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Maple-walnut Snare from Mapex and Craig Blundell





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Prog-rock icon Craig Blundell has shared stage and track space with some of the most prestigious acts around the globe. So, it's safe to say that Craig knows what he's after when it comes to snares. The Mapex Machine Black Panther Design Lab snare gives Craig ? and now, you ? the power and articulation to be heard onstage, plus the dynamic sensitivity required for the studio. It starts with a hybrid shell of maple and walnut, decked out in a beautiful satin finish. Mapex's groundbreaking SONIClear bearing edges (45 degrees on top, 35 degrees on bottom) serve to enhance the Machine snare's resonance and tuning range. Meanwhile, rugged 2.3mm Sonic Saver hoops give this snare the rigidity and durability to survive an onslaught of rimshots and look great doing it. Craig's other personal touches to the Mapex Machine Black Panther snare include the Trick Multi-Step throw off and a set of overtone-cutting Puresound E1416 snare wires. Together, these give the Machine snare an exceptional range of snare tension options that can be accessed on the fly, even mid-song. Other features we like in this snare are a quartet of Black Panther Design Labs air vents for maximum output and resonance and staggered locking Mapex I-Lugs for a distinctive look wherever you play out. Looking for a versatile snare to round out your next kit? The Mapex Machine Black Panther Design Lab snare from Sweetwater covers a lot of ground.





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Maple-walnut shell blends the best of two worlds





The core of the Mapex Machine Black Panther Design Lab snare is its hybrid maple and walnut shell. In concert, these two tonewoods give this snare a chest-thumping attack and plenty of dark, chewy overtones.





SONIClear bearing edges





Better tone and easier tuning ? that's what you can expect from the Mapex Machine Black Panther Design Lab snare. Mapex's precision 45-/35-degree SONIClear bearing edges allow heads to sit flatter, and thus make better contact with the shell. This results in better seating and a stronger, deeper fundamental. In our experience, just finger tightening heads was enough to make this snare sing. This widens the tuning range for players who like swampier tones while producing purer musical pitches in soprano registers.





Hoops bridge the gap between flanged and cast





Mapex Sonic Savers produce a tone of their own, combining with the crack of the Machine snare's maple-walnut shell for a round, powerful rimshot. At a pound and a half each, it should also come as no surprise that Sonic Saver hoops are built to take a beating without warping or falling apart.





Mapex Machine Black Panther Design Lab 14-inch Snare Drum Features:


Designed by composer, drummer, and clinician Craig Blundell


5.5 inches x 14 inches (depth x diameter)


Hybrid maple-walnut shell packs body, cut, and harmonics


SONIClear 45-/35-degree bearing edges maximize tone and tuning range


2.3mm Sonic Saver hoops are rugged and responsive


Trick Multi-Step throw off gives you several snare tension options


Comes stock with premium Puresound E1416 snare wires and Aquarian drumheads