The 14x6.5 Ludwig Black Beauty Hammered Snare Drum (LB417K) features a seamless, beaded, hammered 1.2mm black nickel plated brass shell with 45 degree bearing edges, 10 double-ended Imperial lugs, 2.3mm triple-flanged hoops, P88AC throw-off, P35P butt plate, 18-strand Ludwig snare wires, Ludwig Coated Weather Master batter drumhead, Ludwig Clear Weather Master snare side drumhead, polished hammered black nickel finish, chrome hardware, and Ludwig Keystone badge.

One of the primary reasons Ludwig is "The Most Famous Name On Drums" is the legendary Black Beauty Snare Drum. The drum is constructed of a single sheet of brass that is machine drawn into a seamless beaded shell. Due to their truly unique and difficult manufacturing process, only a very limited number of Black Beauties are available each year from Ludwig USA. A true American original, the Black Beauty provides a warm, round metallic tone that is often imitated, but never duplicated.