Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $653
High-end/Boutique
$150
$501+
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Budget
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Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Ludwig Supraphonic LM400 5" x 14" Snare Drum". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Embrace the legendary sound with the Ludwig Supraphonic 400 5x14 inch Snare Drum. Known for its unique blend of resonant tone and sharp snare crack, this snare drum has been a staple in music history, from the iconic Led Zeppelin albums of the '60s to today's modern hits.
The Supraphonic 400's chrome-plated, seamless, beaded aluminum shell allows for a bright, crisp attack that cuts through any instrument mix, making it a versatile choice for various music genres. The drum's 1.2 mm shells deliver a quick response and truly nuanced playing, ensuring every beat is heard loud and clear.
Additionally, the snare drum features classic Imperial Lugs and a reliable P-85 strainer for rock-solid tuning capabilities. The handsome sheen of the chrome-plated aluminum, paired with an elegant Ludwig emblem, gives this snare drum a chic allure that's sure to turn heads.
Proudly crafted in the USA, the Ludwig Supraphonic 400 snare drum offers high-quality components, combined with a depth of 5", providing bold tones and powerful projection.
Key Features:
- 5x14" snare drum
- Chrome-plated, seamless, beaded aluminum shell for resonant tone with crisp attack
- Classic Imperial Lugs for reliable tuning
- P-85 strainer for increased tuning stability
- 1.2 mm shells for quick response and nuanced playing
- Proudly made in the USA
Product specs
| Type | Snare |
| Drum Depth | 5" |
| Drum Diameter | 14" |
| Shell Material | Aluminum |
| Shell Construction | 1.7mm Seamless |
| Hoops | 2.3mm Triple-flanged |
| Lugs | 10 x Imperial Lugs |
| Finish | Polished |
| Heads | Ludwig Weather Master |
FAQs
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What material is the Ludwig Supraphonic 400 shell made from?
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The Ludwig Supraphonic 400 features a seamless 1.7mm aluminum shell, which contributes to its bright, crisp sound and excellent projection.
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What type of music is the Ludwig Supraphonic 400 suitable for?
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The Ludwig Supraphonic 400 is versatile and suitable for various music genres, including rock, jazz, and pop, due to its wide dynamic range and classic snare sound.
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Does the Ludwig Supraphonic 400 have triple-flanged hoops?
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Yes, the Ludwig Supraphonic 400 is equipped with 2.3mm triple-flanged hoops, which provide a balanced mix of resonance and durability.
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How many lugs does the Ludwig Supraphonic 400 have?
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The Ludwig Supraphonic 400 features 10 Imperial lugs, which ensure even tension and tuning stability.
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What is the finish of the Ludwig Supraphonic 400 snare drum?
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The Ludwig Supraphonic 400 has a polished chrome finish, giving it a sleek appearance and contributing to its iconic look.
Reviews
PROS
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Legendary sound used by top drummers across multiple genres
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Exceptional durability and longevity, often outlasting other snares
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Versatile tuning range and dynamic response for varied musical styles
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Classic, timeless design with a recognizable, historic presence
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Superior projection with a bright, crisp snap and loud rimshot
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Beaded steel shell offers superb resonance and tone
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Highly regarded as an industry standard and widely recorded
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Beautiful aesthetics, described as drop-dead gorgeous
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Great value for a premium, handmade professional drum
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Excellent for a wide range of musical styles, from classical to rock
CONS
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Inconsistent quality control with some reports of finish issues
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Standard Ludwig heads may need immediate replacement for best sound
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Snare strainer construction described as subpar by some users
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ludwig Supraphonic LM400 5" x 14" Snare Drum.
User experience
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Owners frequently describe the Supraphonic as a go-to snare for live and studio settings, citing its reliable performance across various venues.
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Owners mention that trying a Supraphonic wide-open before muffling reveals its full tonal range, helping to understand its inherent sound characteristics better.
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Many drummers report that owning a Supraphonic inspires more frequent practice and improvement.
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Comparisons
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The Supraphonic is contrasted with the Tama SLP Stainless Steel snare, which is praised for mid-high tunings but is less favorable for lower tunings than the Supraphonic.
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The Ludwig Supraphonic 5x14 is often preferred in medium to medium-high tunings compared to deeper models like the George Way Elkhart 6.5x14 for its iconic sound.
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While both are praised, the Ludwig Supraphonic is often chosen over the Gretsch Brass for its classic recording sound profile.
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The Ludwig Supraphonic is often compared to the 6.5x14” 10-lug Acrolite, which lacks chrome, making it cheaper and more resistant to flaking.
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The Ludwig Supraphonic is often preferred over Slingerland chrome over maple snares due to its superior tonal versatility.
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Some users prefer the Supraphonic over the Premier 1036 steel snare for its unique alloy sound, despite the latter's capability to replicate Keith Moon's sound.
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Value and pricing
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Used Ludwig Supraphonics are frequently available for $400-$500, providing a reliable option for those seeking a renowned metal snare without exceeding their budget.
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A well-maintained 1970s Ludwig Supraphonic can be a valuable investment, with potential appreciation in resale value.
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A Ludwig Supraphonic purchased at a lower-than-average price can maintain or increase in value over time, making it a sound investment.
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Use cases and applications
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It's noted that the Supraphonic excels in live settings, especially in the medium to medium-high tuning range, offering a classic, recognizable sound.
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The 1970s Ludwig Supraphonic is highlighted as the most recorded snare, ideal for those seeking classic studio sounds.
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The snare's sound is often associated with the iconic dry and dead tones similar to John Bonham's style.
