Ludwig Black Beauty Brass on Brass Snare Drum Brass 14 x 5 in.

I used this snare in my studio recordings and at live gigs. Iv'e played every snare drum made pretty much and this one is the best sounding snare out of them all. The only thing i have to say that i don't care for about this snare is the diecast hoops because they chew up your sticks like a wood chipper other than that it's perfect !

i bought this snare about 3 years ago. the first thing i noticed was the plating on the rims didnt match the tube lugs, and the badge wasnt centered correctly. i was changing the snare wires the other day and i was getting a closer look at the plating, ( pitting and flaking ), just as i was commenting to my wife about ludwig's quality problems, a screw broke off in the strainer. i fixed it but i shouldnt have had to. i paid alot of money for this snare but i figured i was getting a collectable. it really does sound good but i cant afford to buy another to have as a back up or for spare parts. if their pro line is this bad, i wonder how bad the ''black magic'' snare is. next stop; pork pie for a third the price and twice the quality

The Ludwig Black Beauty Brass on Brass Snare Drum is a good snare. I mostly use this snare for recording or live music. I recently recorded a cd with El cantante and this snare made a clean cut. I also use this snare for fusion, gospell, and latin music. Its a 10 out of 10

Four stars only because this drum really doesn't sound any more fabulous than say a Chrome over Brass Supra. I know the Super-Sensitive strainers have their fans, and I'm not knocking them. In fact, I would buy this drum over a COB Supra for the same reason I'd buy a Cadillac over a Chevy; both get you from here to there, but one car is cushier and just plain more prestigious than the other. Same here with this BB. Worth the money, if you gots it!