Ludwig Acrolite LM405C 14" x 6.5" Aluminium Snare Drum
The Ludwig Acrolite LM405C 14" x 6.5" Aluminium Snare Drum takes one of Ludwig's most celebrated snare designs and gives it the additional body and depth of a 6.5" shell. Made in the USA with a 1.6mm seamless brushed aluminium shell, the LM405C delivers the dry, crisp and articulate response that has made the Acrolite a favourite with drummers for generations.
Originally introduced in 1963 as a student snare, the Ludwig Acrolite quickly developed a reputation far beyond its original purpose. Its lightweight aluminium shell produces a beautifully controlled sound with a distinctive dry crack, excellent sensitivity and fewer aggressive overtones than many brighter metal snares.
At 14" x 6.5", the LM405C adds extra body and low-end presence to the classic Acrolite character, creating an incredibly versatile professional snare for live performance, recording and everyday playing.
The Legendary Ludwig Acrolite Sound
The Ludwig Acrolite has earned its reputation through simplicity and a genuinely useful sound.
Its aluminium shell produces a dry, focused and articulate response with excellent sensitivity. There's enough metallic character and projection to cut through a mix, but without the excessive brightness or ring sometimes associated with steel snares.
The deeper 6.5" LM405C takes that classic Acrolite voice and adds additional body.
Ghost notes remain crisp and detailed, while harder rimshots and backbeats produce plenty of punch and projection. Tune it higher for a tight, articulate crack or bring the tuning down to make the most of the additional depth and body of the 6.5" shell.
1.6mm Seamless Aluminium Shell
At the heart of the LM405C Acrolite is a 1.6mm seamless aluminium shell with Ludwig's classic centre bead and brushed finish.
Aluminium is naturally lighter and more controlled than many other metal shell materials, producing a balanced response with excellent articulation and relatively controlled overtones.
Rather than covering the shell in chrome plating, as Ludwig does with the Supraphonic, the Acrolite retains its distinctive brushed aluminium finish.
It's a simple design, but one that has developed a huge following among drummers looking for a musical, dependable and extremely versatile snare.
14" x 6.5" – A Deeper Acrolite
The LM405C measures 14" x 6.5", providing additional depth and body compared with the classic 5" deep Acrolite.
That deeper shell creates a fuller fundamental tone and additional low-end presence while retaining the quick response and controlled character associated with aluminium.
For players who love the classic dry Acrolite sound but want a little more weight behind their backbeat, the 6.5" LM405C is a fantastic choice.
Classic Ludwig Twin Bowtie Lugs
The LM405C features 10 classic Ludwig Twin Bowtie lugs, finished in chrome against the brushed aluminium shell.
The Bowtie lug design is an important part of the classic Acrolite appearance and immediately distinguishes the drum from Ludwig's Imperial-lug Supraphonic models.
These are paired with 2.3mm steel triple-flanged hoops, helping retain an open and responsive feel while providing plenty of attack for rimshots and cross-stick playing.
Ludwig P88AC Throw-Off
The current LM405C specification features Ludwig's P88AC throw-off paired with the P35P butt plate.
This provides smooth, dependable adjustment of the snare wires and brings the current Acrolite hardware specification in line with Ludwig's modern professional snare range.
Combined with the 10 Bowtie lugs and triple-flanged hoops, it's a simple but seriously capable hardware setup.
Acrolite vs Supraphonic – What's the Difference?
The Ludwig Acrolite and Supraphonic are closely related, and both are famous for their aluminium shells, but they're not the same drum.
The Acrolite LM405C uses a brushed seamless aluminium shell with classic Bowtie lugs, giving it its distinctive understated appearance and dry, controlled character.
The 14" x 6.5" LM402 Supraphonic also uses a seamless aluminium shell but adds Ludwig's chrome-plated finish and Imperial lugs.
Both offer the sensitivity, articulation and versatility associated with Ludwig aluminium snares, but the Acrolite has developed its own following for its simple construction and famously dry, cracking response.
Acrolite vs Supralite – What's the Difference?
Despite the similar names, the Acrolite and Supralite use different shell materials.
The Ludwig Acrolite LM405C uses aluminium, producing a relatively dry, focused and controlled response.
The Ludwig Supralite uses steel, giving it a brighter, livelier and more cutting character.
If you're looking for a controlled metal snare with excellent sensitivity, the Acrolite is a fantastic choice. If you prefer a brighter and more aggressive metal snare attack, the Supralite may be more suitable.
From Student Drum to Professional Favourite
The Acrolite was originally introduced by Ludwig in 1963 as a student snare drum, but its distinctive sound soon found favour with professional players.
What started as a relatively simple aluminium snare became one of Ludwig's most recognisable designs.
