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Japan Only

Japan Only

Japan Only

Japan Only

What is it with Japan? How come they get so many of these amazing custom snares? Well, to be honest, part of the answer, if not all of it is down to the amazing Shimano Lefty (ドラム神様) and the collaboration between Mapex and his company "Beyond Shimano". If, like me, you're located outside Japan, then just gaze upon his works and drool... 

12 X 3.5 Polished Brass with Gold Hardware - 'The Golden Rod'

12 X 3.5 Polished Brass with Gold Hardware - 'The Golden Rod'

BR2352

Spotted in August 2022 on Yahoo Auctions Japan by Julio Parades, at first blush you might, as I did, think this is a basic 12"x3.5" Brass Master piccolo snare. Not common, but there's a few of them around. However, once I point out the finish (as Julio did to me) you can see it's ...
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12 x 5.5 Polished Brass with Gold Hardware - 'The Golden Rod'

12 x 5.5 Polished Brass with Gold Hardware - 'The Golden Rod'

BR2552

Another sibling in the "Golden Rod"* family of Japan-only Polished Brass Black Panthers. This one didn't come to light until April 2023 when Julio from NekoMusic in Japan managed to get his hands on the 1999 Japan catalogue that featured the whole family. It turns out that the range is actually ...
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12 x 5.7 Custom One-Off Japan Only

12 x 5.7 Custom One-Off Japan Only

BSJ1257G

Custom-one off special order created by Shimano Lefty for a customer in Japan.  Shimano San wasn't initially convinced you could get a "pleasant" frequency response from a 12" shell, but eventually managed to produce one at this unusal depth with which he was satisfied. It's really unusual ...
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13 x 3.5 Bird's Eye "Imperfect" Piccolo Snare Japan Only

13 x 3.5 Bird's Eye "Imperfect" Piccolo Snare Japan Only

BPML1335

Special "imperfect" snare made from an half-finished drum originally with black chrome parts. Die cast hoop on the batter side and a 2.3mm Powerhoop on the snare side. From the Mapex/Beyond Shimano collaboration. 
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13 x 3.5 Maple Piccolo Snare Japan Only

13 x 3.5 Maple Piccolo Snare Japan Only

Bit of a rare one this. From the Mapex Japan / Beyond Shiomano collaboration, it's badged as a Black Panther, but has the original through-tube lugs which predate that series.  In addition, although it's a 13" snare, it has the full 10 lugs usually more usually fitted to larger snares. ...
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14 x 3.5 American Vintage Series Piccolo Japan Only (Vintage Sunny Green)

14 x 3.5 American Vintage Series Piccolo Japan Only (Vintage Sunny Green)

BSJ8-1435P

Spring Has Come! Another in the American Vintage series, this time in Sunny Green, with a natural maple sports car stripe to channel the American paint colour of the 1960s. 
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14 x 3.5 American Vintage Series Piccolo Snare Japan Only

14 x 3.5 American Vintage Series Piccolo Snare Japan Only

BSJ8-1435

One of the American Vintage Series, whose aesthetic channeled American muscle cars - this time in piccolo format. The finish is semi-gloss piano black, with the sports car stripe in natural maple, and coated in nitrocellulose lacquer. 
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14 x 3.5 Asato Tachibana Custom Piccolo Japan Only

14 x 3.5 Asato Tachibana Custom Piccolo Japan Only

Unique

Unique
Beautiful one-off custom build for Asato Tachibana (立花朝人) from the Mapex / Beyond Shimano collaboration.  Tachibana San sets his snare with the snare throw-off towards him rather than to the side, so the badge on this drum has been deliberately positioned in the segment immediately to ...
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14 x 3.5 Asymmetric Lug Racing Stripes Maple Piccolo

14 x 3.5 Asymmetric Lug Racing Stripes Maple Piccolo

BSJ1435PMSD

One of Shimano San's first productions in 2019. This has a 7mm all-maple shell, with a dark stained oil and wax finish and his signature natural racing stripes.  As with another of his piccolos (linked below) this one has the lugs drilled asymetrically: the snare lugs are 5mm closer to cen...
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14 x 3.5 Asymmetric Lug Vintage White Oil Piccolo Snare Japan Only

14 x 3.5 Asymmetric Lug Vintage White Oil Piccolo Snare Japan Only

BSJ1435PVW

A second maple piccolo snare finished in vintage white oil, with wine red and black racing stripes from the Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano Collaboration Series.  The lugs have been drilled about 3mm above centre to account for the snare head stretching over time. 
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14 x 3.5 Bird's Eye Maple Japan Only Limited Edition

14 x 3.5 Bird's Eye Maple Japan Only Limited Edition

BSBI435

A stunningly beautiful limited edition piccolo snare from the Mapex/Beyond Shimano collaboration. AAA Ranked Bird's eye Maple Exterior + 6ply Maple Shell Only 10 units ever made and available in Japan only. Another triumph by Shimano Lefty and Yoshinori Sugihara  - すごいね！
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14 x 3.5 Bird's Eye Piccolo Snare Burned Charcoal Burst Japan Only

14 x 3.5 Bird's Eye Piccolo Snare Burned Charcoal Burst Japan Only

BI4350PB

Yet another drop-dead gorgeous piccolo from Beyond Shimano, this time in what he called Burned Charcoal Burst. The finish is created with a gas burner and then coated in several applications of oil.  The bearing edge is described as "very sharp" and whole thing is complimented with a 4...
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14 x 3.5 Bird's Eye Piccolo Snare Japan Only

14 x 3.5 Bird's Eye Piccolo Snare Japan Only

BSBI435

Maple piccolo snare with a Bird's Eye Maple Exterior.from the Mapex/Beyond Shimano collaboration. 
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14 x 3.5 Bird's Eye Vintage Oil Natural Brown Piccolo Snare Japan Only

