Ludwig Black Beauty vs. Supra-Phonic

Los LeRoy

Junior Member
I am in need of a brass snare that is loud, thick, bright, and cutting. This "shot gun" blast sound. Dave Grohl used one with Nirvana and Queen's of the Stone Age and I know that snare sounds amazing. I looked through the threads and found facts about the history/constuction of the two. I am interested in the sound. Is the Black Beauty superior sounding to the SP (in brass), or is it more about cosmedics? A new Brass SP 6"-1/2" x14" is around $490 and a new BB is $570. Should I save up? Are there any Tama or Mapex Black Panthers alternatives? I prefer brass, but is the crome comparable? Much Thanks.
 
Did I mention that I will be hitting the studio in less than a week and need the brass snare for the session. Experts, plese weigh in!
 
The differences between a COB supraphonic ("Supraphonic brass edition") and a black beauty are pretty slight, sonically, if we're talking about new drums. Any difference between them can be bridged with head changes, etc. You'll see far greater variations if you went with a hammered black beauty vs a regular black beauty. If I was going to assign any difference at all, I'd say I thought the BB that I a/b'd with the COB supra was ever so slightly drier, but that could have just as easily been attributable to heads or tuning.

However, a straight Supraphonic (aluminum) vs a Black Beauty are two different drums entirely. If you want a brass drum and *that* is the decision, you want the Black Beauty.

If money's tight, go COB Supra. If it's not and you think you might get a regular Supra after the Black Beauty down the road, get the Black Beauty - being able to just grab the right drum off the shelf without having to check badges first is nice.
 
Can you describe the sonic differences between the regular and hammered BB?

Hammered is more dry. On the drums I've heard it tends to tame the medium-high overtones that can be a little more pronounced on a 6.5x14. (The signature ring on those that some people seem to not like).

I have a 5x14 hammered supersensitive BB that is bone dry compared to 5x14 standard supraphonic BB. (of course, supersensitives can be a bit drier as well in my (much more limited in that variable) experience).
 
I am in need of a brass snare that is loud, thick, bright, and cutting. This "shot gun" blast sound. Dave Grohl used one with Nirvana and Queen's of the Stone Age and I know that snare sounds amazing. I looked through the threads and found facts about the history/constuction of the two. I am interested in the sound. Is the Black Beauty superior sounding to the SP (in brass), or is it more about cosmedics? A new Brass SP 6"-1/2" x14" is around $490 and a new BB is $570. Should I save up? Are there any Tama or Mapex Black Panthers alternatives? I prefer brass, but is the crome comparable? Much Thanks.


Your size choice is definitely right! the 6-1/2" depth just has a presence that a 5" doesn't.


Mike

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Look for one of those B-stocks on ebay or musicians friend. There's a b-stock 6.5 COB lud on MF right now for 450, and these come with a retro looking blue/olive badge. Or, the Ludwig black magic snares are supposed to be killer as well.
 
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