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Vintage or Modern Black Beauty – Which One Would You Choose?

Nick Costa

4,234 views

The Black Beauty is one of the most iconic snare drums in history, but how much has it changed over the decades? In this #SnareSaturday ™ video, I compare a vintage Ludwig Black Beauty snare drum to a modern Ludwig Black Beauty to determine if there's a real difference in sound.

You'll hear both drums played back-to-back to help you decide: Is the vintage Black Beauty better, Or has Ludwig improved the design over time? Whether you're a drummer, gear enthusiast, or vintage drum lover, this is a comparison you won't want to miss.

Gear Featured:
Ludwig LB417BT 6.5X14 Snare Drum (Modern) - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/LKyXKM
Ludwig LB417 6.5X14 Snare Drum (Vintage) - Bringing a Ludwig Black Beauty Back To Life!

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Wanna hear the drums through a few more tunings? Check out the older #snaresaturday videos featuring each drum:
Modern Black Beauty - I Can’t Believe a Viewer Sent Me This Snar...
Vintage Black Beauty - Bringing a Ludwig Black Beauty Back To Life!
Check the Snare Saturday playlist here - Snare Saturday™

Support the Channel by liking the video or using the affiliate links below:
My Preferred Snare Heads:
• Remo Ambassador X Coated (Top) - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/o44oE9
• Remo Ambassador Snare Side (Bottom) - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/2aaVxO
Alternative Snare Drum Head
• Remo CS Dot Coated (Top) - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/N992dK
My Preferred Sticks:
• Vic Firth F1 Sticks - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/K00yRx
Some Accessories You Should Check Out:
• Canopus Bolt Tight - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/9LLy1y
• Canopus Red Lock Tuning Locks - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/kOOJnN
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• Ludwig Throw-off/Butt Plate kit (chrome) - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/e11koz
• Protect Your Hearing While You Practice - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/gOOa99

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Travel Tripod - https://bhpho.to/3Xi9tWQ
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• Ludwig Drums - https://Ludwig-drums.com
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• Prologix Percussion - https://prologixpercussion.com/
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• Pro Drum Class - https://prodrumclass.com

Music by:
St. Brendan (drums performed by Nick) - https://open.spotify.com/artist/1qyUa...

Time Stamps
00:00 - Intro
01:04 - Modern Black Beauty Specs
02:01 - Vintage Black Beauty Specs
03:43 - I’m on #teamwater , and you should be too!
04:51 - Playing example rundown
05:09 - Low Tuning
07:19 - Medium-Low Tuning
09:06 - Medium Tuning
10:48 - Medium-High Tuning
12:55 - High Tuning
14:26 - Cranked Tuning
16:09 - Vintage or Modern - What was your favorite?
16:23 - 1 thing that stood out while playing
17:06 - Closing Remarks

Vintage or Modern Black Beauty – Which One Would You Choose?
#ludwigdrums #drums #snaredrum #snaresaturday

20 Comments

@NickCostaMusic Creator 1 year ago Pinned

Which one sounds better to YOU — the vintage or the modern Black Beauty? 🥁👇
Let me know what you’re hearing — tone, sensitivity, projection… I want your take!
And if you’ve played both, tell us which you prefer and why. Let’s settle this debate once and for all!

@alsdrumhang 1 year ago

You can hear the bite and brightness of the new snare versus the warmth and control of the vintage - I'd have them both though!

@Spagz 1 year ago

I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of these videos. I also appreciate all the goodies you sent! That's the biggest drum key I ever saw. 😂😂
As we all said in the live chat, the modern had more bite and ring for sure. As @alsdrumhang said, the vintage sounds almost pre-eq'ed. Maybe that internal dampener was making contact. It did sound dampened. Also as @wadedixon said, the lugs dry it out a bit too. Great comparison video!

@edgardotoro-quinones6581 1 year ago (edited)

Well, they both sound great, nice warm and round tone...🥁 Having said that, there seems to be a difference in shell material and, it can be heard...now, let's talk about those diecast hoops. I own several snare drums outfitted with said hoops, Ex., my Gretsch Bronze snare, came factory equipped with said hoops, I also have purchased diecasts separately for two other snares, and although they physically look similar and for the most part, feel similar as well, I've noticed that, when tapped with a drumstick, they have different tone, not a bad thing just, different...some have a longer sustain or a higher pitched or, a drier sound, etc. So, combining this awesome drums with diecast hoops, definitely contributes to the overall sound. Now, it would be interesting if Nick, yes U my friend, if at all possible, maybe, swap hoops and see how, if in anyway, this affects the overall sound d....also, the lugs are different on both drums and the tube lugs definitely give the drum a more open and airy overall sound.

