For Leedy drums manufactured during the Slingerland ownership (56-65 or thereabouts), when did the toms have vents and badges? Was this something that began at a certain time period or did they used them at different times in that overall period of time?
I've seen some SlingerLeedys with mahogany interior and badges on all drums, but also some with clear interiors with no tom badges.
Per Slingerland historian Dr. Carl Wenk: Slingerland applied badges to Leedy toms thru 1960. NO badges on Leedy toms '61 - mid '66. Badges on Leedy toms from mid '66 onward. These patterns have been holding up to scrutiny. Due to the spread of years one could find mahogany interior Slinger Leedy toms with and without badges. Same for clear maple interiors although 'no badge' examples would be most prevalent. Beige stain interior Slinger Leedy toms should all have badges.
OK, that explains what I've been seeing. I had thought all the SlingerLeedys had badges, but I'm seeing and learning differently.
Thanks
While I have your expertise Slingerfan, am I correct in thinking that none of the Leedy lugs used during the SlingerLeedy era have posts that set into the shell? It seems a number of the drums have the wrap shoved up in front of the lug which sometime is also seen on the Camcos that also don't have a post - presumably because the lugs loosened somewhat over time and would slide in the direction of the tension rods.
Good question Dan. Double sided Slingerland era Leedy lugs do have the 'bosses' (e.g. snares, center lug basses and toms). Single sided lugs seem to be predominately without 'bosses' (flat backed), although examples do exist WITH bosses. Here is one on eBay, the seller claims it is later 60's which is plausible. https://www.ebay.com/itm/334017347605?hash=item4dc4fc4015:g:~t0AAOSwtUZgsDlU
Another mystery solved. Makes me wonder if the kit I had included the lugs with bosses. It was built pretty late in the SlingerLeedy era with the milk chocolate interior paint and badges on all drums. I don't recall seeing any wrap movement and the satin flame was probably one wrap that would tend to resist any tendency for the lugs to slide. However, I never disassembled that kit and the question of the lug design never came up because it is the only Leedy kit I ever owned.
I seem to recall that you said you acquired the Red Satin Flame Leedy set from Bobby Chaisson's store. That set with the ten lug 20" bass drum was mine for a few years before I traded it to Bobby. If I were prone to having seller's remorse, that set would be near the top of the list of the many drum sets that have been mine. My 1963 Leedy set fits the pattern of having badges on the snare drum and bass drum and not on the two toms. It's been several years since I've taken heads off of the toms or the bass drum to be able to see if the shells are natural unpainted maple like the snare drum. I have never checked to see if the toms and bass drum lugs have the bosses. I received this set in museum condition, and have never been inclined to dissect it.
My 1963 Leedy set fits the pattern of having badges on the snare drum and bass drum and not on the two toms. It's been several years since I've taken heads off of the toms or the bass drum to be able to see if the shells are natural unpainted maple like the snare drum.
Around the middle of '63 is when the shell interiors, of plied drums, changed from mahogany to clear maple. Yours could be either (or a mix of both). Mahogany-earlier '63, Maple-later '63.
I seem to recall that you said you acquired the Red Satin Flame Leedy set from Bobby Chaisson's store. That set with the ten lug 20" bass drum was mine for a few years before I traded it to Bobby. If I were prone to having seller's remorse, that set would be near the top of the list of the many drum sets that have been mine. My 1963 Leedy set fits the pattern of having badges on the snare drum and bass drum and not on the two toms. It's been several years since I've taken heads off of the toms or the bass drum to be able to see if the shells are natural unpainted maple like the snare drum. I have never checked to see if the toms and bass drum lugs have the bosses. I received this set in museum condition, and have never been inclined to dissect it.
That is the set, and is also very high on my list of selling regrets. I was in a moving from north to south situation, so it had to go. I had even gotten the matching snare from a guy in England. I saw the drum online and inquired and he sold it to me. Oh well. Think it will show up again?
Just like bad pennies have a way of showing up, so do good drum sets.If I saw it offered for sale or trade, I just might be tempted to re-acquire it.