Its combination of a dry attack, controlled overtones, sensitivity and wide tuning range makes the Acrolite particularly useful in recording environments, where a snare that sits naturally within a mix can be incredibly valuable.
The modern LM405C 14x6.5 Acrolite retains that classic character while offering the additional depth and body of a deeper shell.
Ludwig Acrolite LM405C Specifications
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Brand: Ludwig
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Series: Acrolite
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Model: LM405C
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Type: Acoustic Snare Drum
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Size: 14" x 6.5"
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Diameter: 14"
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Depth: 6.5"
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Shell Material: Aluminium
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Shell Thickness: 1.6mm
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Shell Construction: Seamless aluminium
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Shell Style: Smooth, beaded shell
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Shell Finish: Brushed aluminium
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Hardware Finish: Chrome
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Lugs: 10 Ludwig Twin Bowtie lugs
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Hoops: 2.3mm steel triple-flanged hoops
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Throw-Off: Ludwig P88AC
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Butt Plate: Ludwig P35P
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Badge: Ludwig Blue/Olive badge
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Made in: USA
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Manufacturer Product Code: LM405C
Ludwig Acrolite LM405C FAQs
What is the Ludwig LM405C?
The Ludwig LM405C is the 14" x 6.5" smooth-shell version of the classic Ludwig Acrolite snare drum. It features a seamless brushed aluminium shell, 10 Bowtie lugs and chrome hardware.
What is the Ludwig Acrolite made from?
The LM405C features a 1.6mm seamless aluminium shell with a brushed finish.
Aluminium gives the Acrolite its characteristic combination of dry attack, sensitivity, controlled overtones and musical response.
Is the Ludwig Acrolite aluminium or steel?
The Ludwig Acrolite has an aluminium shell, not steel.
The similarly named Ludwig Supralite uses a steel shell, while the Acrolite and classic Supraphonic models use aluminium.
What does a Ludwig Acrolite sound like?
The Acrolite is known for a dry, crisp and articulate snare sound with controlled overtones.
It remains highly sensitive at lower dynamics but can produce plenty of punch and projection when played harder, which is one of the reasons it has become such a popular studio and live snare.
What is the difference between the Ludwig LM405C and LM404C?
The main difference is shell depth.
The LM405C measures 14" x 6.5", while the LM404C is the shallower 14" x 5" Acrolite.
The 5" version generally provides a quicker and slightly more focused response, while the 6.5" LM405C offers additional body and depth.
What is the difference between the Ludwig Acrolite and Supraphonic?
Both use Ludwig aluminium shell construction, but the classic Acrolite features a brushed aluminium finish and Bowtie lugs, while the Supraphonic has its instantly recognisable chrome-plated finish and Imperial lugs.
The Acrolite is particularly associated with a dry, cracking response, while the Supraphonic is one of Ludwig's premium professional snare designs.
What is the difference between an Acrolite and Supralite?
The key difference is the shell material.
The Ludwig Acrolite uses aluminium, while the Ludwig Supralite uses steel.
The Acrolite generally has a drier and more controlled character, while the steel Supralite produces a brighter, livelier attack with more aggressive projection.
What lugs does the LM405C use?
The Ludwig LM405C features 10 chrome Twin Bowtie lugs. These are an important part of the classic Acrolite appearance.
What hoops are fitted to the Ludwig Acrolite LM405C?
The LM405C features 2.3mm steel triple-flanged hoops, providing an open and responsive feel with plenty of rimshot and cross-stick attack.
What throw-off does the current Ludwig Acrolite use?
The current LM405C specification uses Ludwig's P88AC throw-off paired with a P35P butt plate.
Is the Ludwig Acrolite good for recording?
Yes. The Acrolite is an excellent studio snare thanks to its controlled overtones, sensitivity and dry aluminium character.
It can sit naturally within a recorded mix without requiring excessive damping, while still providing plenty of character and articulation.
Is the Ludwig Acrolite good for rock?
Yes. The 14" x 6.5" LM405C has enough body and projection for powerful rock backbeats while retaining the articulation and controlled response for which the Acrolite is known.
What styles of music suit the Ludwig Acrolite?
The Acrolite is extremely versatile and works well for rock, indie, pop, funk, soul, jazz, blues and studio recording.
Its wide tuning range means it can cover everything from a tight, dry snare sound to a fuller, deeper backbeat.
Is the Ludwig Acrolite made in the USA?
Yes. The current Ludwig Acrolite is made in Monroe, North Carolina, USA.
Why is the Ludwig Acrolite so popular?
The Acrolite combines a relatively simple aluminium-shell design with a remarkably useful sound. Its dry attack, controlled overtones, sensitivity and wide tuning range have made it popular with both professional drummers and recording engineers, despite originally being introduced as a student instrument.
