Mapex Black Panther Switchblade Snare Drum 14x5.5

Mapex Black Panther "The Switchblade" Snare Drum: Razor-Sharp Articulation

Like its namesake, The Switchblade cuts through dense musical mixes with lightning speed and brilliant clarity. This premium snare drum combines a classic North American maple formula with vintage-inspired hardware geometry to create a lively, wide-open instrument. Whether you are throwing down rapid ghost notes or looking for a crack that commands center stage, this drum delivers high-definition presence wrapped in a breathtaking exotic finish.

Pure Maple Core & Advanced Bearing Edges

The sonic foundation of The Switchblade relies on premium materials paired with proprietary shell geometry:

• 6-Ply, 6.0mm All-Maple Shell: This select hardwood recipe provides a naturally bright fundamental tone with an incredibly fast, crisp articulation that reacts instantly to your hands.
• SONIClear Bearing Edges: By flattening the outer edge of the shell, the drumhead sits completely flush. This increases head-to-shell contact, allowing for easier tuning, a deeper fundamental, and a wider sweet spot.
• Uncompromised Projection: The thin shell design vibrates aggressively, producing brilliant clarity across all dynamic levels, from delicate buzz rolls to full-power rimshots.

Vintage Dynamics & Open Resonance

To balance the aggressive bite of the maple shell, Mapex opted for an open-voiced hardware layout:

• Single-Flanged Hoops: These vintage-style hoops are held down by traditional claw hooks, leaving the outer rim of the shell unchoked. The result is a lively, open sustain and an incredibly resonant rimshot tone.
• Aegean Burl Finish: The shell is finished with a striking, high-contrast Exotic Burl veneer in an Aegean tint. This deep, oceanic swirling pattern ensures the drum looks like a custom boutique piece under the lights.
• Black Panther Heritage: Built with the legendary build quality, fluid throw-off, and low-mass lugs of the Black Panther series, ensuring flawless mechanical reliability under hard playing.

Technical Specifications

Shell Construction: 6-Ply, 6.0mm North American Maple
Bearing Edges: Proprietary Mapex SONIClear™
Hoops: Vintage Single-Flanged with Claws
Finish: Premium Aegean Burl Exotic Veneer
Sonic Character: Sharp, Bright, Articulate, and Open