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50's Slingerland Tom Advice Last viewed: 1 minute ago

Posts: 520 Threads: 167

I know during any year of the 1950's catalogs, you had a variety of drum outfits to choose from. My question, is besides hardware, were there any differences in the shells?

I am trying to put together a 1950's Radio King kit, and found a guy selling a 50's RK 13" tom. The price seems a little high, however I am seeing some toms on Ebay that state they are from the 50's (some have stamps). I am wondering that if I were to pick up one of these other toms for less, and then change the rims and lug casings...would it be the same as an RK kit?

Any advice, suggestions, and whatnot would be appreciated!

-Kevin

1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22,13,16,18, WFL BR Snare WMP
1951-52 Slingerland Radio King Krupa Outfit 24,13,16 Champagne Sparkle
1960s/70s Polaris MIJ 20,12,16 Red Sparkle
2005 Gretsch Catalina Club WMP First Run
2008 Pearl Masters MCX 20,10,12,14f,16f & 14 Diamond Glitter
1999 Yamaha Stage Custom 22,10,12,14r,16f. Marina Green

...& many more...
Posted on 15 years ago
#1
Posts: 1971 Threads: 249

Well if the old the hardward didn't leave some kind of imprint or maybe an uneven fade then what the heck... Slingerland three ply shells with Slingerland hardware seem to add up to a Slingerland kit...

Just my two cents..

Not a Guru... just interested..
Posted on 15 years ago
#2
Posts: 51 Threads: 5

From nailfoxx

I know during any year of the 1950's catalogs, you had a variety of drum outfits to choose from. My question, is besides hardware, were there any differences in the shells?I am trying to put together a 1950's Radio King kit, and found a guy selling a 50's RK 13" tom. The price seems a little high, however I am seeing some toms on Ebay that state they are from the 50's (some have stamps). I am wondering that if I were to pick up one of these other toms for less, and then change the rims and lug casings...would it be the same as an RK kit?Any advice, suggestions, and whatnot would be appreciated!-Kevin

NOPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

The radio King drums were not a ply based shell....They were solid maple bent...The 50's began to fade in the 3 ply with rienforcing hoops...

Also...The lug mounting holes I believe are a bit ****her apart on the radio kind...You may e mail me at lonecomic@yahoo. I was with them for 14 years

Posted on 14 years ago
#3
Posts: 296 Threads: 15

From lonecomic

NOPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEThe radio King drums were not a ply based shell....They were solid maple bent...The 50's began to fade in the 3 ply with rienforcing hoops...Also...The lug mounting holes I believe are a bit ****her apart on the radio kind...You may e mail me at lonecomic@yahoo. I was with them for 14 years

Not all snare from the RK era were solid Maple. I've had many 3-ply snares starting with a '36 and up. Even the early catalogs do not state that all are solid Maple. What makes a true Radioking is the extended snare brackets...

All bass drums and toms WERE 3-ply and never solid Maple...

Posted on 14 years ago
#4
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

From vadrums

Not all snare from the RK era were solid Maple. I've had many 3-ply snares starting with a '36 and up. Even the early catalogs do not state that all are solid Maple. What makes a true Radioking is the extended snare brackets... All bass drums and toms WERE 3-ply and never solid Maple...

vadrums I agree with you all the way up to the All bass drums and toms WERE 3-ply and never solid Maple, I have a 100% solid maple radio king it was a custom ordered bass drum, and the early rk bass drums came stock as solid shells bass drum,

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 14 years ago
#5
Posts: 296 Threads: 15

Pics??

It would be a first for many!

Posted on 14 years ago
#6
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

From vadrums

Pics?? It would be a first for many!

the drum is the bass drum on the right Black gold duco kit i have posted in the gallery.and these type drums are mentioned in rob cook's slingerland book page #174.

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 14 years ago
#7
Posts: 6287 Threads: 375

From vintagemore2000

vadrums I agree with you all the way up to the All bass drums and toms WERE 3-ply and never solid Maple, I have a 100% solid maple radio king it was a custom ordered bass drum, and the early rk bass drums came stock as solid shells bass drum,

Man, I bet that solid maple booms!!

Dr. Wenk and Rob Cook agree that bass shells were solid wood from '28 to '33. The Dr. adds that they were mahogany or walnut.

BTW, I am not disputing that yours is maple, of course......

A special order like that must have come from a prominent drummer of the day, you think?

Kevin
Posted on 14 years ago
#8
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

From kevins

Man, I bet that solid maple booms!!Dr. Wenk and Rob Cook agree that bass shells were solid wood from '28 to '33. The Dr. adds that they were mahogany or walnut.BTW, I am not disputing that yours is maple, of course......A special order like that must have come from a prominent drummer of the day, you think?

It was Bill monroes original drummer,this kit has and did perform at the grand ole opry!!! the 1st pic is a standard 30's shell the 2nd pic is a 100% solid maple shell!

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 14 years ago
#9
Posts: 6287 Threads: 375

From nailfoxx

I know during any year of the 1950's catalogs, you had a variety of drum outfits to choose from. My question, is besides hardware, were there any differences in the shells?I am trying to put together a 1950's Radio King kit, and found a guy selling a 50's RK 13" tom. The price seems a little high, however I am seeing some toms on Ebay that state they are from the 50's (some have stamps). I am wondering that if I were to pick up one of these other toms for less, and then change the rims and lug casings...would it be the same as an RK kit?Any advice, suggestions, and whatnot would be appreciated!-Kevin

Looking at the Cook book and our catalog scans, it appears that Radio King was dropped as part of the model name of the Windsor Ensemble and the Gene Krupa Deluxe Ensemble in 1956. That would put you in the three-ply shell with either 2 1/4 inch or 1 5/8 inch reinforcement rings area according to Dr. Wenk's article on Slingerland wood shells. So, a tom shell from '56 through '59, that would have a 1 inch reinforcing ring, probably would not be from a Radio King set. However, in 1959, they were still referring to the bass and toms as "Radio King" in the parts list, and still had the same part numbers. But the set as a whole was no longer being called a Radio King set.

Kevin
Posted on 14 years ago
#10
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