It takes a lot of guts to take on the corporate and cultural might of Baskin Robbins, but Mapex don't give a [hoot]. With the power of the people on their side, they're going to be the first company to offer 31 flavors of snare drum. They're not there yet, but with the introduction of their 29th Back Panther snare -- the Mapex Black Panther Special Edition Elm Snare -- it' s only a matter of time. It'll take a nation of millions to hold them back, now.

The Mapex Black Panther Special Edition Elm Snare Drum has a bit of a misleading name. Sure, it's got a shell that features a beautiful elm finish, but there's other woods in there, too. The core is a 6.1mm-thick maple shell, and the top and bottom edges of the shell are fitted with walnut sound-rings. Mapex says that the rings add a "roundness and darkness to the sound of the drum." Rings add roundness? Who'd a figured, eh?

Overall, the snare measures 14" x 5.5". It sports die-cast hoops, Remo Ambassador heads, a twenty-strand snare and the Black Panther series adjustable throw-off. Mapex says that the hardware is plated in black chrome in order to "give the instrument an even more dramatic appearance," but I think it's just a paltry attempt to pander to. . . ahh, you know what? Never mind. Racism is over, haven't you heard?

The limited edition Mapex Black Panther Special Edition Elm Snare Drum will come with a padded carrying bag with an MSRP of $744.99 US.