I like the sound of the 6 ply shells over the 3 ply shells in 1976..But when it comes to Ludwig 3 ply shells i like 1972 back...Mikey

The 6 ply shells are not as warm sounding as the 3 ply shells, in other words, the 6 ply shell is an awesome rock sound type shell, they are penetrating,with clean projection to them. I like both of them for different reasons.

having played rogers and Ludwigs for a long time I recently acquired a 6 ply set and I am like wow these tubs freeking rock easy to tune and very articulated,

You're kind of comparing apples to oranges here. The 3-ply shells were usually maple/poplar/mahogany or maple/poplar/maple layup....faster decay of sound and more mid-rangey sounding. The 6-ply shells are all maple and are very thick shells. The 6-ply shells have a more modern sound, much more full spectrum of tones.

For the truest recorded tone of both, check out any Joe Morello recording with Dave Brubeck for the earlier sound (or Ringo with the Beatles for that matter) of the 3-ply shells, and for the 6-ply sounds in its truest form, check out Pink Floyd's Animals or Wall album.....actually, check out the Pink Floyd DVD Live in Pompeii for the 3-ply sound as well...specifically the track One of these Days.

6 plies have more volume and a little more edge if that makes sense. They only weigh a little more then 3 ply's, so don't let that scare you off. They like all Ludwig drums are great.

The 6 ply Ludwigs were Maple on the inner and outer ply. The middle plies were Poplar. The Cllassic Maples are all maple.

The 6 plies are very under rated which keeps the prices low. At least until the secret gets out.

I'd add Michael Shrieve's drum solo from Santana's Woodstock set to the list of great recordings of the 3-ply tone. I grew up listening to that solo and always thought his kit sounded just the way vintage drums should sound. When I put together my first 3-ply Luddy kit last year, I was delighted to discover that they sounded much the same.