This M-Series 14" x 5.5" 8 lug snare, model MS4556, serial # 3013423, in transparent cherry red, came with my M5044T Manhattan kit. This is a good snare, a workhorse if you will, with a very nice finish. I play thrash metal, but I'm sure it's versatile enough to cover just about any kind of music. It has a Remo Weatherking Emperor batter head that I've only gigged twice, so there should be plenty of life left in it. The snare side head is a Terry Bozio Attack, which I replaced awhile back, still in good shape and no need to replace it any time soon.
Contrary to some misleading info out there, the original M-Series drums are made of 3 layers: an outer north american maple veneer with basswood in the middle, and another inner north american maple veneer. This differs from the M-Birch series (which eventually replaced the M-Series), having birch in the middle instead of basswood but retaining the outer and inner maple veneers.
You can hear me playing the snare live here (sound quality is not the greatest but you'll get the idea - we play LOUD - the snare cuts):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfjoF-G34iE&feature=channel_page
The snare is in perfect working order. It has some scratches from use and one small dent above the Mapex logo - these were actually there when I bought the kit, I'm the 2nd owner. The scratches could probably be buffed out with some rubbing compound, but honestly it looks just fine the way it is. The chrome is in great shape.
The reason I'm selling it is that I spent over 6 months saving up for a Mapex solid steel SS and finally have it, so no longer need this snare.
Along with the snare, I'm including a used TKL soft case, which has an extra storage area on the bottom (for sticks) and can be carried by the handle or as a backpack. Also included is the original Mapex snare stand that came with the kit. The only thing about the stand is that I modified it to be shorter; it seems many snare stands are too tall for me even at their lowest setting (I like to sit low). The only difference with the stand now, is once you collapse the legs you have to line it up with the lower tube to set it up again - no big deal. And it can still be made very high, so I wouldn't worry about that.
Click on the thumbnails for full sized pictures:
