Ludwig Black Beauty SS

[Steady Freddy]

My BB came last week and I had a chance to play it today. I hadn't owned a super senistive snare before so I thought it might br interesting.

The snare is a 6.5 X 14, I have other drums in the size so I thought it might be cool to have a brass drum. My other snares in that size are a DW/Craviotto, a Ockeltree steel snare, and a DW Edge.

My first impression was that the BB has a darker tone that my other drums. It barks pretty well when you lay into it and ghost notes come through nice and clean.The drum has a lot of definition.

The throw off assembly drops and raises the wires on both sides of the drum via a rod that connects the two sides of the throw offs together. As with most Ludwig throw offs there are the usual sheet metal stampings used on the mechanism. The truth be told it looks a little cheesy. The wires seem to be two smaller sub assemblies that are connected together.

The shell has two reinforcememt plates mounted on the inside where the throw offs attach to the shell.

The drums feels and sounds good. The more I played it the more I liked it. I had been playing my DW/Craviotto for a couple of months so there was a sound adjustment period where it took a little while to get used to the feel and sound of the drum.

Anyway, I took a few picture so you guys can have a look see.

I'm not sure what kind of case to get for this snare as the throw offs protrude about three inches on both sides of the drum.

[Steady Freddy]

While I'm at it here's a picture of my other Ludwig snare. This one is a 5 X 14 maple drum.

This drum is pretty cool. It's super loud.

[punkdrummer1]

its a true beauty! Congrats man :D

[GW Drums]

Ludwigs are great!! You should be very proud......VERY nice drums!!! Would love to hear them!!

[crazyhorse]

Spend some serious time with that one... it takes a lot of trial and error to dial in the SS's to where you like them. However, once you get the hang of it you'll be well rewarded. Most people tend to be put off by the SS's initially but that's just because they haven't found the sweet spot yet.

[Mendozart]

Very nice drum Fred! As far as a case, I had an old Ludwig leather bag that was specifically made for as super-sensitive. I sold it, but I'm sure Ludwig still makes them if they are selling brand new SS's. BTW, I like that maple Luddie also.

[tommapex]

I love the SS. They are a great sounding snare. I have a 14 X 5 that I've onwed since 1978. Here's a picture.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d700b3127ccebc8a55bb989100000036100AbNW7Ry5asm Ng

[stasz]

Your maple 'wigs as well as the snares look impeccable. Nice to see that they're kept in such nice condition. Well, I guess it helps that they're such nice drums to start with.

[Steady Freddy]

Thanks for the kind words guys. I'll try to get a sound clip up in a few days. I have some new stuff I'm working on, so time to record and see what it really sounds like.

Take care.

[enemytopublic2]

Amazing snare...i have the same one but with tube lugs. I LOVE it.

[Wegadrummer]

Contrats steady F.. good choice.. happy playing !

[AKdave]

got one and love it, I put ambassador coated on the top and clear on the bottom sounds great.

[ThroneAmbition]

Beautiful Snare! Thanks for the detailed description. Would you post a full shot of your maple kit along with the size detail? I noticed in your maple snare picture you have two toms mounted above you bass. I'm considering a similar set up. Thanks.

[Steady Freddy]

Beautiful Snare! Thanks for the detailed description. Would you post a full shot of your maple kit along with the size detail? I noticed in your maple snare picture you have two toms mounted above you bass. I'm considering a similar set up. Thanks.

Here'a a couple of pictures of the Ludwig Classic Maple kit. The rack toms are 10 X 8 and 12 X 9. The floor toms are 14 X 12 and 16 X 14. The kick is a 22 X 18. The snare is a 13 x 6.5 Dunnett titanium. The kick and floor toms have thicker shells than the rack toms.

When these pictures were taken the kit was set up with Aquarian heads. Super 2s over classic clears on the toms and a Super Kick 2 and regulator on the kick. It now has Aquarian Studio X heads on the tom batters. Both heads sounded good on this kit.

It will be set up with clear EC2s over G1s or clear Emps over Ambassadors. Maybe coated G2s over clear G1s. Yikes!! Too many choices. My thought is to have one of my kits set up wide open with clear heads and another with coated heads for a mellower sound.

The last band I jammed with had amps about the size of a micro wave oven. My drums were a bit much, so I've been thinking about toning one kit down a little. Back in the day we had bigger amps in the dressing rooms for tuning than most dudes are running now.

More stacks!

[Mendozart]

Those are nice pics except the BB will look more at home with that set. Also, be careful what you wish for with the stacks, most of those frickin guitarists play too loud anyway.

[maddrummr]

Snap that thing looks great!!!

[Drumsword]

You won't like it in the long run...so just save yourself the headache and send it to me :)

Just kidding, man that looks sharp. I have a 400 series ludwig that I love, someday I'll have a BB.

As for a case, for about $30 you could make one out of 1/4" plywood, some egg crate foam and a couple hinges, and a handle if need be.

Enjoy.

[Steady Freddy]

Those are nice pics except the BB will look more at home with that set. Also, be careful what you wish for with the stacks, most of those frickin guitarists play too loud anyway.

Huh? Heh Greg, did you say something? =) All I hear is a humming sound and a little voice that keeps saying "buy more drums" over and over again. OK, I'm better now. Sorry.

