Ludwig Black Beauty Snare Drum Demo

More videos like this Ludwig Black Beauty Snare Drum Demo 👉 • Drum Demos & Reviews
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Vintage Black Beauties go for a pretty penny used. That's because hordes of drummers consider them the ultimate in tone and playability. Now you can take home that classic look and sound without the high premium. This snare delivers the definitive warm, fat metallic tone that we drummers aim for. Fitted with Ludwig's P85 Supraphonic strainer, the Black Beauty is super responsive, no matter how hard or soft you hit it. The Black Beauty is only available in limited quantities each year from Ludwig USA.
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#Sweetwater #Ludwig

[@sweetwater]

It's an icon for a reason! What style would you play with the Black Beauty snare? Don't forget to subscribe if you enjoyed this video!

[@brookcej]

Some slow, soft, easy flowing jazz. Or maybe something with a little more funk to it.

[@carlupthegrove262]

Just about anything.... I have a 6 1/2" and it's been used for Pop, Jazz, Rock and a touch of Country

[@garysmith3173]

I’ve got a 6 1/2” and it covers every base. An incredible snare.

[@joseceraia]

ANY STYLE

[@adityarifqi5286]

what songs name?

[@luis_robledo_richards]

Brilliantly explained Nick. Great musician, teacher and communicator.

[@ryanclark895]

Absolutely killer demonstrator

[@OwensDrumming]

You can’t really grasp the complete awesomeness of these snares until you have them in a studio and you fit them in a mix. They work with microphones like nothing else. I usually muffle them a little bit to control the overtones, but they work well at any tuning, loud or soft, wide open, or completely muffled. Truly amazing sounding drums in every sense of the word

[@mainquest_official]

Thats exactly where I first came in contact with one and I instantly fell in love

[@adityarifqi5286]

what song this?

[@WalterBlomquist]

How f’n cool is Nick! And a beast in any style. That 5” is incredible too. Wish the 6 1/2 got tuned up at some point.

[@scootpittmantv]

That 5x14 sounds incredible on this video. Thanks for all that you do. Really appreciated.

[@Andrew-wb2zq]

holy moly that floor tom touched my soul

[@JustyStoky]

Yeah do a video on the whole set. Man those toms.

[@mr.lad-detailingtricksntip]

That’s how I felt about the hi hats!

[@garyconner6151]

I have a set of pcp drums the floor toms bring tears to my eyes.

[@pawelmorrison]

I don't even care what he's playing anymore, I watch these videos for Nick's amasing skill.

[@dugjay]

I bought my first Supraphonic in '81. Since then I've purchased a Sonor maple snare and Steve Gadd's latest Yamaha signature snare. The Supraphonic is still my fave.

[@bobby9727]

I bought a 6.5x14 BB in August and it has not left my kit. Best snare i have ever played. Worth every penny. IMHO

[@Uzziel_lay_drums]

The best snare ever I have... one of the best drums investments. 🎵🎶🥁🥁🥁

[@ChrisDini]

So listen, I know we clicked for the snare.. but I stayed for those oak shells. DAMN!

[@JustyStoky]

Those toms !!

[@rocktonmusikschule]

One of favourite drummers of all times. Phil and Nick 😎🎶🎶

[@fernandoramalho4448]

The snares are great, but Nick is the best!!!

[@garyconner6151]

It's the drummer not the drum.i got a remote 6/1/2 by14 discovery.sounds great.

[@jalapainyo]

Nice outro jam! Great pocket and the just right amount of showing off- way to end big!

[@ZenonMarko]

Fantastic demonstration. Thank you for this.

[@rustycalvera977]

great run through of these wonderful drums...demonstrating the wide range of sounds possible.....keep making these videso

[@UPdan]

I’ve always loved those deeper snare drums even for jazz.

[@davidcurtis4478]

Great snares, great drums! Great playing Nick, Rock on! 🤘🥁🤘DC

[@NotMyWar]

Bought the hammered ten lug version and it is probably my favorite snare. It sounds so good.

[@tylermoore3834]

"Ska...if you're into that sort of thing." 🤣😆😂

[@vertigo2112]

I have the hammered BB. Worth every penny.

[@LIXOSonidoyDiscos]

The Black Beauty 6 1/2" sounds great!!! It fit with my heavy metal band, surely. I love it. Also, I still loving the TG I51 mics that I want to get it, soon!!

[@freuerwerk]

Also a GREAT Playalong!

