Ludwig 6.5x14 Black Beauty Snare Drum-Imperial Lugs LB417 From Ludwig

A true American original, the Black Beauty provides a warm, round metallic tone that is often imitated, but never duplicated.

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What We Think

Often replicated but never duplicated, the Ludwig Black Beauty snare drum is one of the most iconic snare drums of our time. It's distinctive look and sound have graced countless records, homes, and music venues for decades.

The Black Beauty's iconic sound comes from a single sheet of brass that is machine drawn and spun into a seamless beaded drum. This time-consuming process creates incredible sonic results worth the time and attention and makes the competition sound thin and anemic by comparison. The thin 1mm brass shell creates a crisp and full-bodied note that we love throughout a diverse range of tuning allowing these drums to be right at home in a variety of musical applications. The brilliant black nickel plated brass shell, which helped create the iconic name, is stunning and provides a nice contrast to the chrome hardware accents. Whether you prefer tube lugs or the Imperial lug, the Black Beauty tunes with ease allowing you to spend more time playing and less time tuning.

The Black Beauty comes in a variety of sizes and hardware options that can help you find your signature look and sound. Discover for yourself why so many have reached for the Ludwig Black Beauty as their go-to drum today.

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Manufacturer's Description from Ludwig

One of the primary reasons Ludwig is "The Most Famous Name In Drums" is the legendary Black Beauty Snare Drum. The drum is constructed of a single sheet of brass that is machine drawn and spun into a seamless beaded shell, then nickel-plated with a beautifully exquisite finish. A true American original, the Black Beauty provides a warm, round metallic tone that is often imitated, but never duplicated. However, due to their truly unique and difficult manufacturing process, only a very limited number of Black Beauties is available each year from Ludwig USA.

With a choice of three strainer options (P85 Supra-Phonic, P86 Millennium or P70 Super-Sensitive,) the Black Beauty responds with excellent sensitivity at all volumes. Choose from Imperial or tube lugs, die cast or triple-flanged hoops and a smooth or hand hammered shell. The 80-year tradition of the Ludwig Black Beauty carries on as the ultimate snare drum in the industry.

About Manufacturer

Touted as “the most famous name on drums,” Ludwig stands today as one of the most legendary and revered American drum manufacturers of all time. Founded in 1909 under the name Ludwig & Ludwig, the company has existed under a number of different owners and names, with the Ludwig brand operating today as a subsidiary of Conn-Selmer. Throughout almost 110 years of change, one thing has remained constant: Ludwig’s dedication to building high-quality drums with that signature Ludwig tone. Over the years, Ludwig drums have laid down solid backbeats and infectious grooves at the hands of drummers like John Densmore, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, and of course, Ringo Starr. Their iconic kits from the 60s and 70s remain highly coveted by collectors and players alike, but their new offerings continue to uphold the legendary Ludwig name just the same.