Detail 01
Brass shell
Denser and darker than steel or aluminum. Loud with a heavy low end under the crack, and long sustain.
Product detailSKU #1274115057153
LudwigBlack Beauty Brass on Brass Snare Drum - Brass 14 x 5 in.
1/4
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
A US-made 14x5 brass-shell snare with a black nickel finish. For drummers who want a loud, cutting metal snare that covers most styles.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Studio dates needing one snare that suits most tracks
- Loud stages where a wood snare gets buried
- Drummers upgrading from a stock kit snare
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Players wanting the dry, warm thump of a wood shell
- Anyone on a starter-kit budget
- Drummers who want a deep, fat backbeat from a 6.5 in. depth
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
14 x 5 in.
The shallower of the two common depths. Faster response and more crack, less body than a 6.5 in.
Detail 03
Black nickel finish over brass
Plating on the outside only. It is cosmetic and wear shows brass underneath over years of use.
Detail 04
Made in the United States
US assembly and shell work, which is where the price sits relative to imported metal snares.
Detail 05
Metal shell versus wood
More volume, more ring, more sensitivity at low dynamics. Ghost notes speak that a wood shell would swallow.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Sold as a drum only — no stand, case or sticks included
- 02Brass rings hard; keep moongel or a dampening ring on hand
- 03Fresh heads and a full tuning make more difference than the shell alone
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01What makes a Black Beauty different from a regular metal snare?
The brass shell. Brass is denser than the steel or aluminum used on most metal snares, so it is louder with more low-end weight behind the crack.
02Should I get the 5 in. or the 6.5 in.?
The 5 in. is quicker and crackier, and it sits well in dense mixes. The 6.5 in. gives more body and depth for a fatter backbeat.
03Is it too loud for church or quiet gigs?
It can be. Brass projects hard. It also plays quietly with good stick control, but expect to dampen it in a low-volume room.
04Does the black finish wear off?
The black nickel plating is on the surface, so hoop contact and stick strikes wear through to brass over time. Many players consider that patina desirable.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
3 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Brass 14 x 5 in.
- Country of Origin
- United States
- Color Finish
- Black
