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Slingerland Rapid Strainer Last viewed: 6 hours ago

Posts: 3165 Threads: 969

Just wondering if any of you Slingerland "gurus" out there would happen to know why it seems next to impossible to find an adequately functioning Slingerland Rapid Strainer available at a reasonable price?

I recently picked up a mid-60s Hollywood Ace in really nice condition. However, the prior owner replaced the original Rapid strainer with a Ludwig P-85, utilizing the factory-drilled holes in the shell. He informed me that he had nothing but problems (sticking & jamming) with the Rapid strainer, couldn't deal with it any longer, and eventually replaced it with the P-85.

I've heard the same or similar stories from countless owners of vintage Slingy snares. In my efforts to purchase the "correct" Rapid strainer for my particular snare, most of the comments I've received go something like this: "I've got one but it jams on and off and needs a little manual adjusting to work properly." :mad:

Do any of you have, or know someone who might have, a Rapid strainer that actually functions WITHOUT all the aforementioned issues and would be willing to sell it for a reasonable price? I'd be extremely grateful to hear from you if you do.

I'm beginning to believe that the Rapid strainer was the worst throw ever conceived! I didn't realize it was such a disaster until I started looking for one. Silly me thought it would be a rather simple piece to find.DOH

THANKS in advance for your time and your help!

Posted on 14 years ago
#1
Posts: 103 Threads: 1

I don't have one to sell. But I have two snare drums with rapid strainers (Hollywood Ace and 10 lug Festival) and have never had a problem. Mine work flawlessly. Never understood the hate for the rapid. I will say that I prefer the Zoomatic just because it's cooler and has more character. But in my opinion, they both do the job equally.

Posted on 14 years ago
#2
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

Slingerland drums.......GREAT shells/hoop.....

Most of the hardware was crap though............

FT leg / BD spur /cymbal arm brackets that strip out.

Putting little rubber washers on Rapid snare strainers that rot over time.

Strainer tension knobs on Zoomatics that fall off.

I'll think of some more,I'm sure!

OH.......ALREADY DID..........forgot about the CHEAP lug inserts that RUSTED over time.

Would it really cost that much more to use a Gretsch or Ludwig type steel chrome plated insert?

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 14 years ago
#3
Posts: 596 Threads: 4

I don't have any major complaints with Slingerland hardware in general. Sure, there were problematic pieces, but that goes for every manufacturer. Even with the aforementioned quirks, I've actually had more problems with Ludwig stuff. P-85's also stick and the old Ludwig tom mounts are evil contraptions that'll strip if you look at them funny. I don't mean to slam Ludwig, but having had a chance to work with both companies' gear, their hardware quality certainly wasn't head and shoulders above Slingerland. Both companies generally made good stuff.

As for the rapid strainer... I've only had my hands on one -- one of the schools in my district has a 1960s or '70s six-lugger. True to reputation, it sticks. It's pretty easy to see why, though. The rubber bushing is long gone, allowing the lever to open wider. When that lever opens wider, the slider drops down out of its slide channel and into a widened round opening (probably where it fits through during manufacturing). When you attempt to close the lever, instead of sliding back up the channel, the slider just gets jammed into the side of the round opening. In this particular case, the slider also developed a hairline crack, presumably because some students over the decades tried to force the thing when it wouldn't go.

I've got a TDR that needs a replacement bushing, and when I get around to it, I'll also replace the one at the school to see if it fixes the sticking rapid strainer.

Posted on 14 years ago
#4
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