General
Russ Miller is an American session drummer that has played with the likes of Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Nelly Furtado and Daniel Bedingfield. Mapex asked this experienced drummer what he was looking for in the perfect snare, and the result is the Black Panther Versatus snare drum. The shell is made of a combination of mahogany and maple, it's 14 x 4 5/8 inches in size and it offers a warm, open sound with an explosive character. Furthermore, it has unusual bearing edges - the batter-side edge is reinforced, while the resonant side features a rounded 35-degree edge. This gives the Versatus a versatile and articulate character that offers excellent control.
Hardware
The Versatus snare drum is fitted with Sonic Saver hoops, which fall somewhere between triple-flanged and die-cast hoops. Their unique profile enhances the response and feel of every rimshot, while also extending the lifespan of your drumsticks. Ten tension rods keep the heads tuned, while the cylinder-drive Black Panther strainer keeps the tension on the snare wires. The snare wires and drumheads were hand-picked by Russ Miller himself. As an added bonus, you're even getting a signed picture booklet with this drum.
