Mapex Black Panther Design Lab Versatus 6 Piece Drum Kit Shell Set - Peach Burl Burst Finish

The Black Panther Design Lab Versatus System represents the pinnacle of instrument design. Groundbreaking innovations combine with drum-building mastery to form a unique and extremely versatile instrument. The hybrid Maple and Mahogany shells use the chamber-specific designs of the Black Panther Design Lab systems. Plies get progressively thicker, depths graduate by 1/2”, bearing edges change and the SAS ring system modulates as the drums get larger in diameter. The combination of these details creates an amazing symphony of instruments in one kit, where each and every drum sounds perfect!

(Janka Scale Hardness for Hard Maple = 1450 / Mahogany = 1100)

A NEW LEVEL OF USER EXPERIENCE AND CONTROL

Soniclear™ Bearing Edge

Is standard on all BPDL shells, allowing the drumhead to sit flatter on the shell, making better contact. The result is a stronger and deeper fundamental pitch, effortless and consistent tuning, and a significantly expanded tuning range. For the serious player, the increased head-to-edge contact increases shell vibration, allowing the sonic nuances of the hybrid shell to stand out.

Master Tune Lug™

The elegant design of the Black Panther lug has been revised by the Design Lab to form the new Master Tune Lug. The first truly “Locking Tube Lug”, the Master Tune Lug utilizes a small body for the least amount of metal-to-wood contact. A Design Lab-exclusive pressured locking mechanism is outfitted on every lug to keep the drum in tune, show after show.

Sonic Pedestal Foot

The steel leg is prevented from contacting the ground by an internal cotter pin, allowing the floor tom to “float” on the elevated “spring" of the rubber foot, eliminating vibration transfer and maximizing resonance.

Chamber Specific Design

Plies get progressively thicker, depths graduate by 1/2”, bearing edges change and the SAS ring system changes, as the drums get larger in diameter. The combination of all of these details creates an amazing symphony in one kit, where each and every drum sounds perfect!

Isolation Gaskets (Floor Tom)

All Design Lab floor toms have the new “lift” bracket design. The metal components of the floor tom brackets are now entirely on the outside of the shell, isolated by the special rubber lift gasket. This releases all pressure from the shell, alleviating vibration loss. The 90˚ Leg design was also given strong consideration in regard to its sonic implications. The straighter the path to the floor, the more sound is lost. Hence, the 90˚ "static" Design Lab legs allow the most possible resonance from the floor toms and Aux Drum™. This can then be attenuated in real-time with the SAS version of this leg.

Auxiliary (Aux) Drum™

Another unique concept from the Design Lab is the new Aux Drum. This “3-in-1” instrument concept opens a whole new world of versatility within a single drum. The Aux Drum has been designed to be a small diameter bass drum, a “gong” bass drum and also a “gong” floor tom all in one convenient and great-sounding instrument.