Hi sling9!

What you have is a first generation, 1965, Gene Krupa Sound King snare drum. I can see the holes on the inside from the original Zoomatic strainer. The Ludwig butt was installed in place of the original Leedy butt.

Pictured is my 1965 GK SK, with serial number 5059. You can see it's very close to your serial number. My Zoomatic was showing a guitar knob I put on, while I was repairing the original knob.

These are wonderful snare drums, with a COB shell. The original hoops, top and bottom, would have been COB Stick Savers, aka, "rim shot counter hoops".

-Mark

Thanks idrum! Wow, had no idea what I had! Ok, so the bottom hoop should have also been a stick saver, ok.

Question: as I searched on that, "Gene Krupa Sound King" for more info, I found a bunch of content which shows not a beaded shell, but 3 lines where a bead would be. Had you ever seen that?

The 3-line shell came out around 1966 I believe. It was just a cosmetic thing, but looks great! I've had a lot of these drums! I still have a 3-line 1970 Sound King snare drum and it's great!

-Mark

Here's my 1970-71 Slingerland Modern Solo 2R set, in rare "Sparkling Purple Pearl". The GK Sound King snare drum didn't come with the set, but is period correct. You can easily see the 3 lines on the shell. By this time, the shell still used round-over bearing edges, as opposed to sharper 45-degree edges, and still retained the aluminum lug-backing plates. However, Slingerland changed the hoops from COB to COS. Still a great sounding drum, though!

-Mark

Mark (idrum4fun) has correctly identified your drum as a "Gene Krupa Sound King" model. He is a bit off on the year however. Serials 6052 (yours) and 5059 (Mark's) are very late '62 or early '63. In '62 & '63 the GK Sound King had a 'no lines' shell. The 3 line shell started in '64 and continued thereafter. Your drum should have a COB stick saver lower hoop. It is also missing the single pad, J-hook, tone control. Here is a link to the '63 catalog showing the 'no lines' GK Sound King model: http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/catalogs/slingerland/1963A-slingerland-snare1.jpg

And a link to the '64 catalog showing the 3 line shell: http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/catalogs/slingerland/1964_slingerland_12.jpg

Nice set! I've got an Aquarian Super Kick on another bass drum and really like it, sounds great! I originally had a bdp 4 piece, 13/16/20 that the snare came with. Had a ride stand with the flat type bottom, hi-hat, and bass pedal. Had this darker color interior the buyer was interested in. Sold this kit about ten years ago now, wrap was really nice on it.

13" Tom 132816

16" Tom 132827

20" Bass 184498

Thank you slingerfan! Interesting stuff, really appreciate the reply! Nor was this snare 'cheap' back then, $825-$920 today.

Hi slingerfan! Thank you for correcting the years of both the OP's and my drum! I knew you had my back on this!!

-Mark