This is a great question and I'd love to hear what other folks have to say about this. I've only played the aluminum Ludalloy Supras, and to my ear, they sound drier and not as warm/round as a cob drum (I play a Gretsh 4160 sometimes, too). The feel and snare response isn't quite as nice as a brass drum either.

I will say that in my experience, there is just something magical about the Supra under a microphone (maybe it's all those recordings that have put the sound of that drum in our subconscious). When comparing it to other drums by ear, the Supra is inferior, but when under a mic in the studio, there is just something special about those drums. A lot of folks swear by the cob Supras...I'd love to play one some day.

I have 2 60's COB supers. 1 in 14x5 and an SS 14x6.5. Both keystone badge. Both c++p. Sorry but my 60's Acrolite and my 60's Supra are brilliant and function right in the pocket of where I want a snare to be. I'm keeping them because all you vintage drummers out there insist on the mist of magic with them and will part with ever increasing money for them. One day I'll just cash in.

On saying that. My 78 Black beauty 14x6.5 is a Warhorse! Phat as ............. Cost me a pretty penny but it's helped to earn my supper for the last 4 years. I love it.

OK, so SS is a no go for me too. It's all well and good for light playing, but not great as a back beat snare to really wallop.

Thanks for all the input. I was referring to the aluminum Supra, of course. The brass one is way out of my budget! I really liked the Sound King as well, but the Zoomatic strainer was a mess. Already dealing with Gretsch lightning strainer issues, so I'd prefer a snare with a solid and easily replaceable strainer (or one that has hole patterns that match a modern one so I don't have to drill it).

I recommend a 60s keystone badge Supra with the P-83 strainer. It is simple, yet very effective. The holes match with the later issued P-85 (as seen on later year Supras with Blue and Olive badges), which is still being used by Ludwig on many snares. Another option is a 70s Blue and Olive badge Supra with the P-85 or even a new Supraphonic with the P-85 (I know, some die hard vintage guys may find this to be a sacrilege). I sometimes use a newer 6.5x14 Supra and once performed an A/B comparison with it and a vintage drum of the same specs...I actually preferred the newer drum. You can usually find them used for a very reasonable price.

A new one is quite different from a 60s one with COB hoops.

Sonically, to me there is a certain neutral sound, not as colored as some brass drums, but with a unique presence nonetheless. The COB (top) hoop adds a certain brass color to the off center rimshot sound, later COS hoops have a slightly heavier, less open sound to my ear, still classic.

I agree we're conditioned to a degree by the amount of great drumming we've heard on Supras. Still, all those great drummers could have chosen other drums, and they didn't.

SebCo, I agree and like how you described the sound of the cob hoops on the 60s drums. I've played a few Ludwig snares (with both metal and wood shells) with cob hoops and they did sound great. A distinctive difference in sound. My A/B comparison of a new vs. vintage Supra was done with a 70s drum with cos hoops. Part of my recommendation was based on price, but if price wasn't a huge factor, I definitely prefer a Supra with cob hoops. I also love the P-83 strainer on the 60s drums.

Yes, absolutely. My 14.5 COB is similar. Nice on the light stuff but seems to bottom out when it gets heavier.

I forgot to mention I have a 70's 402. Now thats a lovely drum, has so much tone but not much volume. maybe its just that drum, Bonham seemed to get on with his.

I've owned several supras over the years and there was a time I didn't give them much thought, but now I've come to appreciate their sound. I've been gigging a lot more in the last few years and the supra has never let me down. We all know how different a drum can sound in different rooms, the supra sounds good no matter what venue, miced, unmiced, whatever, it delivers. I've used other snares and although they all sounded good, they were not near as versatile. I'm on the hunt for another supra, I suggest you do the same.