In pictures: Mapex's redesigned Black Panther snare range
14 brand new drums and spec revealed

Mapex's new Black Panther snare range
With NAMM 2010 opening its doors today, it's perhaps surprising that one of the biggest stories to rock the drum world has already broken: Mapex has completely overhauled its much-admired Black Panther snare series. But here, courtesy of Rhythm Magazine, we've an exclusive look at all 14 redesigned drums.
So, while the rest of the industry clamber around the show floor for a look-in, you can sit back and drool over The Phantom, The Machete, The Phatbob or any other of Mapex's lavishly-named new models from the comfort of your own throne.
Rhythm have also bagged the UK magazine exclusive to review the range in full. You can read the first six in Rhythm's next issue (available 19 January) and read all 14 throughout January and February right here on MusicRadar. And that's not all: Rhythm will be giving away one model every month throughout 2010! Scroll on for an exclusive first look…
First up: The Phantom

The Phantom
Specifications
Shell: 5.1mm birch/walnut (outer birch 3.4mm and inner walnut 1.7mm)
Bearing edge: 5:5
UPC: BPBW2500CNWA

The Velvetone
Specifications
Shell: 8.1mm maple/walnut/maple (outer burl maple 3mm, mid walnut 3.4mm and inner maple 1.7mm)
Bearing edge: 1:9
UPC: BPMW4550CNUB

The Blaster
Specifications
Shell: 5.1mm all-maple
Bearing edge: 5:5
Reinforce Ring: walnut 3.4mm
UPC: BPML3700LNWU
Tom Porter worked on MusicRadar from its mid-2007 launch date to 2011, covering a range of music and music making topics, across features, gear news, reviews, interviews and more. A regular NAMM-goer back in the day, Tom now resides permanently in Los Angeles, where he's doing rather well at the Internet Movie Database (IMDB).