Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Guitar Amps
  • Drums
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Lemmy vs Dylan
  • Are 'Friends' Electric?
  • Flava D - DnB is hard
  • Prince's drummers
  • 95k+ free music samples
Don't miss these
TAMA STAR Drums
Drums TAMA STAR at Drums Week 2025: Unmatched craftsmanship, iconic sound — the strongest name in drums just got even stronger
Zildjan Alchem-e Kit
Drums Zildjian Alchem-e Kits at Drums Week 2025: The feel of real drums meets limitless electronic expression – redefine your sound
Slingerland kits
Drums "Classic and timeless": Slingerland Drums are back, and Bruno Mars' drummer and JR Robinson are on board
Tama pedals
Drums TAMA Kick Pedals at Drums Week 2025: Precision, Power, Performance — engineered for drummers who demand the fastest, smoothest response
Man plays Alesis Nitro Max drum kit with black sticks
Electronic Drums Best beginner electronic drum sets 2025: top-rated entry-level e-drums, reviewed by experts
Debbie Gough of Heriot demoes the new Jackson Pro Plus Metal Phase II Warrior on a darkened studio set.
Guitars Jackson adds Warrior, King V and Concert Bass to its limited edition Pro Plus Pure Metal range
Alesis Strata Prime electronic drum set in a blue room
Electronic Drums Best Alesis electronic drum sets 2025: My pick of Alesis electronic drums for beginners to pros
Zultan FX cymbals
Drums “A versatile tool for sharp, modern accents and cutting effects”: Zultan add to their effects cymbal range
PRS SE Silver Sky 2025: refreshed for the brand's 40th anniversary, the SE Silver Sky John Mayer signature model is pictured in its new Laurel Green, Derby Red, Dandy Lion and Trad Blue finishes. A PRS tube amp and speaker cabinet is in the background.
Guitars John Mayer’s PRS SE Silver Sky Rosewood is refreshed with 4 fashion-inspired solid-colour finishes
Drum Kits Where to start with a drum kit
Vic Firth Terra sticks
Drums Vic Firth Terra Drumsticks at Drums Week 2025: Natural feel, unrivalled balance
Jackson Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas: these retro S-styles take the high-performance electric guitar brand back to the '80s, offering single and dual-humbucker platforms for shred with the choice of rosewood or maple fingerboards – and what about that "Two-Face" black-and-white finish?
Guitars “These guitars empower metal artists with the authentic, crushing tone that built Jackson’s legendary reputation”: Jackson takes us back to the heyday of shred with the Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas series – and what about that Two Face finish?
Brainworx bx_pulsar
Tech “Channel the aura of busted pedal delays, dusty tapes, and otherworldly echoes” with Brainworx new bx_pulsar
Man jams with a guitar player and bass player on an electronic drum kit
Drum Gear These huge drum deals at Sweetwater are about to disappear – here’s your last chance to bag up to 60% off electronic drums, cymbals, sticks and more
PRS Mark Holcomb: previously only a limited edition run, the Periphery guitarist's Core Series signature model is now part of the PRS Guitars catalogue, as the Maryland high-end brand continues its 40th Anniversary celebrations by keeping the releases coming each month.
Artists Mark Holcomb’s limited run PRS is officially added to the Core series – and it ships in Drop C
  1. Drums
  2. Snare Drums

NAMM 2014: New kits and snare from Mapex

News
By Rhythm magazine published 23 January 2014

Mapex Armory and Mars kits revealed

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Mapex Armory kit

Mapex Armory kit

NAMM 2014: Mapex unveils its new Armory mid-range series of kits.

Mapex claim the drums are aimed at players who want to spend more time playing and less time tuning their drums – the SONIClear Bearing Edge increases the contact between the drumhead and shell and allows the head to sit flat on the edge, thus producing a stronger and more centered pitch and makes the drums easier to tune.

The increased contact also enhances shell vibration, making the tonal nuances produced by different shell materials more prominent.

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
Mapex Armory kit

Mapex Armory kit

NAMM 2014: The Armory has Hybrid shells – a blend of maple and birch – resulting in “increased brilliance and projection on the rack toms and a fatter and darker punch from the floor toms and bass drum”.

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
Mapex Armory Tomahawk

Mapex Armory Tomahawk

NAMM 2014: Mapex have also announced as part of its Armory range, a series of tasty looking snares. The 14”x 5.5” 1mm Black Plated Steel shell of the Mapex Armory Tomahawk has penetrating accuracy and long range projection. The focused power of its rimshot is devastating.

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
Mapex Armory Daisycutter Snare

Mapex Armory Daisycutter Snare

NAMM 2014: With its 14” x 6.5” 1mm hammered steel shell, the Mapex Armory Daisycutter is a cannon that will rattle the walls. It’s a high caliber drum that can be heard for miles around with its explosive sound.

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
Mapex Armory Dillinger Snare

Mapex Armory Dillinger Snare

NAMM 2014: Mapex‘s new Armory snare The Dillinger is fast, articulate, and responsive and, claims the company, will handle the most intense of musical assaults. The 14” x 5.5” 8-ply Maple Shell will open up with just a flick of the finger.

