Mapex Snares

Any opinions on Mapex snare drums?

I went into Sam Ash last night to pick up some new heads since I'm going into the studio this weekend. I figured while I was there I'd check out snares since I'm trying to add one or two to my collection. I played a Black Beauty, a Supraphonic, a couple Tamas...nothing really sounded good/good enough for the money. Then I saw this puke colored snare drum sitting on the floor with an old beat up Aquarian head on it. I picked it up and hit it. It sounded pretty damn good. So, I threw it on a stand.

I definitely liked the sound on a stand in the big room and then with a kit in the cymbal room. When I took it into the cymbal room I did notice some ring, but that's ok, cause my Pork Pie maple is incredibly dry and I'm looking for a 70's rock sound.

Anyway, the thing is tagged at $79. The shell was clean, but the rims did feel like they've seen a little humidity. No real pitting yet. The only discount the guy said he'd give me was to take off tax. Oh, boy, oh boy, oh boy. I left it there, but I'm still debating it.

Any thoughts on durability, price, etc. from Mapex owners (or knowers)?

Ok...a little more info. I just called over there to doublecheck the model. It's a Mapex Pro-M Series 5 1/2 x 14. It looks like I could get a brand new one on Ebay for the same price plus shipping.

Anyway, still interested in your opinions.

The Pro-M series is an all Maple shell. It's the intermediate kit for Mapex but a solid investment as a kit. The snare alone is nothing to write home about, but not the worst thing you could find. (Read: Mapex Q series)

Most likely someone bought the kit but didn't keep the snare because they had a better one.

If you have a pork pie all maple you probalby have the potential to get the same sound...especially if the sizing is similar. Take note of the heads the Mapex snare had and/or how it was tuned. You may be able to save yourself some green.

(I am not accounting for the venting or hoops on your pork pie. I'm assuming you don't have die cast hoops, thought you may have a large vent hole that aids in your snare being dry).

If you need a backup snare, it sounds like it may be a decent deal. But if you get a new one off the internet, it may not have the same sound as the one in the store.

Again, it goes down to heads and tuning!

DB

Yep, my Pork Pie is similar -It's a 5 1/2 x 13. I crank the hell out of it for a really nice POP! I use only Evans Genera Dry vented heads on it. I love them.

I'm looking to add another snare to the mix - primarily for in the studio - so I can just keep the Pork Pie tuned up the way I like it and swap the other one out when I want. The Mapex had a nice Aquarian head on it...which I always love. Who knows, I may just go buy the damn thing.

I bought a Pro-M about a year ago. I've only really played the 14" snare that came with it a few times, as my kit came with the free 12X7 Black Panther, I use the 14" as backup. I guess my first impression of it was it looked cheap, or maybe just to thin compared to the Panther. Sound? eh.. Mine also has a bit of ring to it with the Genera batter and the factory reso. The thing is though, I also been thinking about a new snare, somthing bigger than the 12" B.P. Since we play covers of mostly Hard Rock, I dont think the 12" is cutting the meat. :idea:Maybe I should give that factory snare another look. Maybe put a Genera Dry HD like I have on the B.P. and a new reso and snares. Or maybe an all metal snare? Anyways, $80, I think I would atleast get them to throw in some heads for it. Or wait it out, and time will buy you a discount. No one likes merchandise sitting around for to long. I now realize I probably havnt given you any useful info. Sometime I just like to hear myself talk..

I bought a used Pro M kit a few months ago, and have gigged it a few times. I replaced the stock heads with Aquarian Texture Coated, and it helped. It's a good snare, and I've been playing around with tuning and muffling. Overall I'll probably go back to my old Acro as my main snare, but I'm glad I have a decent maple snare for contrast. That Acro has a GREAT ring to it, and the Pro M doesn't quire reach that.

I think the Pro M snares, in general, are good but not great - though I LOVE my set as a whole, excellent deal for quality maple drums.

I'd try to talk 'em down from $79, since that's the price for 'em "new old stock" on ebay. But hey, certain drums are special, and if you like that one in particular, it could become your special drum (cue romantic music).