There are 5 groups of what you call Luan (factually Meranti).  Each group varies in its Janka hardness 

 

Light Red Meranti = 550 Janka Hardness

Dark Red Meranti = 800 Janka Hardness
White Meranti = 1050 Janka Hardness 

Yellow Meranti = 700 Janka Hardness

Balau = 1600 Janka Hardness
Reference is "The Wood Database" 

 

As an example. Hard Maple has a janka hardness of 1450 which is softer than Balau 
Big Leaf maple has a janka hardness of 850, which is in common with many of the Meranti versions. 

Most high end wooden drums are constructed using woods which have a janka hardness of 900 or greater, plied together to give them strength.  However, too high a Janka hardness, makes the wood very difficult to work and therefore ply. 

 

Light Red Meranti in this case, with a Janka hardness of 550 so its on the lower end of the scale for drum ply material, unless the manufacturer increases plies. "say 7 to 10 plies, opposed to 5" 

 

The other issues with various woods are:

Grain properties (Effects the cutting of bearing edges) 

Rot resistance. 

Therefore, without understanding which version of Meranti was deployed it might be best to state that the wood utilized is one of the several versions of Meranti which ranges from 550 to 1600 on the Janka Hardness, 550 being the least desirable.  However, simply looking at the wood is not able to determine what version of Meranti was utilized by specific drum manufacturers.

 

The easiest way to determine good shell wood is to look at the bearing edges, and observe their condition as either being smooth or jagged, as hard woods with close grain will appear smooth and woods with open grain will appear jagged and have gaps (Toothed/Splintered). Lastly there drums which have no bearing edges at all, least desirable.

  

The woods which make smooth edges, are the best to utilize for drum manufacturer as they provide a solid consistent bearing edge for the head to rest upon.  (See Attached Pictures) 

1= No Bearing Edge, very soft inexpensive wood,  

2= Better wood but a loose grain resulting in chunky appearing bearing edge 

3= A very Tight, Smooth bearing edge from a Yamaha Recording Custom Drum 

 

This could better explain how the Japanese drums of the 1960s were constructed, and how to understand which drums are desirable and which are not. 

 

Information provided by: kzac