I don't think drummers even cared about that kind of info in days gone by, and only with the interest from the vintage scene has this become important and has spread to the mainstream drum interest. Here's some random sampling from Ludwigs catalogs...

Early catalogs from the 30's mention, "... a Solid Mahogony shell.." for snare drums. There is mention of the SUPER Aero-Kraft (5-ply shells) and Aero-Kraft (3-ply shells), while the plys are not called out the cut-away illustration appears to be mahogony-white wood (maple/poplar)-mahgony with white wood (maple) glue ring.

The 40's mention the snare being of "...genuine Mahogany, in a beatiful hand rubbed and polished finish..." Parade drums being ... "finest quality laminated construction Mahogany..." The 50's mention 3-ply mahogany shells for parade drums, but I didn't spot any mention of ply types for the kits.

1960 catalog: The Super Classic Snare Model, "...The sturdy laminated shell blends genuine African mahogany with select maple panels and is reinforced with rock-maple glue rings to provide the strongest shell posible." All Ludwig drums feature the exclusive non-warping laminated shell, famous for its rugged strength and perfect roundness. Constructed of the finest grade African mahogany and select maple panels reinforced with solid rock maple glue rings." Super Classic Tom Toms: "The sturdy but lightweight laminated shells are a blend of select African mahogany and poplar core, reinforced with rings of solid rock maple."

The 1967 catalog mentions "...The new Jazzette outfit features a smart blend of rich mahogony wood shells and glistening chrome hardware." The Super Classic Snare Model, "...Sturdy laminated shell blends genuine African mahogany with select maple panels and is reinforced with rock-maple glue rings to provide the strongest shell posible."

The 1971 catalog mentions "...the striking combination of rich mahogony shells and sparkling chrome, the Jazzette..." The Super Classic Snare Model, "...Sturdy laminated shell blends African mahogany with select maple panels and is reinforced with rock-maple glue rings..." Super Classic Toms, "The sturdy but lightweight laminated shells are a blend of select African mahogany with poplar core, with reinforced rings of solid rock-maple."

The 1980 Catalog, Octa-Plus Kit: "Shells are in Ludwig's new 6-ply die-mold construction incorporating multiple plies of maple and select cross-grained veneers..." Rock/Concert Snare Drum: "... The shell is constructed of select 6-ply veneer in Ludwig's special die-mold process, carefully butt-jointed." Classic Bass Drums: Ludwig's new 6-ply die-mold shell is composed of select maple veneer with layers of cross-grained veneers, butted into a near seamless configuration."

The 1984 catalog had a more detailed description of the manufacturing process, but no more detail on the selection of veneers.

The 1988 catalog had this change: "And whichever kit you choose, you will get shells of select rock maple and American whitewood laminations, and a shell construction process..." No deeper info the 6 (Classic) or 4-ply (Super Classic) shells. The "classic" snare has the same basic description.

1994 catalog: Ludwid Drum Shells, "Cross laminated plies of maple and select American veneers are butted and formed on Ludwig's die-electric molds." The snare blurb essentialy said the same thing.

I've got a gap in the catalogs, but in 2009 they were finally talking about the lay-up in specific veneers with the introduction of the Legacy line, "The flagship professional drume line employs the 3-ply combination of inner and outer North American Maple and the tradidtional single Poplar core ply with solid Maple reinforcement rings; forging a rich sonic..." and, Vintage style wrap over 1/16" Maple Outer Ply, 1/8" American Poplar Core Ply, 1/16" Maple Inner Ply, 1/4" Solid Maple Reinformant rings (Under a shell cut-away photo). And, "A core of premium Poplar yeilds warmth and resonance while cross-laminated inner and outer plies of Maple deliver power and clarity." The Classsic Maple Series got a very detailed consturuction lay-up and ply thickness description as well.

So here we see that the catalog is responding with answer to what the customer has only recently been asking IMO of, "What's doing with my shell?"

wow that tells it all ....thanks for the info gary

Yeah that was ~quite the reply~, I'd say...:)

Mitch

I bet if you looked long enough you could find a Super Classic snare with no mahogany in it...or one with no maple in it. Ludwig just made one type of shell for everything but the shells varied through the years as far as their maple and mahogany content (the poplar center being the constant). They didn't strictly adhere to what little info was in the catalog, nor did drummers of the day seem too concerned about that.

I'm not Gary!!!

Interesting contradiction right outta' the gate in the 1960 catalog. From this first bolded line I would think that I was getting a laminated shell composed of mahogany/maple/mahogany, but then it says that the toms are made of mahogany/poplar/mahogany... sheeesh.

I'd agree with you K.O. that there was probably a lot of mix and match happening... especially in the days of the white/granitone interiors.