone.

Keep in mind it also comes in Maple, my personal preference and even more so, my kit.

Any shell pack you buy is, in all likelihood going to come with a snare..but I've enjoyed using two in my kit

But by all means, if you have the means for a Saturn..I say why not? Hope you stick with it, with a price tag like that.

I salvaged my first kit for under $80 and learned 'the basics' (or so I thought) I'd say invest in anything remotely close to a decent kit to start on...and once you master those, you can treat yourself to any kit.

This is the Saturn shell pack I'm referring to http://www.justdrumsonline.com/p-427...-no-snare.aspx

[scarlit]

If you have the cash, go for the Saturns. Great drums

[diegobxr]

Hi there man,

I own a Meridian Birch kit, and it's fine, it's a great intermediate kit.. but nothing compared to a Saturn.


Get the Saturn, those are high-end, professional kits. You'll be glad you did on the long term.

Cheers.

[kettles]

If the Saturn sound is what you like, then get that. They are great. I also love the birch sound but prefer the higher-end Saturn. Extra toms are not too expensive either I don't think, here are a couple on Drummer Superstore to give you an idea:

https://www.drummersuperstore.com/Ma...bn%28il%29.htm

https://www.drummersuperstore.com/Ma...-c%28il%29.htm

https://www.drummersuperstore.com/Ma...07%28il%29.htm

[ChaosDecides]

Originally Posted by kettles

If the Saturn sound is what you like, then get that. They are great. I also love the birch sound but prefer the higher-end Saturn. Extra toms are not too expensive either I don't think, here are a couple on Drummer Superstore to give you an idea:

https://www.drummersuperstore.com/Ma...bn%28il%29.htm

https://www.drummersuperstore.com/Ma...-c%28il%29.htm

https://www.drummersuperstore.com/Ma...07%28il%29.htm

Yeah I've checked out the individual shell prices and they aren't that bad. I'm going with Green Apple Burst, btw. :)

[ChaosDecides]

Sounds like the Saturn is the way to go. Now I just have to suffer waiting for a week or two, lol.

[Solaris]

You won't be disappointed with the Saturns - great drums. very big sound thanks to the Walnut inner plies.

[ChaosDecides]

Originally Posted by iontheable

Meridian is a fine kit for a first kit, hell its a fine kit for anyone.

Keep in mind it also comes in Maple, my personal preference and even more so, my kit.

Any shell pack you buy is, in all likelihood going to come with a snare..but I've enjoyed using two in my kit

But by all means, if you have the means for a Saturn..I say why not? Hope you stick with it, with a price tag like that.

I salvaged my first kit for under $80 and learned 'the basics' (or so I thought) I'd say invest in anything remotely close to a decent kit to start on...and once you master those, you can treat yourself to any kit.

Both my guitars cost that much or more so it isn't too outrageous.

[mls]

Saturn all the way. Quality over quantity. Not that the Meridian's are lacking in the quality department.

[BabyBob]

Saturns, one could always add more toms if the need is there...

[Push]

If you have the $$$......go Saturn hands down.

[RobertM]

Aren't the tom mounts on the Meridians way better than the Saturns, though? The Saturn is a higher quality kit, I suppose, but the Meridian mounts, which are also used on the Black Panther kits, seem to allow the toms to vibrate and breathe better than the Saturn/Orion mounts that fasten to the lug.

[kettles]

my guess is that the decision to make a new tom mount was to make the meridians more different from the older pro m and m birch kits, not because they make the drums sound any better. The reason for the saturns still using the older mount may be that the new one doesn't work so well as a floor tom leg mount. I had wondered why the black panther kits didn't have the isolation mounts on the floor toms also, so that may be why. Just an idea.

[Drumolator]

I bought a snare drum yesterday. I played a Saturn and a Meridian Birch, as well as others, and ended up getting the Saturn. It was worth the extra $100. Now I have the best snare I have ever owned. Peace and goodwill.

[scarlit]

The Saturns have maybe the best "stock" snare out there. I have 2 myself

[Stixnergard2]

Originally Posted by kettles

my guess is that the decision to make a new tom mount was to make the meridians more different from the older pro m and m birch kits, not because they make the drums sound any better. The reason for the saturns still using the older mount may be that the new one doesn't work so well as a floor tom leg mount. I had wondered why the black panther kits didn't have the isolation mounts on the floor toms also, so that may be why. Just an idea.

I like the direct mounting of the kick spurs and FT mounts on the BP series. Personally one of the factors that has kept me from buying a Saturn kit is the over engineered bass drum iso style tom mount, iso spur mounts, and iso floor tom mounts. Great shells with a wonderful sound but the over engineering in design reminds me of what Sonor has done on their high end kits.
BTW- I do love my Meridian kit and I would love a BP one of these days, so I'm a Mapex fan all the way!

Originally Posted by Stixnergard2

I like the direct mounting of the kick spurs and FT mounts on the BP series. Personally one of the factors that has kept me from buying a Saturn kit is the over engineered bass drum iso style tom mount, iso spur mounts, and iso floor tom mounts. Great shells with a wonderful sound but the over engineering in design reminds me of what Sonor has done on their high end kits.
BTW- I do love my Meridian kit and I would love a BP one of these days, so I'm a Mapex fan all the way!

Well that is the first time I have ever heard them called over engineered. :) I would say the ones on the Meridian, and BP, look a lot more engineered. Did you ever think that maybe those mounts are what help the Saturns sound so good. The versatility of them far exceeds anything else I have seen.