Actually, they are 3 ply luaun and are very low and resonant shells but do not take much abuse. Could you please post some pix in the non-usa section? These are a Star stencil, built in Japan, we refer to them as "MIJ" for Made in Japan. After you have posted them, I can give you more info.

There have been two-ply shells before. Slingerland made them before WWII. Kent's shells have been called two-ply (although they may have been a single overlapping sheet).

But like Jonni said, your drums have thin three-ply shells made from lauan, aka "Philippine Mahogany". It's a really soft, pliable wood, so those shells aren't too rigid.

I have to think theses are 2-ply. That's all I count when looking at the bearing edge, besides the re-inforcement ring. They are super light compared to my other Star kit that I know is 3-ply.

Is it possible for 2-ply shells to ever sound good?

Aren't Kent drum shells 2-ply shells made by Jasper?

Well, if a one-ply shell can sound great and a 3-ply shell can sound great, then why shouldn't there be a way for a 2-ply shell to sound great?

I don't have any hard evidence one way or the other -- just hearsay and a hunch based on the Kent shells I've seen -- but I don't believe Kent's shells were Jasper. Depending on who you ask, Kent's maple shells were either two-ply or one ply with a very long overlap, making them effectively like two plies.

HERE is a pic of a Slingerland two-ply walnut shell from DrCJW's Slingerland articles.

OK, I must have 3ply, but the plys are REALLY thin. It's standard mahogany luan. The rings seem to be a harder, less porous wood that actually makes a nice thick bearing edge....

I have another MIJ kit that has fairly thick shells and no rings. Is it possible or common for these kits to be 6ply?