Just saw a 5x14 Slingerland wood snare drum from 1958 (according to the inside of the shell) with a white marine pearl finish, faded to a greenish yellow. Its an 8 lug model with single flanged hoops and rods with claws. Very mild pitting. The oval badge says Made in Chicago. The wrap other than the somewhat expected discoloration seem to be in excellent shape. The bearing edge on the snare side seem perfect and there are no chips or cracks on the inside of the shell. I can also see a bit of the bearing edge on the batter side since the head is a J1 Etched which is fairly translucent. From what I can see, that bearing edge is also in good shape. The maple reinforcing rings are very thick and the shell itself is mahogany. The 12 strand string tied snares seem original. The original throw off works fine but the upper part of the arm is missing. With the J1 Etched on it, the drum is extremely responsive with a wet rather then a crisp sound. Strangely, unlike most snares of that era, there is no built in muffler. Its not that it's missing, there are no drilled holes to accommodate it. They are asking for $249. which seems reasonable, Is that a good price? It looks, sounds and plays like a great snare for the money. If purchased it will be used on gigs. Its won't just sit in my sound room. Any help on this drum will be appreciated.
1958 Slingerland Snare Drum question. Last viewed: 4 hours ago
BosLover
Sounds like the Student Model Radio King... last one I saw on ebay went for just under 200US... (it was a lacquered finish)..
Cheers
John
'69 Slingerland Hollywood Ace
'75 Rogers Dynasonic 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'77-78 Slingerland 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'78-79 Slingerland 5 1/4 x14 8 lug COB
'79 Biman 5 1/4, Acrolite
'82 Slingerland 5 1/4 x 14. Festival COS
'84 Tama MasterCraft Superstar 6.5 x 14, 10 lug Rosewood
'98 Slingerland (Music YO) 6" 10 Lug Maple.. NOS
Zildjian, Sabian , UFIP & Paiste mix.
The attached photo is of a similar looking drum to the one I saw except, unlike this one with a mahogany finish,it had a White Marine Pearl wrap.
BosLover
Without him we wouldn't have a group"
Keith Richards
Here's the gos...
John
http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/catalogs/slingerland/1959-slingerland-snares2.jpg
'69 Slingerland Hollywood Ace
'75 Rogers Dynasonic 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'77-78 Slingerland 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'78-79 Slingerland 5 1/4 x14 8 lug COB
'79 Biman 5 1/4, Acrolite
'82 Slingerland 5 1/4 x 14. Festival COS
'84 Tama MasterCraft Superstar 6.5 x 14, 10 lug Rosewood
'98 Slingerland (Music YO) 6" 10 Lug Maple.. NOS
Zildjian, Sabian , UFIP & Paiste mix.
There's a couple of those in this stack....:)
Thanks for everyone's help. For a student snare drum from that period it looked very good. I'm surprised by the quality of the shell for that level drum.
BosLover
Complete and clean 250 is a fair price. They are great snares. Funny how the catalog picture show a 8 lug for the 6 lug Special Student snare. Also very good drums. Niles build quality can be iffy but pre serial number Chicago are fine.
Creighton
Thanks for everyone's help. For a student snare drum from that period it looked very good. I'm surprised by the quality of the shell for that level drum.
It's a "student" model by virtue of the hardware fittings. Slingerland used the same shell for all their drums so the shell is the same as that of the more upscale snares in that size (except for the one ply models obviously). Ludwig was the same, neither made a different shell for cheaper models, they just used fewer lugs or cheaper/older hardware to cut costs for less expensive models.
I have a 1958 Student Model in the Blue / Silver Duco finish. Absolutely love that drum. Great snare.
Not a Guru, just addicted to drums

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