All Ludwig 6 plies were a Maple/Poplar mix. They used poplar as part of the shells up until the introduction of the Classic Maple line which was much later on. Poplar made up the majority of the 3 ply shells too (the fat center ply was always poplar) so it is a big part of the "Ludwig Sound". The idea of "all maple" shells being a desireable thing didn't really begin to take hold until the later 1980's. The Rogers XP-8 series were the first to advertise that in a big way and it kind of took off from there until today most everything is all maple all the time, but prior to around 1985-1990 it wasn't given that much thought by most drummers. Top of the line current Ludwig Legacy series drums....there's poplar in there.

If that blue snare were close to me at $200 or less I'd be mightily tempted to snag it and another snare is the last thing I need.

Right on, thanks for the lesson. And yeah, I have a dozen snares but I don't have a wood snare in a 6 1/2" depth and I could REALLY use it.

Thanks sir, and I agree about the P87 - kinda over the top. What's the tipoff for you on the badge - is it placement on the shell?

I have the 6.5" version of that snare in the natural maple exterior with a Keystone (Chicago) badge and the longer lugs. I'm not sure of the year.

As I recall, the 6.5" was called "Rock" and the 8" was called "Concert".

I would be interested in selling it. Please send a PM if you are interested in buying it.

B+O badges "usually" sat higher on the shell, I thought?

I think this is the animal in question...#80 catalog

This is the exact drum I was thinking it would be. The dropped gate snare-side hoop is required for the snares to fully disengage. Looking at the drum in question, the proper hoop does appear to be there.

-Mark

Bingo.

Thanks everyone for the great info and all the help. Will continue to keep an eye on the auction.

Cheers!

Thanks! Is the strainer a P85 or P87 system?