14 x 3.5 Bird's Eye Vintage Oil Natural Brown Piccolo Snare Japan Only

BSJ1435D

Another beautiful piccolo from the Mapex / Beyond Shimano collaboration. This one is finished in waxed Vintage Oil Natural Brown with racing stripes in natural maple. Honestly, just when you think Shimano San can't get any better...along comes proof that he always can. Both bearing edges are rou...
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14 x 3.5 Birds Eye Maple Racing Stripe Piccolo (2019) Japan Only

14 x 3.5 Birds Eye Maple Racing Stripe Piccolo (2019) Japan Only

BSJ1435P BMG (shell note says BSJ1435BITB)

One of two piccolo snares that produced by Shimano San's in late January 2019 (the other being a similar shell with all black hardware) This one is a super-hard all-maple shell, with a dark stained oil and wax finished birds eye maple exterior ply, his signature natural racing stripes and gold l...
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14 x 3.5 Birds Eye Maple Racing Stripe Piccolo Japan Only

14 x 3.5 Birds Eye Maple Racing Stripe Piccolo Japan Only

No details on this Japan only piccolo snare from the Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano collaboration. The original post just says "Final creation of the year (2018) is (this) Birds Eye Maple piccolo. Judging from it's stablemates, it's finished in nitrocellulose lacquer and has the racing stripe of t...
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14 x 3.5 Black and Dark Piccolo Japan Only

14 x 3.5 Black and Dark Piccolo Japan Only

This model was a custom build for the (very lucky) customer who also ordered the 14"x5.5" Natural maple (linked below).  The theme for this piccolo snare was "Black and Dark" and although the sound is naturally bright, the customer also wanted to be able to tune it low for brush work. Shima...
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14 x 3.5 Brass "Imperfect" Piccolo Snare Japan Only

14 x 3.5 Brass "Imperfect" Piccolo Snare Japan Only

BPBR1435

Special "imperfect" snare (2nd in a series) made from an half-finished brass shelled drum. The shell was rejected as there were marks on it. There is a "Steel" badge on this as there were no "Brass" badges available.  From the Mapex/Beyond Shimano collaboration. 
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14 x 3.5 Maple Classic - Limited Edition 200

14 x 3.5 Maple Classic - Limited Edition 200

Rare

Rare
It's amazing what you find on the Internet when you're looking for something else! Spotted this in February 2023 while trying to track down more information about the Power Steel Limited 200 model that Zack Cruz had found.  It was sold Yahoo Auctions Japan in early 2022 and went for a ...
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14 x 3.5 Natural Birds Eye Maple Piccolo Japan Only

14 x 3.5 Natural Birds Eye Maple Piccolo Japan Only

BSJBM1435L

Limited to just 10 units, this all maple Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano collaboration piccolo snare has an exterior ply of bird's eye maple in a natural finish. It was original supplied with an Aquarian Focus X batter head and an American Vintage snare head to suit heavy hitters. 
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14 x 3.5 Natural Maple Piccolo Japan Only

14 x 3.5 Natural Maple Piccolo Japan Only

Still tracking down more information on this Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano custom piccolo, as there's not a lot of detail about the snare itself in the original post; it's primarily about the sound. Watch this space... PS I'm aware this is badged as "Mapex Orion" rather than "Black Panther", but ...
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14 x 3.5 Plain Wine Red Piccolo - Japan Only

14 x 3.5 Plain Wine Red Piccolo - Japan Only

BSJ1435

Shimano San's first release of March 2023 (and as far as I can tell the first release of 2023), and publicised at the same time as the 14"x5.5" Choclate Brown model. According to Shimano San, this one has a "plain" finish, in what I'm calling Wine Red - primarily because there are other models in...
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14 x 3.5 Polished Brass with Gold Hardware - 'The Golden Rod'

14 x 3.5 Polished Brass with Gold Hardware - 'The Golden Rod'

BR4352

The larger piccolo in the "Golden Rod"* family of Japan-only Polished Brass Black Panthers. Like the 12"x5.5", this one didn't come to light until April 2023 when Julio from NekoMusic in Japan managed to get his hands on the 1999 Japan catalogue that featured the whole family. It turns out that ...
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14 x 3.5 Vintage Oil Birds Eye Maple Piccolo Japan Only

14 x 3.5 Vintage Oil Birds Eye Maple Piccolo Japan Only

BSBE435PB

Only two of these vintage oiled Birds Eye Maple models (along with two of the Natural Maple version linked below) were created in early 2015 as part of the Mapex / Beyond Shimano Collaboration Series. The shells are Shimano San's unique super-dry extra-hard maple ply which produces a sharp and c...
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14 x 3.5 Vintage Oil Natural Maple Piccolo Japan Only

14 x 3.5 Vintage Oil Natural Maple Piccolo Japan Only

BSNL435PB

Only two of these vintage oiled Natural Maple models (along with two of the Birds Eye version linked below) were created in early 2015 as part of the Mapex / Beyond Shimano Collaboration Series. The shells are Shimano San's unique super-dry extra-hard maple ply which produces a sharp and crisp t...
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14 x 3.5 Vintage White Oil Piccolo Snare Japan Only

14 x 3.5 Vintage White Oil Piccolo Snare Japan Only

BSJ1435P

Maple piccolo snare finished in vintage white oil, with wine red and black racing stripes from the Beyond Shimano custom shop.  The lugs have been drilled about 2mm above centre to account for the snare head stretching over time.  Production limited to 3 units. 
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14 x 4 Hinoki Wood Black Hardware Piccolo Japan Only

