I seem to remember something on here before....I've looked but I can't remember where I saw it.:confused:

Hmmm...as I look around for more info and find none, I wonder: did this pedal change at all over the 60 years or so they've been around? Most of the info I've been able to find indicates that it hasn't. Of course, I don't trust that info, because I didn't get it here. :)

So maybe a better question would be: did these things change enough over the years that you can even tell the difference between a 1950 and a 1980 model?

Scott

Yeah, did'nt really change much between 1950-80, except the logo on the footboard changed from WFL to Ludwig in the late '60's and in the late '90's the footboard changed to black. From Rob Cooks' book pg. 237.

Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but I couldn't find the answer through a search. Is there a way to figure out the age of my Speed King?

Hey Funky, this may shed SOME light.

http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=33319&page=2

Thanks Batterhead! Much appreciated!

Hi guys,

Sorry for resurrecting this old thread but I don't think the original question was answered and I am also looking for answers.

I've been buying Speed Kings. I have 4 and own 3 of them. There are other marks and thing to ID the different eras with but I'm just not 100% sure on what's what. I thought that the SK owners, old and young, could chime in so that this might become an unofficial thread for dating your SK pedal.

What I found:

GREASE CAPS - era:

+ #01; steel: 68–98

+ #02; nickel: 55–68

+ #03; monroe: 98–14

+ #04; wfl (nickel): 50–55 (Anyone have a picture of the inscription??)

GOALPOSTS FRAME/BEARING CARRIER - era

For wide hoops: mid-late 70's (and onward?)

For narrow hoops: 50s/60s/early70's

BEARINGS - era

Open bearings: what years? I assume early but to what year?

Sealed Bearings: what year did they start? 80's??

Regarding the goalposts all four of mine are different castings.

The differences I see are:

One early narrow hoop style post has a very thin outer wall where the adjustment screws screw into. All of the others including 2 other narrow hoop style and 1 wide hoop style are thicker. See photos.

Also, the part number and other letters and numbers are different on all four! I don't know why so if someone can cast a light on this it would be appreciated.

I also noticed on what I assume are early models (50's or 60s possibly) is that there is less support beneath the two tongues that stick out and fit under the bass drum hoop. See pics

Lastly, on one of these casting a rectangular hole is included underneath the hinge for the hoop clamp.

More pics for the post above

I`m curious about the one hole in the long tab. Never seen it before.

I know we talked about the foundry changing hands so markings and casts will differ. There are a few pedal guys here. I`ve had one, since 70`s. It`s a short tab.