Cant really say without seeing the shell, clamshell strainer = RK, but if Steve Maxwell says there is a mix match of hardware its hard to say without actually looking at it. Looks like an early 50s badge, meaning the lugs are probably incorrect. Its probably a 1ply, but Ive seen RKs with single and 3ply, not just student models either.

1 ply gives you THE RK sound. The only way to tell is to look at the edge.

Thanks for the input guys. I have never seen a 1 ply in person. I assume its obvious to tell?

So a three ply doesn't quite get you there sound wise?

thanks again.

Matt

It is obvious to my eyes, though some people have a problem seeing the plies somehow. A 3ply slingerland shell will be a very thin outer ply of dark colored mahogany, a thicker ply of light colored poplar, and a thin inner ply of either mahogany or maple.

Nothing at all wrong with the 3ply shells, they sound excellent, but the 1ply shells are definitely the more sought after shell.

Matt, here are some pics to show you the difference in the shells, they aren't the greatest shots, but what I had on my work computer. The first is a single ply shell, note 1 solid ply of maple w/maple re-rings. The second pic is a 3ply shell you can count the 3 individual plies, dark mahogany/light poplar/dark mahogany then the re-ring.

That is very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to post those!

I will post some pics if I pick up anything worthwhile.

Thanks again.

Matt

There are a bunch of pics on the Vintage Drum Guide's Slingerland pages by DrCJW, showing not just one-ply versus three-ply, but also differences over the years:

http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/drcjw/article_3_shells1.html

You can look at the other articles there for info on the drum's badge, strainer, and whatnot as well. Lots of good info!

Yea, thanks. I found those pics after posting here. I had seem them before but forgot about them.

I did pick up the drum. It looks somewhat promising and I think its a one ply. It has been re-drilled and re-wrapped and re-some other stuff, but looks like all original parts from one era or another.

As soon as I take it apart to clean it a bit and throw some new heads on it I will post a few better pics to see if the PROS can tell me what I just bought.

It was $125 and I think worse case scenario its probably worth $125.

Thanks again guys.

Matt

I would be willing to bet it sounds like more than a $125 drum though, and since sound was your quest then, .......... You Scored !!