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The Supraphonic is praised for its versatility, with owners using it for both low, fat tones and tight, high-pitched sounds.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 7 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
"I play a newer 5x14 Ludwig Supraphonic" -Charlie Moothart,2K19
Cavs can be seen using a 5x14" Ludwig Supraphonic in the live stream from King Gizzard's second night in New York City, identified by the smooth shell and imperial lugs. The snare has been used on King Gizzard's "Phantom Island" tour and sits at a medium-low tuning, providing a beefier sound to suit the orchestral sound.
In this interview, Louis talks about how he bought this snare, and also this snare was placed in the description of the video in the staff list.
Ian Paice used the Ludwig Supraphonic 400 5x14 inch Snare Drum until approximately 1972, as evidenced by an image on Equipboard.
In the YouTube video "Remembering Mitch Mitchell" by DrumTalkTV, Mitch Mitchell is seen using a Ludwig Supraphonic 400 5x14 inch Snare Drum during his performances. While it's unclear if it's the LM400 or LM402 model, the Ludwig Supraphonic 14x5 is definitely part of his setup.
Listed as a part of Brian's drum set in Modern Drummer magazine
At 6:38 in the video "Greta Van Fleet's Danny Wagner || Drum Rundown" by Drum Rundown on YouTube, Danny Wagner discusses his use of the Ludwig Supraphonic 400 5x14 inch Snare Drum as part of his drum kit setup.
Drummer Nate Smith is confirmed to use the Ludwig Supraphonic LM400 5" x 14" Snare Drum, as verified by Ludwig Drums.
Mentioned by Lynch in this February 1984 Modern Drummer Magazine interview.
RF: Would you detail your setups, both live and recording?
SL: They might not always be different. They’re different now because of Jimmy and Tommy. They really like that Damn the Torpedos-esque sound.
RF: What comprises that sound?
SL: That is an older Tama drumset, the Imperial Star, which is a thin composite shell. They’re all stock sizes, a set you can buy off the rack, with a 14 x 24 kick drum, 8 x 12, 9 x 13, and 10 x 14 rack toms, and 16x 16 and 18x 18 floor toms. I never use all those drums at one time. They’re there in case they want to hear specific sizes. The most toms that I use is in a drum fill in the middle of “Don’t Do Me Like That.” I used four tom-toms. Usually Jimmy and Shelly like to hear two rack tom-toms, the 9×13 and the 10 x 14 on top of the kick drum along with the 16 x 16 floor tom. The snare drum I use is an old Ludwig Superphonic. [sic]
RF: You mentioned the “Refugee” snare. Is that the same one?
SL: That’s the one. I have a whole slew of snare drums, but that one snare cuts the majority of records. Occasionally I‘ll get an old brass snare on there. We’ll always use a white coated Diplomat bottom head, and depending on the song, we’ll use Pinstripes or white coated Ambassadors on the top. If we want a more live sound, I go with the white coated heads. I’ve taken all the mufflers out of the drums and I have any new ones made without mufflers. I never put any tape on any of the surfaces. That makes me very honest. I either tune my drum correctly or it sounds terrible.
My cymbal setup is Zildjian. Depending on the song, if you want a little less noise, go to bigger cymbals because they don’t ring as much. If you want things to sound real bright, go to smaller cymbals. Live, last tour I used a smaller set than I record with. I used a 22" bass drum, a 9 x 13 rack tom, a 16 x 16 floor tom and a duplicate of the studio snare.
RF: Why the smaller set live?
SL: I think the smaller set is more fun to play. It’s all part of the growth process too. I was trying to do something different. I just wanted to play a different setup because I thought maybe it would make me play differently. I t did too. Live, I use a 21" ride, a 22" swish, an 18" crash and 13" New Beat hi-hats, which are kind of unusual but they feel great. They’re a lot more fun. The 13" are a little more responsive for live stuff.
In a live show you vary your tempos from song to song like crazy. One song is really fast and the next song is a funeral dirge, so you have to have a kit that will respond to all of that and will work in extremes. Then it will work everything else in the middle. In the studio, you might spend two days working on one song, so you can tailor your setup to make that one song really work. Live you have to go for instant satisfaction.
RF: What about your heads for live playing?
SL: I’m using white coated Ambassadors on top and Diplomats on the bottom, and the same with the snare. The kick drum has the white coated Emperor on the live kit and in the studio I use an Ambassador, white coated. On the live kit I needed a little thicker head just for the security of it.
Modern Drummer Magazine interviewed Lynch a second time in May 2008. In this other interview, Lynch stated that he used both the 400 and the 402 models of the Supraphonic.
"This is one of my vintage Tama kits, circa the late 1970s," Stan Lynch says. "It was used on almost every Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers session I did, as well as on recordings by Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Don Henley, John Mellencamp, Aretha Franklin, The Eurythmics, Brian Wilson, Roger McGuinn, Stevie Nicks, Del Shannon, T-Bone Burnett, The Byrds, Belinda Carlisle, Freedy Johnston, and many others.
"It features a 14x24 kick, 8x12 and 9x13 rack toms, and a 16x16 floor tom. As for the snare drums, at that time I used a 6½x14 Ludwig Black Beauty, 5x14 and 6½x14 Ludwig Supraphonics, and a 5x14 Ludwig Acrolite. Not shown, but included with this kit, were 6x6, 8x8, and 10x14 tom-toms.
"Besides the drums, I have always used Zildjian cymbals, Pro-Mark drumsticks, Remo heads, and DW pedals."
In this July 2015 video by Donn's Drum Vault, Lynch's 1984 live drum kit is discussed and shown up close. The duplicate snare that Lynch mentions in the 1984 article is visible and, upon closer inspection, matches the dimensions of the 400 (rather than the 402).
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 Supraphonic LM400 5" x 14" Snare Drum, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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