[@jimatyeo]

I love my Black Beauty snare. However the only problem is I cannot make it sound like Nick does. :) Nick can play a garbage can lid and make it sound fantastic. It is a truly sensational and versatile snare drum. It is by for my favorite of the 4 different snares i own.

[@davidmcaninch4714]

While I don’t own a Black Beauty in my collection, I DO have something similar: a DW Design Series Black Nickel Over Brass 14x6.5 snare drum!!!!! And it’s been my number one snare drum for a long time!!!!

[@ricrocren]

I have the same DW drum, only its the 14x5.5 version. I've had dozens of compliments over the years on that drum, from sound engineers and producers both in live and studio settings. They love the sound of that drum! I've used in in many different styles of music. I do however want to get myself one of these Ludwig drums and thinking I'll go for the 6.5x14 since I've already got the 5.5" DW. This will certainly help round out my collection.

[@pjones8404]

I got my 8 lug. I really prefer it over the 10 lug. I have always used this principal, I can always make an open drum more dead but you can't make a dead drum more open. I want as much resonance and sustain as I can get.

[@drummerboy38305]

Great Demo Nick!

[@XandycamX]

Loved this demo of these snares, super helpful

[@jefferydowler4655]

The best demonstration between the 6.5 and the 5x14 I've heard. I personally love 50"s an 60"s cartoon an western theme songs so for me its the 5x14 but when I play pop or rock its the supersensitive 6.5x14 aluminum shell, hands down.

[@bobdadruma]

I have four Ludwig Snare Drums including a Black Beauty. I love my 10 lug BB with the Imperial Lugs. I converted all of my ludwig snares to the P-88 strainer and butt plate. I even converted my 1965 Jazz Feast to sport a P88. I was so happy when I discovered the P88 strainers.

[@tysonduquette1414]

Meet to. Just did mine

[@NotMyWar]

They are so classy looking aren’t they? I hate to say the old strainers were junk but they definitely don’t hold a candle to the P-88.

[@CPRdrums]

Such great sounding snares!!

[@jimmysmat7658]

Good drums, great masterclass of styles. Awesome call on the 10 lug drums not sitting in 3 pronged baskets, somehow no cure yet short of gripping the bottom rim ridge, which............

[@j.b.woodward3748]

I like the sound of the 5”

[@michaeljohnson8058]

Nick is the best.

[@weschilton]

Love my Supra and Acrolite... but the black beauty is a rock star too!

[@denisetiawan5423]

Yeahhh exactly...same for me

[@garyconner6151]

Guys I have a 5/14 Ludwig supraphonic.the snare drum is a killer.but my remo.6/1/2 by 14 is a monster.and it's old 1985. No joke.put a good falams head on it.thing came to Life.

[@gleventhal]

Nice playing!

[@artsal]

Thanks nick and Sweetwater. Happy holidays

[@DonPiruflo]

9:09 insane

[@apieceofdirt4681]

His playing is off the hook!

[@justinthompson6736]

Damn Nick's got some chops!

[@tasteapiana]

Nick is a bad ass drummer - and a pretty good salesman as well. But, mostly bad ass.

[@RamonOchoaMusic]

I have had a 14" x 6.5" for a few years now. An absolute gem for the loud music I play. I'm curious how well the 8 lug drums hold their tuning under constant rim shots without using a lug lock of some sort.

[@farridquark]

Hi Ramon. I have just got a new 8 lug version, I believe its a better initial overall sound than the 10 lug. Your are correct on the lug lock though. Its a must on the 8 lug version unfortunately. They last about 4-5 songs before having to re tune. Overall a better drum.

[@KevinIsaacDaBarberCaraveo]

You definitely need to drop a tutorial for the tuning of the Tom’s!!!

[@ECHOrobotIndustries]

Fantastic demo.

[@dandany811]

Sounds great

[@R.S.R.S.]

can you please make a video with the supersensitive?

[@spadds]

Nick could play banana boxes and they'd sound fantastic! Such a great player - put a BB infront of him and man! This is the art of drumming in a nutshell!

[@millardjcurtis9123]

I bought a 14 x6.5 a few months back and I am still having trouble finding the sound I want.

[@gretschludwigdrummer209]

You will there full of sales hype !!!

[@bacobill]

Plenty of videos right here on KZbin with very detailed assistance for tuning or whatever.. just search your topic

[@gretschludwigdrummer209]

@@bacobill You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear !!

