Over the years, vintage snare drums such as the Slingerland Radio King and Ludwig Black Beauty have become favorites of players and producers alike for their superior tone and retro aesthetics. However, their old-school mojo can come at a pretty hefty price.
Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable options out there for budget-conscious drummers who’d rather not spend a whole kit’s worth of cash on a single snare. We took three prime examples from Ludwig’s classic 1970s era and put them head-to-head so you can decide which one is right for your sound and budget.
LM400 Supraphonic 5x14”
LM400 Supraphonic 5x14”
The “Supra” is practically a household name, and for good reason: it’s arguably the most recorded snare in history. Thanks to the likes of Hal Blaine, Joe Morello, John Bonham and other legendary players, the Supraphonic’s distinctive hollow sweetness can be heard on countless hits and is essentially the “gold standard” against which all other snare sounds are compared. If you’re out to capture that classic tone of the ‘60s and ‘70s, there’s really no substitute for this drum.
Introduced in 1958 under the name “Super Ludwig,” the Supra initially sported a chrome-over-brass shell before switching to aluminum and adopting its current moniker in the early ‘60s. Since then, it has remained relatively unchanged, and is still in production today.
The Supraphonic is generally the highest-priced of the three drums we’re looking at. An early ‘60s pre-serial Keystone badge model with a brass shell in pristine condition could set you back well over $700. However, many aluminum-shelled Keystone badge models from the ‘60s can be had for around $400- and Blue & Olive badge models from the '70s-'80s typically go for even less.
LM404 Acrolite 5x14”
LM404 Acrolite Galaxy 5x14”
Though billed as a “student” snare drum, the Acrolite (or “Acro”) shares the same center-beaded aluminum shell as the Supraphonic. However, Acros have a slightly drier sound thanks to lighter-gauge hoops and 8 lug construction. These drums respond well to a bit of muffling and sport a satisfying “crack,” fairly muted overtones, and great sensitivity. In addition, a no-nonsense rugged finish makes it an excellent choice for those gigs when the collector-grade stuff is best left at home.
The Acrolite is still in production, sporting a bare aluminum shell similar to that of the 1960s models. The original brushed finish was superseded by a tougher (albeit slightly less visually appealing) painted grey finish in the ‘70s, and again by the Black Galaxy “Blackrolite” in the 1990s.
Much like the Supra, Acrolites produced between the ‘70s and ‘90s are the most affordable. Most listings come in under $200, and blue moon deals can be just north of $100. Some players may find the 1.6mm hoops on these drums a bit flimsy and “hollow” sounding, but swapping in some 2.3mm or die-cast rims is a fairly cheap upgrade that puts this drum within striking distance of much more expensive models.
S-102 Standard 5x14”
S-102 Standard Aluminum 5x14”
The Standard line was launched in the late 1960s in an attempt to compete with Japanese-made budget kits. Though they weren’t as sturdy or customizable, the Standard wood drums boasted the same 3-ply reinforced shells as Ludwig’s high-end series.
Similarly, the S-102 Standard metal snare featured a seamless aluminum shell like those found on the company’s pro-level models. The Standard, much like the Acrolite, also has lightweight hardware and 8 tuning lugs, but didn’t incorporate a center bead into the shell. In regards to finish, two options were available: chrome or painted grey.
The Standard snare is a perfect vintage drum for the gigging pro or budget-minded player. It’s bright, crisp, and full of that likable Ludwig character while offering enough sensitivity and clarity to be at home in any genre. Though these drums aren’t quite as common, they’re very affordable—usually available for less than $200.
With these three snares, you’ll net classic Ludwig tone, sturdy hardware appointments, and stylish retro aesthetics, all within the reach of virtually any budget. Being some of the most widely-used drums of their era, they’re all relatively easy to find (same goes for replacement parts). Check them out on Reverb today and give your sound a vintage flavor without breaking the bank.