A push for the Black Beauty

[endserenading81]

I went to Guitar Center a couple days ago to pick up some new stuff for my NEW drumset. I ask an employee about brass snares, and if there's really much difference between a $400 one and a $200 one. Brass is brass, right? I am sooooo interested in the Ludwig Black Beauty, but $400 is out of reach for now. Are there ANY substitutes for the Ludwig Black Beauty? The guy said "That Chad Smith snare makes some pretty similar sounds".
Thanks,
Rob

 

[MichaelM]

I guess you're not just paying for the sound, but for the quality of the hardware etc. All cymbal companies make cheap stuff too. Bronze is bronze right?
I don't really know much about those snares so I'm not much help.

 

[noiseportrait]

IMHO you can't beat ludwig for snare drums. Drum sets are a whole 'nother story...

 

[Jarick_2]

Well, I don't know if I've ever used a Black Beauty or not, but I have used the Chad Smith snare for about 6 years now with several kits. It's a really versatile drum, and actually has some really great sounds. I'd say it sounds like a steel shell but with a lot less ring. I prefer my heads tuned a little tighter, which works well with the medium-shallow depth. I typically use it for playing live because it cuts through really well when cranked up a bit. Also, if you do pick one up, try putting some die-cast hoops on it (at least on the top)...it really evens out the overtones and makes tuning and stability a TON easier. That and you get a fantastic rimshot! But definitely check it out, it's a bargain for the $200 they sell for nowadays.

By the way, Mineral rules!

 

[Tim Brown]

I went to Guitar Center a couple days ago to pick up some new stuff for my NEW drumset. I ask an employee about brass snares, and if there's really much difference between a $400 one and a $200 one. Brass is brass, right? I am sooooo interested in the Ludwig Black Beauty, but $400 is out of reach for now. Are there ANY substitutes for the Ludwig Black Beauty? The guy said "That Chad Smith snare makes some pretty similar sounds".
Thanks,
Rob

Personally, I would suggest you get a 5" Brass Pearl Sensitone.

A friend of mine has one, and it sounds great.


Tim

 

[UptownJames]

I had one

I had a 1980 reissue 5x14 Black Beauty for about 6 years and it was a really great drum. Sound guys and guitar players really loved it. I liked how sensitive it was and it didn't choke when I hit it hard. I played it so much it began to show lots of wear, so I donated it to a church along with an old set of Ludwigs. I usually used a coated reverse dot Remo head tuned medium tight with no muffling (didn't need it).

I have seen a few on e-bay go for about the same as new, so I would probably get a new one if I decide to get another one. I was lucky and found mine at a pawn shop for $90.

In case you were wondering. I now play a 50 year old Gretsch snare.

 

[wimat]

I don't know about a Chad Smith being similar to a Black Beauty, but the Smith is the best value netal snare in that price range. It's pretty versatile and sounds great. You can never have too many snares, right? (I have 17 snares and one upset wife) The Smith would be a great place to start and save your pennies for a BB in the future.

 

[drummerdude666]

I played my first black beauty today.. It was good. My drum teacher got one in and we we're tuning it and setting it up. It's unbeliably basic, and you have to tune it so low. Ludwig advise the same pitch as your 10" tom (if you have one). Also very dissapionted with the crap head supplied. But oh well, i'm still a happy man.