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1st year Slingerland Sparkling Maroon Pearl Kit? Last viewed: 16 hours ago

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So I posted a few days ago about this red sparkle "Avante" kit that I was going to pick up, and I did indeed pick it up. Last night I had a light cleaning session with it just to see what kind of shape it was in. It doesnt need much work. REALLY nice condition...probably the best vintage kit I have owed so far in terms of collector pieces. Below are some pics after just a wipe down.

The bummers about this kit are two fold: The 12 inch tom was drilled for a pearl style mount. If the original mount is put back on it will cover the extra holes....so that makes me feel a little better. The other thing is that it is missing the single tom post for the 12 to be suspended in true "Avante" fashion. Easy enough to find. There is a small amount of snare rash on the 13, but it is pretty minor. Other than that it is all original with chocolate milk interiors and all rods and washers etc all original. It also came with a sweet 10 lug version of the sound king snare which sounds great.

Also included were the original quick release snare stand, bd pedal, and hi-hat stand. A big ol Ludwig Hercules boom cymbal stand and a Hercules throne rounded off the relevant vintage hardware.

The big question here is: Is this ACTUALLY a Sparkling Maroon Pearl kit? I think it is by my research. If it is maroon, how rare is this finish? I am not planning on selling the kit as of now, so price is not really a concern of mine. I know the extra holes in the 12 kill it in terms of being a serious collector kit...I just want to know if this is indeed a Sparkling Maroon kit and how rare that particular finish actually is.

Serial numbers are low. Snare is 5959. Not exactly sure of the other numbers right now (the kit is at a friends house) but they are pretty low. I assume this kit is 1970 or very early 1971. Definitely has the 1970-1972 oval badge.

Anyway. Anyone wanna dork out about this with me? What is it? Here are some pics. Ill get more/better ones soon.

4 attachments
Posted on 14 years ago
#1
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what a stunner of a kit!

Great drums.

how do they sound? Excited

Posted on 14 years ago
#2
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Not awesome yet, because the batter heads are clear crappers from the 70's but Im going to do some Evans G2s on the batters and they should rock. The shells are sweet so there is no way they are gonna sound bad!

-Adam

Posted on 14 years ago
#3
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In Dr Wenk's article about Slingerland finishes he says to shine a light on it, and the maroon highlights become evident.

He also says that the maroon finish is pretty rare.

Cool outfit, man!!

Link

Kevin
Posted on 14 years ago
#4
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Thanks Kevin.

I read that article and thats what made me think it was maroon. Every red sparkle drum we put up to this kit just made it look more maroon. It is in AMAZING shape and so I dont think it is age that is making it look dark.

Hmmmm. Im stoked.

-Adam

Posted on 14 years ago
#5
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Screenshot comparing my photos to the red/maroon on this site. Not the best comparison I know, but Im leaning WAY towards maroon.

-Adam

Posted on 14 years ago
#6
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I'm going with the gal with one leg named Ilene, with you Excited

+1 vote for maroon also.

Joe


“I did not trip and fall. I attacked the floor and I believe I am winning.”
Posted on 14 years ago
#7
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Yeah. Ive seen a lot of red, and this doesnt look like even the darkest reds I have seen.

Hmmm

-Adam

Posted on 14 years ago
#8
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