I personally prefer a medium, medium-high tuning but both this drums are capable of a wide range of tunings as, Nick has already demonstrated.

Happy drumming everyone 🥁

@tedfarfsing3217 3 months ago

I have a 6.5x14 bb with die cast hoops with a internal muffler that I installed and the snare sounds awesome with the muffler pad barely touching the top head I've owned many snares in my time and the bb is the best thank you for a fine demonstration

@chrisambrose6869 1 year ago

Awesome comparison again

@deejaaywalker2314 2 months ago

The "B" stamp can mean brass or bronze, depending on the year. It's not always clear, but people are clamoring for a rare bronze if they can get one. Ludwig switched to stamping "BR" and "BZ" around '92 or so to help differentiate between the two. My feeling is the vintage one shown/played here is bronze. It would be if it was late 80s early 90s as described in the video. It's a tad drier than the brass as would be expected between the two metals. Some of that could come down to tube lugs versus heavier Imperial lugs, though. I would have liked to hear the comparison made with both having Imperial lugs to eliminate that difference and gain clarity. Having sound samples flip between the two drums at each tuning multiple times could help, but I sincerely applaud your effort and outstanding playing. I always enjoy your videos and passion for all things drum related, Nick!

@chrisambrose6869 1 year ago (edited)

I love the tune bot settings too. That’s a huge help to me. The vintage sounds dryer or less ring which I like.

@Totally-Not-A-Cop 1 month ago

Dude those toms and bass drum sound fucking amazing.

The best kit I’ve ever heard in person is the kit the Gradwell House house kit for recording.

This may sound better.

WOW.

@Spagz 1 year ago

Awesome! 😄

@DustOne13 1 year ago

I think the vintage BB is a bronze shell, it sounds warm and dry. Also, between 87-92 (I believe) Ludwig Black Beauty were bronze shell.

@dougosborn547 1 year ago

I personally prefer the vintage Black Beauties but have never owned one due to their extreme cost and the headache of finding original period correct parts for repairs. I own a 5" X 14" Black Beauty and an 8" X 14" Black Beauty, both B-stock drums for practicality. If you want a vintage Black Beauty for the sound but with a modern build get the Joyful Noise TKO snare. I have a TKO and it is amazing! It is what every Black Beauty ought to sound like! Props to Curt Waltrip at Joyful Noise.

@Claes_Isacson 1 year ago (edited)

Just missed the premiere - again… Oh well, I think the vintage drum feels a tad more ”dry” than the new one. Less overtones. They both sound great though. The higher tunings are my fave on both drums. Thanks @Spagz & @Nick Costa for sharing! 👏👏🥁🥁

@Claes_Isacson 1 year ago

Just missed the premiere - again… Oh well, I think the vintage drum feels a tad more ”dry” than the new one. Less overtones. They both sound great though. Thanks @Spagz & @Nick Costa for sharing! 👏👏🥁🥁

@oscara.garcia5136 10 months ago

I wonder if the Vintage sounds more focused because of the bigger Lugs.....but truthfully a BB is a BB, I love them both, I just got one about 4 years ago brand new ,with the Imperial lugs ,one snare drum i will never let go ever. It's so silky smooth

@luisondrums1 1 year ago

Nick, per my contact inside Ludwig,, the vintage one is Bronze. You have found a Gem and hard to find snare. Very sought after today. when Ludwig was sold to Conn Selmer for a brief time period, they used to my understanding, the same components for trombones and trumpets. And came up 1st with the bronze series, In 1988 the Bronze beauty was 1st seen after it's 8 year hiatus. I hope this helps.

@javiergonzalezthedrummer 1 year ago

I am a strong believer in the powers of snare wires, and the huge difference they can make. I also think the wires on the "vintage" BB are shut, making it difficult to really hear the resonance of the drum. However, if that vintage BB is a Bronze one, it would make sense for it to lack the bite and brightness of the current model. Hard to tell. Good video though.

@michelpitre1711 1 year ago

Very nice drumming Nick! The tubes lugs make a huge difference and the top head are not the same. Where does the difference come from ? Both sound good.

@BrentonDrums 1 year ago

What are the differences in the bearing edges?

@mwdollar 8 months ago

I like the newer one a little better, but would also not call the older snare "vintage". I'd consider early 80's (blue and olive badge) or before vintage. The newer one is just stunning in person; videos do not do it justice. I'd like to hear a 70's BB against that new one as they would have different shells, lugs, and hoops. Tasty playing as always :)