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Slingerland Radio King - what year ,etc?

Posts: 7 Threads: 2

Hey guys.....my first post here!

So...I was hanging with my stepfather over the Memorial weekend and we were talking about how well my home studio has been doing - when he asked me if I wanted his old drum kit. I had no idea he ever played....but I said....yeah...maybe, depending on what it was. Below are pics of what he GAVE ME. It's funny what you can get into your car when you have to....

I could use some help in identifying. I plan to clean, repair, and hopefully use on occasion.

Under-side of snare:

[IMG]http://www.skullsessions.com/slingerland/underside-snare.jpg[/IMG]

Snare badge and strainer:

[IMG]http://www.skullsessions.com/slingerland/snare-badge-throwoff.jpg[/IMG]

Kick - Lugs view:

[IMG]http://www.skullsessions.com/slingerland/kick-lugs.jpg[/IMG]

Kick - Tom Mount:

[IMG]http://www.skullsessions.com/slingerland/kick-tom-mounts.jpg[/IMG]

Kick - Beater Side:

[IMG]http://www.skullsessions.com/slingerland/kick-batter-side.jpg[/IMG]

Tom - Side (mount):

[IMG]http://www.skullsessions.com/slingerland/tom-mount-side.jpg[/IMG]

There is no floor tom with this kit. Only two mounted toms.

I'm missing all 8 lugs and tensioning rods on the bottom side of the second tom, but I do have both hoops.

There appears to be some hardware removed from the sides of the kick drum.

None of the drums have serial numbers or any other marking besides the simple brass badge on both the kick and the snare.

Any thoughts on this kit would be helpful! Thanks!

Posted on 16 years ago
#1
Posts: 296 Threads: 15

Nice find!! An early 50's kit!!

I have the same 22,13,16 and matching RK snare, but all my "beavertail" lugs and hardware are chrome...

I have the smaller nickle lugs if interested...

PM me...

Posted on 16 years ago
#2
Posts: 1971 Threads: 249

Dude you SCORED!! Yes Sir

That's a very very nice 50's Radio King snare.. (Super Strainer or Clam Shells as they are called with the handle intact.. NICE!!) I'm guessing the kit is a Gene Krupa Deluxe Ensemble 1-N kit... top of the line!! from like '55 to '57 maybe. Those badges are called the "dog tag" style brass.. neat.. I think they are a the coolest vintage badge Slingerland made.. IMHO. Cool1

You are missing the shell mount cymbal holders on the bass drum.. those are the holes toward the front of the bass drum shell... probably one on each side of the bass drum

The tom mount console looks like it was moved by somebody to the center of the bass drumCryBaby to accommodate 2 tom toms instead of the one that it originally came with... so there should be two holes just to left of where it is mounted between the lugs... this was certainly a 4 piece kit originally.

That's a real beauty you got there...

All parts to put it back together are available on ebay... your really lucky to have the snare strainer assembly intact.. those handles are often broken off right at the bass..

Somebody will jump in here and give you and exact date bassed on that hardware.. NICE

Not a Guru... just interested..
Posted on 16 years ago
#3
Posts: 7 Threads: 2

From Jim

You are missing the shell mount cymbal holders on the bass drum.. those are the holes toward the front of the bass drum shell... probably one on each side of the bass drumThe tom mount console looks like it was moved by somebody to the center of the bass drumCryBaby to accommodate 2 tom toms instead of the one that it originally came with... so there should be two holes just to left of where it is mounted between the lugs... this was certainly a 4 piece kit originally.

After looking again, I can confirm what you are saying is correct. The tom mount has indeed been moved to the middle of the kick.

I also measured. These toms are 12" and 13". The 13" tom has WAY different support rings inside....much wider than the 12". Different years maybe?

And after looking once again, I was mistaken when I said I was missing 8 lugs. There are only 6....my bad.

12 inch inside support rings:

[IMG]http://www.skullsessions.com/12inch.jpg[/IMG]

13 inch inside support rings:

[IMG]http://www.skullsessions.com/13inch.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 16 years ago
#4
Posts: 296 Threads: 15

Oh, and I have those two missing cymbal L-arm holders too...

Posted on 16 years ago
#5
Posts: 1971 Threads: 249

I hope somebody smarter than me jumps in on this one... it's an interesting combination of hardware that you have and I'm sure it can be dated very specifically.:confused:

I just can't figure out exactly where that badge, those streamline lugs, the clam shells, the straight rims, double mufflers, small tensioner knob might all cross in history.

But I do know that is a beautiful snare drum.. what a wonderful gift!

Not a Guru... just interested..
Posted on 16 years ago
#6
Posts: 3267 Threads: 715

About 93% off the answers are in this section..

Slingerland History

Start with the badge, then the shells, then the strainer and you will pinpoint that date.

David

Posted on 16 years ago
#7
Posts: 1971 Threads: 249

Ok the badge was 53-56.. but it shouldn't be a 55 or 56 with those lugs.

Clams shells with the bar started in 55... it's got bars so its got to be close to 55.

Riveted snare gate started in 55... those look like rivets to me.

Stick saver COB triple flanges where introduced in 55... those look like nickle double flange choppers.

So... I'm thinking this snare must be a ... late 54 or early 55.

OH alas .. I'm so conflicted.Falling Do It should be earlier, I'm thinking, but that bar on the Super Strainer pins me on 55.

Not a Guru... just interested..
Posted on 16 years ago
#8
Posts: 51 Threads: 0

That kit is definitely worth restoration. Red Sparkle! Wow. That's a rare finish for that time period. Post pictures when she's all fixed up!

:::Ryan B
Posted on 16 years ago
#9
Posts: 7 Threads: 2

Again...thanks guys for your thoughts.

We'll begin cleaning her up and repairing/replacing everything we can to get her back into original shape.

I can't wait to hear this snare and these toms!!

Photos to follow when we're done!

Posted on 16 years ago
#10
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