Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $946
High-end/Boutique
$150
$501+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Ludwig Black Beauty". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
Introducing the Ludwig Black Beauty, a legendary snare drum that has been a staple in the music industry for over 80 years. Crafted meticulously from a single sheet of brass, this drum is not only visually stunning but it also delivers a warm, metallic tone that truly stands out.
The seamless beaded shell is machine-drawn and spun, then nickel-plated to achieve an exquisite finish. This American classic is renowned for its unique tone, a round, warm, and metallic sound that is often imitated, but never duplicated. The Ludwig Black Beauty is equipped with tube lugs, ensuring a precise and sure tune every time.
Its SupraPhonic snare wires further enhance the classic Black Beauty attack, giving it a super responsive touch no matter how hard or soft you hit it. Due to its complex manufacturing process, only a limited number of these snare drums are available each year, making it a prized possession for any drummer.
Key Features:
- Seamless beaded shell, machine-drawn and spun from a single sheet of brass
- Beautiful nickel-plated finish
- Warm, round, metallic tone
- Tube lugs for precise tuning
- Equipped with SupraPhonic snare wires for enhanced responsiveness
- Limited availability due to complex manufacturing process
Product specs
| Type | Black Beauty Snare |
| Drum Depth | 6.5" |
| Drum Diameter | 14" |
| Shell Material | Brass |
| Shell Construction | 1.2mm, Seamless |
| Hoops | 2.3mm Triple-flanged |
| Lugs | 10 x Tube Lugs |
| Finish | Chrome-plated Hardware |
| Heads | Ludwig Weather Master |
FAQs
-
What is the shell material of the Ludwig Black Beauty snare drum?
-
The Ludwig Black Beauty snare drum features a seamless shell made from a single sheet of brass, known for its rich, warm tone and excellent resonance.
-
How does the Ludwig Black Beauty snare drum sound?
-
The Ludwig Black Beauty is renowned for its versatile sound, offering a warm, rich tone with excellent projection, making it suitable for various music genres.
-
What are the dimensions of the Ludwig Black Beauty snare drum?
-
This snare drum has a 14-inch diameter and a 6.5-inch depth, providing a balanced blend of body and crispness in its sound.
-
Are the lugs on the Ludwig Black Beauty tube lugs?
-
Yes, the Ludwig Black Beauty snare drum is equipped with 10 tube lugs, which contribute to its classic look and stable tuning.
-
What type of hoops does the Ludwig Black Beauty snare drum have?
-
The Ludwig Black Beauty features 2.3mm triple-flanged hoops, which offer durability and a balanced attack.
-
Is the Ludwig Black Beauty suitable for professional use?
-
Yes, the Ludwig Black Beauty is highly regarded by professional drummers for its exceptional build quality and versatile sound, making it a staple in both studio and live settings.
Videos
Memphis Drum Shop
Ludwig 14x6.5 Black Beauty Snare Drum (LB417)
Ludwig 14x6.5 Black Beauty Snare Drum (LB417)
Memphis Drum Shop
Ludwig Black Beauty 6.5x14 Supraphonic Snare Drum | Chicago Drum Exchange Demo
Chicago Music Exchange
Snare Spotlight: Ludwig Black Beauty
Sounds Like A Drum
Ludwig Black Beauty Snare Drum Demo
Sweetwater
Ludwig Black Beauty Snare Drum - Drummer's Review
Drummer's Review
Ludwig 6.5x14 Black Beauty Snare Drum - Tube Lugs / Brass, Quick n' Dirty
soundpurestudios
Ludwig Black Beauty Comparison - 8 Lug vs. 10 Lug
Drum Center of Portsmouth
Ludwig Black Beauty - The Evolution
Eddie Avakian
Ludwig Supraphonic Vs Black Beauty | SpectreSoundStudios SHOOTOUT
SpectreSoundStudios
Ludwig 14x6.5 Black Beauty Snare Drum (LB417)
Memphis Drum Shop
Ludwig 14x6.5 Black Beauty Snare Drum - 8 Lug (LB415)
Memphis Drum Shop
Ludwig Black Beauty 6.5x14 Snare Drum
The Drum Shop - Portland, Maine
Reviews
PROS
-
Legendary, versatile sound that fits various musical genres
-
High-quality craftsmanship with a clean, aesthetically pleasing look
-
Exceptional dynamic range enhances expression and playability
-
Minimal ringing, rich and musical overtones
-
Iconic "CRACK" sound when properly tuned
-
Durable and reliable for both live performances and studio recordings
-
Original Ludwig heads provide signature sound
-
Highly regarded by both amateurs and professionals alike
CONS
-
Prone to cosmetic flaws and hardware issues like plating and strainer defects
-
High price point, not significantly better than cheaper alternatives
-
Some users find it loud with excessive rattling
-
Does not fit certain snare stands easily
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ludwig Black Beauty.
Comparisons
-
The Pork Pie Big Black Brass is frequently mentioned as a strong Black Beauty imitation, often noted for its close sound likeness, though it may have more overtones.
Source -
The Pearl Sensitone Elite and Tama SLP Black Brass are mentioned as more budget-friendly alternatives with similar sound qualities to the Black Beauty.
Source -
The Ludwig Universal Black Brass is noted as a more affordable alternative with closer sound similarities to the Black Beauty than the Pork Pie BOB.
Source -
The 6.5" Black Beauty offers more body and fullness, especially at higher tunings, compared to the 5" model, which is more responsive and sensitive.
