Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $697
High-end/Boutique
$150
$501+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Ludwig Supraphonic LM402 6.5" x 14" Snare Drum". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Ludwig 6.5" x 14" Supraphonic (LM402) Snare Drum is more than just a drum—it's a piece of drumming history. Known for its chrome-plated, seamless beaded aluminum shell, this snare delivers a bright, crisp attack that has defined countless hits across genres. Its legendary status is further cemented by its association with iconic drummers like John Bonham, who used it to craft the thunderous beats heard on Led Zeppelin's classic albums.
With a depth of 6.5 inches, the Supraphonic offers a rich, resonant tone that cuts through any mix, making it perfect for both live performances and studio sessions. Whether you're playing jazz, rock, or funk, this snare adapts with ease, thanks to its versatile sound. The drum's triple-flanged hoops and ten Imperial lugs ensure precise, reliable tuning, so you can focus on your performance without worrying about your gear.
The Supraphonic is not just about sound; it's also about style. Its sleek chrome finish shines under stage lights, while the elegant gold Ludwig emblem adds a touch of sophistication to your setup. Made with meticulous craftsmanship, this snare drum is a testament to Ludwig's enduring legacy in the world of percussion.
Key Features:
- 6.5" x 14" chrome-plated seamless beaded aluminum shell
- Iconic snare used by legendary drummer John Bonham
- Triple-flanged hoops for improved sustain
- Ten Imperial lugs for rock-solid tuning
- P-85 throw-off and P35 Butt Plate for secure tensioning
- Versatile sound suitable for a wide range of genres
Product specs
| Type | Snare drum |
| Drum Depth | 6.5" |
| Drum Diameter | 14" |
| Shell Material | Aluminum |
| Shell Construction | Seamless |
| Hoops | Triple-flanged |
| Lugs | 10 x Imperial Lugs |
| Finish | Chrome-plated |
| Additional Features | P88C Throw-off, L1930 20-strand Wires |
FAQs
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What type of music is the Ludwig 6.5" x 14" Supraphonic Snare Drum best suited for?
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The Ludwig Supraphonic LM402 is renowned for its versatility, making it suitable for a wide range of music genres, from rock and jazz to pop and funk. Its bright, crisp tone and dynamic response have made it a favorite among professional drummers.
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What is the shell material of the Ludwig Supraphonic LM402 Snare Drum?
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The shell of the Ludwig Supraphonic LM402 is made from seamless aluminum, which contributes to its bright, resonant sound and quick response.
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How does the P88C Throw-off on the Ludwig LM402 Snare Drum enhance its performance?
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The P88C Throw-off offers smooth and reliable snare tension adjustment, allowing drummers to quickly and easily change the snare tension to suit various playing styles and dynamic needs.
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What size is the Ludwig Supraphonic LM402 Snare Drum, and what impact does this have on its sound?
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The Ludwig Supraphonic LM402 is a 14-inch diameter snare drum with a 6.5-inch depth, providing a deep, powerful sound with excellent projection, ideal for live performances and recording.
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What are the hoop and lug specifications of the Ludwig LM402 Snare Drum?
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The Ludwig LM402 features triple-flanged hoops and 10 Imperial lugs, which contribute to its classic look and provide stable tuning and a wide tuning range.
Videos
Carter McLean
LUDWIG LM402 Supraphonic DEMO
Reviews
PROS
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Offers a versatile sound suitable for multiple genres
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Known for rich, full, and unmistakable sound quality
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Huge dynamic and tuning range for diverse musical applications
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Highly durable and can last through decades of use
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Features a chrome-plated, seamless, beaded aluminum shell for bright, crisp attack
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Legendary status as the most recorded snare in history
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Excellent for both intricate stickwork and heavy backbeats
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Comes with a new P88AC throw-off, addressing previous user complaints
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Rimshot produces a loud, impactful sound
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Performance-proven sound on numerous hit recordings
CONS
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Stock heads often need immediate replacement for optimal performance
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Can be challenging to tune and maintain tuning stability
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Tension rods may be too smooth, leading to touchy tuning adjustments
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Some models may arrive with workmanship issues, requiring replacement or adjustments
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ludwig Supraphonic LM402 6.5" x 14" Snare Drum.
Comparisons
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The Ludwig Supraphonic’s aluminum shell offers a warmer, more "wood-esque" sound compared to the ringing quality of steel snares, making it distinct from models like Tama Metalworks.
