Ludwig LM402 Supra Phonic Snare

This might not be interesting for new generation. I began playing drums 45 years ago behind the iron curtain. We listened to rock heroes like Led Zep, Deep Purple e.t.c., yes the records were shared and bartered on black market and we tried to aproach the style, technique and sound of them. On weekend venues, if allowed, the bands like ours were highly appreciated even if the skills were uncomparable lower, the sound then terrible.
The drums sound were always in my focus, but the Ludwig snare not only out of my budget but out of my imagination. The local company served the market with the birch 14”x5” and plastic drumhead and I was happy to play that.
Later I quit playing for some time, and when I started again I was happy with maple snare good brand and thought this serves my needs. What a fool I was. When I bought LM402 I found two things, first I finaly got the sound I had on my mind since I was 15, second I have to improve my snare technique, because what this THING is offering in a way of expression and feeling is more then I can. I am looking forward every time I can touch and hit this snare. Believe me or not, I found my sound and this was a long run.

I'm not going to add anything about this snare that already hasn't been said — we all know this classic! I recorded with an old one in a small studio once, it was a joy and it's been on my list since — so now I am a very happy owner.

I've enjoyed playing with it a lot so far, really enjoying that unmistakable crack and volume. I have been playing with the tuning a bit, getting familiar and trying to find something I truly like — I would echo another reviewer here and say that the stock heads are probably best replaced sooner rather than later. Presumably a lot of people do this, and I will do this myself soon when the local music shop opens again (greetings from lockdown Ireland).

For now, good enough. I'm excited to get to know this snare and cannot wait to whack it at a gig some time!

I bought this snare on recommendation.
It is a timeless classic no doubt, and records very well indeed.
It sounds good cranked up and really fat when tuned midrange.
It responds well to muffling and is great for light intricate stickwork and for heavy backbeat pounding.
The things that let it down are the stock heads - replace these immediately!
And the main problem is tuning, and getting it to stay in tune!
After looking at various drummer forums, I have decided at great expense, to invest in a complete set of Tightscrews. These will cost as much as a fifth again of the retail price!
Verdict:
An incredible sounding drum, with poor stock heads and notoriously hard to tune and keep in tune!

ATTENTION ALL ROCK DRUMMERS! If your an experienced rock drummer or just starting out in the world of rock drumming, and are going to part with your hard-earned cash and invest in a snare drum that will make a statement , then this is the drum you need. The reason? The LM402 Supraphonic is the very drum that probably the most influential rock drummer of all time used, the legendary John Bonham of Led Zeppelin! Its a chrome-plated aluminium shell that is suprisingly light in weight and has tension rods with rubber rings that stop them from falling out of the drum hoop when changing heads, a nice idea. A simple throw-off snare strainer for adjusting the snare wires and the trademark Ludwig badge is also included on the shell. As for the sound, being a metal shell it is very bright, lively and has a real crispness when playing ghost notes that makes it excellent when playing dynamics in a song. The overall tone and attack of the drum is a real blessing and is a versatile enough drum to be used in other genres of music outside of rock. Like on the great Led Zeppelin recordings, Bonham used this drum when playing different styles from Blues to folk, to funk and Heavy Rock.
A drum to make any drummer proud to own, this IS the sound that appears on the most hit recordings in history, and on that note, what more can you say?!!

The Ludwig Supra Phonic has been a classic for many decades now and for a good reason - it sounds fantastic! I mostly use the snare for recording and it does not disappoint - when tuned low and damped it projects that unmistakeable classic, thuddy tone, when tuned high - the crack and treble are glorious. The snare is loud and the tone nuances are marvelous - certainly a high end instrument and all the drummers I have worked with really liked the Supra Phonic. The build quality is excellent - smooth bearing edges, sturdy hoops, great geometry, high quality lugs - this snare is built to last. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a professional metal snare for recording or live shows.