14 x 4 Hinoki Wood Black Hardware Piccolo Japan Only

BSJ1404HW

The second of two 14"x4" all Hinoki Wood (Japanese Cypress) Piccolo snares, this time in all black hardware, with natural stripes on a black base. The shell is ultra-thin at just 5mm, with 5mm reinforcement hoops, and is a little deeper than a standard piccolo at 4". This gives it more ...
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14 x 4 Hinoki Wood Vintage Wine Piccolo Japan Only

14 x 4 Hinoki Wood Vintage Wine Piccolo Japan Only

BSJ1404HW-VTWN

The first of two 14"x4" all Hinoki Wood (Japanese Cypress) Piccolo snares, this one in a mixture of chrome and black hardware and natural/vintage wine stripes. The shell is ultra-thin at just 5mm, with 5mm reinforcement hoops, and is a little deeper than a standard piccolo at 4". This g...
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14 x 4¾ Satoru Tatai Signature Snare Japan Only

14 x 4¾ Satoru Tatai Signature Snare Japan Only

BSM1475BP

Super Unicorn

Super Unicorn
At first blush you might think, as I did, that this is a Russ Miller Versatus. But it's not. It predates the Versatus and is actually the signature snare of Japanese drummer Satoru Tatai (田々井悟). Tatai San asked for a special depth of drum; something like the 4" deep Sonor Lite one used by h...
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14 x 5 Titanium

14 x 5 Titanium

BPTI4500BN

Unicorn

Unicorn
Ok - if tracking down the "Bronzed Hammered Brass" is like trying to find a unicorn, this is more like trying to find a Japanese unicorn playing cards with Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster.  Seriously - whilst there are one-of-a-kind custom drums, this is the most limited edition snare I'v...
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14 x 5.5 American Vintage Japan Only (Aged Natural Lacquer)

14 x 5.5 American Vintage Japan Only (Aged Natural Lacquer)

BSJMP8-1455FM

One more snare in the Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano American Vintage series, this is a "brother from another mother" to the Bonnie Pink version that was produced at roughly the same time. The flamed maple exterior of this all-maple shell has been finished in a natural lacquer, deliberately design...
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14 x 5.5 American Vintage Japan Only (Chestnut Lacquer)

14 x 5.5 American Vintage Japan Only (Chestnut Lacquer)

BSJ8-1455P

The third snare in the American Vintage Series / Mapex Beyond Shimano Collaboration. Custom built 8ply 8mm shell with AAAA rank quilted maple exterior, created by the great Shimano Lefty of Beyond Shimano, Japan.
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14 x 5.5 American Vintage Japan Only (Persimmon)

14 x 5.5 American Vintage Japan Only (Persimmon)

BSJ8-1455

The first snare in the American Vintage Series / Mapex Beyond Shimano Collaboration. Custom built 8ply 9mm shell, created by the great Shimano Lefty of Beyond Shimano, Japan. The theme for this snare is a 70s muscle car. The shell is an all-maple 8-ply, 9 mm shell finished in Japanese Persimmon...
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14 x 5.5 American Vintage Japan Only (Vintage Bonnie Pink Lacquer)

14 x 5.5 American Vintage Japan Only (Vintage Bonnie Pink Lacquer)

BSJ145PG (also listed as BSJ8-1455FMV)

Custom built by the great Shimano Lefty of Beyond Shimano, Japan, on the theme of a 70s muscle car. This is a 7ply, 8mm all-maple shell with a flamed maple exterior finished in oil stained Vintage Bonnie Pink and wax coated. Five of these were produced.   They were shown in two of Shim...
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14 x 5.5 American Vintage Japan Only (Wine Red)

14 x 5.5 American Vintage Japan Only (Wine Red)

BSJ8-1455P

A one-off from the second American Vintage Series / Mapex Beyond Shimano Collaboration. Custom built 8ply 8mm maple shell with AAAA rank quilted maple exterior, created by the great Shimano Lefty of Beyond Shimano, Japan. For this one, Shimano San left off the racing stripes seen on the first&n...
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14 x 5.5 American Vintage Japan Only One-Off (Pear Lacquer)

14 x 5.5 American Vintage Japan Only One-Off (Pear Lacquer)

BSJ8-1455P

The second snare in the American Vintage Series / Mapex Beyond Shimano Collaboration. One-off custom built 8ply 8mm shell with AAAA rank quilted maple exterior, created by the great Shimano Lefty of Beyond Shimano, Japan. "I created this color through trial and error and it would be difficult t...
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14 x 5.5 American Vintage Natural Stripes Japan Only

14 x 5.5 American Vintage Natural Stripes Japan Only

Spotted this on my regular crawl through Shimano San's Facebook feed (yes he knows - I asked his permission!) There weren't any details on the late 2018 post, apart from that it's maple with a flame maple exterior. I'm guessing that it's part of the American Vintage series since there are severa...
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14 x 5.5 American Vintage Series Japan Only (Vintage Amber Lacquer)

14 x 5.5 American Vintage Series Japan Only (Vintage Amber Lacquer)

BSJ8-1455FMB

Another snare in the American Vintage Series, this time in Vintage Amber nitrocellulose lacquer. The shell is 7ply, 8mm maple with a AAA flamed maple outer ply, and has two of the series' distinctive thin sports stripes in black. 
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14 x 5.5 American Vintage Series Japan Only (Vintage Transparent White Lacquer)

14 x 5.5 American Vintage Series Japan Only (Vintage Transparent White Lacquer)

BSJ8-1455QMWH

One more in the American Vintage series, this time elegantly finished in Vintage Transparent White Lacquer. As ever with the snares in this series, it harks back to American muscle cars, with the distinctive sports stripes running round the shell.  The shell itself is a 7ply maple affair, w...
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14 x 5.5 Bird's Eye Maple Bonny Pink "Golden Week" Snare Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Bird's Eye Maple Bonny Pink "Golden Week" Snare Japan Only

