Ludwig Supraphonic vs Acrolite // Worth An Upgrade?

Today we're pitting two classic Ludwigs against each other. But are they really so different?
Let me know what you think, and thanks for watching!
DW Collector's Series Santa Monica toms
60s Camco kick
Ludwig Supraphonic/Acrolite
Meinl Byzance cymbals
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[@andyoursland6894]

Love your videos. Your channel deserves to pick up in popularity.

[@stevelewis2080]

Unpopular opinion here but Acro's simply sound better imo. They're noticeably more dry, but also have less of a "metallic" overtone, have a slightly lower pitch and more warmth. Exactly the same shell but without the chrome and with less lugs. It's the perfect compliment to the brightness and fullness of the Black Beauty. I ended up shelving my Supra in favour of my Acro and Standard.

[@ianisaacs2340]

I own a 64 acrolite and a 68 acrolite, and they’re my favorite snares. I want a LM400 because it’s a prerequisite as a drummer, but it will never take the place of my acrolites. They are like a supraphonic with more body, and without all the high end that can be annoying.🤟🏻

[@cjsinclair864]

I like both but agree, I prefer the Acro sound.

[@EricMakingWaves]

When you're right, you're right. As an engineer the acro fits better in the mix every time.

[@joesantamaria5874]

My Acro stays in tune better than a Supra. It gets in tune easily, and stays there, and I play a lot of rimshot.

[@slimjim1104]

ive kept a vintage acrolite in my rotation when many other snares have come and gone. great drum for the money.

[@ronniek7748]

Both good, slight advantage to supra. Agree more similar than dissimilar. Not sure where he’s getting those prices but up in Canada here they are worth significantly more than what he says.

[@davidenorth]

I recently bought a Blacro for $25 only needing new heads top and bottom. It came with stand, case, books and sticks.

[@ColeParamore]

Nice!

[@antonchigurh3794]

I discovered in the studio that my 10 lug supraphonic kept going out of tune slightly in the middle of a song. Tried lug locks but they would just fly off. Switched to the 8 lug acrolyte with coated ambassador as batter head and clear ambassador on bottom. Haven't looked back from the acrolyte. Have a few of them now. Purchased an acrophonic the other day. It's a 10 lug , but can't wait to test it out.

[@aluminati9918]

Thanks for great video. Own an Acro -76 for my son’s kit. Awesome drum that get compliments from visiting drummers! As most insiders know, shell is same as Supra, but w. 8 lugs (possibly) contributing to a tone difference. Quite identical to my ears. Changed strainer for new Ludwig P88. Works like a Inde strainer, but keeps it “Ludwig”. Clear 2-ply heads and gels = funk & hip hop heaven.

[@ColeParamore]

Love the P88s! Definitely a worthy upgrade to any Ludwig.

[@andywildrick]

love how you said we might like how a snare sounds because thats how we expect a snare to sound...we're drawn to the tone because it's predictable and familiar. It's what we perceive a snare drum to sound like. Totally accustomed.

[@ColeParamore]

Definitely an underappreciated phenomenon!

[@Bluefank1]

I like the Acrolite with medium to low tunings, my Supraphonic loves medium to high tunings, both are 14x5, my Bronze 14x6,5 loves it from low to high.

[@MrRezRising]

Nothing has that full-bodied 'CRACK' like an LM400. To me, it's as fun as my besties laugh.

[@danielrosenstein9622]

Just picked up a 1970 acrolite. Still has the original Ludwig heads 🫨 looking forward to giving it some TLC and letting this baby sing!

[@ColeParamore]

Nice!

[@that-avr-drummer]

I own both, they're very different and each has their place.

[@tendingtropic7778]

which one is best for snappy funk music?

[@stephenplaysthedrums9440]

@@tendingtropic7778 acrolite definitely

[@thomasmoje5926]

I have a Ludwig Acrolite in 'black galaxy' finish, and a late 70's vintage 5 x 14" Ludwig Supersensitive. Given the same heads and tuning I've found that the Acrolite sounds a bit 'drier' both good drums though the Acrolite series I always thought was a good buy for the money.

