I've been on a bit of a Radio King search lately and want to know the collector's perspective on a couple of key elements. It seems that the catalogs stopped referring to kits as "Radio King" in the late 50's. Is this the point that Radio Kings stopped being made? I ask this because I am interested in two kits. One is definitely what we would call a Radio King as it has the name engraved on the rims, has the wide re-enforcement rings and is well . . . . a Radio King. Another one I am looking at appears to be from the 1959-1961 time frame. The seller cannot verify what the rims say but does not think that "Radio King" is present. I have posted some pics. Can you guys clarify this for me. The guy is asking a hefty chunk for the kit and I do not want to be the dumbass who buys high when in reality it should be in the same price range as other 60's complete Slingerland kits.
When did Slingerland top of the line kits stop being called "Radio Kings?" Last viewed: 3 days ago
I'd say by the mid 1950's the Radio King name dropped for the lines. If you look on the Vintage Drum Guide at the Slingerland catalogs you notice that after 1951 the Radioking name vanishes from the pages.In 1955 when the company changed hands is when the RK kits officially went away. Though the Drum shells were still pretty much the same as they had been since the 1940’s, however the maple reinforcing rings were eventually cut down to a thinner size maple ring by 1958.
- Got this from the Coopers Vintage Drums Page " 1955: Slingerland completely changed the look of their drums in 1955 with the introduction of the new Sound King hardware. Futuristic styling gave the Sound King drums a unique and more modern appearance. The new hardware featured Stick Saver brass hoops and newly designed lugs. Around 1958, telescopic bass drum spurs, push button floor tom leg brackets, and newly designed bass drum T-rods and claws were introduced. Early versions of Sound King hoops had the distinctive Radio King name stamped into them. This feature was discontinued around 1956. The old Radio King “stick chopper” straight hoops, beaver tail lugs and streamlined lugs were no longer offered on any of Slingerland’s drums. "
Not a Guru, just addicted to drums
- Jay
I'm by no means an expert, but the kits appeared to lose the Radio King name around 1956, yet it seems individual drums were still being issued as Radio Kings in the 1959 catalog?
I would say by looking at the bdp set, that it is the 'Gene Krupa Deluxe' set. If the snare drum has a clamshell strainer, then it will be a Radio King snare drum. Not all Radio King snare drums had the top rim engraved.
Slingerland changed the name of the solid shell snare drums later in the 50's to the 'Artist' model. Same shell as the Radio King but different snare strainer.
Nice set!
Having been able to view the photos now, I would suggest that kit if the drums are 14x22" / 16x16" / 9x13" with a 5.5x14" snare, it is a 1959 'Gene Krupa Deluxe Ensemble'.
If the snare has the 'clam shell' it is a 'Super Gene Krupa', if not, it could either be a 'Gene Krupa Model' or a 'Hollywood Ace' - We'd need to see the throw to verify.
The individual drums were still listed in 1959 as I mentioned before, as Radio King, it was just the kit name that was rebranded.
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