Fastback

A part of me really wonders if there is a huge Steve McQueen or classic Mustang fan in the Black Panther division at Mapex. It's probably more likely that the word sounds cool. Either way, this snare is pretty interesting.

It shows up looking perfectly petite. Small but not too small. At 7x12, its also highly unique. The finish is a nice blend of ideals as well. It's a nice honey-browish-tan burst that is spread out well over the depth. This is a point that normally irritates me heavily, but I guess its just how I think a burst should look. The new hardware, vents, throwoff, and (adjustable!) buttplate all look amazing. Mapex also debuted their new hoops for these drums and they are amazing. They are triple-flange but with a bulge at the top that gives them a slightly stiffer, die-cast sort of sound. I love them for that reason, they feel sturdy and you get this die-cast form of sound, but with the triple flange feel.

The throwoff is amazing. It effortlessly smooth and is just a simple drop down. I prefer that on this drum particularly because the depth of the maple shell elicits such a musical tone from the drum....and then BAM with the lift of your left leg, you're back in snare country. The really great thing about this drum is that it sits well in the gamut of ranges AND it really allows you a lot of flexibility in the snare tension department. With MISFORTUNE500, I have a certain drum sound and I try to keep that as I definitely feel that its an integral part to trying the songs together. That said, I use a lot of snare tension adjustment to allow me some play room in my snare sound to make the transition from Of A Map to A Ready Defense and all those in between.

I'm still rocking the stock heads, as Mapex elects to put a REAL Remo Coated Ambassador and an Ambassador Hazy on the drum out of the factory with the Black Panther Logo. Value is something that comes in droves with this line of snares. I think that is what is most amazing about it. I looks great. Feels great. Sounds pretty damn nice. When a Brady 7x12 costs about $900, granted they are great drums, its hard for me to justify the purchase on such a strange size.

The Fastback from the reworked, retooled, and redesign Black Panther line is a great value. Quality solid hardware that isn't maddeningly heavy. Wonderful, new innovative hoops and solid heads from the factory under them. Versatility to boot. The only things to think about is to make sure you like that ringy sound from your snare. At 7", the ring factor feels exponentially increased from 6.5", but I'd say part of that is from the diameter. The diameter is the only other thing to note. Solid cross-sticking just isn't going to happen. But I love this snare.