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New Member with Radio Kings

Posts: 5 Threads: 1

Hello All,

This is my first post!

I stumbled upon this forum in my search for info on Radio Kings. I recently acquired a "player" kit that needs some TLC. I'm not so much concerned with making it immaculate as I am with restoring the kit to full functionality, tunability, etc.

I can already see that parts are not all original. I suspect this kit was pieced together but I'm sure you guys know better than I. I just want to get your input and if anyone knows good sources for parts, I'd appreciate the referral. The lifted/broken lugs are on the snare. The snare and the 13 have the engraved hoops and the 16 has stick savers (?) I believe.

Great place here! (I have to be careful because I could blow a lot of time in this joint.:))

Thanks guys!

[IMG]http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c246/adamgg/DSCN3255.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c246/adamgg/DSCN3258.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c246/adamgg/DSCN3249_1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c246/adamgg/DSCN3245.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c246/adamgg/DSCN3244.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 16 years ago
#1
Posts: 90 Threads: 15

Wow fantastic set of RK's, they must sing!!! Looks like the snare has a repro lug, they're available from Lee Custom, Leecustom.com. Perhaps the floor tom was added later on or a previous owner replaced the rims, they definitely look to be stick savers. IS it a clam shell strainer peeking around the right side of the snare??

Are there date stamps inside the shells??? Vintagesnaredrums.com has an entire section on old Slingerland drums by a Dr. CJ Wenk I believe; he's incredibly knowledgeable. He's got an extensive feature on Slingerland shells over the years, you should be able to date the set and components through that. Fine set of drums though, it could turn into a fun project. Good luck

Regards

DonS

Posted on 16 years ago
#2
Posts: 296 Threads: 15

Based on the "cloud badge", the rail was added at a later date. I do have some lugs available...just let me know...

Posted on 16 years ago
#3
Posts: 5 Threads: 1

From vadrums

Based on the "cloud badge", the rail was added at a later date. I do have some lugs available...just let me know...

Hello. sent you a PM.

Posted on 16 years ago
#4
Posts: 5 Threads: 1

From DonS

Wow fantastic set of RK's, they must sing!!! Looks like the snare has a repro lug, they're available from Lee Custom, Leecustom.com. Perhaps the floor tom was added later on or a previous owner replaced the rims, they definitely look to be stick savers. IS it a clam shell strainer peeking around the right side of the snare??Are there date stamps inside the shells??? Vintagesnaredrums.com has an entire section on old Slingerland drums by a Dr. CJ Wenk I believe; he's incredibly knowledgeable. He's got an extensive feature on Slingerland shells over the years, you should be able to date the set and components through that. Fine set of drums though, it could turn into a fun project. Good luckRegardsDonS

Don, definitely stick savers on the floor. I don't know the history of this particular kit. Were factory kits issued with cigar lugs on the bass and supers on the rest or this more evidence that the kit was pieced together? BTW, it is indeed a clamshell strainer. Haven't pulled them apart yet. I'll update when I do.

Thanks for the reply.

Adam

Posted on 16 years ago
#5
Posts: 5 Threads: 1

Hey All,

Progress report: I took apart the snare. Unfortunately, there are no markings on the inside of the shell but from Dr. Wenk's article, it is pretty safe to say that this 7x14 shell is 1-ply maple with maple re-rings. The badge, the smaller clamshell strainer and smaller beavertail lugs date the drum at 1940-41 (I'm diggin' this!).

The strainer is in perfect working condition. The muffler works perfectly and the felts are red and pristine . I'm going to have to replace 5 lugs but that's about it.

I'll get to the rest of the kit this week. I printed out the article on cleaning/restoring but if anyone has any advice, ideas, or other input, I'd love to hear it. My one concern is about the nickel plating as nickel is a relatively soft metal. Are there any metal polishes or techniques to absolutely avoid?

My plan is to clean and polish everything, tune this baby up and PLAY it. I've been wanting one of these forever so to say I'm psyched would be a great understatement.

Thanks Guys!

Posted on 16 years ago
#6
Posts: 5 Threads: 1

Snare:

[IMG]http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c246/adamgg/DSCN3272.jpg[/IMG]

Bass:

[IMG]http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c246/adamgg/DSCN3264.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c246/adamgg/DSCN3267.jpg[/IMG]

Tom:

[IMG]http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c246/adamgg/DSCN3268.jpg[/IMG]

Floor Tom:

[IMG]http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c246/adamgg/DSCN3270.jpg[/IMG]

The snare seems basically authentic, all maple 1941. The rest look like rewraps. The 16 might be an early 80's Spirit. It looks like the beavertails were added. The 13 originally had center lugs, the holes of which were filled and beavertails were added and the tom bracket is not original. On the bass, the rail appears to have replaced a previous mount and the cymbal holder appears to have been added.

The rewrap is pretty sloppy. The wraps are poorly cut and are folded right over the bearing edges (see pics).

It would be great if you guys could interpret what you see in these pics. I am, admittedly, a novice when it comes to the vintage thing.

Thanks in advance!

Adam

Posted on 16 years ago
#7
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