Ludwig Black Beauty Review | Does It Live Up To The Hype?
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- čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
- Demo at 5:52
Is the Black Beauty really the GSOAT? Of course that's ultimately up to you, but I wanted to share a few thoughts after spending some time with mine.
Some extra points I didn't make in the video
-The Black Beauty has gone through many iterations, and it's often the vintage ones that are most coveted. Despite that, I am only focusing on brand new production line Black Beauties.
-One of the reasons I think people like Ludwig snares is how naturally warm and controlled they are. We don't like to admit that that's what we want, but I think it's a big part of the Ludwig snare sound.
-Compared to an Acrolite, the BB feels and responds similarly, but sounds brighter and has more top end.
Ludwig Supraphonic Black Beauty 6.5x14
Other gear:
DW Jazz Series Mahogany toms
20" Slingerland kick
Meinl Byzance cymbals
Sony A6500 camera w/Canon 50mm lens
Coles 4038 overheads
AKG 414 rooms
SM57s all over the place
A medium amount of EQing was used (to make it sound like it did in the room) and a touch of compression
Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments, and thanks for watching!
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Finally, a drummer that can tune! I own a BB. It’s absolutely my go to snare every time. Great job on the video. Sounds amazing!
I believe it does live up to the hype. I would say it's the best sounding and feeling metal snare drum I've ever played. There's a depth, body, sensitivity, and cut that actually gives a more dynamic range from top to bottom, under the mic especially, if that makes sense. It just sits right. I've owned tons of brass, bronze, copper, steel, aluminum, thin, heavy boat anchor, high end, low end, all companies, and ended up keeping a sensitone bronze, gretsch cast aluminum, and black beauty ss. I like the tuning from low to med-high on the bb.
Agreed! There have been a good number of snares that I've played that definitely hang with the BB but the Ludwig still manages to be the most versatile for me.
Would you mind sharing more specifics on the Pearl and Gretsch snares you mentioned, please?
@@camerondean6804 its a 6.5x14 gretsch usa solid aluminum like they currently make and a 1998 or 99 6.5x14 pearl bronze sensitone classic
Without knowing anything about the legacy of this drum it became my favourite snare drum in the music shop. It just have a really magic sound.
A highly respected drummer in my town once told me that if I want the sound of a Black Beauty, buy a Black Beauty. He also told me when buying a snare, if it comes in a 6.5 inch., get the 6.5 inch. I bought a 14x6.5 Black Beauty. Worth every penny and maybe even more.
Great advice that translates across industries - if you want the thing, buy the actual thing.
This is a really in depth review. I also really appreciate that you are clearly a DW fan but your still objective here and don’t just soap box your favorite drum maker.
Thanks Mitch!
I’m a DW guy too. Always have been. They just make beautiful sounding drums. As far as the snare is concerned tho, give me my Ludwig son.
Best black beauty video I've seen.lors of good beats in each tuning.excellent job
Thanks so much!
I converted all of my Ludwig Snare drums to the P88 Strainer. Even my 65 Jazz Fest.I really like me Black Beauty. I have a 5" model.
Instead of buying a lot of snares, which often don’t get used when the novelty wears off, you really are better off with a good quality, versatile snare, which will fit into all type of music.
Ludwig metal snares certainly come in that category…
It will save a lot of little used snares, just sitting dormant…like mine.
I kind of share the same philosophy as you, but with a twist, "only two snares" one metal made and the other wood. In my case I use a Mapex Sledgehammer (brass) which is arguably too "loud" but the tunings are very separated so it can do a lot of stuff, and a wood snare, which I sold mine (cheapy poplar - birch) in pursuit of a proper maple snare. I believe you can have it all with two snares or just a black beauty hahaha
Ludwig Black Beauty -brass
Yamaha Recording Custom - aluminum
Tama Peter Erskine - Maple/Spruce.
2 or 3 is good for most drummers
Excellent review.
Very helpful review and really nice playing! Perfectly demonstrates the various tuning ranges. I just ordered a B-stock Supraphonic BB 14” x 6.5”, which I’ve wanted for a long time. (I believe the Supraphonic in the description means it has the P85 strainer and snares..is this an upgrade from what the BB has been outfitted with previously)? I’ve been playing an Acrolite for the past 8 years and love it, but wanted a snare with a bit more depth and versatility. I play jazz, funk, rock and everything in between.
Bought a 14x5 brand new a few years back I love it no complaints other than I felt the need to replace the throw off with a dunnett and put puresound wires on. No regrets on dropping the cash for it
It does seem to be rare that anyone regrets getting a BB!
I spent a couple years on the road in the early 1980s with a 14x6.5 inch Black Beauty that a friend loaned me. I really miss it!
It’s always interesting to know , what famous drummers use/used the Black Beauty, as their main snare..
Probably only some that have ludwig as the company that sponsors them
Great review. I have 5" BB & Acro. Love both.
