The key is which badge is on your drums? There is plenty listed about why that graph is a well researched, educated estimate. I read that they had all the badges in a big bin and just reached in and grabbed one when building drums. When the bin got low, more badges were added and I guess that they didn't like to throw anything away either meaning that parts were used up until exhausted. The point is that drum serial numbers are not like VIN numbers where you can tell what day they were made. It is a much less exacting science, but I am positive the guys who made that graph know enough that you can be reasonably sure you will be close on your drums birthyear.

If your badges are the black/silver ones then around 1976ish.

If your badges are the black/bronze colored ones then 1968ish.

My slingerlands have a serial number in the 197000 range and I call them 69's for the heck of it but they are probably a bit older than that. My dad bought them used in 73 but that doesn't really narrow anything down either.

Hopefully this helps.

drumhack D' Drummer;)band2:DGroup Hug

What are the chances of finding toms (8/10/12 either size combo) in my color to add to my kit, so far can't find anything close anywhere, I thought maybe you guys might know.

Why don't you post some pics of your drums with badges. Right around 1966 is when Slingerland started putting badges on toms, before that they only put them on snares and bass drums. What color are the insides? Did you check for date stamps on the inside?

[COLOR="DarkRed"]Yes - start HERE - http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/slingerland_badges.html - and post photos [/COLOR]

Here is a thread I had pics in of my set, it appears to be 1970's, black/silver badge thanks guys

http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=10699