[@bacobill]

@@gretschludwigdrummer209 Prove it 😉

[@gretschludwigdrummer209]

@@bacobill In all seriousness it must be me as I've had 4 of them in the past, all 14x6.5 two were early 70's and two were early 80's each time trying to find the one but never got on with them !! I've been through loads of snare's in the past you name it I've owned them from Craviotto to Pearl and I always end up going back to my old faithful Luddy 402 !!

[@GolddenWaffles]

Love It!!! You guys should do it with the Supraphonic as well!

[@DrumAddicted1]

Am I the only one who wants a 5.5 or 6 inches? The middle ground would sound good right?

[@DanielVGuardado]

Does anyone know what brushes or type of brushes he’s using at 5:26?

[@DGodsell]

Some kind of rods. He calls them blast sticks. Looks like maybe Vic Firth rutes 505

[@mrbigg7255]

Great sounding snares.

[@MethSloth]

Jon Lovitz shreds the drums

[@garyconner6151]

So do you.dont sell yourself short.were all drummer's.

[@echohawk9579]

Just bought an 8x14 Black beauty B-Stock and thinking of replacing the hoops, Black Beauty experts what would be ideal, a Sonor Hella Hoop which is an aluminum cast or a 2.5 mm brass hoop Thanks!

[@MultiEchelon]

God of Snares.

[@ryanclark895]

Nick ur such a beast

[@منصیری-ح5م]

Bravo Mr energy(Nick)

[@tylerbailey9329]

I'm wondering how these compare to the Tama Simon Phillips Gladiator snare? I own one and it sounds amazing with a coated CS.

[@garyconner6151]

Dw.pdp drums the floor toms bring tears to my eyes.and I have a 5/14 Ludwig snare.

[@zivmoerman1844]

please make a superfonick vs acrolite

[@ramonkey2939]

YEs, See you guys next week

[@dissyduster]

Could do with a tab of mj on ,just to hear whats what,Nick top all rounder,

[@tobiaswinter1358]

Isn't it a seamless shell, contrary to what Nick is saying in the video?

[@bgnPrinceton]

It's been asked before in other videos, but can you verify if those hihats are the 15" Sabian XSR Monarchs? Thanks!

[@bgnPrinceton]

I'll answer myself after getting the info from my Sweetwater sales engineer (he asked Nick directly). These hats are the 16inch AA Apollo's. Just in case anyone else was interested. Carry on.... :D

[@davidloney3762]

Love your playing! 👏👏

[@ronjudd3477]

The only problem I have with 6.5 inch is..it seemed to RING with every beat..the 5inch didn't..

[@hugorezende199]

Even with all the tension possible in the bottom side of the snare? hum... i believe that the tunning on the is not the best possible. Possibly a single lug that is tensioned on a very different way than the other. I tought that a larger snate would not have a high pitch, so i would not ring so much. Im not a pro on infos about snare, i saw every type of sound with any brand and any material.

[@ramenthenoodle_]

@@hugorezende199 the deeper a drum, the longer the sustain.

[@drumsandstix128]

Both of them sound great. Thanks for the vid!

[@sweetwater]

Thanks for checking it out! 👍🥁

[@brookcej]

I had an old leedy trap set that I used in high school, but now I am stuck in a little apartment and can't play it. 😭

[@georgeh4981]

Get some Remo Silentstrokes and silent cymbals bro

[@mikebowers5228]

Give me the crack and ring of the 5 inch ! The 6.5 is also awesome...I had to look twice to see if it was John Bonham playing!

[@robsondasilvamarcelo3229]

Fantástico

[@ChristopherSmithNYC]

Apparently I need an Oak Bass Drum.

[@roybeckerman9253]

The BLACK BEAUTY vs the SUPRAPHONIC… Always an interesting comparison…

[@rafaelestrada1846]

I got to hold one once and that's probably the closest I'll ever get to owning one. 😆 😢

[@akamrblast]

Way2WorkIt!

[@wyrlismike]

Damn, first time i ever really liked a black beauty. Why'd I click on this you ask? I don't know

[@bklethal]

Something between 5 and 6.5 would be the perfect compromise.

[@johnnymerritt9544]

Killer snare and a legend for sure however the DW collectors nickel over brass for half the price is a great deal and the workmanship seems to be a bit better js

[@eliasarroyo4929]

I have both BB and BNOB and I prefer the black beauty. Both are awesome snares but there not match for the BB on nickel over brass snares in the market.

