Best Ludwig Snare Drum Guide

Let’s explore some of our favorite Ludwig snare drums.

While the brand is known for many legendary snares, I’ll focus on five of the best models. I will discuss the pros and cons of each drum and tell you what kinds of drummers suit each model best. After, I’ll go through common FAQs, so keep scrolling to find out which snare is right for you.

The snare drum is the most important part of the drum kit, as it reflects a drummer’s voice more than any other piece. Ludwig has been making these instruments for over 100 years, so it’s safe to say that they’ve had the time to craft the perfect snare drum. With their expansive lineup of both metal and wood snares, there is bound to be a drum that resonates with you!

Five of the Best Ludwig Snare Drums

Model	Size (Diameter x Depth)	Material	Lug Count	Price
Ludwig LM402 Supraphonic	14×6.5″	Chrome Over Aluminum	10	$$
Ludwig LB417 Black Beauty	14×6.5″	Black Nickel Over Brass	10	$$$
Ludwig LM400 Supraphonic	14×5″	Chrome Over Aluminum	10	$$
Ludwig LM404 Acrolite	14×5″	Black Galaxy Paint over Aluminum	8	$
Ludwig LS908 Legacy Mahogany Jazz Festival	14×5.5″	Mahogany/Poplar/Mahogany with Maple Reinforcement Rings	8	$$$

What Affects A Snare Drum’s Sound?

The sound of a snare drum can be affected by many factors, but the three main things to think about are size, material, and lug count. These will determine what a drum sounds like and what musical applications it will be appropriate for. Let’s explore how each detail contributes to the overall sound of a snare.

Size

Snare drums come in diameters that typically range 10-15″ and depths that typically range 3.5-10″, but the most classic diameter is 14″. When choosing a main snare drum, it’s typically best to stick to this diameter because it will be easiest to find replacement parts for, like heads and snare wires. Use depth to specifically narrow in on what snare drum might be best for your musical situation.

Depth typically ranges 3-10″ for snare drums used with a drum set and in an orchestral setting. A depth range of 5-6.5″ is historically the most common. A deeper drum generally provides a lower-pitched sound. Suppose you’re playing music like pop or hip hop. In that case, a 5″ depth drum might be better in providing a high-pitched lively sound. If you’re playing music like country or rock, where the music warrants a low-pitched snare sound, then a 6.5″ depth snare might be more appropriate for you.

Material

Metal and wood are the two main materials used to construct drums. Generally, wood snare drums are more controlled in sound. This means that they typically produce less high frequencies when hit. Wood snare drums typically ring out for less time than metal snares when hit too. As I dig down deeper into the specific woods and metals, you’ll learn what material might be best for you!

There are two main types of wood snare drum shells—light or dark wood. Lighter tone woods, like maple and birch, produce a brighter sound that more closely resembles the tones of metal drums. Darker tone woods, like mahogany and walnut, produce darker tones, which means they are more likely to reduce high frequencies. Drummers who prefer wood snares in a pop music or rock setting generally use brighter woods. Darker woods are typically best in Americana, indie, and folk-type musical settings.

Snare drums that have a metal shell come in a variety of materials. Still, the two main metals are brass and aluminum. Brass snare drums have many overtones or pitches that ring out when you hit the drum. Brass drums also ring out for a long period of time and produce a very loud tone. Aluminum is much more controlled than brass, creating less overtones, a shorter note (meaning it rings out for less time), and it is less loud than brass.

Each metal has distinct musical applications. Brass drums are often used in rock settings because they produce the volume necessary to compete with loud guitar amps and PA systems. Aluminum snares are most often seen in recording studios, as they are prized for producing a sound that fits in perfectly with just about any song. Metal drums are quintessential for the modern drummer. Since many drummers have several snare drums in their collection, maybe you’ll eventually need a brass snare drum and an aluminum snare drum too!

Lug Count

Lug count refers to how many points of tension there are on either side of the drum. Each place where there is a tension rod is considered a point of tension. While some drummers have said that a snare drum with fewer lugs is cheaper, that isn’t the case. Some highly prized drums, like the Ludwig Pioneer, are produced with six lugs. Still, they wow drummers and music listeners alike. Less lugs on a drum simply changes the overall tonal characteristics.

The more lugs a drum has, the more controlled the sound will be. This means that a drum with six lugs will ring out longer and produce more overtones than a drum with ten lugs.

Fundamental pitch also changes with lug count. This means that a drum with less lugs will more easily tune to a low pitch. A drum with more lugs will more easily tune to a higher pitch.

