I just got in the Ludwig Black Magic 8 x 14 today and put a Evans ST dry on it tuned it and HOLLY S#*T! What an awesome sounding snare! I am using the stock reso and wires and still fine tuning and experimenting with dampening, I am somewhere between one Moongel and a Remo dampening ring, But it sounds freaking awesome, easy to tune 10 lug di-cast hoops, and even for an 8" its extremely sensitive under the stick. This is much louder than any other snare I have owned. I was shocked to see that these are shipped in the box with no padding whatsoever but it is a thick box and arrived unscathed. This is a heavy snare and well built. If you are considering a 8" steel snare consider this one, highly recommended. Where I got it takes 4 equal monthly payments, thats the only way I could afford it right now and was the same price and GC. Staff was friendly and fast shipping, highly recommended as well.