26" bass drums had two piece wrap with staples, the change for Interior paint was 68-69 clear Interiors 1970 most shells had granitone paint, also large bass drums and floor toms could have mahogany Interiors still Granitone painted though!the exception would be the standard line which went directly from white painted to granitione in 1968-1969.

Really?!? I have seen so many more 70's 3 ply with maple interiors than Granitone. Something else: I've seen some clear maple interior drums that had the badge and internal mufflers opposite the tom holder. That should be just prior to the changeover to the rounded B/O badges and the 6ply shells. I know the prevailing statements generally put it clear maple/granitone/clear maple 6 ply; but from my experience, and with the serials (I haven't documented it but I've just bought/sold tons of Ludwig sets) it seems like there could be more like a period around '73 or so when the Granitone interiors were around for a short period of time and then the clear maples make an appearance again. This is weird. One thing is for sure, the Ludwig factory has no certainty when it comes to dates and badges and interiors, especially in the 70s. I'm with you on the hoops though.

Thanks guys, in my experience too I've dealt with way more clear interior 70's drums, so I'm not sure when the granitone pops up.

The Questions was for "Early" 70's not 70's in general, look at Bonham's kits for an example his keystone badged thermogloss kit was clear Interior, his green sparkle kit was Granitone. and the time table I gave is not set in stone as anything ludwig is.

I've never actually been able to find photos of his drums with the heads off. Is this an Ocheltree reference? Vintagemore send me a PM if you have any more info on this, I'd be really interested in hearing it...

give this a look, http://www.notsomoderndrummer.com/wp/?p=136

I have a "Rock Machine" kit that has close serial numbers from 1976, according to the Ludwig number dating guide. 3 ply, clear maple interior on all toms and kick. All toms have mufflers on top and bottom, opposite side from the badges. They are in the bowling ball blue oyster pearl. I have seen quite a few later 70's 3-ply drums in these finishes, which I gather were not very popular at the time. I have always wondered: did they just have a plethora of shells from the early 70's (and tons of backstock wrap in unpopular finishes) that they just wanted to get moved out the door as they transitioned to the 6 ply era? I also wonder: were these kits with old shells and unpopular finishes sold at bargain-basement prices at the time (late 70's)?

All the conjecture above is totally possible.

I've understood it that Ludwig went from white to clear in '68-'69ish, then to granitone in '71ish, then back to clear in '76, then 6-ply in late '76ish-'77. I have a BDP kit I'm working on that's bass drum is 1970 and rack toms are 1976 and all are 3 ply with clear interiors.