[@52ndst97]

Is the sound difference between the two discernable through the music? Does warrant upgrading from an Acro to a Supra?

[@1thess523]

The supra had a little more beef which I like, I have a black Galaxy with pure sound blaster wires a remo control sound batter and a ambassador reso. I have to reso tight and loosen the batter to where I got a little more body but still has a nice crack to it

[@jonashellborg8320]

I thought I heard more low mids in the Acrolite, and more “sizzle” and “air” (10khz) and lows in the Supraphonic. Not on ideal headphones or monitors to be really sure. I totally believe you can with different heads, tuning tricks you can make them sound like each other.

[@jumpenjack1]

wonder what they would sound like tuned to the same pitch hey. acro was lower for sure

[@gillesrichard2228]

Both sound really good! I have a lm410 and an acrolite and love them both. Loved your video cause it validates my opinion of both drums. Thanks!

[@roybeckerman9253]

Acrolite is slightly ringier and open, side by side. Harder to pick when played separately. The Ludwig Black Magic and Pearl Aluminium Sensitones are similar too. I prefer bronze these days, personally.

[@tskolits]

Thanks for posting! Helpful!

[@jerrymckenzie1858]

They sound different - just not that much. As I like to say, If you can't really tell, then it doesn't really matter.

[@thewheelofhc]

own both in 14x5. my acrolite is 10 lugs and sound pretty the much the same as my supra, i got a couple of 14x6.5 alu snare from other brand with 8 lugs and they sound way dryer

[@matmarucci]

i agree they should be the same pitch, same wires, same heads....same everything! and there was no mention of the brass shell supraphonic. also, would liked to have heard some technical playing....rudiments....instead of jus a backbeat with fat sticks.

[@davidbrentdrums9890]

Really good comparison bro!

[@rolandedrummer9723]

I got my Ac in 1980.

[@sabbathfan65]

Acro sounds so much nicer, sorry I love both but my first drum was an Acro.

[@34jazzman]

I happen to own both. On the supra, I use a two ply head for a fatter tone. Both are tremendous drums for session work.

[@jamesmelton7637]

On Reverb during 2020 you could find some Acrolite sales below $150 but not many. I would have said they run $150-230 used. Under $150 is a really good deal in 2020 IMO, and some of the ones I've seen looked trashed to be honest. That's OK if they sound good I guess.

[@nicefish10]

Does the finish change the sound of the drums at all? I would think that adding different layers of different coatings would deaden the resonance of the shell. So the black Acrolite could be a tad darker.

[@ColeParamore]

Depends on who you ask. A Supraphonic is also plated aluminum, but most people seem to think of it as as brighter drum. Could this just be placebo based on how it looks? Hard to say.

[@carlosmacmartin4205]

Both sound great! The Supra has more sustain than the Acro.

[@just82much51]

Very nice comparison and sound. Thank you for sharing it!!!

[@dannylugojr3428]

I like both for different applications

[@Stephen.Salamunovich]

Great video, Cole!

[@scottlowell493]

Ok, now how about comparing the same depth?

[@larrynicholas9730]

I have the Acrolite Black Galaxy and have a lot of snare buzz I cannot get rid of. What Snare wires do you recommend for my drum. I have tried both the Ludwig factory snare wires and Pure sound 20 strands with little success in reducing the buzz. Appreciate your comments on this subject.

[@ColeParamore]

Hi Larry - I'm thinking since you've tried two sets already, it isn't in the wires. It maybe be in the way you're setting up your wires, or some other factor. Are you saying you're getting too much buzzing from the snare on its own, or sympathetic buzz when hitting the toms?

[@larrynicholas9730]

The buzz is coming from the Toms. The floor tom has the largest impact on the snare wires. I have the Ludwig classic maple kit with a high tom and one floor tom.

[@ColeParamore]

@@larrynicholas9730 Try either lowering or raising the pitch of your snare bottom head. That should change the relationship between the snare and the floor tom, but also bear in mind that some buzz is all but inevitable. Good luck!

[@larrynicholas9730]

@@ColeParamore Thanks Cole. Lowering the pitch of the reso head helped. And your right about living with a little passive snare buzz. No way around it. Still love my black galaxy.

