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Slingerland Drum research, help!

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I've been researching a set of Slingerland drums back east and want to find out the value or at least if I should follow through with the asking price. The seller said it's the same style kit Buddy Rich played, he's older and unable to play now, and I'd like to find out if he's legit. He bought them in 1967-8 and they've been stored for some time in cases. I've got pictures to show and serial numbers. Would anyone be able to help me out? Pictures attached.

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Thanks in advance,

Rick

5 attachments
Posted on 6 years ago
#1
Posts: 2010 Threads: 19
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Serial numbers only give a rough indication of when the drums were made. There is a chart elsewhere on this very site that can help you find that year. Click on the Slingerland Drums link at the top of this page for lots of useful Slingerland info including (if I recall correctly) a serial number timeline.

Those drums would be similar to the ones that Buddy played from roughly 1968 to 1978 but that doesn't appear to be a "Buddy Rich" set which had two floor toms, double spurs, an extra cymbal mount, and other details similar to Buddy's own kit. The actual BR sets do often bring a premium over more typical Slingerland drums. That might be the Gene Krupa style set-up which was a standard sized 4 piece set.

Vintage Slingerland drums in general tend to be less expensive to buy than other brands of the same vintage such as Ludwig, Gretsch, or Rogers. As such they can represent a great value to someone wanting to own a set of vintage drums, although it's not so great for someone with a set to sell. Quality wise they are typically every bit as good as the other American brands. The lower demand (and hence value) probably relates to the fact that the brand has had such a low profile since the mid 1980's when the original company went under. Gibson currently owns the name and has made and marketed Slingerland drums on occasion during the past 25 years, some of very high quality, but they were never widely distributed.

That does look like it could be quite a nice set if it is as described (one owner set that was probably well cared for). I only tend to buy cheap and never sell anything so I'll leave it to others with their fingers tighter on the pulse of the market to opine on value.

3 attachments
Posted on 6 years ago
#2
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Hi Rick...and Welcome to the forum!

Looks like a nice kit, but definitely not what Buddy played. K.O. did a good job of explaining the setup used by Buddy. What I THINK I'm seeing in your one picture, is that there is a second rack tom on the bass drum. Is this correct? If so, and judging by the hardware that comes with the kit, this would be the New Rock Outfit 50N pictured below.

As to the serial numbers, I can tell you that this is not a 1967-68 kit. The badges appear to be the style used from 1970-72. The printing should be etched above the black background and not silk screened.

There appears to be yellowing of the WMP on the bass drum. Is that true? All-in-all, though, it's a very nice kit. Let us know if you purchase them.

-Mark

1 attachments
Posted on 6 years ago
#3
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Welcome to the forum. You have heard from two of the best here. Serials suggest second half of '70 on the three WMP drums and '71 on the snare. Just for fun I'm going with this being a Krupa 1N kit. Looks like a winner other than the possible yellowing.

Posted on 6 years ago
#4
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Thank you so much guys! All great info. Yes, there is yellowing on the bass I've been told. I live in California and my father is back east relaying this information. It's a friend of his that says he purchased them in 67 or 68 and it's the exact kit that Rich played. I had my suspicions about that like you addressed.

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What would be a fair purchase price? He's asking $1500. All hardware, cymbals, and cases included.

More pictures added.

Thanks again,

Rick Cote

5 attachments
Posted on 6 years ago
#5
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Ludwig Speed King bass pedal, NICE.

My favorite.

1968 Ludwig Super Classic kit Blue Oyster Pearl
22, 13, 16, 14x5
1968 Ludwig Hollywood kit Blue Oyster Pearl
22, 12, 13, 16
A Zildjian cymbals (50's-70's)
Posted on 6 years ago
#6
Posts: 2753 Threads: 132
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If those cymbals are either Avedis Zildjian top line or K Zildjian cymbals, and the $1,500 price includes all of the hardware, that price would be good if it included shipping it to you.

No matter how far you push the envelope, it is still stationery.
Posted on 6 years ago
#7
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Hi Rick!

Ok, from your new pictures, we've now got confirmation that it is the New Rock Outfit 50N. A very nice kit! And, except for the color, it's not what Buddy played. I'm attaching pictures of my Buddy Rich 80N and Modern Solo/Rock 50N. The only difference between the "Modern Solo 2R" and "New Rock 50N" is the hardware package. Same drums, just different hardware.

As to the price. Given the condition and all included hardware and cymbals, I think $1500 is very fair. The only issue will be the cost of shipping. I recently sold my Buddy Rich kit and shipped it from southern California to New York in 4 boxes. The price was around $250. I did not include cymbals. I would say a fair deal would be to split the cost of shipping. Let us know what happens!

-Mark

Posted on 6 years ago
#8
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Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I’m gonna pull the trigger on these and actually play them, not flip them! I’m in San Diego and the kit will stay at my father’s residence in Mass for a few months. I retire from the Navy in a few months and will be making a cross country trip as my “reward” after 23 years of service...the drums will come back with me. Guys, I plan on keeping up with you all on this forum and truly appreciate the input. All the best,

Rick Cote

Posted on 6 years ago
#9
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From slingerfan

Just for fun I'm going with this being a Krupa 1N kit.

Good eye Mark. Looks like I owe you a beer next time I'm in town.

Enjoy your kit Rick.

Posted on 6 years ago
#10
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