Here is how you can Identify timbales made by Conn opposed to the Model of Leedy made by Slingerland.
Leedy By Conn music
1) Had tags identifying the brand Leedy
2) Steel claws
3) Steel Rims 3/4 inches tall x 1/4 thick
4) Lugs made of cast iron and nickle plated
5) Original stand only measured 3 feet in total a problem for tall people
6) Drum shells were 7'' tall and the ends were in a V shape and round off at ends.
7) Inner plates were made of steel 1'' wide by 7 and accommodated the inside of shell for support of lugs
8) 1952 inner plates were shortened by one inch when Leedy was Joined with Ludwig drums causing drums to bend at lug
Leedy by Slingerland
1) Had no markings of brand
2) claws were made of Brass
3) Rims were made of cast Iron and were 1 1/4 inches in height x 2/8 thick
4) Lugs cast iron and chromed they also added a bevel to their end of lugs
5) Original stand measured 4 1/2 feet tall to accommodate taller people
6) Drum shells were 6'' tall and the end were made in U shape and not rounded off ant the ends
7) Inner plates were made 1 inch wide but of a thinner gauge steel and 5 inches in height causing drums to bend at the lugs
8) Drum shells were only 6'' tall opposed to Leedy which were 7'' tall
The sound one from the other is a difference of night and day. The Slingerland models tend to ring a bit meantime the Conn models have a dryer sound to them. This is cased due to inner plates and the gauge of the brass used on the Slingerland models, which was a bit thicker. Yet they look very similar one from the other, but has major differences one from the other. This sound problem can be fixed by putting tape behind the inner plates to muffle the ring it produces and the use of Calf Heads.
The first models made of what would become the Leedy timbales were made a by a gentleman and drum maker by the Name of Charles Tappan. Which later the design would be lease out to Leedy drums. These drums were very similar to the Leedy by Conn Music in dimensions and had no tags other than a label that read Henry Adler, They Also came with Radio King Lugs the prime company of that era. In 1954 when the Leedy Brand was sold to Bud Slingerland the timbales were not part of the deal since they were not owned by Leedy drums. This the reason that the Leedy timbales were replicated in a similar fashion and not identical as the original is that patents were owned and still owned by Henry Adler and Charles Tappan estates
