Overview
This rarity was found online by Matt Kimble in 2026 and was being sold by a member of Mapex's R&D department in Taiwan. It looks like a close cousin of the Emerald Green Maple Deluxe but with all chrome hardware and the later 2004+ Premium Series badge.
Ordinarily I'd assume this was a kit-matched snare, but by the time these badges become standard, Mapex had moved its production facility to China, and was offering Orion badged snares with kits. Then I though it might have been made in the transition period - but it was clearly made in 2006 so that's a bit too late. It's unlikely we'll ever really know, but if any more information comes to light I'll update the listing.
Regardless of why it was made, how pretty is it?
Good score Matt - very jealous.
Photos by Matt Kimble and the original owner.
