What is included in the 5-piece shell pack?

The pack includes the bass drum, two rack toms, one floor tom, and a 14-inch Tomahawk steel snare drum. It also includes the tom holder and floor tom feet.

Are cymbals included with the Mapex Armory 22 Rock Fusion?

No, cymbals are not included. This is a shell pack, meaning the user must purchase cymbals and cymbal stands separately.

What is the benefit of the birch and maple hybrid shell?

The hybrid shell combines maple's warm low-end frequencies with birch's high-end attack. This results in a punchy, versatile sound suitable for various musical genres.

What is a SONIClear bearing edge?

It is a specific edge profile developed by Mapex that allows the drumhead to sit flatter. This improves the ease of tuning and increases the overall resonance of the drum.

Does the kit come with hardware for cymbals?

No, cymbal stands, hi-hat stands, and kick pedals are sold separately. Only the tom mounting hardware is provided.

What snare drum comes with this specific kit?

The kit includes a 14-inch Tomahawk steel snare drum. This drum is known for its resonant, sharp, and loud character compared to wood snares.

What kind of drumheads are supplied with the kit?

The kit is supplied with upgraded Remo drumheads. These are designed to provide a high-quality sound without the immediate need for replacements.

What makes the floor tom feet special?

The kit uses SONIClear floor tom feet. These are designed to minimize the transfer of vibration to the floor, allowing the drum to sustain longer and sound fuller.

Is this kit suitable for jazz music?

While designed for 'Rock Fusion' with high power and punch, the hybrid shells can be tuned for jazz. However, its 22-inch bass drum is more traditionally associated with louder, contemporary styles.

What is the purpose of the memory-lock on the tom holder?

The memory-lock allows the drummer to save their preferred height and angle settings. This makes the setup process much faster and more consistent during performances.

How does this kit compare to the Mapex Mars series?

The Armory is a higher-tier series than the Mars. It features hybrid birch/maple shells and the Tomahawk snare, whereas the Mars typically uses 100% birch shells.

What does the 'Roasted Chestnut' refer to?

Roasted Chestnut is the specific aesthetic finish of the drum shells. It gives the kit a distinct, earthy, and premium wooden appearance.

Gear article

Mapex Armory 22 Rock Fusion 5pc Shell Pack Roasted Chestnut

The Mapex Armory 22 Rock Fusion is a professional-grade acoustic drum kit featuring hybrid birch and maple shells designed for rock, pop, and fusion genres. It is distinguished by its 6-ply construction, SONIClear bearing edges, and the inclusion of a specialized steel snare drum.

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Background and Design

The Mapex Armory series occupies a strategic position in the mid-to-high-end drum market, focusing on high-performance features for gigging musicians. The Roasted Chestnut finish provides a classic, natural aesthetic that complements the modern hardware engineering. Unlike standard beginner kits, the Armory series utilises advanced shell physics and mounting technology to maximise acoustic potential.

Shell Construction and SONIClear Technology

The core of the kit is the 6-ply hybrid shell, combining the properties of birch and maple. This blend is engineered to offer the low-end warmth characteristic of maple with the sharp, bright 'cut' associated with birch.

A key technical feature is the SONIClear bearing edge. By allowing the drumhead to sit flatter against the shell, this design increases the contact area, making tuning more efficient and enhancing the drum's natural resonance. This is further supported by SONIClear suspension mounts and floor tom feet, which decouple the hardware from the shell to prevent energy loss.

Hardware and Components

As a 'Shell Pack', this kit includes the drums and specific mounting hardware rather than a full stand suite. Notable inclusions are:

14" Tomahawk Steel Snare: A high-output snare drum designed for volume and precision.
Double Tom Holder: Features a memory-lock design for consistent height and angle positioning.
Remo Drumheads: The kit comes equipped with upgraded heads to ensure professional sound quality immediately upon assembly.

Acoustic Character

The 'Rock Fusion' configuration is voiced for versatility. The combination of birch and maple provides a balanced frequency response suitable for high-energy rock or intricate fusion play. The Tomahawk steel snare adds a metallic, sharp crack to the mix, providing a contrast to the warm, punchy character of the toms and bass drum.

Comparative Analysis

When compared to alternatives like the Tama Superstar Classic or the Yamaha Rydeen, the Armory stands out due to its hybrid shell material and the inclusion of a high-spec steel snare. While the Sonor AQ2 series offers various configurations including 'Safari' kits for portability, the Armory 22 Rock Fusion prioritizes a full-scale presence. It competes directly with the DW Performance Series and Ludwig Neusonic in terms of modern shell technology, though it often offers a more comprehensive shell count at the £999 price point.

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Frequently asked questions

What is included in the 5-piece shell pack?: The pack includes the bass drum, two rack toms, one floor tom, and a 14-inch Tomahawk steel snare drum. It also includes the tom holder and floor tom feet.
Are cymbals included with the Mapex Armory 22 Rock Fusion?: No, cymbals are not included. This is a shell pack, meaning the user must purchase cymbals and cymbal stands separately.
What is the benefit of the birch and maple hybrid shell?: The hybrid shell combines maple's warm low-end frequencies with birch's high-end attack. This results in a punchy, versatile sound suitable for various musical genres.
What is a SONIClear bearing edge?: It is a specific edge profile developed by Mapex that allows the drumhead to sit flatter. This improves the ease of tuning and increases the overall resonance of the drum.
Does the kit come with hardware for cymbals?: No, cymbal stands, hi-hat stands, and kick pedals are sold separately. Only the tom mounting hardware is provided.
What snare drum comes with this specific kit?: The kit includes a 14-inch Tomahawk steel snare drum. This drum is known for its resonant, sharp, and loud character compared to wood snares.
What kind of drumheads are supplied with the kit?: The kit is supplied with upgraded Remo drumheads. These are designed to provide a high-quality sound without the immediate need for replacements.
What makes the floor tom feet special?: The kit uses SONIClear floor tom feet. These are designed to minimize the transfer of vibration to the floor, allowing the drum to sustain longer and sound fuller.
Is this kit suitable for jazz music?: While designed for 'Rock Fusion' with high power and punch, the hybrid shells can be tuned for jazz. However, its 22-inch bass drum is more traditionally associated with louder, contemporary styles.
What is the purpose of the memory-lock on the tom holder?: The memory-lock allows the drummer to save their preferred height and angle settings. This makes the setup process much faster and more consistent during performances.
How does this kit compare to the Mapex Mars series?: The Armory is a higher-tier series than the Mars. It features hybrid birch/maple shells and the Tomahawk snare, whereas the Mars typically uses 100% birch shells.
What does the 'Roasted Chestnut' refer to?: Roasted Chestnut is the specific aesthetic finish of the drum shells. It gives the kit a distinct, earthy, and premium wooden appearance.