I spent 7 glorious days at NAMM
(SEVEN??!!) tuning and playing the 6.5" snare, and it's one of the best metal snares I've played... possibly
the best. It's a little bit aluminum Supra, a little bit Black Beauty, a little bit Bronze, and somehow a little bit woody. It's just magic. If it was a cymbal, I'd even say it was
complex.
I know that Yamaha had a copper (seamless?) snare some time ago, but I think the Ludwig is a better drum.
Pricewise, they're comparable to the Bronze Supra, which is maybe $20 more than the Black Beauty (the 6.5" model.) They should be available in a few months. Dealer response was very good, so I think they'll be easy to find.
Bermuda