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
Mapex Armory Exterminator Snare

Mapex Armory Exterminator Snare

NAMM 2014: This drum is all about mass impact. With a 14” x 6.5” Birch/Walnut Hybrid Shell, Mapex’s Armory snare The Exterminatorhas a broad spread and a powerful attack that your bandmates will feel in their gut.

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
Mapex Armory Peacemaker Snare

Mapex Armory Peacemaker Snare

NAMM 2014: The pop and crack of this 14” x 5.5” Maple/Walnut Hybrid shell penetrates with each shot. According to Mapex, "The Peacemaker will settle any disputes as to who keeps the best time in the band."

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
Mapex Mars drums

Mapex Mars drums

NAMM 2014: The Mapex Drum Company has unveiled its new series of kits and hardware aimed at drummers looking to take the next step on from their starter kits.

The Mars series has been designed as a no-nonsense, mid-priced drumset that’s easy to tune and maintain.

Mars shell packs offer shallow depth 100% Birch shells complete with the new SONIClear Bearing Edge, which increases the contact between the drumhead and shell and allows the head to sit flat on the edge, making the drums easier to tune.

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
Mapex Mars drum kit

Mapex Mars drum kit

NAMM 2014: For their Mars series, Mapex have taken design innovations found on their premium line of Saturn IV drums and brought them into the mid-range to enhance the performance of this gig-quality series. The company claims that the The SONIClear rack tom suspension system increases overall resonance by preserving vibration in the shell and drumheads and preventing the loss of energy that can make drums sound choked.

Page 9 of 9
Page 9 of 9
Rhythm magazine
Read more
TAMA STAR Drums
TAMA STAR at Drums Week 2025: Unmatched craftsmanship, iconic sound — the strongest name in drums just got even stronger
 
 
Zildjan Alchem-e Kit
Zildjian Alchem-e Kits at Drums Week 2025: The feel of real drums meets limitless electronic expression – redefine your sound
 
 
Slingerland kits
"Classic and timeless": Slingerland Drums are back, and Bruno Mars' drummer and JR Robinson are on board
 
 
Tama pedals
TAMA Kick Pedals at Drums Week 2025: Precision, Power, Performance — engineered for drummers who demand the fastest, smoothest response
 
 
Man plays Alesis Nitro Max drum kit with black sticks
Best beginner electronic drum sets 2025: top-rated entry-level e-drums, reviewed by experts
 
 
Debbie Gough of Heriot demoes the new Jackson Pro Plus Metal Phase II Warrior on a darkened studio set.
Jackson adds Warrior, King V and Concert Bass to its limited edition Pro Plus Pure Metal range
 
 
Latest in Snare Drums
Drumcraft Bell Brass Snare
“An excellent entry point into the world of cast-shell drums”: DrumCraft Bell Brass Snare review
 
 
DrumCraft Bell Brass 14"x6.5" snare
DrumCraft reintroduces its Bell Brass snare drum, offering you the snare sound of Metallica, Nirvana, RATM and more for under £800!
 
 
Paramore
YouTuber recreates Paramore’s iconic Misery Business snare drum sound from scratch without using samples, "Drum production was not the same post-Misery Business"
 
 
DrumCraft Vanguard
"The aluminium model is, frankly, a stone-cold bargain": DrumCraft Vanguard snare drums review
 
 
DrumCraft Vanguard snare drums
DrumCraft launches seven-strong Vanguard Snare Series, “Developed for drummers who work both live and in the studio.”
 
 
Tama 50th anniversary releases
NAMM 2024: Tama’s 50th anniversary releases include an acrylic Starclassic Mirage, marble-finished Iron Cobras and Mastercraft snares
 
 
Latest in News
Misha Mansoor plays his signature Jackson Juggernaut in front of a flaming van in a still from the promo video for his signature Neural DSP plugin.
Misha Mansoor teams up with Neural DSP for Archetype plugin that nails his Periphery tone – but does so much more
 
 
Lizzo at the Christian Siriano fashion show as part of Spring/Summer 2026 New York Fashion Week held at Macy's Herald Square on September 12, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images)
“It’s policing black music”: Lizzo speaks out on the ‘racist’ origins of sampling law
 
 
Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam performs live on stage during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at Fair Grounds Race Course on May 03, 2025
Matt Cameron explains why he left Pearl Jam and insists that the final Soundgarden album is coming
 
 
Modular synth
SampleRadar: 497 free modular percussion samples
 
 
Jackson American Series Rhoads: the Rhoads is now officially being made in the USA again, and is offered with a choice of a hardtail or Floyd Rose, with the hardtail finished in Satin Black and Snow White, and the Floyd in Satin Black, Matte Army Drab and Snow White. Note the reverse headstock.
All Rhoads lead to California as Jackson brings one of its most-iconic metal guitars home for a high-end upgrade
 
 
NASHVILLE - MARCH 10: CBS presents RINGO & FRIENDS AT THE RYMAN, a two-hour special celebrating the music and legacy of Ringo Starr through the lens of country music, airing Monday, March 10 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs). Pictured (L-R): Jack White and Ringo Starr. (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/CBS via Getty Images)
With A Little Help From His Friends: Jack White joins Ringo Starr on stage for a Beatles classic
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...