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Description

Designed in collaboration with legendary drummer Mike Portnoy, the Sabian Mike Portnoy Max Stax Pack offers drummers a powerhouse of sound versatility. This carefully curated cymbal stack combines the explosive attack of a China Kang with the shimmering brilliance of a Splash, delivering a unique and dramatic burst of tones ideal for dynamic performances. Whether you're crafting intricate fills or driving intense grooves, this stack is engineered to cut through any mix with precision and clarity.

The Max Stax Pack is available in three distinct configurations, allowing drummers to tailor their setup to match their musical style. The high set features an 8" China Kang paired with an 8" Splash for a crisp, articulate sound. The mid set steps up to a 10" China Kang with a 10" Splash, offering a balanced yet aggressive tonal palette. For those seeking a deeper and darker resonance, the low set includes a 12" China Kang with a 14" Crash. Each setup brings a unique blend of sustain and decay, providing an essential toolkit for creative expression.

Whether you’re jamming at home or performing on stage, the Sabian Mike Portnoy Max Stax Pack is a must-have addition to your cymbal arsenal, promising to elevate your drumming to new heights with its innovative stack design.

Key Features:

  • Designed in collaboration with Mike Portnoy
  • Unique combination of China Kang and Splash cymbals
  • Available in high, mid, and low configurations
  • High set: 8" China Kang, 8" Splash
  • Mid set: 10" China Kang, 10" Splash
  • Low set: 12" China Kang, 14" Crash
  • Ideal for dynamic and versatile drumming styles

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Sabian Mike Portnoy Max Stax Pack.

Comparisons

  • The Mike Portnoy Max Stax is compared to DIY stacks using a 16" crash, 13" hi-hat, and 8" splash, highlighting potential cost savings but possible sound quality differences.

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  • The Mike Portnoy Max Stax is often compared to Meinl's clap stacks, particularly in their use for accentuating beats and mimicking electronic clap sounds.

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  • The Max Stax is praised for nailing the stack sound years ago, with newer stacks struggling to match its distinct tone quality according to experienced users.

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Features and functionality

  • The Max Stax is preferred by users who find it difficult to create a satisfactory DIY stack with older model Wuhan chinas, especially those with large knobs.

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  • The stack is valued for its "cah" sound, offering a sharp, percussive accent that stands out in various musical contexts, similar to a hand clap.

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Use cases and applications

  • The Max Stax is suitable for those seeking a cymbal stack for blast beats with quick, minimal sustain, replacing both a china and a splash.

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  • The Max Stax can effectively replace a hi-hat for some drummers, offering a permanently closed hi-hat sound with unique articulation for certain rhythm parts.

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  • Drummers find the Max Stax useful for providing a unique, articulate sound that blends well with chugging guitar parts in genres like metal and progressive rock.

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User experience

  • Owners who have tried both DIY and pre-made stacks often lean towards the Max Stax for its proven sound quality and ease of use.

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  • Some owners report that the Max Stax has become a permanent feature in their kits, replacing traditional hi-hats due to its distinct short sustain and articulation.

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Artist usage

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See how Mike Wengren uses Sabian Mike Portnoy Max Stax Pack

Mike Wengren

Singer, Drummer

Disturbed

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Verified via DRUM! Magazine

Mike Wengren uses the Sabian Mike Portnoy Max Stax Pack, as confirmed by Tim Jones in the article "Metalmorphosis: Wengren, Larkin & Drover" featured in DRUM! Magazine.

See how Blake Richardson uses Sabian Mike Portnoy Max Stax Pack

Blake Richardson

Drummer

Between the Buried and Me

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post, Blake Richardson is shown using the Sabian Mike Portnoy Max Stax Pack as part of his cymbal setup while tracking drums at the Basement Studio.

See how Hannes Van Dahl uses Sabian Mike Portnoy Max Stax Pack

Hannes Van Dahl

Singer, Drummer

Sabaton

...
Verified via Facebook

Hannes Van Dahl incorporates the Sabian Mike Portnoy Max Stax Pack into his drum setup, as highlighted by Sabian on their official Facebook page.

See how Agung Yudha uses Sabian Mike Portnoy Max Stax Pack

Agung Yudha

Drummer

Dewa 19

...
Verified via YouTube

Agung Yudha uses the Sabian Mike Portnoy Max Stax Pack, as shown in a video by drumNDRUM titled "DEWA 19 TOUR PAKE DRUMSET MEWAH!!" on YouTube.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Sabian Mike Portnoy Max Stax Pack, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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