Mapex drumset... a good deal?

HEllo! I need your opinion on this offer, since I know nothing about Mapex series. I was offered this deal : Mapex venus drumset, 5 pieces (wood snare). All cymbals are Sabian AX pro (sorry, don't have the sizes yet): 1 China splash, 2 splashes, one crash, one B8 hi-hat. there is no ride and no 2nd crash but the hardware for those is included. Don't have any details about the pedal. I'm going to see it soon but would like to have an opinion before. I would like to buy another drumset to practice home, I have a Ludwig in the studio (I need to change the cymbals and the snare, maybe I could use the Mapex snare...) and would like to know if this drum is a good deal. It's 3 months old (the guy never really played on it and is moving soon) and the price is 1000$ canadian (660 US$). I think I could have a lower price but would like to know what you think about it. thank you!!

Don't reconginze the 'venus' model but $600 US is not bad for a 5 piece set with come cymbals and hardware. Especially if it's in really good condition.

The older Venus series by Mapex was junk... the drums were actually workable but the hardware and wraps were way cheap-o stuff. Price this for the cymbals and any other goodies you'll get tossed in with it, but figure on the shells to be worth about $150 Canadian. You can get a used set of Pearl Exports for about the same price and have mounting hardware that's twice as good. The AX pro's are decent cymbals, but the B8's are considered entry level cymbals... check the stands to see if they're original Venus series or maybe it's been upgraded to heavy-duty or even double-braced stands. With luck you'll find a nice DW double kick pedal or something behind the kit... I sold a 5-pc Venus kit about 8 years ago with the cheap stands and older Sabian cymbals for about $350US. With what you've listed I wouldn't go over $450US.

IMHO

Paul

On Sun, 10 Jun 2001 19:57:04 GMT, 'Carl Upthegrove'

Thank you for the advice, I'll look to the hardware and accessories.

In the US Mapex Venus kits are going for about $599 - $699 with hardware. From what you've described the cymbals are easily worth half of what you'd be paying. The Venus series is the entry level kit for Mapex. For a 'starter' kit you won't find better quality.