Big Drum Thump

The struggling economy has affected quite a few instrument manufacturers, but you wouldn’t know it from ddrum’s mightily awesome booth at NAMM 2009. Along with its usual bevy of cool bangables, the company proudly displayed Vinnie Paul’s new signature kit (complete with huge rack toms), new signature snare, and new signature pedals. Check ‘em out below. The rest of our ddrum gallery can be eye humped here.

We snapped a few in-the-wild pics of Danny Carey’s signature snare from Sonor at NAMM 2009. More photos of Sonor drums are available here in a Flickr set.

Ah, you didn’t really think that Mapex was through releasing new gear, did you?

[Press Release]

Mapex USA introduced the Black Panther special-edition elm snare drum. The 14″ x 5.5″ uses a revolutionary shell construction to achieve its unique tonal qualities. At the heart of the drum is a 6.1mm maple shell with an exterior ply of exquisite hand-selected elm, finished in a high-gloss clear lacquer finish to accentuate its beautiful wood grain.

Additionally the drum is designed with a 3.4mm-thick walnut sound ring at the top and bottom edge of the shell. These sound rings add roundness and darkness to the sound of the drum. The result is a tone that is unmatched by any other drum on the market.

The special-edition elm snare comes with die cast hoops and a fully adjustable Black Panther throw-off. The drum’s hardware is plated in black chrome to give the instrument an even more dramatic appearance. The drum also features high-quality Remo Ambassador heads and a 20-strand snare.

Quantities of this snare drum will be limited. Like all Black Panther special-edition models, the drum comes with a durable, padded Black Panther deluxe carrying bag. MSRP for the special-edition elm snare (BPLM4550BXN) is $744.99.

[Press Release]

Mapex USA has announced the release of its first-ever signature snare with the introduction of the Chris Adler Signature snare drum. The walnut-shelled snare drum is inspired by the Lamb of God drummer’s first Black Panther snare, which he purchased for himself in 1995.

The drum’s every detail is meticulously designed to Adler’s specifications. From the thin premium walnut shell, to the signature graphic (designed by Lamb of God designer K3n), to Chris’s personal choice of high-quality Aquarian drumheads (HE12 batter head and CCSN12 snare head.)

The drum’s shell is 12″ x 5.5″, 5.1mm thick, and has 2.3mm Mapex Powerhoops. The drum’s hardware is black chrome plated. The inside of each drum is labeled with a commemorative sticker that identifies the instrument.

“The size of the drum mixed with a high-tension, high-energy head creates a unique, high pitched, yet full bodied punch that has become a signature sound in my playing and in the band’s catalog,” said Adler upon his approval of the final prototype.

The Chris Adler Signature Snare Drum (BPML2550BCA) carries an MSRP of $522.99.

Sweet bloody Jesus, looking at this new snare from Mapex is better than taking Viagra.

[Press Release]

Mapex USA has introduced a Special-Edition Black Panther Mayan-themed snare drum. The 14″ x 5.5″ steel-shelled snare drum is embossed with genuine eagle/human mask art that is highlighted with a beautiful brushed bronze finish.

The shell’s bearing edge is rounded on the batter side for greater head-to-shell contact. Die cast hoops were also chosen for this model, resulting in a drum with extra sensitivity and tremendous projection.

The Black Panther Mayan snare also features black-plated hardware that has been brushed with bronze. A special Black Panther badge was created for this model, and the batter head also features a traditional Mayan-themed pattern on a Remo Fiberskin head.

The Mapex Black Panther Mayan snare (BPST455MA) includes a deluxe Black Panther padded carrying bag and carries an MSRP of $623.99.

[Press Release]

Mapex USA announced the release of its new MPX line of snare drums. MPX snares were introduced to complement the Mapex Black Panther series of premium snare drums.

The MPX line includes eight new models available with steel, maple, or birch shells. All MPX snare drums have low-mass lugs, flanged steel hoops, fully adjustable throw-offs, and Remo drumheads.

The MPX maple line features two popular sizes, a 14″ x 5.5″ (MPML4550BMB) and a 13″ x 6″ (MPML3600BMB). The drums are finished with a beautiful high-gloss clear lacquer and chrome hardware.

The MPX birch line features two sizes. A 13″ x 6″ (MPBC3600BMB) is available in a gloss natural lacquer finish and chrome hardware. The 14″ x 5.5″ MPX birch drum is available in natural gloss with chrome (MPBC4550CNL) or finished in a transparent gloss black lacquer and black hardware.

MPX steel snares come in three sizes, a 14″ x 5.5″ (MPST4550), a 13″ x 5.5″ (MPST3554), and a 10″ x 5.5″ popcorn snare (MPST0554). All have a mirror-like stainless steel shell.

The MSRP for all MPX Series snares is $239.99.