Ludwig Black Beauty 14 x 5 Inch Smooth Shell Snare Drum – A True Legend in Sound

Few instruments in music history carry the same reverence as the Ludwig Black Beauty snare drum. Celebrated by drummers and recording engineers for over a century, the Black Beauty has earned its place as one of the most recorded and coveted snares of all time. Its reputation is built on a perfect balance of sensitivity, projection, and tonal richness that has shaped countless legendary performances.

This model features a 14 x 5 inch smooth-shell design, giving it a crisp, articulate voice that excels in both studio and live settings. The shallower depth offers fast stick response and precise articulation while retaining the warmth and body that make the Black Beauty an enduring favorite.

At the heart of the drum is its 1.2mm seamless beaded brass shell, painstakingly crafted in the USA from a single sheet of brass. The shell is precision-formed, hand-finished, and plated in a decadent layer of black nickel, delivering both its signature aesthetic and unmistakable sound. The seamless smooth-shell design enhances clarity and projection, ensuring every ghost note, rimshot, and backbeat comes through with depth and definition.

The Black Beauty 14 x 5 comes outfitted with 2.3mm triple-flanged steel hoops for a classic open tone, Imperial lugs for iconic Ludwig styling, and Ludwig’s smooth-action P88AC throw-off for reliable snare response. A Keystone badge seals its legacy as a true Ludwig classic.

What Does the Black Beauty 14 x 5 Sound Like?

The 14 x 5 Smooth Shell Black Beauty is renowned for its articulate, focused attack and musical overtones. Its shallower depth makes it ideal for styles that demand sensitivity and precision—whether that’s funk, jazz, pop, R&B, or controlled studio work. Played wide open, it blooms with warmth and sustain. Damped, it adapts beautifully to tight, controlled grooves. From subtle ghost notes to explosive rimshots, the 14 x 5 Black Beauty is an expressive workhorse that thrives in any setting.

Ludwig Black Beauty 14 x 5 Smooth Shell Snare Drum Features:

• One of the most revered and recorded snare drums in history
• 14 x 5 inch seamless beadless brass shell with smooth finish for clarity and articulation
• Finished in black nickel plating for a luxurious look and tone
• Imperial lugs and Keystone badge for authentic Ludwig heritage
• 2.3mm triple-flanged hoops for open tone and balanced sustain
• P88AC throw-off for precise, reliable snare response
• Handmade in small batches in the USA

The Ludwig Legacy

Since 1909, Ludwig has been at the forefront of drum-making excellence. The Black Beauty has been heard under the sticks of drumming legends from Ginger Baker (Cream) and John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) to Roger Taylor (Queen) and Ringo Starr, who brought Ludwig worldwide fame on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. For over a century, Ludwig snares have been the heartbeat of music history, and the Black Beauty remains their crowning achievement.

The Ludwig Black Beauty 14 x 5 Inch Smooth Shell isn’t just a snare drum - it’s a lifetime instrument. Whether on stage, in the studio, or at home, it will inspire every note you play.

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