None of these qualities makes a drum better or worse. It simply helps you better gauge if a particular snare will better suit your drumming situation or not. Use lug count to help determine the general amount of ring a drum will have when you strike it and the drum’s general pitch range as you choose the right snare for you.

Five of the Best Ludwig Snare Drums

Ludwig LM402 14×6.5″ Supraphonic Snare Drum – A Classic Snare with the John Bonham Sound

The Ludwig LM402 Supraphonic has been produced since the 1960s. Still, it gained massive popularity after Led Zeppelin’s drummer, John Bonham, was spotted using one often into the 1970s. This drum isn’t just a classic for rock, though. The thin aluminum shell provides a musical sound appropriate for any genre. If you tune it up well, the drum almost sounds like a polished recording, and it should! Ludwig’s Supraphonic model snare drums are touted as the most recorded drums in the world.

The extra depth on this snare over its 5″ deep LM400 Supraphonic counterpart gives the LM402 added body, meaning it has more midrange and low tones that come through when it is hit. This can be helpful in a recording studio, as an audio engineer can always use tools to remove these frequencies if they’re not appropriate. Still, these sounds cannot be added in as easily. If you want a workhorse snare drum in the studio or if you want to rock like John Bonham on stage, then the LM402 is perfect for you.

Specifications

• 1.7mm Seamless Aluminum Shell
• 2.3mm Steel Triple Flanged Hoops
• P88AC Throw Off
• P35P Butt Plate
• Ludwig Weather Master Medium Coated Head
• Ludwig Weather Master Clear Snare Side Head
• 10 Lugs

Pros

• Classic shell produces studio-quality sound
• American craftsmanship provides durability
• Solid value for a new professional level drum

Cons

• Aluminum construction is quieter than brass

Ludwig LB417 14×6.5″ Black Beauty Snare Drum – Modern Rock Sound with Big Volume

Ludwig has been crafting brass snare drums for over a century. The LB417 Black Beauty is the centerpiece of their modern brass snare drum offerings. This snare comes with the same chrome lugs, hoops, and snare mechanism as the LM402 above, but its thin seamless brass shell provides more volume and more overtones.

A drum with more overtones is often said to “sing”. This brass shell sings with a thousand voices, producing rich, complex tones. When you strike the drum, it produces a note that rings out with many other complementary pitches singing in unison. This drum requires careful tuning to keep the overtones singing pleasantly. Still, when tuned up just right, it will sound great in almost any musical setting.

Specifications

• 1.2mm Seamless Brass Shell
• 2.3mm Steel Triple Flanged Hoops
• P88AC Throw Off
• P35P Butt Plate
• Ludwig Weather Master Medium Coated Head
• Ludwig Weather Master Clear Snare Side Head
• 10 Lugs

Pros

• Drum produces volume necessary for loud live applications
• Seamless brass shell provides rich overtones

Cons

• Brass drum requires careful tuning
• Premium product demands premium price

Ludwig LM400 14×5″ Supraphonic Snare Drum – The Most Recorded Drum of All Time

The LM400 Supraphonic is said to be the most recorded snare drum in history. Produced widely since the 1960s, it was the definitive choice for professional drummers back then and remains so even today.

Though it’s only five inches in-depth, the drum’s thin seamless aluminum shell provides plenty of body for most musical applications. This is often a perfect snare drum for players on the go, as it’s more compact and provides a sound perfect for whatever a gig can throw at you. Whether you’re playing jazz with brushes in a small pub or playing an incredibly loud rock gig in a giant arena, this snare will serve you well.

Specifications

• 1.7mm Seamless Aluminum Shell
• 2.3mm Steel Triple Flanged Hoops
• P88AC Throw Off
• P35P Butt Plate
• Ludwig Weather Master Medium Coated Head
• Ludwig Weather Master Clear Snare Side Head
• 10 Lugs

Pros

• Classic design provides ultimate versatility
• 5″ depth is more compact than deeper models
• Lightweight aluminum construction

Cons

• Shorter depth has less midrange and low sounds than deeper models

Ludwig LM404 14×5″ Acrolite Snare Drum – Classic Sound at an Affordable Price

If you’re looking for the high-end sound of a Ludwig LM400 Supraphonic at an economical price, then check out the Ludwig LM404 Acrolite. It has the same exact shell as the Supraphonic. Still, it comes in versions with a natural aluminum finish or a durable painted Black Galaxy finish (as pictured above).

