Mapex Introduces Meridian Birch Series Drum Sets

Mapex USA announced the introduction of the Meridian Birch Drum Set Series, an entirely new product line for 2009. In addition, Mapex introduced the Meridian Maple Series. All Meridian drum sets feature newly designed appointments, including lugs, mounts, badges and bass drum claws.

The Meridian Birch features 6-ply, 7.2mm, all birch shells with newly designed lugs for overall lower mass. Meridian Birch drums also feature Mapex 2.3mm Steel Powerhoops and Remo® UT heads.

The Meridian Birch's bass drum claws are newly designed to be low in profile and include rubber gaskets to protect the bass drum hoops. The bass drum's tom mount features new styling and a recessed adapter to accommodate an optional cymbal arm.

For the introduction of the Meridian Series, Mapex has re-engineered its Isolated Tom Mounting System. The improved system employs Mapex's unique combination of off-the-shell mounting hardware and single-point-of-contact lugs. The shell vibrates more freely, thereby improving sustain and resonance. The new Isolated Tom Mount System is significantly lighter and lower in profile than previous versions, also making precise positioning much easier.

Meridian drum sets feature newly designed Mapex 700 Series Hardware. The 700 Series has many features that are new to Mapex hardware including the Super-Glide stepless cymbal tilter and Multi-sustain Cymbal Felts, that allow the player to use any combination of plastic or felt on their cymbal stands for more precise sustain.

The Meridian Birch is available in eight hand lacquer finishes and seven configurations, featuring five and six-piece set-ups. All include 700 Series hardware. MSRP ranges from $1,539.99 for a six-piece Studioease configuration to $1,229.99 for five-piece set-ups, including the new "SRO" configuration. The SRO has 22x18 bass drum, 10x8 and 12x9 rack toms, a 16x16 floor tom with legs and a 14x5.5 snare drum.

The new Mapex Meridian birch series also includes a full line of add-on components that include a wide range of add-on toms and a "Go Large" double-bass add-on pack. All Meridian drum sets include an instructional set-up DVD, hosted by Drumming's Global Ambassador, Dom Famularo.

The Meridian Birch Series replaces the Mapex M Birch product line, which has been discontinued.