Mapex Drums — Metal Drummers Who Use Mapex | MetalForge
Which metal drummers use Mapex drums? See every pro in MetalForge's database who endorses or plays Mapex gear — kit specs and prices.
About Mapex
Mapex was launched in 1989 by KHS Co., Ltd. as a dedicated drum brand, quickly building a reputation for well-engineered, competitively priced kits before pushing into the professional market with the Saturn and Black Panther series.
Why Metal Drummers Choose Mapex:
- Black Panther Design Lab – Custom-configured shells built to a player's specific touring and studio needs
- Saturn Series – Maple/walnut hybrid shells with a warm, punchy tone and enhanced sustain
- Falcon Double Pedal – Strap-drive mechanism built for speed and a lighter feel
- Armory Series – Birch/maple hybrid shells at a mid-tier price point
Metal Credibility:
Chris Adler's decade-plus run with Lamb of God on a Mapex Saturn kit gave the brand serious credibility in American groove metal and modern thrash, and drummers like Jason Bittner (Overkill, Shadows Fall) have continued that association on Mapex's Saturn line.
Signature Lines:
- Saturn V – Jason Bittner's touring choice with Overkill
- Black Panther Snare Series – Wide range of shell materials including brass, steel, and wood
Mapex History
Mapex was launched in 1989 by KHS Co., Ltd., a Taiwanese musical instrument manufacturer, as a dedicated drum brand — shifting the company's focus away from manufacturing drums for other labels and toward building its own identity.
The brand expanded quickly in its first few years, signing early artist endorsers like Ralph Peterson and Billy Cobham and introducing the high-end Orion series in the early 1990s to establish itself in the professional market.
In 1996, Mapex established a US operation in Tennessee, giving the brand a direct foothold in the American market, and followed it a year later with the Black Panther snare series — a line built around unconventional shell materials that would become a signature Mapex identity.
Mapex expanded production into China in 2000 alongside a run of new pedal designs, and continued to push shell engineering forward through the 2010s with innovations like the Saturn IV's SONIClear bearing edge.
Now marketed under the tagline "Music And Percussion Excellence," Mapex has grown from a manufacturing arm of KHS into a brand with its own dedicated professional artist roster spanning rock, groove, and thrash metal.
Mapex Milestones
- 1989: KHS Co., Ltd. launches Mapex as a dedicated drum brand.
- 1992: Mapex introduces the high-end Orion series, establishing the brand in the professional drum market.
- 1996: Mapex USA is established in Tennessee.
- 1997: The Black Panther snare series debuts.
- 2000: Mapex expands production into China.
- 2013: The Saturn IV series introduces Mapex's SONIClear bearing edge shell technology.
Mapex in Metal
Chris Adler's endorsement of Mapex throughout Lamb of God's commercial peak — playing a Saturn kit and his own signature snare — gave the brand serious credibility in American groove metal and modern thrash. Jason Bittner (Overkill, Shadows Fall) has extended that association on Mapex's Saturn line, helping establish Mapex as a serious choice for touring metal drummers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drums does Chris Adler play?
Chris Adler plays a Mapex Saturn kit with a Mapex Chris Adler Signature 14x5.5" Walnut/Maple snare and a Trick Pro V pedal.
Is Mapex good for metal?
Yes. Mapex's Black Panther and Saturn series give metal drummers powerful, customizable shells, and Chris Adler pairs his Mapex Saturn kit with a Trick Pro V pedal for speed and durability on tour. Chris Adler's decade-plus Lamb of God run built the brand's metal credibility.
What is the Mapex Falcon pedal?
The Mapex Falcon is the brand's flagship double bass pedal, using a strap-drive mechanism for a lighter, more responsive feel. It's a popular pedal choice among Mapex's metal drummers, including Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall / Overkill).