Vintage Ludwig Supra-phonic Vs. New

[jayp]

I plan on purchasing a new snare here soon and Ive got a got my mind set on a Ludwig Supra-phonic, but before I go and spend the cash I have a few questions.

1) Whats your opinion on the use of a supra-phonic in a Jazz setting.
2) New Vs. Old - How does the sound compare between the vintage and new models
3) I've noticed that vintage Supra-phonics come with internal muffler is this desirable?
4) Do new models come with muffler

Your opinion is valued, thank you.

JP

[mikei]

I plan on purchasing a new snare here soon and Ive got a got my mind set on a Ludwig Supra-phonic, but before I go and spend the cash I have a few questions.

1) Whats your opinion on the use of a supra-phonic in a Jazz setting.
2) New Vs. Old - How does the sound compare between the vintage and new models
3) I've noticed that vintage Supra-phonics come with internal muffler is this desirable?
4) Do new models come with muffler

Your opinion is valued, thank you.

JP

Hello Jay,

I just bought a new 6.5 x 14 Supraphonic. I play rock and metal, but wanted to get that "vintage" sound.

Mine does not have any internal muffling. However, there is not a lot of ring so I really do not think it is needed.

It is almost impossible to make this snare sound bad. I have tried every possible tuning combination and it sounds good very fat or really tight.

I am not really familliar with vintage Supraphonics, so I can only tell you about the new Ludwigs.

Hope this helps you a bit. There are some real experts out here who will give you much better advice.

[jayp]

Thanks Mikei, that helped out a lot. Do you happen to play any jazz? My question mainly is aimed towards the older models I guess because thats what im thinking I might buy, but I'm worried because althought im buying a new snare I want something great for jazz but I need it to be versatile for funk, blues and rock but mainly jazz. Does anyone think that vintage 70's supra-phonic will fit the mold?


Thanks again,

JP

[ermghoti]

Mine's a mid-seventies, sounds dandy. I don't think they have fiddled much with anything that matters: alloy, bearing edges or snare beds. Since the used 70's drums show up around $150 all the time, it'd be hard to argue against them.

[Michael G]

There is almost no difference between newer and older supraphonics, I have gotten newer 14 by 5 Supras to match my one made in 67. It has the baseball bat internal muffler, so I can choose, but in my opinion I keep it off.

Oh and yes you can't go wrong with a one in a jazz setting.

[Porker69]

Joe Morello used one and so did John Bonham, they're pretty different volume wise so it should be versitile enough for you.

[Michael G]

Joe Morello used one and so did John Bonham, they're pretty different volume wise so it should be versitile enough for you.

Actually Morello had a Black Beauty.

"I used a 5" X 14' Black Beauty snare drum either 400 or 410."

Well, at least that is what he himself told me, I use to think he was an exclusive Supra user as well.

[Jusstickinaround]

I plan on purchasing a new snare here soon and Ive got a got my mind set on a Ludwig Supra-phonic, but before I go and spend the cash I have a few questions.

1) Whats your opinion on the use of a supra-phonic in a Jazz setting.
2) New Vs. Old - How does the sound compare between the vintage and new models
3) I've noticed that vintage Supra-phonics come with internal muffler is this desirable?
4) Do new models come with muffler

Your opinion is valued, thank you.

JP

I have a 61/2x14 Supraphonic for sale if you're interested, they sound great for any music.

[Porker69]

Actually Morello had a Black Beauty.

"I used a 5" X 14' Black Beauty snare drum either 400 or 410."

Well, at least that is what he himself told me, I use to think he was an exclusive Supra user as well.
I never said he used one exclusively but he did use one; the videos of him in the 60's and the first picture of him on his drummerworld page show playing a supra, unless I'm mistaken since they are black and white photos.

He also had that gold Ludwig snare which I cant remember if it was a Supra or Black Beauty that's a purdy drum.

[Skitch]

I don't think that there all that much difference sound-wise between new and vintage; so you probably can focus on any price issues. I do like the Baseball bat internal mufflers that some of the vintage drums have. The round internal mufflers tend to be noisy and that is why they get removed.

It is difficult to make a supraphonic sound bad and this is, arguably, the most recorded drum in history!

Mike

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

http://www.youtube.com/drummermikemccraw
http://www.myspace.com/drummermikemccraw

[tomtom]

I have a ´65 402 (6.5x14) Supra with the baseball bat muffler. The muffler is pretty useless, it never stays in position but I like to keep the drum original. The Supra is a mother of a snare drum and fits any musical situation, incl. jazz. I have both heard that the older ones "have that something extra" and that there´s no difference soundwise at all compared to a brand new one. But I´ve never A/B´d them myself. I´m not sure if the new ones have the internal muffler.

[CoryTACP]

I have an old Ludwig snare I used in begginer band when I was in junior high school. This drum has that blue and yellow logo and the internal muffling pad. What time period was the muffling pad used? I haven't looked at this drum in years. I could have something decent and not even know it. Its silver just like all the supra-phonics I saw on ebay, actually looks identical. How can I tell for sure what it is?

[ludwigvondrumcrazy]

Ludwig dropped the Tone Controls from the Supra around 1998, which might help you date a used one. The main difference between the older & newer Supra's are the Rims, with the older models having much thinner Rims, 1.6mm I think, which allows the Shell to vibrate a little bit better giving a more open sound over the newer, heavier, Rims..............

LVDC

[tomtom]

I have an old Ludwig snare I used in begginer band when I was in junior high school. This drum has that blue and yellow logo and the internal muffling pad. What time period was the muffling pad used? I haven't looked at this drum in years. I could have something decent and not even know it. Its silver just like all the supra-phonics I saw on ebay, actually looks identical. How can I tell for sure what it is?

It sounds as if you´ve got a Supra. Post a pic and I´ll tell you. There is also a nice site on vintage snaredrums here (http://www.vintagesnaredrums.com/)(a LOT on Ludwigs) and from the ser.nr., you should be able to find out in what year your drum was made.