Ludwig Universal Cherry LU6514CH 14" x 6.5" Snare Drum
The Ludwig Universal Cherry LU6514CH 14" x 6.5" Snare Drum brings something genuinely different to Ludwig's snare range, combining a 6-ply, 7.5mm Cherry wood shell with classic tube lugs and professional Ludwig snare hardware.
Cherry gives the LU6514CH a rich, punchy and full-bodied wood-snare character with plenty of tone behind the backbeat. Ludwig describes it as having a focused, throaty attack, with rimshots and cross-sticks that really bring out the tonal character of the Cherry shell.
Add in triple-flanged hoops, Ludwig's P88i throw-off, P35 butt plate and 18-strand snare wires, and you've got a seriously interesting 14x6.5 wood snare that's capable of covering everything from studio work to live pop, rock, funk and much more.
6-Ply 7.5mm Cherry Shell
At the heart of the LU6514CH is its 6-ply, 7.5mm Cherry wood shell.
Cherry isn't a material you see on every snare drum, and that's a big part of what makes this Universal model so interesting.
Ludwig describes the natural Cherry shell as producing plenty of tone and body alongside a focused, throaty attack.
It gives players looking beyond the usual maple, birch or metal-shell choices another genuinely different voice to add to the collection.
Deep 14" x 6.5" Dimensions
The 14" x 6.5" dimensions give the Universal Cherry plenty of body and depth.
At lower tunings, the deeper shell produces a substantial wood-snare backbeat with plenty of weight.
Medium tunings provide an excellent balance of body, attack and sensitivity.
Take the tuning higher and there's still plenty of definition available for more articulate playing.
It's an extremely versatile size for a main snare and works particularly well with the naturally full-bodied character of the Cherry shell.
Focused, Punchy Cherry Tone
The Cherry shell is the reason to choose this particular Universal model.
Ludwig describes it as delivering a focused, throaty attack with plenty of tone and body.
Rimshots and cross-stick sounds also benefit from the rich tonal characteristics of Cherry, making the LU6514CH particularly expressive when you're using the whole drum rather than simply playing centre hits.
If you've already got maple, aluminium, brass or steel snares in the collection, Cherry gives you something genuinely different.
Classic Tube Lugs
The Universal Cherry features Ludwig tube lugs, giving the drum a clean and slightly vintage-inspired appearance.
The minimalist tube-lug design also allows the natural Cherry shell to remain the visual focus of the drum.
Paired with chrome hardware, it creates a simple but premium-looking finish that works beautifully with the natural wood grain.
Triple-Flanged Hoops
The LU6514CH features triple-flanged hoops.
These provide plenty of definition for rimshots and cross-stick playing while retaining the open and responsive character you'd expect from a versatile wood snare.
They're particularly well suited to the Cherry shell, allowing plenty of its natural tone and resonance to come through.
Ludwig P88i Throw-Off
The Universal Cherry features Ludwig's P88i throw-off paired with a P35 butt plate.
The drum is also fitted with 18-strand snare wires, providing plenty of snare response without overwhelming the natural character of the wood shell.
It's a strong hardware specification for the Universal range and makes the LU6514CH ready for regular studio and live use.
Universal Cherry vs Classic Maple LS403
This is probably the most interesting Ludwig wood-snare comparison.
Both are 14x6.5 Ludwig wood snares, but their shell designs are very different.
The Universal Cherry uses a 6-ply, 7.5mm Cherry shell.
The Classic Maple LS403 uses Ludwig's 7-ply all-maple shell.
Classic Maple provides the familiar warmth, balance and versatility associated with maple.
The Universal Cherry gives you a less conventional wood choice with a rich, punchy character and the focused, throaty attack Ludwig associates with Cherry.
Choose Classic Maple if you want the established professional Ludwig maple sound.
Choose Universal Cherry if you're looking for something a little more unusual.
Universal Cherry vs Universal Mahogany
The Universal Mahogany provides a warmer alternative within the same wood-snare family.
Both use 14x6.5 shells and share the Universal hardware specification, but their shell materials are different.
The Cherry model is designed around a focused, punchy response with plenty of tone and body.
The Mahogany model provides the character associated with its mahogany shell construction.
If you're choosing between Universal wood snares, shell material should be the biggest part of the decision.
Universal Cherry vs Universal Walnut
The Universal Walnut is another alternative in Ludwig's Universal Wood range.
The Cherry model focuses on punch, body and a throaty attack.
Walnut is known for a darker, rich wood-shell character with plenty of articulation.
Both offer something different from conventional maple, making them particularly interesting for players building a varied snare collection.
Universal Cherry vs Universal Beech
The Universal Beech completes Ludwig's Universal Wood selection.
Cherry gives you its rich, focused and punchy response.
Beech provides another distinctive wood-shell voice and uses an exotic Sapele outer ply.
All four Universal Wood models share a similar overall concept, making the shell material the main reason to choose one over another.
Cherry vs Maple Snare Drum
Cherry and maple are both hardwoods, but they shouldn't be treated as interchangeable snare materials.