[@lukefreeman970]

I would not say the workmanship is “a bit better”. They’re very similar, but I would take the seamless black beauty vs the rolled dw

[@eliasarroyo4929]

@@lukefreeman970 yeap...thats the main difference. 👌

[@johnnymerritt9544]

@@lukefreeman970 it's because i had to send 2 bb back and finally got one where the outer finish was without blemish spots

[@lukefreeman970]

@@johnnymerritt9544 that sucks, still bb to me every day

[@1Lee]

Are all Ludwig black beauty drums 8 lugs?

[@sweetwater]

Hey, 1Lee. Thanks for your interest. Nope. That is a new line from Ludwig. All of the Black Beauties come in a 10 lug design, as well. Check this one out: www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LB417--ludwig-black-beauty-snare-drum-6.5-inch-by-14-inch I hope this helps. Jason Thiele, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1391, [e-mail]

[@jeffryseitz9699]

I would like to have one drums to add to my arsenal but I don't have $750. At least not yet anyway.

[@gregchapman3519]

Would have been great if the 6.5 was actually tuned well.

[@djevlhelvete]

Yeah I thought I was the only one who didn't like it. Too much...'boing' or whatever. Ring.

[@gregchapman3519]

@@djevlhelvete I have the 6.5 8-lug and it sounds incredible when not tuned like a wet shopping bag.

[@hoodedman07]

@@gregchapman3519 wet shopping bag 😂

[@gretschludwigdrummer209]

I can't see what the attraction is with these drums.....I'll stick with my old 402 thanks !!

[@Oscar-Racso]

Not meant to see anything your meant to hear it

[@gretschludwigdrummer209]

​@@Oscar-Racsoyou obviously like over rated drums then and taken in by the hype !!!

[@JonnyVegas11]

Awesome drum, but I must say, awesomer drumming by you Nick!... Though I would love to have a black beauty someday❣️ Thanks for the great video!🥁🥁👍🏼👍🏼🤟🏼🤙🏼😁

[@drumfanatik316]

I thought the reason this snare was so expensive was because the shell is spun brass making it one solid, seamless shell? Otherwise it’s just a black magic shell???

[@ritzk79]

it’s also US made

[@Cvitandrums]

That's got me questioning what he said in the video that it has a seam. I thought the BB were a spun shell and meant to be seamless. Is that a mistake on Nick's part?

[@HR2635]

@@Cvitandrums hes correct... it IS a spun shell.. not routed.

[@danocallaghan6875]

Convinced.

[@davidtaylor4693]

“Ska….if you’re into that kind of stuff…”😅😂

[@adam_churchfront]

Nick: can we go get some Rage Against the Machine for demo music? Producer: we have Rage Against the Machine at home

[@bryandrums32]

These drums are epic!,!!!!.... but my Yamaha recording custom brass Steve Gadd drum sound just as good!.... just saying, and the gadd snare costs 300$ less

[@MrFchank]

I own one!!!

[@footnotedrummer]

I'm sincerely not trying to be a jerk with this comment, but as a consumer... I'd really like someone to explain this to me. These snares are quite expensive, and part of that expense is the fact that these snares are seamless. I totally understand that the process of creating a seamless snare adds cost. However... all other manufacturers add high end components throughout the drum to justify the high cost of these "elite" snares. Ludwig on the other hand, adds a $40, P88 strainer and butt plate combo. Does this work well? Sure... I'm sure it works fine, but Tama (for example) adds a $50 adjustable butt plate and a $60 strainer to their high end drums (which are still cheaper). Some may say "if it ain't broke, don't fix it... but I say "if you're charging $700+ for a snare, it should incorporate the highest end components available". If not... the drum should be valued far lower. Do I love these drums? Yep, but I'll likely never buy one for the simple reason that Ludwig blatantly overcharges for these based on their pedigree. Again... this is my opinion, and I don't mean to offend... but it makes more sense to buy a Tama Starphonic snare with freedom lugs (~$250 in Freedom lugs, ~$110 in strainer/butt plate combo and more expensive hoops) for $150 less than than a BB snare. Oh... and to add insult to injury... the 8 lug version costs $20 more than the 10 lug version. Last I checked, less componentry costs less money. This defies logic.

[@metrodrumstv]

The cost to manufacture any product is usually unknown to the consumer and the company doesn't need to explain their costs or justify them. To simply add up your perceived cost of individual components won't always reveal the costs involved for that product to be produced.