BI4550DC-BP

One of the six different one-off "Golden Week" snares produced by Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano lab during Golden Week in 2014.  This one has a bird's eye maple exterior in Bonny Pink and coated in nitrocellulose laquer.  These snares were made to blend the sound of a 1960-70s snare (a...
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14 x 5.5 Bird's Eye Maple Green "Golden Week" Snare Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Bird's Eye Maple Green "Golden Week" Snare Japan Only

BI4550DC-GR

One of the six different one-off "Golden Week" snares produced by Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano lab during Golden Week in 2014.  This one has a bird's eye maple exterior in green and coated in nitrocellulose laquer.  These snares were made to blend the sound of a 1960-70s snare (as fav...
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14 x 5.5 Bird's Eye Maple Tobacco Burst "Golden Week" Snare Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Bird's Eye Maple Tobacco Burst "Golden Week" Snare Japan Only

BI4550DC-TB3

One of the six different one-off "Golden Week" snares produced by Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano lab during Golden Week in 2014.  This one has a bird's eye maple exterior in tobacco burst and coated in nitrocellulose laquer.  These snares were made to blend the sound of a 1960-70s snare...
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14 x 5.5 Bird's Eye Snare Burned Charcoal Burst Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Bird's Eye Snare Burned Charcoal Burst Japan Only

BI4550 / BI4550DG

The big brother to the drop-dead gorgeous piccolo from Beyond Shimano, this time in 5.5" depth and an even sharper 1:9 bearing edge. The finish is Burned Charcoal Burst, with the finish being created using a gas burner and then coated in several applications of oil.  Only three units ever m...
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14 x 5.5 Black-Chrome-Gold Steel Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Black-Chrome-Gold Steel Japan Only

One-off steel snare with new shell and refurbished hardware. Rather than throw away these used lugs (which would have incurred a cost), Shimano San polished them up and paired them with a brand new steel shell, black die-cast hoops and 24K gold plated lug nuts.  The result is a awesome look...
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14 x 5.5 Black-Gold Steel Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Black-Gold Steel Japan Only

BSJ1455STGB

Shimano San created at least 11 of these Mapex/Beyond Shimano steel shelled units - the photos are of #11. He describes them as being "For drummers who like powerful rock" (if I've translated that correctly) and the sound as "Piercing" which I can't disagree given its looks.  The badge has...
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14 x 5.5 Bonnie Pink Flamed Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Bonnie Pink Flamed Maple Japan Only

One more for the wish-list! Produced sometime in 2014 (at least as far as I can tell from stalking Shimano San's FB profile!) as part of the Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano collaboration. This is a 7ply all-maple shell with an exterior ply of flamed maple coated in "Bonnie Pink" nitrocellulose lacq...
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14 x 5.5 Brown Quilted Maple Japan only

14 x 5.5 Brown Quilted Maple Japan only

QM4550DC (Also listed as QM4550DB)

Once again, Shimano Lefty produces a stonkingly beautiful finish, this time in brown nicrocellulose lacquer over quilted maple. According to Shimano San it produces a modern sound, with pleasant mid-low tones and a great "live" sound. I'm not arguing! Part of the collaboration between Mapex ...
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14 x 5.5 Champagne Sparkle Steel Chrome Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Champagne Sparkle Steel Chrome Japan Only

BPST455DC

A variation on the champagne sparkle, this time with chrome rather than 24K gold hardware, created by the Mapex/Beyond Shimano collaboration. According to Shimano San, the reason for the change was the lack of gold hardware.  Different look - still a proper head-turner. 
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14 x 5.5 Champagne Sparkle Steel Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Champagne Sparkle Steel Japan Only

BPST455DG CG

A truly stunning looking snare wrapped in champagne sparkle, created by the Mapex/Beyond Shimano collaboration. According to Shimano San, the wrap gives a moderate cut in the high-end sustain of the steel shell, allowing an open and dynamic sound with no need for additional muting. "It turns it ...
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14 x 5.5 Charcoal Grey and Black Stripes Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Charcoal Grey and Black Stripes Japan Only

BSFM4550CGY

One of two charcoal grey snares, this one with black sports car stripes. The shell in finished in oil and wax. 
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14 x 5.5 Charcoal Grey and Natural Stripes Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Charcoal Grey and Natural Stripes Japan Only

BSFM4550CGY

One of two charcoal grey snares, this one with natural sports car stripes. The shell in finished in oil and wax. 
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14 x 5.5 Charred Brown Quilted Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Charred Brown Quilted Maple Japan Only

QM4550DBB

Another utterly mouth-watering creation from the great Shimano Lefty of Beyond Shimano in Japan. Only two ever made! Apparently (if I'm reading the Japanese correctly), the finish is initially created using a camping burner, and is then oiled. The trick is in not burning the wood, so i...
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14 x 5.5 Chrome Steel (Die-Cast Hoops) Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Chrome Steel (Die-Cast Hoops) Japan Only

Made in 2014, this all-chrome snare is the older brother of the one Shimano San made in 2017, but with die-cast instead of triple flange hoops. Came fitted with an Aquarian TC14 coated batter head.
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14 x 5.5 Chrome Steel Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Chrome Steel Japan Only

Steel sheel, all chrome finish from the Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano collaboration 2017. Just shows you that sometimes simple is best. 
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14 x 5.5 Dark Gold Quilted Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Dark Gold Quilted Maple Japan Only

QM4550DG

Unfortunately I don't have a lot of details about this particularly gorgeous example of Shimano San's work. Unlike most of the Mapex/Beyond Shimano collaboration snares, where I got all the information from the man himself by stalking his Facebook posts (with permission I might add!), I spotted t...
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14 x 5.5 Flamed Maple Chocolate Brown "Golden Week" Snare Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Flamed Maple Chocolate Brown "Golden Week" Snare Japan Only

