Mapex Black Panther Design Lab Machine - 14 x 5.5 Maple/Walnut Snare Drum

Mapex Black Panther Design Lab Machine - 14 x 5.5 Maple/Walnut Snare Drum

A truly unique snare from the prog-rock perfectionist. Craig Blundell is a drummer that knows what he wants from a snare drum. Everything about the Mapex 'Machine' 14 x 5.5'' Craig Blundell Signature Snare is designed to give players of any style the absolute highest quality in every area of drum construction. From its poppy-yet-warm walnut and maple construction to its cutting-edge multi-step Trick snare throwoff, every element is designed with the professional drummer's needs in mind.

45-degree bearing edges allow the Machine to sing at any tuning, and combine with the Mapex Sonic-Saver hoops for maximum projection. Blundell's favourite, the Puresound 'Equaliser' 16-strand snare wire setup has the centre snare wires removed to bring out the shell's rich tone. While the specially commissioned Aquarian drumheads and offset black nickel lugs mean it has the looks to match. Prog-rock drumming incorporates a huge range of styles, but with their Machine Signature Snare, Blundell and Mapex have created an outstanding all-rounder that's top of every class.

Stunning tone, top to bottom

Every base covered. For his debut signature series snare, Craig Blundell wanted the perfect combination of versatility and rock-solid tone. With that in mind, he chose a 6-ply walnut and maple hybrid construction - and for good reason. Walnut allows the drum to really 'pop' at higher tunings, which is complemented by the maple's classic warmth. This only becomes more pronounced as you tune the drum lower, for a beefy low-end that still retains the walnut's crisp crack - particularly on rimshots.

Hoop and glory

Speaking of rimshots...The Blundell Signature features Mapex's ingenious Sonic Saver hoops. Originally created for Mapex's legendary Black Panther snare drums, Sonic Savers feature a unique shaping process which creates a larger surface area on the top of the hoop, bridging the gap between the triple-flanged and die-cast methods. This makes them ideal for raucous rimshots, while also being kinder to your sticks - and your hands!