Bill (or anyone) what was the point of the factory's painting the inside of the shells? Myself I'd rather see the natural woods that were used. Was it for a paticular sound? Or to hide some ugly shells inside? :) The CM interiors on my LBP kit are so thin it almost looks like a pinkish opaque color stain.

I would defer to someone with more knowledge and experience than myself as final say for sure, but it seems to me like I read somewhere (maybe the Slingerland book, as I do have it) that it was to cover some "ugly" shells as you said. They didn't need to be anywhere near as picky with what the inner plies look like when they're covered with paint.

Shoot, I understand that whole-heartedly. In some of the custom builds I've done when I've had to redrill a lot of holes, using that "Stone" type of krylon paint for the insides works really well, covering the old filled-in holes much better. Because there is a texture to it. And, there is one of their stock colors that comes close to Ludwig's granitone interiors. But, I guess I'm the same way when it comes to muddin' & tapin' sheetrock. I much prefer the blow on, knock-it-down texture, 'cause you just don't have to be as precise with you joints... :)

I don't think there's lick of difference in the sound between a 3-ply Slingerland Shell with CM painted interior vs. the clear interior. I think it's all overall appearance and cost...

Bill

Hey Bill lets not be muddin and tapin the drum shell now,,lol.

This has been an interesting thread to watch. I have not replied to because I dont have any of your answers. But just wanted to say Im enjoying the read and the education. Just how many drum companies did Buddy endorse? Was it mainly Rogers??

Looking forward to seeing the drum, is this one a keeper? Hope so, you deserve it Bill.

Jeff C

Not sure that Bill would have the answer to that question Jeff... but me being the Buddy FREAK I am... do! So...

Buddy endorsed FIVE different companies between 1919 and his untimely passing in 1987. However!, he endorsed TWO of those companies TWICE at different times, and TWO that were NOT endorsements, but had been at different points in his career. I have researched this stuff for decades!.. ( being a BR freak since 1967 ) .. and own EVERY primary snare drum he played between 1950 and 1982.. ( there are 14 of them with each one near MINT condition and totally correct ) .. inarguably the most active period drum company and endorsement wise for Buddy. Yes!...

Buddy was a big fan of his Rogers, but mostly because he really liked Joe Thompson, and secondly because they were EXCELLENTLY built/engineered/sounding drums, including the hardware, which he continued to use through THREE endorsements AFTER leaving Rogers. Most folks.. ( drummers too! ) .. associate Buddy with Slingerland as he was with them the longest at one stretch, and also during his most active period visibility wise. Slingerland was a 9 year straight endorsement from late 1967 to 1976. So... what are all the companies? In order from the beginning:

Ludwig

Slingerland Radio Kings

WFL/Ludwig

Rogers

Trixon/Vox

Fibes

Slingerland

Ludwig

Ludwig again... but NO endorsement deal

Slingerland/Restored set of 1940's Radio Kings restored and presented to Buddy by Joe MacSweeney of the Eames Drum Company. Buddy played these 'till his passing in April of 1987.

I have a MAJOR article/pictoral coming out on all this stuff, but this will give you a taste! This is also how I show all these different snare drums when guys ask as I have them ALL. It has taken years to put this collection together. It is truly "one of a kind"... as was Buddy!

Tommyp

Plus ! Tommy!

Tommyp,

Great info! This is part of what makes this forum GREAT!

Thanks,

Bill

Jeff,

I with you on that one... I don't think joint compound and tape could hold up to the vibrations! Shoot, my brother-in-law lives about a mile north of McConnell AFB in Wichita... and has trouble with all the jet engine vibrations in his house! :)

I think Tommyp got you answered AOK. And he was right, I didn't have all that anyway...

Anyway, this one may be a keeper for a while... but I do have a good customer who has already "spoken" for it. I kinda look at it like this: If it goes well, I can always build another!!

Bill

Well Bill the next one will be even better anyway. Sounds like a fun thing to try. I should be getting my shell soon, with any luck. Then I will have my first go at building a snare drum. I know who to go to if I get in trouble, hint,hint.

Jeff C

Almost done.

I don't have the right rims in yet, but rims, heads, & snares are all that's missing at this point.

Bill

NICE, Bill!

Funny, after watching an ebay auction for one of the later 5ply BR models I thought about making one myself.

Haven't had much time to post in a while but just had to chime in and let you know two decent stick chopper type hoops currently out there.

Gretsch's diecast "stick chopper" which they call their 302 hoop. http://www.gretschdrums.com/?fa=brooklyn It's basically a beefier stick chopper. So, not exactly like the Slingerland ones, but may get you close if you want something a bit heavier.

Drum Factory Direct also has a bunch that look very nice, though I can't say I've tried a pair myself. http://www.drumfactorydirect.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=chopper They are probably much closer to the original Slingerland version.

Always great to read Buddy posts from Tommyp, he's the man!