it seems to me the long "tube" lugs youre talking about are designed more as a stable version of old single lugs from the, what 30's? ...

the trend toward lower mass is producing small single screw lugs.  great concept, but it means the tension rod is pulling on a single point.  so they have to have a pretty big footprint to keep the lugs from pulling into the shell ... thus almost totally eliminating the benefit.  there has to be balance (trick and adonis seem to be doing well with it, though i worry about tricks lugs over time) having a connecting rod/tube between the single screw ends keeps each lug in place.  imagine that the tension rod and connecting tube are players on either end of a tug-o-war with the lug.  it balances out.

as for resonance, i doubt it effects it noticeably.  the mass isnt directly on the shell, but there is added weight to the overall drum which can dampen the shell, but like i said ... i doubt its noticeable.  mostly aesthetics these days.

not a fan of the full length of the shell lugs personally, especially the recording custom/rockstar/premier whatever/etc type.  the idea of the lug being on the shell like that bugs me ... sure they sound dandy, so i know its all in my head, but aint everything  

me? i like little lugs, drummaker.com has some called "comet" that are personal favs, kind of an update on the slingerland theme.

HA! im with ya on that ... cant stand the gold ... can you imagine a set using all those gold ludwig stands???  ewwww!