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70's Slingerland Aluminum Snare Help Last viewed: 1 day ago

Posts: 3 Threads: 2

I have recently picked up a 70's (?) Slingerland Aluminum Snare Drum, the 8 lug, ribbed shell style version. Upon closer inspection, the drum appears to have a seam that I guess was not a factory original - which is where I need your guys help.

I have listed some images for you to see what I mean, but the seam is what I would desribe as 'agricultural' and not what I would expect from a manufacturer such as Slingerland. The top and bottom edges do not match up on a flat level and can easily be seen to be out on the images. There is also a reinforcing plate inside the drum where the seam is. You can also see daylight through the seam so it is not particularly well finished.

Another thing that leads me to believe this isn't the original finishing of the drum is that the seam is hidden by a lug, near the air vent / badge of the drum, rather than round the back, out of the way. Surely Slingerland wouldn't do this would they?

The images:

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy234/weeman1973/cf9f0fe4.jpg

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy234/weeman1973/abc9b326.jpg

If anybody can confirm my theory that this drum has been altered / amended outside of the factory or indeed confirm that Slingerland did allow their drums to leave the factory this way I would be truly grateful as at the minute, I am not convinced either way!

Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

It's original, that is the way they did the seam on both the 8 and 10 lug versions of this drum. and they would drill the shells blanks to fit either the 8 or 10 lugs it was to have on it.

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 3 Threads: 2

From vintagemore2000

It's original, that is the way they did the seam on both the 8 and 10 lug versions of this drum. and they would drill the shells blanks to fit either the 8 or 10 lugs it was to have on it.

Thanks for the response - I am a bit disappointed in Slingerland producing something that looks poor qulity to me :( I am concerned about getting decent tuning from it as the bearing edges aren't flat. Any tips / idea's on how best to tune it?

Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 747 Threads: 37

I have this exact drum, but my seam is well formed, even & joined. I've also seen several other drums of this model , but have not seen the poor workmanship of your particular snare. (BTW, Your drum looks like it may have sustained some damage in the seam area that pushed it apart, it may nor have come out of the factory this badly out of alignment & uneven. )

Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

I had an 8 lug model that was the same way in the seam joint area as yours is. it didn't effect the sound in anyway they are decent sound quality drums. they don't command a big sales price, so for the money you should be ok. tune and play it then evaluate it, this sounds nothing like a Ludwig acrolite so if that's the comparison your looking for this isn't it. Let me tell you a story about this snare drum I was like you not very impressed with this drum either, I showed it to one of my vintage professors and he indeed confirmed this was how more than a few of these went out of the factory. I kept my first 8 lug model 70's model until I bought another one, kept it for maybe 2 years it was a 60's model with brass rims, then got a 10 lug model kept it for a few years, the 10 lug model had brass rims also. I thought the 60's 8 lug model was the best sounding, it had the best seam and fit finish out of the three I've owned,

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 215 Threads: 9

If there's any play in the holes, you can just loosen up the screws and align the edges as best as you can. if not, use a rat tail file and elongate the holes so you'll have room to adjust.

Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 508 Threads: 61

I had the same problem with one of my Slingerland.the seam ends were so uneven it tore the bottom head. Never thought about realigning to try to even it out.Good advice

Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 747 Threads: 37

My Slingerland Aluminum has a seam that has an inside reinforcement plate that is spot welded onto the shell ,closing the seam (The seam is perfectly formed). If the seam were out of alignment , there would be no way to fix it.

Posted on 13 years ago
#8
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