Mine are 71 and are natural maple wood inside.

I wonder why someone would paint the inside? To hide something?

The factory painted the insides for various fiscal reasons. An individual would paint the insides with aesthetic motivations. Say, he/she has a kit that has a black inside on one tom...the other toms get painted to match. Or perhaps that individual is playing in an all male Go-Go's tribute band and wishes to paint the insides of the toms pink "to make a bold statement". They all have their reasons. Unfortunately, we often find ourselves having to wipe those drums clean...paint and all.

"Or perhaps that individual is playing in an all male Go-Go's tribute band and wishes to paint the insides of the toms pink "to make a bold statement". Seems to me someone finding themselves in that situation is trying to hide very little.

After my little chuckle from the above post, I thought I would link to some resources. Slingerland History Section

The Slingerland "Milk Chocolate" stain was in most cases Like Ludwig drums painting the interiors white to speed up the process of making drums. At least that is the general consensus amongst the people I have discussed this with.

Slingerland Shells Dating Guide

David

My early 70's Slingerlands are painted a light chocolate color, I think they were painted at the factory.