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A Premier 1036 steel snare is praised for achieving a Keith Moon sound but noted as not directly comparable to the Supraphonic due to its steel material.
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A 6.5x14" 10-lug Acrolite is suggested as a budget alternative to the Supraphonic, offering similar sound without the chrome plating.
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The Yamaha Recording Custom brass snare is noted as more lively and louder, whereas the Supraphonic is slightly brighter and drier sounding.
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Despite a preference for Ludwig, one user acknowledges the Yamaha RC brass snare as special and versatile, suggesting it could stand alongside the Supraphonic.
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User experience
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Owners frequently choose the Supraphonic over other snares like DW Collectors and Mapex Black Panther for its consistent and versatile sound at any tuning.
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Some users experience "imposter syndrome" when considering the Supraphonic but find it inspires improvement regardless of skill level.
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A drummer with multiple Ludwig snares advocates having a metal snare like the Supraphonic for its unique sound contribution.
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Use cases and applications
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Known as the most recorded snare, it's favored for rock and roll, with Tom Petty’s drummer using it on all recordings.
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Owners report the Supraphonic excels in producing both low fat tones and high, tight snare sounds, making it versatile for various musical styles.
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The Supraphonic is recommended for those seeking versatility across genres like hard rock, metal, 80's pop, and jazz.
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Mods and upgrades
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DW True Tone wires are recommended for enhancing the snare's sound, with users noting that it performs well with various head types.
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Other
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The Supraphonic is described as a "workhorse" and is a sought-after model with high resale value, making it a low-risk purchase for those uncertain about metal snares.
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Value and pricing
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A Supraphonic is viewed as a lifetime purchase with strong resale potential, making it a safe investment even for less experienced drummers.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 12 Ratings
Most versatile snare ever made (period)
Performance-proven to be the sound that fueled the most hit recordings in history, the Ludwig Supraphonic is the snare choice of the pros.
From Jazz to Metal, Ludwig's Supraphonic 400s provide the perfect sound in the studio or stage. The USA-made chrome-plated, seamless, beaded aluminum shell produces a bright, crisp attack with the perfect balance of full resonant tone and snare crack.
41029
Ludwig rules. Can Ringo's choice be wrong for your band? I think not.
Artist usage
Add artist
At 0:45 of this video, Kevin can be seen using a 1966 Ludwig 14 x 7 Supraphonic snare drum with his kit.
Theodore’s Tour Kit
Drums: Ludwig Vistalite in red • 6.5×14 Supraphonic snare • 9×13 tom • 14×16 floor tom • 16×18 floor tom • 16×22 bass drum
Ian Paice uses the Ludwig 6.5" x 14" Supraphonic (LM402) Snare Drum, as evidenced by the image showing this snare drum with his large silver sparkle kit.
Ludwig's Behind The Beat Episode 3 features Russian Circles drummer Dave Turncratz. Dave is currently on the road in support of Russian Circle's latest release Memorial on Sargent House Records. His current rig is a Ludwig Vistalite Clear in 14x26 BD, 10x14 TT, 16x16 FT, and a 6.5x14 Supraphonic Snare drum.
3:35 "My first drum company that I was sponsored by was Ludwig. And, you know, growing up with John Bonham, and being a massive Led Zeppelin fan as a kid, that was like one of the things that made me want to play. So, when I got sponsored by Ludwig, the first thing that I wanted to get was the exact John Bonham set-up 14x26' Kick, 14' (rack tom), 16' (floor tom), 18' (floor tom), you know, the supraphonic snare, and all that, very simple set up, even a speed king pedal. I loved it, but unfortunately at the time, Ludwig had a hard time providing drum kits for us across the world, so I had no choice but to move to a more global company."
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).
Bun E. Carlos is confirmed to use the Ludwig Supraphonic LM402 6.5" x 14" Snare Drum, as listed on the fourth page of his 2013 archived website, where he identifies it as the "Live at Budokan" snare.
Rick Buckler utilizes the Ludwig 6.5" x 14" Supraphonic (LM402) Snare Drum, as detailed on his official equipment page.
Mike Webber, the drummer for Planetshakers, uses the Ludwig 6.5" x 14" Supraphonic (LM402) Snare Drum, as detailed in an article by Worship Drummer.
Album Usage
The Ludwig Supraphonic LM402 6.5" x 14" Snare Drum has been featured on the following albums:
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 LM402 6.5" x 14" Snare Drum, it is most commonly used with the following gear.