Ludwig Black Beauty
This is my Ludwig Black Beauty. It is currently my favorite drum and one of my most prized possessions. It measures 5″ x 14″ and has a beaded, black nickel over brass shell, with 10 tube lugs. I have installed a Ludwig Medium coated batter head, SNAPPY 20 Strand snares and a Ludwig P-86 Millennium Edition throw-off on it.
It is a great all-around drum that works well for both live and studio situations. It is incredibly sensitive, with a strong, focused tone. The rim shots this drum produces are unbelievably solid. No additional dampening is required on this Masterpiece. It never fails to garner compliments from audience members and fellow musicians alike.
2023 Ludwig Classic Maple 14″ X 6″
This is the newest addition to my collection. I purchased it at the World-Famous Pro Drum Shop in Hollwood, CA. It is a Classic Maple that was produced in limited quantities, about 50 total in a one-year only run of kits. The drummer who purchased this kit did not want the snare, and as such, it was sitting on the snare rack in Hollywood just waiting for me!
Ludwig Standard Maple 14″ X 8″ in Weathered Oak finish
This is a rather new addition to my Ludwig collection. A 2022 Ludwig Standard Maple Series constructed of five plies of maple and finished in Weathered Oak. Measuring in at 14″ X 8″ with new Atlas P-88 throw-off and P-35 Strainer. It is a nice compliment to my 6.5″ deep Standard Maple in Aged Olive finish.
Ludwig Acrolite
This is one my mid-90’s Ludwig Acrolites in Galaxy Black (Black-rolite). Until recently I had two of these drums because I love their sound so much. They seem to be a bit brighter sounding than the standard grey Acrolites (of which I also love and have three). Great looking drum, with a genuine Ludwig Medium Coated Weather Master batter head giving it that distinctive Ludwig sound. 5″ x 14″, beaded aluminum shell. Simply a classic.
Ludwig Supraphonic
The Most Recorded Snare Drum in the world!
A favorite of drummers everywhere for over 50 years. My mid-70’s Ludwig Superphonic is probably the most versatile snare that I own. With its unique Ludalloy, beaded shell, 10 Emperor lugs, it is loud, soft, sensitive, brutal – you name it. It was John Bonham’s preferred drum for a reason. I added a P-86 Millennium Edition throw-off to mine.
1965 Ludwig Pioneer in Champagne Sparkle
This is one of my most recent purchases. A Champagne-Sparkle 14″ X 5″ Ludwig Maple 6 lug Pioneer snare that was manufactured on March 12, 1965. Completely intact and entirely playable (but it mostly sits on the rack being admired).
1966 Ludwig Pioneer in Blue Sparkle Finish
Purchased at the 2024 Chicago Drum Show, this is one of the newest additions to my collection. A nice, original condition snare in a beautiful finish. My first drum set was also blue sparkle. I am starting to develop a fondness for mid-60’s Ludwig sparkle wrapped Pioneer snares.
Ludwig Standard Maple (Aged Ebony Stain)
This is one of my newer acquisitions, a 2019 Ludwig Standard Maple snare in Aged Ebony Stain. Measuring in at 6.5″ X 14″, this USA made drum comes from the Ludwig factory in Monroe, NC with six plies of North American Maple, 45 degree bearing edges and new Atlas series hardware.
Ludwig Heirloom Bronze
Another recent addition to my Ludwig Snare collection. I bought it as a post-COVID present to myself at the 2021 Chicago Drum Show.
Ludwig Beech Universal Series Snare
Another relatively new addition to my collection, a 2022 Ludwig Universal Beech Model.
From Ludwig’s Website:
Universal Beech Specifications
- 6.5 x14″ 6 ply 7.5 mm Beech shell with an outer ply of exotic Sapele
- Triple flange hoops
- tube lugs
- P88i throw-off
- P35 butt plate
- 18 strand snare wires
Ludwig Chrome Standard Snare
This snare drum is a beast! At a full 6.5″ depth with a chromed steel shell and standard lugs, it is the “Alex Van Halen” sound. Not for the faint of heart, this drum roars like a cannon!
Ludwig Concert Snare
This is my mid-70’s Ludwig Concert Snare. It is a good sounding drum, probably best suited for jazz and lower volume genres, not my favorite for providing rock back beats.
Ludwig Standard Snare
This is my 1971 Ludwig Standard snare drum. Much like my Ludwig Concert snare, it seems to work best in non-loud rock situations. It is very crisp, but not heavy or overwhelming. Good for jazz and pop, or venues where a massive snare tone is not desired.
Ludwig Acrolite in Grey
Just like my Black Acrolites, this drum is a classic. It required quite a bit of restoration effort, but was well worth it. Once I finished restoring it, I promptly started gigging with it. I love the sound so much that I eventually bought another one just like it, and then a third (It now resides in my snare drum collection, resting on it’s matching vintage Ludwig stand). I installed a new P-88 throw-off on the first one and now use it and my Black Beauty as my preferred gigging snares.
Ludwig Piccolo
This is also a newer addition to my Ludwig collection. A nice, simple Maple piccolo snare drum. Measuring in at 3″ X 13″, it’s a great looking, and sounding drum.
Ludwig Black Magic Snare
A birthday gift from my wife, this Black Magic snare is an affordable alternative to their Black Beauty. Mine is six inches deep, as opposed to my Black Beauty’s 5″ and the die cast hoops really make it quite a bit louder than my Black Beauty. I think I may consider swapping out the hoops for some triple-flanged to see if it takes some of the edge off the drum. It is certainly beautiful, though.
