So I have a few questions
1. Does anybody know where to buy a Slingerland Radio King drum set with a 20” or 22” kick. Can’t find it anywhere.
2. Which size kick drum should I be looking for. I’m thinking a 20” but that may be harder to find, and I’m afraid it wouldn’t give me the punch I want out of it. The 22” just seems too hard to move around and travel with, especially because I play in a lot of different venues and spaces.
I don't know how (un)common 20" or 22" Radio King BDs are. I had a set of '41 Radio Kings in 24/16/13 sizes. That 24" kick sounded amazing (especially in the studio) but honestly, I think you can easily get a "punchy" sound from a 20" with proper head selection.
You mention concern that a 22" will be hard to transport. Even if you found a 20", be advised that Radio King drums are heavy. Seriously heavy. The load-in/out, setup/teardown process is already a PITA, but RKs take it to the next level. Especially muscling them in and out of their cases. My BD had clip on spurs, so that was an added wrinkle to setting up quickly (and added stress of keeping up with the wing screws that hold the spurs in place).
But man, there is just something magical about playing those drums that makes it all worthwhile. They sound special. They look special. Just sitting behind the kit makes you want to try and channel Gene Krupa's playing style. They have such a warm/distinct tone. I would not describe the overall kit sound as punchy though. The kit seemed to cut through the mix better when mic'd up, especially when competing against electric guitars, bass, and keys (in a typical rock band setting). For jazz, big band, dixieland, and so forth, they sound killer mic'd or not.
Best of luck in your search and let us know what you come up with!
-murph
murph! Well said!
-Mark
I would venture to say that a Radio King 20 inch bass drum was never made.
In the mid 50s, the sizes came down from 24s and 26s to 22 inches, but the Outfits were no longer called Radio King. But looking in the descriptions of the drums in the Gene Krupa Deluxe Ensemble Outfits, the
individual drums are listed as Radio King Bass Drum and Radio King Tom Tom.
So, 22 may be as low as you can go for a Radio King Bass Drum.....
Thanks for the help guys.
So can y’all tell me about the 50’s Gene Krupa outfits like the ensemble 1n? Is there much a difference in sound between the 40’s radio king and the 50’s Krupa models.
And where can I find the Krupa 50’s models?
I have a 13/16/26 radioking set myself. Not too heavy but not light. I was able to track down a 12 and 20 to add to this set up. I estimate the 20 is a later 40s era-50s era drum. The 20" bass drums are out there, they just take some time to track down. There was also 20x16 and 20x18 floor toms made that could be converted.
I have a 13/16/26 radioking set myself. Not too heavy but not light. I was able to track down a 12 and 20 to add to this set up. I estimate the 20 is a later 40s era-50s era drum. The 20" bass drums are out there, they just take some time to track down. There was also 20x16 and 20x18 floor toms made that could be converted.
I stand corrected .. !!
Looking at my Slingerland full catalog scans, I see Radio King bass drums offered as a selection in the bass drum section as early as 1950 .. !!
Very cool.. !!
My next scan going back is 1941, and it's only 24 inch and up.
Hope you find one, gotdrums .. !!
Thanks .. :)
I know someone with a 20 by 20 WMP RK BD !..Has a 1940s...oval badge..and he said it has writing inside ...specifications are to make Bd Out Of it!...NO FT brackets on it...so..legit BD!
Also..a (faded) 12 by 14 tom ..with 2 extra holes....
16 by 16,,,
And..5.5 by 14 solid maple..with clamshell throw....
Let me know if interested..thanks..
I just saw this Slingerland set for sale in the Atlanta area on Craigs list. It has a 20 inch base drum. Might be something the url is https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/msg/d/slingerland-drum-set/6665704437.html
My next scan going back is 1941, and it's only 24 inch and up.Very cool.
