Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Couple of quick Ludwig Supraphonic Questions.

HeavyG · 2nd July 2008

Jimmy,
Supra's are one of the members of the snare drum hall of fame. Great choice. As for chrome plating...chrome plating pits and degrades over time regardless of the underlying material...but brass adds a special character to the Supra since they don't mesh very well in metalurgist terms with the chrome plating. That said, I have never seen a COB Supra in poor visual condition...they just look like a 35 year drum should. Finely aged.

Regarding your size question...I own a newer (8 years old) 6.5 x 14 hand hammered tube lugged Ludwig Black Beauty which has many of the same characteristics as a Supraphonic. As far as difference in tone between shallow and deep snares...the laws of physics say that the deeper drum will have a slightly lower fundamental pitch but should project a little more. The shallower drum will have a shorter decay and a higher fundamental pitch, so it should sound a bit crisper. This all goes out the window when you factor in heads, tuning, player, etc. I have heard fat drums that sound thin and vice versa...just listen to Matt Chamberlin's piccolo snare on Wallflowers "One Headlight" and you will know what I mean...that thing sounds HUGE.

What does this mean? You will have a world class drum that can adapt to any number of requirements in the studio or live. You can't ask for more than that ...but if you had to chose one...the shallower snare may be a bit more versatile (again on paper).

2nd July 2008	#30
HeavyG Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 821	Supra Jimmy, Supra's are one of the members of the snare drum hall of fame. Great choice. As for chrome plating...chrome plating pits and degrades over time regardless of the underlying material...but brass adds a special character to the Supra since they don't mesh very well in metalurgist terms with the chrome plating. That said, I have never seen a COB Supra in poor visual condition...they just look like a 35 year drum should. Finely aged. Regarding your size question...I own a newer (8 years old) 6.5 x 14 hand hammered tube lugged Ludwig Black Beauty which has many of the same characteristics as a Supraphonic. As far as difference in tone between shallow and deep snares...the laws of physics say that the deeper drum will have a slightly lower fundamental pitch but should project a little more. The shallower drum will have a shorter decay and a higher fundamental pitch, so it should sound a bit crisper. This all goes out the window when you factor in heads, tuning, player, etc. I have heard fat drums that sound thin and vice versa...just listen to Matt Chamberlin's piccolo snare on Wallflowers "One Headlight" and you will know what I mean...that thing sounds HUGE. What does this mean? You will have a world class drum that can adapt to any number of requirements in the studio or live. You can't ask for more than that ...but if you had to chose one...the shallower snare may be a bit more versatile (again on paper). __________________ Nelly Drummer, Vocalist, Project Studio Stunt Pilot “My vocation is more in composition really than anything else - building up harmonies using the guitar, orchestrating the guitar like an army, a guitar army.” Jimmy Page