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COB Slingerland Snare I Had Not Seen Before Last viewed: 1 hour ago

Posts: 410 Threads: 14

A friend was showing me his drums, mostly random thrift store junk percussion, but in the midst of it was a lovely, if a bit dented, Slingerland chrome snare.

It looked a lot like my COS Festival model, but with a black and brass badge and a replaced Asian strainer. Also, it had the same butt plate style as my Krupa Sound King

When I picked it up, it felt way too heavy to be a Festival. I asked him to find a magnet, and sure enough, it seemed to be brass, despite not having the three lines around the center like the Krupa Sound Kings I have seen.

The cheap Asian strainer eventually broke, and I told him that I had a surplus (also cheapo) strainer in my parts bin that I could put on it for him.

I got the drum home and began to disassemble it for a bit of refurbishment. There was tape residue and other crud on the shells and hoops (this friend doesn't take the best care of things). I also started to notice some dents, including a couple of lug dents, and some smaller ones.

I stripped the shell down completely, removing the lugs to find that unlike those on my Sound King, these were solid brass, chrome plated. Also, the hoops were COB where the ones on my Sound King are COS.

I hadn't known that Slingerland even made COB lugs as late as the '60's.

Anyway, I gave everything the soak treatment, a de-rusting for the lug screws, and worked the dents out as best I could. When I went to put on the new snare side head (he had been using a clear Ambassador batter as a reso), I noticed at least a 1/16" gap at one side.

Took the shell back down to the basement and put a 2x4 inside and gently used my weight on it to get the bottom edge as close to round as it will likely ever be, certainly without a trip to a metal shop.

Check out the attached photos and see if you can tell me what he has. The hole pattern under the strainer looks as if it likely had a Zoomatic originally.

Is this just an earlier incarnation of the Gene Krupa Sound King or is it something else?

How does it sound? It's pretty Sound King-ish, as in ungodly loud and cutting. Maybe drier due to the brass hoops and lugs. Man, is it heavy!

I don't usually use my Sound King with my Slingerland New Rock outfit even though it's the snare that came with the kit originally, because it just "sits too high in the mix" compared to my Acrolite or Swingster/Deems/Jazzfest. The Sound King is good for playing outdoors, though.

-Erik
______
Early '70's Slingerland New Rock #50 in blue agate (20-16-13-12)
Late '50's WFL Swingster/Barrett Deems in black/gold Duco
'70's Slingerland Gene Krupa Sound King COB
early '70's Ludwig Acrolite
'80's Ludwig Rocker II 6 1/2" snare
Rogers Supreme Big "R" hi hat

Posted on 8 years ago
#1
Posts: 4009 Threads: 209

From Starship Krupa

despite not having the three lines around the center like the Krupa Sound Kings I have seen.Is this just an earlier incarnation of the Gene Krupa Sound King or is it something else?

Yes, this is a very early Sound King. I had one at one time, it is the real thing. The no-line shell is rather rare as it was a one or two year only thing, then they started putting the lines on the shell and started doing with the lighter/cheaper hardware.

Posted on 8 years ago
#2
Posts: 5295 Threads: 226

From Ludwig-dude

Yes, this is a very early Sound King. I had one at one time, it is the real thing. The no-line shell is rather rare as it was a one or two year only thing, then they started putting the lines on the shell and started doing with the lighter/cheaper hardware.

Interesting!!

Cheers

1976 Ludwig Mach 4 Thermogloss 26-18-14-14sn
1978 Ludwig Stainless 22-22-18-16-14-13-12 c/w 6-8-10-12-13-14-15-16-18-20-22-24 concert toms
1975 Sonor Phonic Centennials Metallic Pewter 22-16-13-12-14sn (D506)
1971 Ludwig Classic Bowling Ball OBP 22-16-14-13
1960's Stewart Peacock Pearl 20-16-12-14sn
1980`s Ludwig Coliseum Piano Black 8x14 snare
1973 Rogers Superten 5x14 & 6.5x14 COS snares
1970`s John Grey Capri Aquamarine Sparkle 5x14 snare
1941 Ludwig & Ludwig Super 8x14 snare
Posted on 8 years ago
#3
Posts: 1080 Threads: 3

Can not see in photos, but expect a relatively low serial number as the the three line shells began around '64.

