2000
The turn of the Millenium saw the "Deluxe/Master" naming convention dropped in favour of simply Maple, Birdseye Maple, Steel etc, along with the introduction of the "Detail” Black Panther badge.
- The Birdseye Maple badges say "Birds Eye Maple" but the text in the catalogue refers to it as "Birdseye Maple". Mapex do this a lot.
- Low-Mass Oval Lugs are now on all models
- Orion Standard Strainers and Orion Piccolo Strainers on all specifically Black Panther branded models (not Stainless Steel Precious Metal)
- Offer to provide matching Black Panther Maple Snares (Die Cast Hoops, Low-Mass Oval Lugs, Orion Standard Strainers) with Orion Classic Kits.
Notes:
- Orion kits have 7ply 6.1mm American Maple (Birdseye Maple) or 6ply 5.1mm American Maple Shells (Traditional Maple)
- Orion Classic Badges on kits are the sculpted lozenge shape and say "Made in Taiwan" in the catalogue but there are examples (my Lilac Burst kit for example) that say "Made in China
- Saturns are called Saturn Pro, have a 7ply 6.1mm North American Maple and Basswood shell and sculpted badges with “Saturn Pro Series” under the Mapex Brand.
- Saturn snares have power strainers, double through tube low mass ovals lugs and same badge as the kits.