FM4550DC-CB1

One of the six different one-off "Golden Week" snares produced by Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano lab during Golden Week in 2014.  This one has a flamed maple maple exterior in what I'm calling chocolate brown (for want of a definitive descriptino) and coated in nitrocellulose laquer.  T...
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14 x 5.5 Flamed Maple Chocolate Brown (Powerhoops) - Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Flamed Maple Chocolate Brown (Powerhoops) - Japan Only

BPMLJ4550P TBK

Early March 2023 saw two new models released from Shimano San's stable - this relative of the 2014 Golden Week Chocolate Brown Flamed Maple and a piccolo (linked below). It's finished in the same Nitrocellulose Lacquer and looks phenomenal as always.  According to Shimano San this one is a ...
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14 x 5.5 Flamed Maple Green "Golden Week" Snare Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Flamed Maple Green "Golden Week" Snare Japan Only

FM4550DC-GR

One of the six different one-off "Golden Week" snares produced by Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano lab during Golden Week in 2014.  This one has a flamed maple exterior in green and coated in nitrocellulose laquer.  These snares were made to blend the sound of a 1960-70s snare (as favoure...
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14 x 5.5 Flamed Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Flamed Maple Japan Only

FM4550DC

Another jaw-dropping creation snare from the Mapex/Beyond Shimano collaboration, with a AAA ranked Flamed Maple Exterior.
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14 x 5.5 Flamed Maple Vintage Oil Finish Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Flamed Maple Vintage Oil Finish Japan Only

BSJ1455FM-GP

Mapex Beyond Shimano Collaboration seris. AAA rank flamed maple exterior, vintage oil and wax finish with racing stripes, created by the great Shimano Lefty of Beyond Shimano, Japan.
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14 x 5.5 Fluorescent Green Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Fluorescent Green Japan Only

BSJ2055PFGR

Another shining example of a custom finish - Beyond Shimano's 2019 Fluorescent Color Series, this time in green.
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14 x 5.5 Fluorescent Yellow Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Fluorescent Yellow Japan Only

BSJ2055PFYL

A shining example of a custom finish - Beyond Shimano's Fluorescent Color Series.
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14 x 5.5 Gold Fade Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Gold Fade Maple Japan Only

NM4550DC

I was knocked out by the looks of this all Maple snare in 2015 when I spotted it on Facebook, and I still am. Looking at my conversation with Shimano San at the time (all in English - I'd only just started learning Japanese - I'm still not great!) I asked him what "stunning" was in Japanese. It's...
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14 x 5.5 Gold Lacquer Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Gold Lacquer Japan Only

NM4550DG

One of the first Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano collaboration shells I ever set eyes on in 2015. I did ask about buying one, but money was a bit tight and I wasn't sure how to pay for it in Yen at the time, so I didn't get one in the end. I regret that now. The finish is a lot like the Mapex Bench...
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14 x 5.5 Grand Funk Railroad Custom (One-Off)

14 x 5.5 Grand Funk Railroad Custom (One-Off)

Unique

Unique
Custom one-off made for the 60th birthday of Shimano Lefty's friend Rock Sugimoto. Steel shell wrapped in custom made Grand Funk Railroad inspired graphics. Note the unusual placement of the air vent behind the snare throw off.
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14 x 5.5 Grey & Gold Flamed Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Grey & Gold Flamed Maple Japan Only

One of four snares produced by Shimano San as part of the Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano collaboration in late 2013. All have 24K gold die-cast hoops and his special extra-hard maple ply construction, with differing outer plys and finishes. This one has a flamed maple exterior ply, finished in wha...
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14 x 5.5 Heavily Aged Prototype Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Heavily Aged Prototype Japan Only

Made by Shimano Lefty sometime around 2007-2008, only two units of this prototype were ever produced. Although they are intentionally made to look old, they were both made from new shells. The shine of the lugs, hoops and strainer has been deliberately dulled, and the shell finish itself has als...
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14 x 5.5 Lemon Yellow Restoration Project Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Lemon Yellow Restoration Project Japan Only

Part of a restoration project, this 10+ year old snare (owned by a Mr Tomada)  was brought back to life by Shimano San in late 2018. Apparently it's the snare to a  matching Saturn kit, of which unfortunately there aren't any photos since it had already been sold.  The o...
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14 x 5.5 Mapex/Beyond Shimano Steel Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Mapex/Beyond Shimano Steel Japan Only

BBSB1450PB

Japan only limited edition steel snare from the collaboration between Mapex and Beyond Shimano.  Deliberately understated looks with an unadorned shell and plain black hardware.  Only 10 units produced.
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14 x 5.5 Maple Classic - Limited Edition 200

14 x 5.5 Maple Classic - Limited Edition 200

Rare

Rare
Spotted this in February 2023 while trying to track down more information about the other two Limited 200 models (links below).  Like its siblingsm there is almost no information on it, and in this case unfortunately, only one low-res photo that I can find. I can't even access the auction p...
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14 x 5.5 Masquerade Rock Maple Limited Edition

14 x 5.5 Masquerade Rock Maple Limited Edition

BPML455MLB

Super Rare

Super Rare
What is it with Japan? How come they get so many of these custom snares?  Well, to be honest, part of the answer, if not all of it is down to the amazing Shimano Lefty (ドラム神様) and the collaborations between Mapex and his company "Beyond Shimano".  This one was produced to celebrate th...
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14 x 5.5 Masquerade Steel Prototype

14 x 5.5 Masquerade Steel Prototype

Prototype

Super Unicorn

Super Unicorn
What do you do when you've collected 6 impossible snares before breakfast? How about tracking down this rejected prototype for the Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano 20th Anniversary Masquerade snare! Ignore the 10/50 serial as I doubt 50 were ever made Both the design and the shell were rejected for ...
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14 x 5.5 Mayan/Aztec Black Version Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Mayan/Aztec Black Version Japan Only

