This drum set was my second drum set that I purchased. I am extremely happy with my purchase. I bought the 5 piece but it is the exact same sapphire finish as the one pictured here. The shells sound great with new heads and a bit of tuning. The bass drum is amazing with an Aquarian Superkick II on it. Another thing that I am impressed about is the hardware that came with it. Mapex makes great hardware it doesnt move or budge one bit. Even with the hardest beating it stays right in place. The only thing I do not like is the Hi-Hat piece. You have to constently tighten it.

This is just a follow up from first review of purchase of 8-20-2009;

The bass 24x18 Virgin sounds the best with a Evans G-2ply E- Mad system Big Nice deep lows i just changed the Head and this worked great! I also play with with the pillow Evans system inside the bass to mute the shell lower . You cant lose the with this sound . Is big Rock booming sounding bass!

This set i never had any thing this good in along time worth the Money for such a good sounding set.

I just received it Aug,20,th of 2009. The set finish fade is nice but is slightly dark BUT LOOKS GOOD in better lighting conditions. Bass virgin 24x18 sounds ok strong low response depending on tuning recommend 2-ply super kick does the job great. Snare drum nice wood 8- lug matching colour good snap ok again. Rims on kit are sligtly lower grade than the maple pro m series 2.3 mm type but ok. I changed my rims with some i allready had 2.3 mm rims chrome mapex 10 and 12 for toms from a maple pro m series. Heads are priority on sound adjustments they give you single plys clear china remo type on all kit. I put Emperor 2-ply Remo coated batter top head on snare sounded great. Stock snare clear head bottom is ok for good while need to replace down the road. Toms are everybodys choice of sound the heads stock are very bright clear 1- plys.I like more deep sound than bright. I used Remo clear Emperor 2-plys again for 10 and 12 roms they sounded very clean and fat lows with change of head.The floor tom rim is only a 6- lug on a floor.I couldnt change rim. I used the rim it came with sounded ok and went with a 2ply Remo Emperor head again for deeper sound.I put air ride floor tom legs to prevent to much grounding effect that can rob the sustain of floor.These can be purchased from store or taken from other set of avaliable floor tom legs air ride type.Mapex or Pearl make them. I must say i could have done worse for the Money This is a nice afforedable kit.If you have more to spend do it.I want to be fair in my Opion this kit has plenty of potential to deliver depeng on your playing abality with head choices and tuning of drums. Mapex is offering nice kits definitly in my Opion. Musician Friend resonded very good to my order and even sent me tracking numbers thats good so you know when its coming down the road to you.

Rate set 4.solid easy but needs some small upgrades which are commen in this price range this is very Good mid price kit. I have now to finally play more and looking forward to this kit from Mapex.

I hope this helps someone out there Thankyou.