Skip to main content
Become a MusicRadar VIP - it's free
- Join our community
SampleRadar
Access over 90,000 royalty-free samples
The MusicRadar app
Full access and custom feeds
MusicRadar Newsletters
The latest music and gear news inboxed
Earn Member Badges
Climb the MusicRadar charts
Coming soon: VIP-only Giveaways
Win pro-grade music gear and more
Join the conversation
Connect with other musicians and fans
BECOME A MUSICRADAR VIP
For the quickest way to join, enter your email below. We’ll send a confirmation email and sign you up to MusicRadar newsletters with the latest music news, gear reviews, tutorials and exclusive offers.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
Get VIP Access Quick

Become a MusicRadar VIP for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to Become a MusicRadar VIP !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Start reading to unlock your first badge
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Hot music news

Hot music news

The latest news from the hottest artists.

Explore
Make better music

Make better music

Explore tutorials, tips and guides for creating music.

Explore

Your membership perks

Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more

Explore now

Get the MusicRadar Newsletter

Get the latest music news, gear reviews, deals and tutorials delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up here

Sign Out
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Rodrigo's Cure
  • California Dreamin'
  • "Apotheosis of mediocrity" - Rundgren vs Swift
  • 95k+ free music samples
  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
Millenium Drums MPS-1500
Electronic Drums The new Millenium Drums MPS-1500 e-kit could be the hybrid drum set you've been looking for
 
 
Man plays Alesis Nitro Max drum kit with black sticks
Electronic Drums Best beginner electronic drum sets 2026: top-rated e-kits for entry-level drummers, tested by experts
 
 
Anika Nilles holding her signature snare drum
Snare Drums “It works in different music styles”: Anika Nilles and TAMA collaborate on a signature snare
 
 
Alesis Strata Prime electronic drum set in a blue room
Electronic Drums Best Alesis electronic drum sets 2026: tried & tested for practice, studio and stage
 
 
Millenium Drums MPS-350X
Electronic Drums “It’s hard to argue with the amount of features on offer here for such an affordable price”: Millenium Drums MPS-350 E-Drum Set review
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up July 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s July 2026 guitar gear roundup: featuring Orange Amps, Harley Benton, Epiphone and more
 
 
Latest in Snare Drums
Axl Rose and Slash of Guns N' Roses at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, July 19, 1988. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
Artists One of Axl Rose's signature moves was almost cut from the Sweet Child O' Mine video
 
 
Anika Nilles holding her signature snare drum
Snare Drums “It works in different music styles”: Anika Nilles and TAMA collaborate on a signature snare
 
 
PDP Concept Clear Acrylic Kit and Snare with acrylic hoops
Drums "Cutting rimshots and controlled overtones": PDP brings a "world-first" to the acrylic drum market with its latest Concept Acrylic Kit and Snare
 
 
Limited Edition DW MFG True-Cast 14x4" sand-cast snare drum
Drums DW’s Limited Edition MFG True-Cast 14x4” snare brings a piccolo to its sand-cast, machined bell bronze range, but if you want one you’re going to need to be quick
 
 
Drumcraft Bell Brass Snare
Snare Drums “An excellent entry point into the world of cast-shell drums”: DrumCraft Bell Brass Snare review
 
 
DrumCraft Bell Brass 14"x6.5" snare
Drums DrumCraft reintroduces its Bell Brass snare drum, offering you the snare sound of Metallica, Nirvana, RATM and more for under £800!
 
 
Latest in News
Oli Howe
Artists Instagram reharm sensation Oli Howe on the formula behind his chaotic reworks of classic hits
 
 
An SSL 2+ MKII audio interface on a desk
Recording I sifted through Sweetwater's massive up to 50% off studio gear sale to bring you the best equipment discounts
 
 
Lola Young performs onstage at the 2025 Coachella Valley music and arts festival on April 11, 2025
Singers & Songwriters “Breathing feels like a chore”: Lola Young bemoans the effect of vaping on her health on TikTok
 
 
tapes
Samples SampleRadar: 485 free tape-treated samples
 
 
(L-R) Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, David Byrne and Jerry Harrison
Bands “They put horns on their record”: Talking Heads reveal they were accused of ‘selling out’ on debut single
 
 
John Lennon and Paul McCartney face the press
Singers & Songwriters “He could be a complete idiot, over some things”: Paul McCartney thinks that Lennon “expected more” from him in the early 70s
 
 

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

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • 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...