Source
Value and pricing
-
B-stock Black Beauties can be found for $500+, offering a more affordable option compared to new models, which can exceed $800.
Source
User experience
-
Some users feel the Black Beauty lacks sensitivity and response in quieter playing, particularly compared to snare drums like the Dunnett Titanium.
Source -
A user reports significant weight with the Ludwig Universal 14x8, making it cumbersome to transport or tune.
Source -
The 5" Black Beauty excels in loud rim shots, responsive snare wires, and satisfying cross-stick sounds, making it versatile across various playing styles.
Source
Build quality
-
It's mentioned that the Pork Pie BOB uses Worldmax shells with generic hardware, potentially allowing for DIY customization.
Source
Features and functionality
Mods and upgrades
-
Adding die-cast hoops to a Pork Pie BOB can make it sound closer to a Black Beauty.
Source
Use cases and applications
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings
3050
Can't Get Any Better
This is literally just the best snare possible and there's no question.
Artist usage
Add artist
Paul McCartney's use of the Ludwig Black Beauty snare drum is mentioned on the Hog Hill Mill Blog, highlighting its role in his drum setup.
At 6:07 in the video titled "Travis Barker's Studio Is a Punk Rock Oasis | My Career Through Gear" by Reverb on YouTube, the Ludwig Black Beauty snare drum can be clearly seen on a shelf rack in Travis Barker's snare room, confirming its use by the artist.
.png?v=1783265544)
In the "Green Day - Making of Living in the '20s" video published by Green Day on YouTube, Tré Cool is clearly observed utilizing a Ludwig Black Beauty with ten lugs, prominently visible at the 3:35 timestamp. This evidence confirms his use of this specific snare drum.
Lars Ulrich, the drummer for Metallica, utilized a Ludwig Black Beauty snare drum on their album "Master of Puppets," as confirmed by a thank you note to Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen in the album's liner notes. This gesture was in gratitude for Allen lending Ulrich his Ludwig Black Beauty, following Ulrich's dissatisfaction with his own snare sound. The swap was facilitated swiftly, with producer Flemming Rasmussen recalling that the drum was shipped to Copenhagen the following day. This detail is documented and verified by Metallica Black Box, which provides an article titled "Rick Allen's Snare on Master of Puppets," highlighting this unique collaboration and equipment use.
Also in this video we can see this amazing snare drum.
Howard is seen using this snare in the New Born video, along with a matte black Pearl Masters set.
.jpg)
In an Instagram post, Brad Wilk is seen using a Ludwig Black Beauty snare drum during a session at Studio 606, highlighting its impressive sound alongside vintage Ludwig drums and Paiste cymbals.
In this Flickr image, Larry Mullen Jr. is seen using a 6.5x14 Ludwig Black Beauty snare as his main snare.
Jeff Porcaro is noted for using the Ludwig Black Beauty snare drum, as detailed in "Jeff's Drum Set History" on the Jeff Porcaro blog.
Listed here as using this snare drum.
Morgan Simpson uses a Ludwig Black Beauty snare drum on the tracks "953," "Western," "Of Schlagenheim," and "Years Ago" from Black Midi's vinyl release. This is evidenced by the Flickr photo by Oliver Barrett, showcasing the band's instruments.
Album Usage
The Ludwig Black Beauty has been featured on the following albums:
that won't save us
Against The Current (2020)
Superposition
Young the Giant (2019)
Schlagenheim
Black Midi (2019)
Mirror Master
Young the Giant (2018)
New Born
Muse (2001)
Black Sails In The Sunset
AFI (1999)
Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? (Expanded Edition - Remastered)
Megadeth (1986)
Peace Sells...But Who's Buying (Deluxe Edition - Remastered)
Megadeth (1986)
Master of Puppets (Remastered)
Metallica (1986)
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 Ludwig Black Beauty, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
-s.webp?v=1783375219)
Similar
Add recommendation1 alternative for Ludwig Black Beauty, curated by the Equipboard community.
$599.99
Used by Bram Van Den Berg on U2 songs that have traditionally been played on a black beauty
More Ludwig Snare Drums
$599.00 - $899.00
in Snare Drums Rank
-m.webp?v=1783377920)
$614.04 - $863.00
in Snare Drums Rank
$599.00 - $899.00
in Snare Drums Rank
$292.00 - $549.99
in Snare Drums Rank
$839.00 - $1,138.00
in Snare Drums Rank
$599.00 - $899.00
in Snare Drums Rank
$199.00 - $284.00
in Snare Drums Rank
$791.00 - $1,333.00
in Snare Drums Rank
$279.00
in Snare Drums Rank
$251.00 - $775.00
in Snare Drums Rank
$1,088.00 - $1,139.00
in Snare Drums Rank
$475.00 - $769.00
in Snare Drums Rank
$350.00
in Snare Drums Rank
$949.00 - $1,333.00
in Snare Drums Rank
$145.00
in Snare Drums Rank
$499.00 - $1,150.00
in Snare Drums Rank
$614.04 - $863.00
in Snare Drums Rank
$190.00 - $209.00
in Snare Drums Rank
$199.00 - $209.00
in Snare Drums Rank
$949.00 - $1,171.00
$919.00 - $1,133.00
$358.25 - $425.00
.jpeg?v=1783121104)
.jpg?v=1783346561)
Accessories & Related Items
Community setups
Gear Guides
Most Popular Snare Drums
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
ethandrums10Gear IQ 58
-