[@ColeParamore]

@@larrynicholas9730 Glad it helped!

[@JackNiles]

The price on these has went up

[@PierKrauss]

Great video ✨

[@runnningonempty]

YESSUR!...PICK A COLOR OR LUG COUNT..

[@manifestgtr]

I never really bought into all of those varying descriptions. They’re basically the same shell anyway... The biggest difference I’ve found is that the acrolite has a pretty pronounced midrange to it...this barky, chewy backbeat that’s pretty exclusive to that one model. The supra might be a LITTLE more reliable from a tuning standpoint? But other than that, they just aren’t that different in my book. They respond similarly and they’re both “pro level” in terms of sound quality...

[@Laurence_Balfour]

Being a Brit and hearing you say £100 for a vintage acrolite and £200 for a vintage supra makes me cry

[@doops920]

I have an older acrolite (grey) currently with a Remo coated ambassador and cannot get it to sound good for the life of me .tried different heads different wires I’m about to sell it and buy a supraphonic

[@timbretrent113]

I bet it's the reso head !

[@JoshEbersole]

I just bought a used Black Galaxy Acrolite and replaced both heads and snare wires. I’m hoping I can tune it similar to yours to get a good tone. Any tips?

[@ColeParamore]

Try this! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYPXp3ialrqZldE&ab_channel=ColeParamore

[@christophersmay4508]

You earned a thumbs up and a sub with this one. Confirmation bias is real and people believe what they want to, and hear things that they want to. Not to say that sonic differences do not exist for the discerning ear, and that collecting something just to collect out of love for objects isn't legitimate....But, for the drummer on a budget like myself looking for bang for the buck, this is a very helpful comparison.

[@1thess523]

I got my black Galaxy for $64 at a pawnshop

[@ColeParamore]

What a score!

[@jerrygamez5723]

Thanks

[@TweezerBleezer123]

Good vid dude

[@goseeaboutagirl]

just bought the acrolite in black galaxy sparkle, arriving this week!!

[@ColeParamore]

Awesome, you'll love it!

[@runnningonempty]

Can I have it?

[@goseeaboutagirl]

@@runnningonempty sorry man 😂

[@runnningonempty]

@@goseeaboutagirl I had a Black beauty I used with My Old 10 Piece Ludwig kit..I moved twice and No longer can find it.I just bought a Black 6 piece Yamaha Birch custom absolute shell pack so you can imagine why I am pulling my hair out..Well Thanks for the consideration.As the dumb and dumber quote goes..So your saying theirs a chance...lol

[@goseeaboutagirl]

@@runnningonempty man that stinks, BBs are like $500 new :( good taste with those two companies tho!

[@davidsuprenant893]

Legendary for sure.

[@iwaspaidtoflywithyoubatman]

$50-100 for an Acrolite? Only if the person doesn't know what they're seling.

[@ColeParamore]

First one I got was $25, second was $75. Granted, this was probably 10 years ago and 5 years ago respectively, but it's certainly still possible, though more and more folks have caught on over time.

[@sticksbass]

sounds like the supra was tuned a little higher.

[@shadowlandstudios86]

I can’t seem to get rid of a really annoying metallic overtone at the end of each hit on my Acrolite. I’ve tried raising and lowering the tension on the snare side head. It just doesn’t seem to work. My batter head is probably medium high tuning. I’m using a Remo ambassador on top, an ambassador snare side head. Gibraltar 20 wire snares. Any suggestions? It goes away if I use tape on the batter, but I’d like to get rid of that overtone without using a ton of muffling.

[@ColeParamore]

Hm, a couple things I'd try: -Make sure both heads are properly seated. If they've been on the drum for a while this likely isn't an issue. -Make sure the top head is really really in tune, use a Tunebot if possible. It's also entirely possible that what you're hearing is the totally normal overtones of the drum. Some people dig it, some people don't. Personally, I'll have an open/ringy snare for some situations and dampen for others. Out of curiosity, why don't you want to use dampening? Are you saying you'd like it to sound the way it does when you have tape on it, or you'd like it to have overtones, just not the ones you're hearing?