Super Unicorn

Super Unicorn
Another "unicorn" this one as only two of these "Black" versions of the Mayan were produced in 2014* as a part of the Mapex/Beyond Shimano collaboration. It's a "standard" Mayan shell with Shimano San changing the hardware to black chrome and 2.3mm Powerhoops rather than brushed bronze and die-ca...
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14 x 5.5 Natural Bird's Eye Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Natural Bird's Eye Maple Japan Only

BSBE4550PC

Another classic from 2015. All-maple shell with a natural nitrocellulose lacquer exterior. No further details yet, but how nice is this?
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14 x 5.5 Natural Flamed Maple Custom Build Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Natural Flamed Maple Custom Build Japan Only

Made in September 2018 for a customer who wanted it for Jazz and Latin Fusion, this 7ply, 9mm all-maple snare was designed to produce an open sound with few overtones. As ever, Shimano San used his unique hard plywood construction which gives the drum a wide dynamic range, with rich mid-lows and ...
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14 x 5.5 Natural Flamed Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Natural Flamed Maple Japan Only

BSMF2055NT

This snare was made in 2019, has an all-maple shell with a AAA flamed maple exterior ply and a natural maple finish. Two black sports car stripes compliment the simple and elegant appearance of this drum.  No further details available unfortunately. 
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14 x 5.5 Natural Flamed Maple One-Off Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Natural Flamed Maple One-Off Japan Only

One of two one-off models from the Mapex Japan / Beyond Simano collaboration series, made in July 2018.  The shell is coated in an as-thin-as-possible oil finish, complemented by black chrome hoops and 24k gold lugs and strainer.  The batter side bearing edge is cut to a rounded ...
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14 x 5.5 Natural Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Natural Maple Japan Only

Just two of these plain maple models were made to order by Shimano San in late 2018. A customer who ordered a piccolo snare (linked below) from him also wanted a deeper model. The "plain" look of is primarily down to budget constraints, although Shimano San does say that he liked the soft feel an...
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14 x 5.5 Natural Quilted Maple One-Off Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Natural Quilted Maple One-Off Japan Only

One of two one-off models from the Mapex Japan / Beyond Simano collaboration series, made in July 2018.  The shell is coated in an as-thin-as-possible oil finish, complemented by black chrome hardware.  The batter side bearing edge is cut to a rounded 7:3 ratio (65 degrees), whilst th...
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14 x 5.5 Oil Coated Quilted Maple One-Off Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Oil Coated Quilted Maple One-Off Japan Only

The third in a series of oil coated snares made by Shimano San in late 2018, this quilted maple shell has had 4 coats of oil to produce the final dark colour. Despite being "in love" with nitrocellulose lacquer for over 25 years, he says he'd got rather stuck in a rut, and so used multiple coats ...
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14 x 5.5 Oil Vintage Wine Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Oil Vintage Wine Japan Only

BSMP1450PFM

Beautiful maple snare from the Mapex/Beyond Shimano collaboration. AAA ranked Flamed Maple Exterior finished in Vintage Oil Wine with natural maple sports car stripe.
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14 x 5.5 Oriental Dragon Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Oriental Dragon Japan Only

ST755PH

I distinctly remember seeing this snare come up on a late-night web searching session almost a decade ago and thinking "what the (heck) is that!" I thought I knew all the Mapex snares, but this was something new. Several hours down the Google rabbithole later and I was sold on the work of Shimano...
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14 x 5.5 Piano Black Cracked Finish Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Piano Black Cracked Finish Japan Only

Another creation from the Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano collaboration. Just shows you what a nice looking drum you can produce if you stick to one colour - understated and absolutely beautiful.  All maple shell, finished in thin piano-black nitrocellulose lacquer, with what Shimano San ...
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14 x 5.5 Plain Fluorescent Green Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Plain Fluorescent Green Japan Only

BSJ2055P

One of two colours, and 10 shells, produced in 2019 for those who" want to stand out". You're not joking. This and its yellow sibling would make sure you could be seen from space. In the dark. Certainly makes a statement. 
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14 x 5.5 Plain Fluorescent Yellow Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Plain Fluorescent Yellow Japan Only

BSJ2055P

One of two colours, and 10 shells, produced in 2019 for those who" want to stand out". You're not joking. This and its green sibling would make sure you could be seen from space. In the dark. Certainly makes a statement. 
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14 x 5.5 Polished Brass with Gold Hardware - 'The Golden Rod'

14 x 5.5 Polished Brass with Gold Hardware - 'The Golden Rod'

BR4552

The slightly slimmer of the 14" models in the "Golden Rod"* family of Japan-only Polished Brass Black Panthers. Like several of the models in the range, this one didn't come to light until April 2023 when Julio from NekoMusic in Japan managed to get his hands on the 1999 Japan catalogue that feat...
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14 x 5.5 Polished Brass with Gold Hardware - 'The Golden Rod' (Twin Cam)

14 x 5.5 Polished Brass with Gold Hardware - 'The Golden Rod' (Twin Cam)

A little bit a curve-ball this one. It's got the individual low-mass oval lugs and the Gold "Flourish" Badge of the 1997+ original Black Panther series, but with a twin-cam throw-off which doesn't match the Orion throw-off on the Brass Master of that series. The main, very comprehensive, set of ...
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14 x 5.5 Power Steel - Limited Edition 200

14 x 5.5 Power Steel - Limited Edition 200

Rare

Rare
First spotted by long-time contributer Zack Cruz in February 2023, there's very little information available (so far) on this rare Taiwan produced Japan-only model. Zack saw it up for sale on eBay by a Japanese seller and, after a bit of sleuthing, found it on the archived Mapex Japan website. Th...
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14 x 5.5 Quilted Maple Bonny Pink "Golden Week" Snare Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Quilted Maple Bonny Pink "Golden Week" Snare Japan Only