Much appreciated!
Brass is brass! I've owned many brass drums that give you that sound. I challenge anyone to take the Pepsi challenge on a BB versus a Rogers Powertone.
Bullshit man. If you can’t immediately hear the difference between any Ludwig snare and a power tone, then you’re .....how do I say this nicely....completely tone deaf.
The black Beauty is my favorite low tuned snare
I've Noticed also . Agreed. When listening to the demos it sounds incredible tuned low.
Has such a nice, crisp or sharp 'pop' on the attack that rounds out on the decay
Perfect tuning!! I'd love to see how you tune a snare.
Kind of expected to have BB-based drum track playing in the background music, haha! But the hip-hop-ish electronic muzak will do for now!
I got mine for $200 and i got a another one for $280. They are out there. You just have to look.
Nice demo! Thank you
Beautiful sounds and gorgeous Snare🥁
It doesn't have to be a Black Beauty to be good , just a supraphonic LM 402 will do the job !
Good lord it sounds good!
Thanks for the review mate. I noticed you referred to the Copperphonic? I’m so torn between the BB and Copperphonic. Both sound great in their own way. How would you describe their differences? I already own a vintage Supraphonic so that’s also a factor. Thanks!
Just got one, they are freaking awesome!
Congrats!
I know this is an older video, but I would gladly pay $700 for a Black Beauty... unfortunately here in Canada they go for $1100+
Great video. Thanks for such useful content. Cymbals sound good too. What are those hi hats and the crash on the left?
Most likely 14" Sand hats and a 19" Traditional medium-thin crash. Thanks!
When you tuned it to be super low, is this a standard tune with a low fundamental, or did you do the "turn one lug fully loose and the ones beside it half loose" kind of thing? If it was a single fundamental, do you happen to know what frequency you tuned it to?
It was probably a standard tune medium low, then a turn each lower on the two lugs facing me. Wouldn't know what frequency tuned to, almost always do it by ear. Hope that helps!
They’re good, but the overtones kinda annoy me at times. The copperphonic is amazing
The overtones are beautiful imo. In a mix, if tuned appropriately, it sounds amazing. The classic example of this is Superunknown by Soundgarden. If you want a deader example, I think Damn the Torpedos by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers was recorded mostly with a BB. If you want less overtones, the Supraphonic is another great Ludwig drum at a cheaper price.
@@PlausiblePanda a Keplinger snare drum was used on super unknown dude. Fun thing about drums/music is that it’s all subjective. I’ve had the following Ludwig’s: copperphonic, acrolite, supraphonic, black beauty, a 70’s maple. IMO, the one least usable in a rock mix is the black beauty.if you dampen the fuck out of a drum, they’ll all sound the same.
@@marcusjones8016 my fault, I could have sworn I heard a BB was used on Superunknown, probably some other 90s alt rock outfit I'm thinking of. And yeah, you're absolutely right. In the end, the audience doesn't care what was used, just if it sounds good or not lol
@@PlausiblePanda lol totally agreed!
Great review it definitely helped.
Thanks! Good to hear!
Iconic.
Do the different styles of lugs effect the sounds? I like the tube lugs. They look sturdy to me.
That's a great question! On paper the answer would be that tube lugs should sound more open - less mass on the shell but that would be worth exploring possibly in another video.
tried it.. they DO add a tiny bit more open sound/ringing on the overtones.. but to me the tight sound of the BB is what sets it apart from other brass snares, so I like my version (same as in the video) better.. well mine is a anniversary version 2009, but thats just the badge. The strainer is crap, but changed that to the P-88AC.. now that's a great strainer... even though the INDE is better.
Not much,the tube lugs often get tight spots on the threads due to the shell being "out"of round...nb ive 5 Ludwig snares, BB,COB, Bronze,Birch Pic,Alu 400.
Same snare used on Master of Puppets!
Difference between super phonic COB and BB? Just the finish?
In that case yes, I believe just the finish would be different. Supraphonic COB are a little more rare though, you don't see them as often.
Is your model a B-stock? I thought the olive/blue badge always indicated B-stock, but maybe I'm wrong. Great demo, thanks!
His drum is more than likely a B stock since new models have the Keystone badge. I see B-stocks online right now with the olive/blue badge. I prefer the Keystone badge.
@@Assimilator702 Gotcha, thanks! I like the Keystone, as well.
I wish you could do a comparison with the lm401, since that is less expensive. I like your sound and it would be nice to hear both back to back.
Do you mean the 402? I actually have a Supraphonic but it's a 5x14 so a bit apples to oranges. Regular Supraphonics are also, in my opinion, totally viable "desert island" snares.
@@ColeParamore yes, 402, typo. i have one and love it but i always wondered about the BB
5 vs. 6 1/2? Which one is more versatile?