[@Juniscrazy]

To me the Supra I like more cause of the look lol

[@mellilore]

2:29 REALLY???? I have one 60s keystone badge supra, two blue/olive pointy bage 70s supras, one Monroe badge 80s supra plus one 6.1/2x14 Monroe badge 80s supra, and they are all chromed inside just like outside, no joke man... They were plated by electrolysis and there's no way you can plate just the outer face.

[@ColeParamore]

Hm, interesting! I'll have to do some digging and check back in on that!

[@ColeParamore]

Ok I believe they are, in fact, plated on the inside (good catch!) but not polished. That still plays into the whole psychological pseudo-acoustic effect of whether the thing is "shiny" or not.

[@mellilore]

@@ColeParamore Yes, IMHO your argument still stands.

[@rolderdrummer2448]

B O T H Why? Becouse the y are so different and great each one in each of its characteristics and potential…

[@m.o.n.d.e.g.r.e.e.n]

yo am i looking in the wrong places cuz im only seeing 70's acro's for like well over $200. I buy my amps, keyboards, guitars, microphones from ebay and reverb but maybe its not the drummers place... Thanks! :)

[@ColeParamore]

Check your local listings like Craigslist, FB Marketplace, etc.

[@Darkurge666]

I paid the equivalent of 800 USD for my new Supraphonic in Sweden. 😥

[@ColeParamore]

Ouch! At least that'll be a drum you can own and love forever.

[@tendingtropic7778]

what about the supralite range? they are steel, are they louder? worse?

[@ColeParamore]

I have a video for that! Check out Supralite - the new Acrolite?

[@tendingtropic7778]

@@ColeParamore and whats your opinion when comparing both in real life? is the supralite 'louder'?

[@area51pictures]

Acro isn't just a *similar* shell. It's literally the *same* shell as the supra. Plus, a 1960s Keystone Acrolite - has a *very* similar finish to the supra. Grab one of those, and you have a vintage, but more *open* supra

[@nathankielb1938]

Just picked one up for exactly this reason! Gotta do a little bit of restoration on it but it’s incredible.

[@gentrybellus3469]

Acro will always be deeper and nastier/raspier. Supra higher and sweeter.

[@nirsabag3801]

Nice comparison but the prices you mention sound unrealistic. Acrolite for $80? Supraphonic for $150? Man where do you buy your drums from?

[@ColeParamore]

You'd be surprised! Those are definitely at the low end of the price range but I've seen blackrolites for $75 and many

[@nirsabag3801]

@@ColeParamore I'll keep an eye out for these Blackrolites for sure. I live in Germany, and those drums are considered rare in the EU second-hand market and are often overpriced. Love your vids though!

[@SKragseth]

I’m asking myself this exact question today... hmmm

[@jackthomson5047]

Acro all the way

[@davidfaria6194]

Vintage super phonic is worth a lot more than $150

[@ColeParamore]

Depends on how thrifty you are. I bought the one you're looking at in the video for that.

[@LuckySantora]

Acro!

[@margovallen]

Ludwig Supraphonic snare drum is *CHROME OVER ALUMINUM*.... not brass. Supra and Acrolite both, are aluminum shells.

[@ColeParamore]

Hi Missy Victoria - you're absolutely correct. Did I say chrome over brass somewhere? If so that was definitely just a slip of the tongue.

[@ColeParamore]

Just rewatched - tell me if I'm missing something but I'm sure I said "both are aluminum shells" right off the top. Thanks for keeping an eye out!

[@andreaswesterling]

At 2:13 you say Chrome over Brass-finish.

[@ineedstuff8286]

dude that fckin intro!! jeez

[@gregchapman3519]

Your nostrils are magnificent. x

[@ColeParamore]

Odd thing to say to a stranger but I'll take it!

[@vintagerockcompany]

This guys pricing is way off. Clueless.

[@ColeParamore]

When you say "this guy", you're referring to me, I assume? Take a second to consider the market 4 years ago, when this video was made, versus the market now. Every price I mention in the video is from a real example, so there really isn't any subjectivity to disagree with there. After you think about that, take another moment to consider how you present yourself in a first impression with a stranger.