Supraphonic Vs. Black Beauty sound

[mikei]

Hello,

I just placed an order for my Pearl Quarter Toms. They will be in next week.

So, my next investment will probably be another snare drum. I currently own a 6.5 x 14 Supraphonic that I love.

I am looking for another high quality snare. I haven't yet heard the Black Beauty yet.

Is there a significant sound difference? Should I be looking for another snare drum instead?

As always, thank you for helping me spend my money and angering my wife!

[ludwigvondrumcrazy]

I also have a 6.5 x 14 Supra-Phonic, well a few actually, as well as a 2005, 5 x 14 Brass Shell, Super-Sensitive, Black Beauty (tube lugs.) To me the Brass Shell has a noticably darker sound characteristic than my Supra-Phonics, sounding more like my Hammered Shell Supra. When it comes to a "regular" Ludwig, Lud-Alloy Shell with a Black Beauty finish the ones I've heard sounded like a chrome Supra-Phonic so I don't think the finish, in this case, makes much of a difference....................

One thing I will say about a Super-Sensitive, it is one of the finest snares around so you may want to look into one of those................

LVDC

[Jeremy]

As good as the super sensitive can sound, i found that there's so many little screws, that if one thing goes wrong with the throw-off, it's too fragile to actually be fixable. And again as good the black beauty line sounds, i'd advise against getting one if you already have and like a supraphonic. The BBs sound slightly better in my opinion but not enough to warrant another purchase.

I'd go for a wood, copper, titanium, or acrylic drum since all those have very different but equally good sounds as brass. On the other hand, if you plan to sell the supraphonic for a black beauty, and can get a decent price for it, then go ahead and enjoy a great drum! :-)

[tomtom]

Dunnett Titanium snare drums are great, check them out

[ludwigvondrumcrazy]

As good as the super sensitive can sound, i found that there's so many little screws, that if one thing goes wrong with the throw-off, it's too fragile to actually be fixable.

I showed the above information to a friend who owns a Drum Shop that his Dad opened back in 1960 so he has literally grown up around Ludwigs (they have been a Ludwig Dealer since day one) and his response was one word "wrong." He then went over to a drawer and pointed out quite a few Super-Sensitive replacement parts and added, I wish they would break so I can use some of these parts up...................

Most of the time we were discussing this we were standing in front of my Super-Sensitive that I have in there for sale looking at the Throw Off trying to figure out what Jeremy may have been reffering to, without luck..................

It's too much snare for the likes of me so I figured I would let a real drummer have a shot at it, which is why I'm selling it...................

The only reason I'm posting this response is so that someone doesn't get the wrong idea about the Super-Sensitive's P-70 Snare Mechanism that allows you to really dial in whatever type of snare response you may be looking for...................

LVDC

[tamadrummer132]

i have heard the black beauty is well.. a beauty. However a load of cash. My advice is not limit yourself to one brand, and to surf around the wonderful world of drums and try out soem snares. with a blind fold. Pic the one you like best, and chances are it wont be the price of a black beauty.


hehe 450 posts...

[Skitch]

Hello,

I just placed an order for my Pearl Quarter Toms. They will be in next week.

So, my next investment will probably be another snare drum. I currently own a 6.5 x 14 Supraphonic that I love.

I am looking for another high quality snare. I haven't yet heard the Black Beauty yet.

Is there a significant sound difference? Should I be looking for another snare drum instead?

As always, thank you for helping me spend my money and angering my wife!

I would say if you are going to spend this much cash, go for either a different size (5x14") or a different material (a 6 1/2 x14" in a wood).

Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=drummermikemccraw
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=78564594

[Ozzy Biz]

I would say if you are going to spend this much cash, go for either a different size (5x14") or a different material (a 6 1/2 x14" in a wood).

Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=drummermikemccraw
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=78564594

I agree. I'd like to see a 6.5" deep ironwood drum from Spirit Drums. Maybe even with wood hoops...

[nhzoso]

The Black beauty is Much heavier.. I own a supra and was looking at a used BB just yesterday ($600) and the weight jumped out at me...much heavier than the supra..I also think it sounded alot better, there is virtually no overtones whatsoever. Maybe someday I will purchase one but the price is a little steep for me.

[Jeremy]

I showed the above information to a friend who owns a Drum Shop that his Dad opened back in 1960 so he has literally grown up around Ludwigs (they have been a Ludwig Dealer since day one) and his response was one word "wrong." He then went over to a drawer and pointed out quite a few Super-Sensitive replacement parts and added, I wish they would break so I can use some of these parts up...................

Most of the time we were discussing this we were standing in front of my Super-Sensitive that I have in there for sale looking at the Throw Off trying to figure out what Jeremy may have been reffering to, without luck..................

It's too much snare for the likes of me so I figured I would let a real drummer have a shot at it, which is why I'm selling it...................

The only reason I'm posting this response is so that someone doesn't get the wrong idea about the Super-Sensitive's P-70 Snare Mechanism that allows you to really dial in whatever type of snare response you may be looking for...................

LVDC

hmm. well i'm glad to hear that, but my experience with them has been horrible. a friend of mine picked one up in early 2004, and about a week later the piece of the throw-off that holds the snare strings fell off when he wasn't even playing the drum. we tried to fix it, but it was held on with tiny little screws.

a couple weeks later he found a screw driver that was small enough to work with them. we got it secured on there, but when he tried to tighten the snares up to a normal level (not too tight, loose enough that they don't choke the drum), the thing fell off again.

he returned it and got another, figuring it was just a dud. then about 2 months after he got the new one, the same thing happened onn the butt side. this was quickly fixed, but later in that same gig the wires became really loose, and no amount of wheel turning could move them from their position.

both these times he took them to a couple drum shops in the area, and they tried but could not fix the problems.

i should add that he is not a basher, he plays mainly latin and jazz songs, and is on brushes 50% of the time. maybe he's just had bad luck, but you'd have to pay me to take one.

again, i'm glad to hear that you could not find any problems with it. hopefully they've changed since then. i'd also like to add that during the times when it was working, the drum sounded great and was very versatile, so if you get one without problems, you'll be very happy.