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Just bought a Radio King Floor tom... Last viewed: 6 hours ago

Posts: 52 Threads: 5

I bought this Radio King floor tom on the eBay and was wondering if its 30s or 40s? Im assuming the leg mounts were installed later based on their location in the middle of the shell as opposed to lower? Id love to get a Slingerland tom basket someday and remove them. I know its beat up and ugly, but it'll work great as player drum! I have an old beat up set of Gretsch Broadcasters from the late 40s that needs a floor tom, so this will match nicely. I paid $250 for it (there were no other bidders haha!) Any additional info would be great!

[IMG]http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d96/lucky23design/s-l1600_zpsbxmiwzvy.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d96/lucky23design/s-l1606_zpsnyedgi0o.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d96/lucky23design/s-l1602_zps25gmueyf.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d96/lucky23design/s-l1605_zpsvl4ntu2s.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 8 years ago
#1
Posts: 1725 Threads: 135

I think you're right about the legs. Something tells me this drum is late 30s with the green twin pad muffler. They didn't use FT legs until the later 40s according to Mark Cooper's excellent website.

I think the price was good as these toms often get $450+ in ok condition and they don't come up all that often. My one was in similar condition and it cleaned up well

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Andrew

Golden Curtain
www.myspace.com/garagelandnz
Posted on 8 years ago
#2
Posts: 195 Threads: 6

Looks similar to mine. Mine is a rewrap but had the same lugs, hoops, leg brackets and mufflers look very similar. My legs backers are in a normal/factory position though. I've only go a muffler on the top, not both like that one. Mine also doesn't have the middle re-ring from memory (it has coated heads both sides so hard to check without taking them off). Heads are really tight on mine, have to muscle them on, but still sounds great with coated ambassadors or emperors. Running Ambs now, waiting for the new Classic Fit heads to arrive down under to see if that improves it. First thing I'm going to recommend you do when you're ready to play it is stick a set of Pearl ISO feet onto the straight legs; the difference was night and day.

Posted on 8 years ago
#3
Posts: 52 Threads: 5

From Fayray

I think you're right about the legs. Something tells me this drum is late 30s with the green twin pad muffler. They didn't use FT legs until the later 40s according to Mark Cooper's excellent website. I think the price was good as these toms often get $450+ in ok condition and they don't come up all that often. My one was in similar condition and it cleaned up well

Wow, what did you use to clean it with?

Posted on 8 years ago
#4
Posts: 52 Threads: 5

From Cam

Looks similar to mine. Mine is a rewrap but had the same lugs, hoops, leg brackets and mufflers look very similar. My legs backers are in a normal/factory position though. I've only go a muffler on the top, not both like that one. Mine also doesn't have the middle re-ring from memory (it has coated heads both sides so hard to check without taking them off). Heads are really tight on mine, have to muscle them on, but still sounds great with coated ambassadors or emperors. Running Ambs now, waiting for the new Classic Fit heads to arrive down under to see if that improves it. First thing I'm going to recommend you do when you're ready to play it is stick a set of Pearl ISO feet onto the straight legs; the difference was night and day.

Yeah, Ive had a couple drummer friends say the same thing. Im gonna find some this week.

Posted on 8 years ago
#5
Posts: 1725 Threads: 135

From cuellar23

Wow, what did you use to clean it with?

A thorough clean with warm water with a bit of soap as there was a lot of grime. Then Novus polish. I usually only use No.2 but in this case started with the No.3 due to the heavy scratches. Still has the typical yellowing but I like that.

Andrew

Golden Curtain
www.myspace.com/garagelandnz
Posted on 8 years ago
#6
Posts: 2212 Threads: 95

cuellar23, sent you a pm, if you're looking for a Gretsch floor tom from that era get ahold of me!

Posted on 8 years ago
#7
Posts: 679 Threads: 8

I am a Ludwig/WFL guy but man those Radio Kings you have look great!

I have a late 30's WFL floor tom that must have used a cradle and someone added spring loaded 50's wfl legs. Looks like it was done in the 50's too so I'm not surprised to see them on there. If I were alive back then and I had a floor tom in a cradle I would have probably upgraded to legs as well.

"wfl does not stand for world football league!"
Posted on 8 years ago
#8
Posts: 52 Threads: 5

From lucky

cuellar23, sent you a pm, if you're looking for a Gretsch floor tom from that era get ahold of me!

Message sent!

Posted on 8 years ago
#9
Posts: 1080 Threads: 3

According to DrCJW's shell article on the VDG three re-rings on basses and toms occurred '36-'41. Nice drum.

Posted on 8 years ago
#10
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