The bevel was indeed 30 degrees during the period of roundovers. When I had a guy build a custom set for a studio I was working at, he had to either find or make (I forget) a router bit to cut the edges to the 30 degree spec. If they changed it, then it must have happened when they went with the newer line of shells...which I know nothing about. My guess is that it was the late, late 70's or 80's.

I believe the roundover to 45° 3ply change was mid to late 1970?

Many thanks for the replies so far. I'm really curious about this as I have heard and read reports of people finding their 60's and early 70's Luddys having a 45 degree bevel and I when I have checked my '68 Ludwig kit I have found this to be the case with my shells too, all of which appear to be the original factory cut with no signs of later modifications. Has anyone else here found their Ludwig shells to have a 45 degree cut?

I had a green sparkle Pioneer (pointy B/O badge) that had bearing edges that look like they were cut by a monkey -so it was hard to tell what the bevel angle was. But I never heard of any three ply shells as being cut to 45 bevels -ever.

Apologies for my delay in responding to your replies, I've had some important family matters to tend to the past couple of weeks so have not been online much.

Thanks for the feedback so far, much appreciated. I have attached a few photos of my '68 Ludwig detailing the bearing edges which all seem to be the original factory cut but appear to be at 45 degrees. It's merely just a matter of curiosity for me but I would be interested to know what others here think.

Looks to me the ring is beveled 45 for obvious reasons but the bearing edge of the shell contact point is rounded over.

But I would call that a round over contact edge.

Hmmmm... I can't explain the reason for those being 45 degree bevels. They should be 30 degrees. But they do look original, so I don't know. I guess I should probably get my level out and see for myself...but everything is packed up so nicely at the moment...But thanks for this post. I find it very interesting and look forward to reading feedback from others.

Is it scooped out too ?

Yeah, I'm really curious about this and also look forward to feedback from others here as I have recently taken more of an interest in drum shell construction and the developments throughout the years (particular of Ludwig) and most of what I have read online states that Ludwigs throughout the 60's and into the 70's had 30 degree bearing edges which I was always lead to believe and never questioned but when checking on actual drums from that era I am finding that they have bearing edges of 45 degrees. I was surprised to find this to be the case with my '68 kit and I've recently had corresponded with a well respected builder of custom drums who has been repairing vintage vintage kits for a great many years and he has said that Ludwig shells of 60's and early 70's all had bearing edges of 45 degrees. Here is a photo of one of the Ludwigs that he was restoring at the time, again with a 45 degree bearing edge! I'm starting to think that perhaps I'm reporting from a parallel universe where the history of Ludwig drums was a little different?