After using my 1925 Black Beauty Scroll for 40 years, I decided to "retire" it started searching for a replacement. I bought the Brass on Brass and have absolutely no regrets. Changing head styles and snares can give you any sound you are looking for. With an Aquarian Focus-X and a 1 mil snare side the articulation is clean, crisp and sensitive at all volumes. We play indoor dance dates and outdoor shows, and I never need to mike the drum to cut through the mix. The Millenium throw-off allows subtle adjustments on the fly. I lost two of the small screws in the throw-off the second year. Used lock-tite on the replacements and have had no problems since. I've shopped for snare drums for over 45 years, and this is the one I use.

Well, let me start by saying I am a 54 year old drummer, and have owned about every brand out there at one time or another, but have always been a Ludwig guy at heart. I have also always wanted a Black Beauty, but just could never afford one. For about 10 years I dropped out of drumming to start a family and work and all that stuff. Finally I found a reasonably good price on a Brass on Brass model and got it. What a beautiful thing to see, and an even more beautiful thing to play. I wondered about the lack of a damper, but after tuneing her up with a Dial and leaving the Ambassador heads that came on her, I was jaw dropping awed. It sounded great, with tons of snap and pop. And loud, and cutting, and did not need any damping at all. I went one step further, and sent the shell to John Aldridge to have her engraved in the 1920's ocean or scroll pattern. I've had her bck a couple of weeks now, but man, what a piece of beauty, art, musicallity, I simply can't sing her praises high enough. Anyone who has anything bad to say about this drum simply has buyer's remorse, or just doesn't understand what they have in their hands. With the right heads, snares and tuning, this drum can be anything you want it to be. Buy one and don't ever look back. It's one of those items that once you have it, your search for a better one is over..........buy it, now....that's an order!!

This snare makes engineers happy. It makes me happy too. An endorsed drummer wanted it. This is a fantastic snare.

I bought this drum a while back. I was so surprised, because I wanted to own the legendary Black Beauty and I wanted an upscale version. This drum was so bad out of the box I couldn't believe it. It would not sit flat on a counter top, would not tune up (it was out of alignment), the plating was half worn off, and it sounded like a wet paper box. I returned it the day I received it after waiting 7 months from ordering. I went back to DW and the quality is light years ahead of this product. I hate to say it (I'm 50 years old) I really understand why Ludwig lost their position in the marketplace.