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Ludwig 3-Ply concerns-Shell Shock??

Posts: 158 Threads: 52

I’m probably thinking too hard on this. I’ve posted another thread about my project with no replies, but it’s a lengthy post, so thats understandable. My only real question/concern here is with my style of playing paired with my newly purchased early 70s 3 ply Ludwigs. I’m new to 3 ply drums. I have played Ludwigs always, but they’ve always been late 70s/early 80s 6 ply. I’m not in a band anymore and therefore not fighting against Orange full stacks, but I am a fairly aggressive player and really enjoy a big full sound out of big drums. I’ve done some research after impulsively buying some early 70s 3 ply Ludwigs for a re-wrap project and have heard talk of “shell shock”, or the effect you get of choking the sound out of a thinner shell when beating the s*** out of them. Is this a thing? All I’m after are some big drums that crate a full, juicy, booming sound. The sizes I’ve got are 12x15, 16x18, and 14x24 accompanied with a 8x14 Coliseum Snare. I’m hoping I won’t be disappointed, but how big a difference from 3 vs 6 ply should I expect?

Hopefully I’m not berating the forum with so many threads! I know these questions have been asked many times, but Ive always just had great feedback from everyone, so I go always come here first with anything that’s on my mind :) Thanks everyone.

Posted on 4 years ago
#1
Posts: 891 Threads: 26

with rings top and bottom there they're Thicker..than most non-ring drums.

Dig? so 6 or half dozen but more like a dozen..

.................................................. ......Joe
Posted on 4 years ago
#2
Posts: 605 Threads: 25

A lot of threads die on the vine around here. I'm not really sure why. It's sort of maddening really.

Anyway, those are some really big sized drums, so I don't think you'll have a problem getting that big sound your after no matter the number of ply's.

Good luck, play em long and loud!

Posted on 4 years ago
#3
Posts: 2023 Threads: 47

Let's just say John Bonham played 3-plys, and leave it at that :)

...unless he switched to Vistalites because of shell-shock...nah.

Posted on 4 years ago
#4
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

From DownTownFarmer

Let's just say John Bonham played 3-plys, and leave it at that :)...unless he switched to Vistalites because of shell-shock...nah.

You beat me to the punch, I'm hearing this tripe more and more about the 3 ply Ludwig shells, They're Legendary for a reason, John henry used them, Mitch Mitchell used them, Cozy Powell used them. Ian paice used them, I could go on and on. You'll freakin love them !!

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 4 years ago
#5
Posts: 158 Threads: 52

True...Bonham and Mitch did play 3 plys. That is reassuring haha.

Posted on 4 years ago
#6
Posts: 804 Threads: 9

I have a set that is mixed with 3 and 6 ply drums. The 3-ply portion is essentially your Bonham configuration, which I later added to with a 12", 13" and another 26" drum. I didn't know when I purchased them at the time but those last three drums were after Ludwig stopped the 3-ply and were in full production with 6-ply... back in those days I thought a drum was just a drum!!!

From me there is a noticeable difference in the bass drums. Both are 14" x 26", use the same heads and as close to the same tuning as my ear can allows. The 6-ply has a bit more attack and overtone - gets bit more beefy sound, reverberating the rehearsal room slightly more than the 3-ply. I can't do a fair comparison with the smaller toms as I don't currently use the 3-ply 14" tom in the set up, and it certainly isn't fair to compare the 12/13" to the 16/18".

As far as overplaying, well you can do that with any drum as that is more related to the limitations of the drumhead than the shell layup. What may be more noticeable to you, might have to do with the ply make up of the shell. The shell either reflects or absorbs energy and that is directly related to the different wood species that the shell is made up of. Another factor is the bearing edge and its influence on how it allows the head to vibrate (this can give you longer and shorter response to input from striking the drum head, i.e. attack and sustain characteristics).

Looks like your kit has some mahogany, which may sound different to you, especially if you're used to primarily maple shell construction.

Posted on 4 years ago
#7
Posts: 5550 Threads: 576

So do ginger

April 2nd 1969 scarfed pink champagne holly wood and 65/66 downbeat snare, and , supra same year very minty kit old pies
66/67 downbeat with canister
Super 400 small round knob
1967 super classic obp





once the brass ceases to glitter, and the drum looses its luster, and the stage remains dark, all you have left is the timbre of family.
Posted on 4 years ago
#8
Posts: 4 Threads: 1

I appreciate this thread and came here with basically the same question. I have a 1973 12/13/16/22 with clear maple interiors. The first thing I noticed was how lightweight the drums are. They sound great, but do not have as large a dynamic range as I am used to - it is just not there when I want to get loud. This is not the case with the Slingerlands I owned from a similar era. Those were heavier, and had much more volume potential to play with. In the rock band I am in, I am going to have to get something else. Has anyone else experienced this? I swear some Keystone badge Ludwigs I played were heavier. Thanks.

Posted on 4 years ago
#9
Posts: 5176 Threads: 188

Ian Paice also played 3 ply Ludwigs.

"God is dead." -Nietzsche

"Nietzsche is dead." -God
Posted on 4 years ago
#10
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