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Ludwig Universal Black Brass Snare Drum - 6.5 x 14-inch - Polished

6.5" x 14" Brass Snare Drum with 2.3mm Triple-flanged Hoops - Chrome Hardware
$349.00

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Ludwig Universal Black Brass Snare Drum - 6.5 x 14-inch - Polished
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A Century's-old Snare Optimized for Today's Drummers

When Ludwig's Universal Series of snare drums first hit the scene in the 1920s, their wide-ranging sound and ease of use made them a mainstay among gigging and recording drummers of the time. With the Ludwig Universal Black Brass snare, a classic drum reemerges for a new generation of players, with a clear focus on sound quality and versatility. Its brass shell exudes a full-bodied warmth and a mellowness that blend perfectly in many applications, with triple-flanged hoops for a more open and flexible tone. Top-quality hardware throughout ensures each stroke rings through loud and clear, delivering a purer, more natural sound devoid of those pesky vibrations and other unwanted elements. Channel a century of lauded Ludwig tone with the Universal Black Brass Snare Drum!

Elite-quality hardware throughout for a purer overall sound

Ludwig's brass snare drums are renowned for their luscious warmth and crispness, making them a great fit in everything from jazz fusion and R&B to blast beat-filled death metal and more. That said, a snare sounds only as exceptional as its hardware, something Ludwig knows all too well. The Universal Black Brass snare boasts some of the manufacturer's highest performing components to date, improving on its already delectable tone by smoothing out many of the unwanted artifacts that can occur. Its P88I throw off gives you complete control over snare tension to dial in that perfect pop and crack, made better with a P35 butt plate to anchor everything in place. This drum's slightly larger tube lugs not only add a dash of visual elegance — Sweetwater drummers constantly turn to solid-brass lugs such as these, thanks to their incredible durability, which is a hallmark of a reliable snare for the stage and studio. Triple-flanged hoops round out this rock-solid snare, opening up the sound while accenting your playing with rich overtones.

Ludwig Universal Black Brass Snare Drum Features:

  • A classic brass Ludwig snare reimagined for a new generation of players
  • Black nickel-plated brass shell yields sonic warmth, crispness, and clarity
  • Triple-flanged hoops deliver a more open sound with rich overtones
  • P88I throw off and P35 butt plate gives you complete control over snare tension while locking everything firmly in place
  • Sturdy enlarged tube lugs endure the rigors of the road while looking great

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Snare
  • Drum Depth: 6.5"
  • Drum Diameter: 14"
  • Shell Material: Brass
  • Shell Construction: 1mm
  • Hoops: 2.3mm Triple-flanged
  • Lugs: 10 x Tube Lugs
  • Color: Black Nickel
  • Finish: Gloss
  • Heads: Ludwig
  • Manufacturer Part Number: LU6514C

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Beautiful Black Nickel Brass!

I have to say that this is probably one of my favorite snares that I've owned during more than 40 years of playing. As set up at time of purchase, it's a very fine sounding snare, even with the stock Chinese Remo heads and the stock snappy style snares. Sound is a very subjective thing, but I knew that it could be even better with different heads and wires. I wound up changing out the stock batter with an Evans HD and adding a set of Puresound Super 30 snare wires. It went from very fine to amazing. Sensitive, full bodied, cracking rimshots with the very nice 2.3 mil hoops. It just delivers the goods, whether laying into it or laying back on the volume. The throw off is also great, a huge improvement on the throw that was on the Supralite series (they have since upgraded it) and Ludwig's other import offerings. Also, I noticed that the tube lugs are beefed up. They hold the tuning well, even as hard as I play. Really, one of the best values out there, I recommend it for anyone who wants a quality metal snare at a very reasonable price.
Rated 5/5

Worth it

You really get the bang for your buck on this one. A good price for a good brass snare. I'd recommend putting a new head on as soon as you get it, but other than that it's got great tone!
Rated 4/5

Great drum!

This is my first Ludwig snare drum, and I'm really pleased with the purchase! The drum is well built, beefy, beautiful (that black nickel is striking in strong light!), and really sounds great at different tunings. I'd have given it a higher rating, but the stock heads that come with it are *really* bad. If you're buying this, you'll have to buy a good batter head to get the most out of the drum. Other than needing that slight upgrade, this drum is terrific at this price point. I'd buy it if you're looking for a brass snare for your collection.
Music background: 40-year drummer
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