QM4550DC-BP

One of the six different one-off "Golden Week" snares produced by Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano lab during Golden Week in 2014.  This one has a quilted maple exterior in Bonny Pink and coated in nitrocellulose laquer.  These snares were made to blend the sound of a 1960-70s snare (as f...
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14 x 5.5 Quilted Maple Burst Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Quilted Maple Burst Japan Only

No details on this one, apart from it was made in 2016 as part of the Mapex Japan /Beyond Shimano collaboration and it's obviously a 14"x5.5" quilted maple shell in a red/yellow burst finish. Extraordinarily pretty though eh?
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14 x 5.5 Quilted Maple Emerald Green Snare Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Quilted Maple Emerald Green Snare Japan Only

QM4550DC

Produced in late 2019 as part of the Mapex / Beyond Shimano collaboration. 6ply, 7mm all maple shell, with an emerald green quilted maple exterior finished in very thin nitrocellulose lacquer. The lacquer is thin in order to bring out the tone of the underlying maple. 
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14 x 5.5 Quilted Maple Japan Only Limited Edition (White)

14 x 5.5 Quilted Maple Japan Only Limited Edition (White)

BSM145QMB

One of two versions of a very limited edition snare from the Mapex/Beyond Shimano collaboration. AAA Ranked Quilted Maple Exterior + 6ply Maple Shell Only 5 units ever made of this colour and available in Japan only. Yet another drop dead gorgeous snare by ドラム神様 ,Shimano Lefty and his team at ...
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14 x 5.5 Quilted Maple Japan Only Limited Edition (Wine)

14 x 5.5 Quilted Maple Japan Only Limited Edition (Wine)

BSM145QMW

One of two versions of a very limited edition snare from the Mapex/Beyond Shimano collaboration. AAA Ranked Quilted Maple Exterior + 6ply Maple Shell Only 5 units ever made of this colour and available in Japan only. Yet another drop dead gorgeous snare by ドラム神様 ,Shimano Lefty and his team at ...
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14 x 5.5 Quilted Maple Tobacco Burst Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Quilted Maple Tobacco Burst Japan Only

How beautiful is this? No, seriously - look at it!! Maple shell with a quilted maple exterior ply in tobacco burst. Part of the Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano collaboration series from 2017. 
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14 x 5.5 Quilted Maple Vintage Oil Finish Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Quilted Maple Vintage Oil Finish Japan Only

BSJ-MP1450P

Mapex Beyond Shimano Collaboration series. AAAA rank quilted maple exterior, vintage oil and wax finish with racing stripes, created by the great Shimano Lefty of Beyond Shimano, Japan.
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14 x 5.5 Racing Stripe Brown Quilted Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Racing Stripe Brown Quilted Maple Japan Only

BSMP1450PQM

An updated version of the American Vintage Muscle Car themed snares, this time with the later sculpted shield lug cases. The tasteful brown quilted maple exterior ply has its sports car stripe in natural maple, and the whole thing is finished in natural oil. Gorgeous!
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14 x 5.5 Red & Gold Flamed Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Red & Gold Flamed Maple Japan Only

One of four snares produced by Shimano San as part of the Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano collaboration in late 2013. All have 24K gold die-cast hoops and his special extra-hard maple ply construction, with differing outer plys and finishes. This one has a flamed maple exterior ply, finished in wha...
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14 x 5.5 Red Lacquer Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Red Lacquer Maple Japan Only

Details are a little thin on the ground for this head-turning bright red Maple snare, made as part of the Mapex Japan /Beyond Shimano collaboration in 2014. It's a 7ply all-maple affair coated in Shimano San's favourite nitrocellolose lacquer. 
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14 x 5.5 Rose Pink & Gold Flamed Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Rose Pink & Gold Flamed Maple Japan Only

One of four snares produced by Shimano San as part of the Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano collaboration in late 2013. All have 24K gold die-cast hoops and his special extra-hard maple ply construction, with differing outer plys and finishes. This one has a flamed maple exterior ply, finished in wha...
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14 x 5.5 Rose Pink & Gold Quilted Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Rose Pink & Gold Quilted Maple Japan Only

One of four snares produced by Shimano San as part of the Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano collaboration in late 2013. All have 24K gold die-cast hoops and his special extra-hard maple ply construction, with differing outer plys and finishes. This one has a AAA quilted maple exterior ply, finished i...
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14 x 5.5 Steel Limited Edition Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Steel Limited Edition Japan Only

BPST4550SSH

This Japan only, steel shelled limited edition first appeared in the 2012 Mapex Japan price list, and was still showing as part of the range as late as 2017. I don't have any catalogues after that, but checking the Mapex Japan website on the WayBack Machine, it's not listed by 2018. Shimano...
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14 x 5.5 Sunburst Flamed Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Sunburst Flamed Maple Japan Only

FM4550PC

Made in in 2016 as part of the Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano collaboration. The 14"x5.5", all-American maple shell has a flamed maple exterior in triple-tone sunburst finish. The bearing edge is 45˚, the inside is coated in vintage oil, and the exterior is finished in nitrocellulose lacquer.&...
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14 x 5.5 True Burnt Brown Charred Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 True Burnt Brown Charred Maple Japan Only

One more "charred finish" maple creation from Shimano Lefty's lab - this time in what is described as the "true burned (brown) colour". Apparently this is the third charred snare he created after the first two sold out in about 10 days! Not surprised really - it's an amazing, unique technique.
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14 x 5.5 Vintage Bordeaux Wine Flame Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Vintage Bordeaux Wine Flame Maple Japan Only