You're right about those pesky guitar players.

[Steady Freddy]

Again, thanks for the kind words.

I haven't played this kit for a while. I think it's time to drag it out again, I've had this one about a year. I stumbled into a local Guitar Center last Jan. and got it for $1200.00. It was too good of a deal to say no to. I messed around with it for a few months and then packed it up.

[ThroneAmbition]

Thanks again for posting your Maple Kit. I remember seeing it, now, when you first got it. It's a beautiful set.

[Steady Freddy]

Today when I set up I noticed that the wire was dangling from the snare basket. It had come off the throw off and was just kinda drapped there.

One of the strands had broken on one end. I'm not sure if that caused a shift in tension and dropped the wires or not.

I snipped off the strand, remounted the wire, and all was well. I play this drum around 6 - 9hours per week on average, for a little less than 2 months. Just thougt I'd mention it.

Maybe time for a Puresound.

[Steady Freddy]

Last week I decided to give the BB a rest, and messed around with a couple of other snares. After about an hour or so the BB went back on the stand.

I can't stop playing this drum. Ludwig got it right with these things. Amazing sound!

[thatoneguy]

Great snare! Black Beauties are nice.

[Class A Drummer]

My teacher just picked up one of these. He says its amazing. Can we get a sound clip?

[Mendozart]

Hey Fred,
I wanted to check out this thread again since my latest snare pick-up and noticed the millenium throwoff on your maple Ludwig snare. What are your impressions of that t/o? How does it compare to the p-85 t/o? Thanks,
Greg

[Steady Freddy]

Hey Fred,
I wanted to check out this thread again since my latest snare pick-up and noticed the millenium throwoff on your maple Ludwig snare. What are your impressions of that t/o? How does it compare to the p-85 t/o? Thanks,
Greg

The Mellenium seems to be a little better than the P85. I had a dowel pin fall out of one of the pivots. I found it on my drum rug and then tried to figure out what it was, and where it came from. Once I figured that out I drifted it back in and it's stayed put. That said, this drum doesn't get much use. I got it for $250.00 on ebay and, it matched the kit so I figured it was a pretty good buy. It even had die cast hoops. They're on something else now.

The throw off is mostly sheet metal stampings pinned together. It's light weight and the contact points to the shell are minimal.

One of the reasons I went with the BB SS was because I didn't want to deal with the P85.

What strikes me as strange is with Ludwig's long history you'd think they could come up with a strainer that doesn't fall apart. These things were junk in the 60s and 70s and drummers are still complaining about them.

[Mendozart]

One of the reasons I went with the BB SS was because I didn't want to deal with the P85.


Looks like I will be doing a Trick throwoff retroplate to my BB hybrid.

[Steady Freddy]

I was thinking.......

If you threaded a small nut onto the tension adjustment it could be tightened down against the lower half of the throw off. That might keep it from loosening up all the time.

The bead on the shell makes aftermarket strainers a problem. Mikes set up is probably the best way to go.

[Mendozart]

I was thinking.......

If you threaded a small nut onto the tension adjustment it could be tightened down against the lower half of the throw off. That might keep it from loosening up all the time.

The bead on the shell makes aftermarket strainers a problem. Mikes set up is probably the best way to go.
That's a really good idea Fred. I actually like the way the black p85's look. I'm going to go dig through some nuts and bolts right now.

[Steady Freddy]

That's a really good idea Fred. I actually like the way the black p85's look. I'm going to go dig through some nuts and bolts right now.

Hopefully it's a common thread pitch. That would at least solve the problem of the throw off loosing tension on the wires. If you find something that works take a picture of it and post it

There's a lot of guys playing Ludwig snares on the board. This would be a quick and inexpensive fix.

[KarlCrafton]

Great Ludwig Snares!

The BB looks great, and I'm not surprised that it went back on the stand.

I have a few other snares, and I can't stop using the BB's.

They just sound great for everything....sound...feel...just great drums!

Awesome Nat Maple kit too!

Man, I love that finish...maybe someday...

How is that 12X14 floor tom?

I have been contemplating getting a 12X14 as a second left side (hat side) floor tom to put next to my 14X16.

I don't need something super deep sounding "floor tom" sound (I have the 16 & 18 on the other side), just a nice solid sound, like the drum can "hold it's own".

I'd put a Coated Ambassador (or Emp.)/Clear Ambassador on it like the other drums in the kit.

Thanks for any info you can give on it.

[Steady Freddy]

How is that 12X14 floor tom?

I have been contemplating getting a 12X14 as a second left side (hat side) floor tom to put next to my 14X16.


Hi Karl,

The 12 X 14 isn't worlds apart from say a 14 x 14. Maybe a little less growl and a little faster response. I was playing mine this morning and it likes to be hit. If you baby it, it can sound a little thin.That's not to say beat on it but, with good stick velocity its a pretty cool drum.

14s can be a little tempermetal at times. This drum has a nice clear tone. I had several different types of heads on it and it usually sounds pretty good.

If I had my choice I'd go 12 and 14 for rack toms with a 16 & 18 on the floor. One of these days I'm going to stop buying off the shelf and order up something special.

Take care