The Ludwig 14x5 Black Beauty Hammered Snare Drum with Tube Lugs (LB416KT) features a seamless, beaded 1.2mm hammered black nickel plated brass shell with 45-degree bearing edges, 10 double-ended tube lugs, 2.3mm triple-flanged hoops, P88AC throw-off, P35P butt plate, Ludwig 18-strand snare wires, Ludwig Coated Weather Master batter drumhead, Ludwig Clear Weather Master snare side drumhead, a polished hammered black nickel finish, chrome hardware, and Ludwig Keystone badge.
One of the primary reasons Ludwig is "The Most Famous Name On Drums" is the legendary Black Beauty Snare Drum. The drum is constructed of a single sheet of brass that is machine drawn into a seamless beaded shell. However, due to their truly unique and difficult manufacturing process, only a very limited number of Black Beauties are available each year from Ludwig USA. A true American original, the Black Beauty provides a warm, round metallic tone that is often imitated, but never duplicated.