Personal preference. :)
I got a lm400 man great snare, glad I didn’t pay full price even though I think it’s worth the 500$plus I have the 5x14
I paid around $230 for a used one about 3 years ago. I think it’s from the early 1980s. The external chrome is pitted due to age but it still sounds great.
Hey Cole, is that a 14x5 or 6.5"?
6.5 👍
Ooooh it does sound gorgeous at every tuning, but there's no info here about your damping or micing or processing. Thanks though. Cheers!
No damping, and other recording related questions are (mostly) addressed in the description. Thanks for watching!
Excellent review! What's the song that starts at around 2:04?
Thanks! I'm actually not sure, It's from an ambient background music compilation, sorry!
Where can I get that shirt?
I believe it's a DW shirt, got it from them at the factory originally.
so why lm400 is the most recorded snare and BB isnt?
Hi cyber pool, that's a good question. I'll just point out that the point of this video isn't me asserting that it is the greatest snare ever, I'm just sharing my own experiences with a drum that is considered by many to be the greatest snare of all time. While the lm400 is exceedingly popular it doesn't, for better or for worse, have the same name connotation that the Black Beauty does. I'd also throw in that the BB is probably the most copied drum of all time. Almost every company has their version of the black nickel over brass drum.
Cause aluminum tends to be dry and easy to eq might be a reason, at least from what I have read.
When they say “that defines a company” like what they are know the most for BB is that treasured item for Ludwig. It’s the iconic snare. The acro and the lm400 are all loved also but it’s just been the BB that gets the most love. It’s just one of those snares ppl have always wanted. Lol
i may be wrong, but hal Blaine used a supraphonic, and he may be the most recorded drummer in history. maybe thats the connection
More than likely it's the drum that was mist available in recording studios on the time period it references. The re-telling of history often exaggerates and romanticizes very mundane occurences.
My Bread and Butter Snare! I also own a COB from ca. 1962, a Supersenitiv from 1962 and a Hammered Bronze from the 80's , but my BB from 2002 Sounds better! Period-
Was this a 6.5”?
Yep!
What’ the size?
That's a 6.5x14.
Grohl & Freese????
Is that a question?
@@ColeParamore No. lol. I was just kidding because I love those guys as musicians but wouldn’t put them in the same stratosphere as Peart and Bozzio.
@@fastmachinemedia Ahh gotcha. Well, if you look at albums sold I guess that list would be flipped!
put 3 siiliar snares next to each other, do a blind sound test. .no one can tell the difference. . a drum is a drum ..
You can get the exact same sound from a Pearl Sensitone for much less $$. You're paying too much for the Black Beauty name. $700-$800 for that drum?! Are you out of your mind? Show us how this drum is better than a Pearl Sensitone, which can be had for $200-$300.
Ok, I'm listening to Cole wax poetic over the Ludwig Black Beauty, meanwhile, I'm hearing canned music/drums in the background. Anyone else find this ironic?
Never struck me as that odd, pretty common across a variety of different types of videos. Are you thinking it’d be better silent or you’re wanting to hear a black beauty the entire time?
What do you think about the Tama starphonic snares?
Short answer is they're great. The Aluminums are awesome in particular. I have access to a few Starphonics and could probably do a review.
@@ColeParamore that'd be very cool! I'm actually kinda stuck between what snare drum I want to get. I've always wanted a black beauty.. I think they sound incredible but part of me is saying I should spend a couple hundred less and get a starphonic brass. I think it's interesting because one company is very modern and forward thinking with innovative new hardware features and the other is the epitome of old school classic drum making.
@@iplaythedrumsgood Mm. In that case I would say be wary of how you think a drum will sound based on the specs or what it seems like "on paper". One hard lesson I've learned is that often the specs don't translate to what the drum actually sounds like. I can definitely see the appeal of what seems like, on paper, a more affordable drum of equivalent or higher quality (based on hardware innovations, etc.) and that's exactly the kind of argument I made to myself when I bought my last brass drum that I ended up selling for a Black Beauty. Starphonics are fantastic, but they sound like Starphonics. If you know you love the sound of the Black Beauty, I would get one. If you love the sound of a Starphonic brass equally or more, absolutely go with that. If you want to get a Starphonic as a substitute for a Black Beauty, I would proceed with caution. Hope this helps!
@@iplaythedrumsgood I own both. Had the Starphonic a couple months before the BB. Because I have the Starphonic in a 6.5 x 14 I bought the BB in 5 x 14. Both sound amazing but if I didn't want to spend the money on the BB the Starphonic would be my second go to hands down.
the Starphonic Brass is way to hard for me.. to much ring, to little fatness.. but cool for power beats. The aluminum though.. THAT's a great snare.
Waaaaaay too much talking, but snare sounds great 👍.
Some people enjoy it, but that’s why we have a timeline you can scrub through. Thanks for watching.
not so intersting for jazz