Maple is an established all-rounder, prized for its balanced warmth, clarity and versatility.
Ludwig positions Cherry around greater emphasis on punch, body and a focused, throaty attack.
If you already own a good maple snare, the Universal Cherry makes a particularly interesting second wood snare because it gives you a genuinely different shell material to experiment with.
Cherry vs Metal Snare Drum
The LU6514CH is also a great option if most of your existing snares are metal.
Compared with the brighter attack of steel or aluminium and the harmonic richness of brass, Cherry provides the more organic resonance and character associated with a wood shell.
For anyone already using a Supraphonic, Acrolite, Black Beauty or Supralite, the Universal Cherry adds a very different voice to the collection.
Excellent for Recording
The Universal Cherry is a particularly interesting studio snare.
The 6.5" depth provides plenty of body while the Cherry shell has a focused attack that helps the drum retain definition.
Medium tunings make a great starting point for a versatile wood-snare sound.
Tune it lower for a bigger and weightier backbeat.
Take it higher for additional articulation and definition.
For a studio already equipped with a conventional maple snare and several metal snares, Cherry provides another useful tonal option.
Ludwig Universal Cherry LU6514CH Specifications
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Brand: Ludwig
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Series: Universal Wood
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Model: LU6514CH
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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: Cherry
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Shell Construction: 6-Ply Cherry
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Shell Thickness: 7.5mm
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Finish: Natural Cherry / Clear Finish
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Hardware Finish: Chrome
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Lugs: Ludwig Tube Lugs
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Hoops: Triple-Flanged
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Throw-Off: Ludwig P88i
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Butt Plate: Ludwig P35
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Snare Wires: 18-Strand
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Manufacturer Product Code: LU6514CH
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Sound Character: Rich, punchy, full-bodied and focused
Ludwig Universal Cherry LU6514CH FAQs
What is the Ludwig LU6514CH?
The LU6514CH is Ludwig's 14" x 6.5" Universal Cherry snare drum.
It features a 6-ply, 7.5mm Cherry shell, tube lugs, triple-flanged hoops, P88i throw-off and 18-strand snare wires.
What wood is the Ludwig Universal Cherry made from?
The LU6514CH uses a 6-ply Cherry wood shell.
How thick is the Ludwig Universal Cherry shell?
Ludwig specifies the Cherry shell at 7.5mm.
What does a Cherry snare drum sound like?
Ludwig describes its Cherry shell as producing plenty of tone and body with a focused, throaty attack.
It also provides distinctive rimshot and cross-stick sounds due to the tonal character of the Cherry shell.
What size is the Ludwig Universal Cherry?
The LU6514CH measures 14" in diameter by 6.5" deep.
Is the Ludwig Universal Cherry a wood snare?
Yes. Unlike Ludwig's Universal Brass models, the LU6514CH is part of the Universal Wood range and uses a 6-ply Cherry shell.
What is the difference between Universal Cherry and Classic Maple?
The Universal Cherry uses a 6-ply, 7.5mm Cherry shell.
Classic Maple uses Ludwig's 7-ply all-maple shell construction.
The Classic Maple provides the familiar balanced character of maple, while Ludwig describes Cherry as having plenty of tone and body with a focused, throaty attack.
What is the difference between Universal Cherry and Universal Walnut?
The shell material is the main difference.
The Cherry model is designed around a punchy, full-bodied and focused response.
The Universal Walnut offers the darker and richer character associated with Walnut.
What is the difference between Universal Cherry and Universal Mahogany?
Both are 14x6.5 Universal wood snares, but they use different shell materials.
The Cherry model uses a 6-ply Cherry shell, while the Mahogany model uses a 6-ply Mahogany shell with Maple reinforcement rings.
What is the difference between Universal Cherry and Universal Beech?
The Cherry model uses a 6-ply Cherry shell.
The Beech model uses a 6-ply Beech shell with an exotic Sapele outer ply.
Both provide alternative wood-snare voices within Ludwig's Universal range.
What lugs does the Universal Cherry use?
The LU6514CH features Ludwig tube lugs.
What hoops does the Universal Cherry use?
The LU6514CH features triple-flanged hoops.
What throw-off does the Universal Cherry use?
The LU6514CH uses Ludwig's P88i throw-off with a P35 butt plate.
What snare wires does the Universal Cherry use?
Ludwig specifies 18-strand snare wires.
Is the Ludwig Universal Cherry good for recording?
Yes. Its combination of a full-bodied 6.5" shell and focused Cherry attack makes the LU6514CH an interesting and versatile studio snare.
Is the Ludwig Universal Cherry good for rock?
Yes. The deeper shell provides plenty of body, while the focused attack helps the drum retain definition for stronger backbeats.
Why choose the Ludwig Universal Cherry?
Choose the LU6514CH if you want a 14x6.5 Ludwig wood snare with a less conventional Cherry shell, plenty of punch and body, classic tube lugs and a distinctive natural appearance.
It's an excellent alternative to a conventional maple snare and a great way to add another wood voice to your collection.