The LM404 was often the snare drum choice of public school band departments across the United States from the 1960s through the early 2000s, which makes finding a used drum online easy. This makes purchasing a Ludwig snare drum the most economical way, but don’t think you’re skimping out on anything just because the price is right. This drum provides all the tones of every other classic Ludwig snare model.

When buying used, always confirm that the drum’s plastic heads (both top and bottom) aren’t dented or torn. Make sure the drum’s throw-off and butt plate (parts that hold the snare wires and turn them on or off) are in working order too. The throw-off lever should slide easily without having to apply much physical force.

If parts need replacement over time, remember that Ludwig has used universal parts for these drums since the 1960s. They’re still available brand new today. The P85 throw-off and the P32 butt plate can be found readily online, and most local musical instrument shops should be able to help install these replacement parts as needed.

Even though these drums are only available pre-owned and necessitate the maintenance of an aging drum, remember that the Acrolite provides the same sound as Ludwig’s professional models, and it comes with the same American-made craftsmanship. This drum is the perfect first snare for any beginner, it’s a great gigging snare for the intermediate player, and it’s a studio mainstay for professionals too.

Specifications

• 1.7mm Seamless Aluminum Shell
• 1.6mm Steel Triple Flanged Hoops
• P85 Throw Off
• P32 Butt Plate
• Ludwig Weather Master Medium Coated Head
• Ludwig Weather Master Clear Snare Side Head
• 8 Lugs

Pros

• Classic Ludwig sound at an economical price
• Durable Black Galaxy finish on 90’s models

Cons

• Used drums may need cleaning and replacement drum heads or wires
• Aging part components may need replacement

Ludwig LS908 14×5.5″ Legacy Mahogany Jazz Festival Snare Drum – The Classic Wood Snare Sound

Ringo Starr made the LS908 Jazz Festival snare famous after using it while The Beatles performed on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. The drum comes in a variety of finishes, including Ringo’s personal Vintage Black Oyster wrap (pictured above), which helps you personalize the look of the snare with your personal tastes.

Sound-wise, the drum combines warmth and open tones to create the quintessential wood snare drum sound. The Jazz Festival’s three-ply mahogany shell offers a darker tone, curbing high frequencies, but the reduced lug count (with eight on either side) lets the drum ring for a longer amount of time after it is hit. This combination makes it the perfect choice for drummers who want a vintage wood snare tone but need the modern dependability of a new drum.

The Jazz Festival has been produced in some form for more than 60 years. That means Ludwig has had over six decades to improve upon the original iconic design. The modern shell offers best-in-class durability. The P88AC throw-off is dependable and silent in operation, which means you don’t have to worry about the drum squeaking as you turn the snare wires off and on during a performance. And the parts, just like all Ludwig drums, are easily replaceable if anything goes awry. Rest assured, if you choose a Jazz Festival for your next snare, you’ll get a drum that will be useable for many decades to come.

Specifications

• 3-Ply Mahogany/Poplar/Mahogany Shell
• 1/4″ Solid Maple Reinforcement Rings
• Reso-Coat Interior Finish
• 3-Step Baseball Bat Tone-Control
• 2.3mm Steel Triple Flanged Hoops
• P88AC Throw Off
• P35P Butt Plate
• Ludwig Weather Master Medium Coated Head
• Ludwig Weather Master Clear Snare Side Head
• 8 Lugs

Pros

• Classic design provides vintage wood snare drum tones
• Modern, durable construction
• Easily replaceable parts

Cons

• Mahogany shell provides specific sound qualities that might not fit every musical situation

FAQs

The Final Word: What Is the Best Ludwig Snare Drum?

Choosing the right snare drum largely comes down to your budget and the needs of the music you’re playing. If you’re looking for an economical option that provides the classic Ludwig tone everyone loves, grab an LM404 Acrolite.

If you’re looking for a modern classic, then consider purchasing a brand new LB417 Black Beauty. It’s the loudest of all the snares discussed here, and its brass shell provides a complex sound loved by live and studio drummers alike.

The definitive choice for the most versatile drum has to go to the LM402 Supraphonic, though. Its little brother, the LM400, set the stage for the Ludwig Supraphonic line in the 1960s. Today, the added depth on the LM402 provides extra mid-range and low end to the classic Ludwig snare sound, which makes it perfect for any drummer. And when you combine that snare with different drum heads or snare wires, you’ll find it’s a chameleon. It will transform to suit any musical situation just right, so check it out if you’re looking for the ultimate Ludwig snare drum.