[@thomaskennydrums]

Its selling point isn't its hardware, it's its sound, which Ludwig - and more importantly, enough consumers, otherwise it wouldn't stay at this price - consider good enough to be worth the price tag. Sure, maybe you could argue its being overcharged because people will buy it for the sound regardless, but even if that's the case, how would needlessly more pricy hardware make a difference? It would still be just as overpriced, its just now it would be $50 more because there's the new fancy hardware cost.. The seamlessness (as well as the sound obviously) *is* the justification of the high cost of the snare. Maybe the selling point of the Tama stuff is that it has the fancy throwoff etc, but that's not what the Black Beauty's is. You pay that much for the sound, and you get the sound, it's not as if it it's expensive for the hardware you pay for it with the plans of getting that hardware. Say the Tama stuff is $500: probably only $350 of that is for the shell and sound, the other $150 or more is for the hardware etc. Black Beauty is $700, and almost all of that $700 is for the shell and sound, the hardware is purely there as a means to get that sound, as long as it does that and doesn't fall apart then it's served its purpose. Like the other guy said, there's not much point missing out on the sounds a drum can give you just because the number you get when you add up the individual prices of the hardware doesn't seem high enough. Having more needlessly expensive hardware purely for the sake of having expensive hardware (to me anyway) seems kinda pointless, and would likely also end up driving the price up without giving any sound benefits. Besides, it's not like the P88 is a piece of junk, or that Ludwig has something better to offer that they for some reason don't put on it: the hardware on it is the best that Ludwig has to offer. Their entire brand is based on being classic stuff with a legacy, there's no need for them to over-engineer a throwoff or lugs (especially lugs since they can affect the sound and people buying the Black Beauty want *that* specific sound) for the sake of it being more costly when the current stuff works perfectly fine, and hardware isn't why their product sells.

[@RamonOchoaMusic]

It's the combination of the shell, how it's produced and hardware that make that Black Beauty sound. Is the hardware fantastic or just adequate? That's a judgement call. These are the X factors or intangibles that defined the sound that you can't replicate. Other companies have their version of a brass drum and I've played a few myself. The Yamaha is excellent but it's still different. I had a 5" deep BB previously and now have a 6.5". I find myself playing it more often than my 14"x5 Sonor S-Classix Brass. I have to give kudos to Nick because the sound captured in this video really celebrates the tone.

[@lukefreeman970]

Listen to vinnie C’s snare in Stings’s Ten Summoners Tales album... even though he was a Gretsch artist at the time he used the BB. Listen to it and tell me it isn’t one of the best snare sounds you’ve ever heard.

[@metrodrumstv]

A lot of processing there no doubt. Could be a different snare on every track and you would never know. Plus...his hands!

[@ramencurry6672]

I would get both. Luxury items still cheaper than a Rolex

[@jordanbassett8660]

Dude this snare ring is louder than the snare it self. Why pay over 700$ to still have add 20$ of muffling to it. The more expensive a snare is the less you should have to do to muffle it. Just my opinion.

[@ramenthenoodle_]

You’re missing the point. The more expensive a snare, the most sounds is should provide. That’s the thing about these drums. They sound great low and dead and high and ringy and anywhere in between. Not every musical situation requires 2 seconds of overtone after every snare hit.

[@af7119]

I hate it when people start with the depth of the drum before giving the diameter.

[@milescampbell52]

This would work perfectly with my ludwig evolution mapel set. I think it's time to lighten up the wallet if you catch my drift!!!!!

[@tylerbailey9329]

If you really can't spare the dough, there are many great snares out there with a similar construction.

[@ICE.DAVE717]

Why am I seeing this when I am a guitarist?🤣🤣🤣

[@ANeonGenesis]

time to switch instruments, fam

[@AdamGotheridge]

Me too, but I have one of these snares too which makes it even worse.

[@lukelackermayer]

Yo

[@briansimsJC]

These drums sound ridiculous. The snares of course sound great, but that tom sound is incredible!

[@torocruz1192]

Best drums I’ve ever played was Yamahas. On a blind test NO one can tell these black beauties apart from a any $300 dollar snare 🤷🏽 They sound really ordinary to me. 👎🏽

[@TheMkarr]

Don't like the oak. It's to much whine to me.

[@victorlighting1025]

First

[@lukelackermayer]

Fight me

[@guillerob99]

I don't like the sound you get from this snare.