Once more the Mapex Japan / Beyond Shimano collaboration produces a jaw-droppingly gorgeous snare. This time, the all-maple 14"x5.5" shell has a flame maple exterior ply, finished in what Shimano San calls a vintage oil "Bordeaux Wine" colour. The black hoops and gold lugs/strainer complement the...
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14 x 5.5 Vintage Brown / Wine Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Vintage Brown / Wine Maple Japan Only

BSJ1450QMSP

Part of the Mapex / Beyond Shimano Collaboration Series, 4 units were produced in this finish, with the brown (upper) and wine (lower) sections complimented with three natural sports car stripes. The whole thing is coated in 8 coats of oil, and then waxed in order to cure the finish. As mos...
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14 x 5.5 Vintage Natural Flamed Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Vintage Natural Flamed Maple Japan Only

FM4550DB

One of Shimano San's classics from 2015. All-maple shell with a flamed maple exterior, finished in vintage natural nitrocellulose lacquer.  I don't have any further details, but the looks of this snare do all the talking here.
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14 x 5.5 Vintage Oil Finish Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Vintage Oil Finish Japan Only

BSJ1455QM-GP

Mapex Beyond Shimano Collaboration series. AAAA rank quilted maple exterior, vintage oil and wax finish with racing stripes, created by the great Shimano Lefty of Beyond Shimano, Japan.
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14 x 5.5 Vintage Oil Natural Brown Quilted Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 Vintage Oil Natural Brown Quilted Maple Japan Only

BSJMP1450PQM

A one-off creation from the Mapex/Beyond Shimano collaboration, with a AAAA ranked quilted Maple Exterior. The oil coating was applied 7 to 8 times to create the color, and then finished with a wax coating.
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14 x 5.5 Walnut Hybrid Japan Only Limited Edition (Antique Ivory)

14 x 5.5 Walnut Hybrid Japan Only Limited Edition (Antique Ivory)

BPWA455SLI

Another awesome Japan only snare, with a hybrid shell of 4ply maple and 2ply walnut.  Produces a crisp, snappy sound and boasts a wide tuning range.
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14 x 5.5 Walnut Hybrid Japan Only Limited Edition (Natural)

14 x 5.5 Walnut Hybrid Japan Only Limited Edition (Natural)

BPWA455SNL

Another awesome Japan only snare, with a hybrid shell of 4ply maple and 2ply walnut.  Produces a crisp, snappy sound and boasts a wide tuning range.
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14 x 5.5 White Oil Birds Eye Maple Japan Only

14 x 5.5 White Oil Birds Eye Maple Japan Only

This white oiled Birds Eye maple shell, finished with Shimano San's signature racing stripes, was produced in May 2019. His post states that "yesterday, three units were completed and one was half finished" so I'm not 100% sure if he means that 4 of this exact model were made, or that 4 units of ...
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14 x 6 Custom Restoration Project Japan Only

14 x 6 Custom Restoration Project Japan Only

BS965R

How to breathe new life into a drum that's paid its dues!  This is a restored "loaner" drum from the Mapex/ Beyond Shimano project, originally made in 1998. The shell is 7ply maple, 8mm thick, with 8mm reinforcing rings and coated in nitrocellulose lacquer. It might have been ...
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14 x 6.5 Early Taiwanese Maple Deluxe

14 x 6.5 Early Taiwanese Maple Deluxe

TMS465D

Here's a "blast from the past". Actually a pre-Black Panther (the range didn't exist yet) Taiwanese shell produced by Shimano Lefty in the early 1990s. According to Shimano San, the shell reacts well to extremely quiet playing which more modern shells struggle with. Apparently it's first line he ...
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14 x 6.5 Polished Brass with Gold Hardware - 'The Golden Rod'

14 x 6.5 Polished Brass with Gold Hardware - 'The Golden Rod'

BR4652

This is a Japan only model that was Zack Cruz's first love in the Black Panther pantheon. First, but by no means only! Zack shared this on the Facebook page in late 2022, and I'd never seen one like it before. I'd seen polished brass shells obviously, but not a 14"x6.5" one. And that's before w...
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14 x 6.5 Shingo Tomoda Restoration Project Snare

14 x 6.5 Shingo Tomoda Restoration Project Snare

Here's one you don't see everyday. This snare was originally used by Shingo Tomoda (友田真吾) as part of his ongoing Electro-Acoustic project at Negi Drums (apparently referred to as "The Japanese Gretsch"). As a result, this low-pitched, 12mm thick shell had 6 holes drilled to accomodate pickups an...
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14 x 6.5 Tattoo and Edge Brass Limited Edition Japan Only

14 x 6.5 Tattoo and Edge Brass Limited Edition Japan Only

BR765DH

Unicorn

Unicorn
Produced sometime in late 2004*, only 50 of these stunning brass-shelled limited edition models were ever made, and for the Japanese market only. This  pristine example is owned by Alex Wicheard who spotted it online, fell in love with it (can't blame him!) and imported it from Japan at hor...
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14 x 6.5 Terry Bozzio Signature Aluminium Prototype Japan Only

14 x 6.5 Terry Bozzio Signature Aluminium Prototype Japan Only

Super Unicorn

Super Unicorn
The literal definition of a "sleeper" shell. 3 of these shells were made as a prototype for the Terry Bozzio Signature Snare in 1991‑92. Terry eventually opted for a 5" shell however, so these deeper 6.5" units were never made available to the public and sat in a store room until 2014. ...
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14 x 7 Hiroyuki Kawasaki Model Japan Only One-Off

14 x 7 Hiroyuki Kawasaki Model Japan Only One-Off

BSJ147OPBHW

Unique

Unique
One-Off 14"x7" Asian Hinoki Wood, created at the request of Mr. Kawasaki, the owner of Yotsuya DOPPO. Mapex / Beyond Shimano Collaboration.
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