Posted on 8 years ago
#4
Posts: 410 Threads: 14

I suspected that "early Sound King" might be the case, and I'm glad I put it out there to the expert hive mind! Thanks for the clarification.

The COB lugs and hoops sure are beautiful once cleaned up. And it surely lives up to its name: puts out a lot of sound!

-Erik
______
Early '70's Slingerland New Rock #50 in blue agate (20-16-13-12)
Late '50's WFL Swingster/Barrett Deems in black/gold Duco
'70's Slingerland Gene Krupa Sound King COB
early '70's Ludwig Acrolite
'80's Ludwig Rocker II 6 1/2" snare
Rogers Supreme Big "R" hi hat

Posted on 8 years ago
#5
Posts: 1537 Threads: 117

Glad you posted as well !! What would be considered a low serial number? Mine is 230786 Niles IL. 3 line with COB rims and what sure look like COB lugs. Did not know were such things. Thought all Super Lugs were pot metal.

As an apology for diverting the thread, do have a nice Zoomatic just missing the knob. Let me know where to send it if interested.

Pics: The lug with hardware is off my GK Sound King. The other one off a closed "S" no serial badge 22" single tension bass.

Thanks,

Creighton

Nothing special here but I like them.
Posted on 8 years ago
#6
Posts: 1080 Threads: 3

A serial number under ~30,000 would be appropriate for a "no line" shell. Perhaps Starship Krupa will post. Serial numbers started in late '62. The three line Krupa COB shell started in '64. Slingerland offered several COB snare models. The key to identifing this drum is the original strainer. The Zoomatic hole pattern forms a triangle with two small holes above a single larger hole. The Leedy extended butt plate on this drum is consistent with a Zoomatic but was also used with the three point strainer.

Posted on 8 years ago
#7
Posts: 410 Threads: 14

I have attached a closeup of the hole pattern under the cheapo strainer, and it does look like a Zoomatic. Kind offer of a replacement strainer; I shall PM you my address.

Serial number is 9043

1 attachment
OddCOBSLingyholes.jpg
129.3 kB

-Erik
______
Early '70's Slingerland New Rock #50 in blue agate (20-16-13-12)
Late '50's WFL Swingster/Barrett Deems in black/gold Duco
'70's Slingerland Gene Krupa Sound King COB
early '70's Ludwig Acrolite
'80's Ludwig Rocker II 6 1/2" snare
Rogers Supreme Big "R" hi hat

Posted on 8 years ago
#8
Posts: 5356 Threads: 87

SK nice SK! Cool to know about the early versions. Brass lugs are unique. Are they cast or machined? Any way to compare side by side with a later lug and possible weights? My only SK is a 70's version with pot metal lugs. It's a fire cracker though! When I need that high pop/crack it's my go to.

Creighton your a true Gentleman Sir! well done.

Glenn.

Not a guru just havin fun with some old dusty drums.
Posted on 8 years ago
#9
Posts: 1080 Threads: 3

From Starship Krupa

I have attached a closeup of the hole pattern under the cheapo strainer, and it does look like a Zoomatic. Kind offer of a replacement strainer; I shall PM you my address.Serial number is 9043

Thanks for posting. Four digit serial number makes sense. Late '62 or early '63, no lines on shell in these years. Zoomatic strainer verifies it's a Krupa Sound King (a three point strainer with brackets would be a Radio King and a rapid strainer would be a Festival). Correct Zoomatic for your drum has a two hole slider for cord attachment, but later clasp style will fit. Nice drum, enjoy.

Posted on 8 years ago
#10
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