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Slingerland Super Radio Kings? Last viewed: 5 hours ago

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Hey all,

I inherited a set of vintage slingerland drums from my grandfather at a young age, and after putting them in a closet for many years I dug them out on a request from a friend who knows some about vintage drums.

As far as I know they are 1940 or 1941 Slingerland Radio King drums in white marine pearl wrap. They have the super lugs on the toms and snare with part number #549 separate tension lugs on the BD. The shells seem to be a 3- ply mahogany-poplar-mahogany with maple reinforcement rings on the toms and BD with a solid maple shell with maple reinforcement rings on the snare. The snare strainer seems to be a "super strainer" (clamshell) though I believe it is missing the throwoff arm (I have heard they would break often). The badge is the second tan and brass (Chicago). The tom is mounted by clamp onto the bass drum hoop. Each drum has the red felt interior mufflers. The only writing on the shells is 2 signatures, the number "3", and 4 digits "1287" on the inside of the mounted tom.

I also have fibre cases for the toms and bass drum with a large box case that holds the hardware and snare drum.

The heads seem to be the originals with a "radio king" stamp on them, and the resonant head on the mounted tom has a stamp from the store where the drums were bought(?).

I also have most of the hardware for the kit including: Bass drum pedal, bass drum external muffler, Hi-Hat stand, Throne, Floor tom stand, and a single bass drum hoop mounted cymbal stand. There was also another piece of hardware pictured away from the kit that I am not sure exactly what it was used for.

The Drum sizes are:

BD: 26x14

Snare: 14x7

Rack Tom: 13x9.5

Floor tom: 16x14

I am a professional drummer living in the Midwest and I thought this might be a great kit to take to recording sessions and maybe a few gigs to get that vintage sound, so I would be interested in getting the drums back into playing shape. This would probably include new heads (some of the heads are torn or broken), new lugs (Bass drum and snare have several broken lugs and the floor tom has one broken lug), and new snare wires/throwoff (several wires are broken and it would be nice to have a throwoff on the drum so you don't have to manually tighten and loosen the snares). I'm not really worried about the kit looking great, I would rather just have something that sounds awesome.

So my questions for the community is if anyone has some additional info on what this kit might be, if I could find someone who carries lugs that would work for these drums, what heads/ snare wires would you recommend, and if anyone has any ideas on that random piece or hardware?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Pictures are attached.

3 attachments
Posted on 14 years ago
#1
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Those look like Buddy Rich's drums in the Dorsey band or something. Those drums are SWEET! Don't you have to get calf heads for them? Nothing else will do I'm afraid. I am green with envy Andrew. Thanks for posting the pics.

Gretsch Nitron Glass New Classic 2010 8/10/12/14/16/22
Yamaha Cherry Wood Recording Custom 1987/2005 8/10/12/13/14/16/22
Ludwig Black Diamond Pearl 1966 5x14 S.S./13/16/22
Gretsch wood finish 1959 5x14/13/16/22
Slingerland Radio King Capri Pearl 5x14 Radio King
Gretsch Silver Sparkle Catalina Club Bop 2008 18/14/12/10/5x14
Gretsch Silver Sparkle/Black Stripe Catalina Club Mod kit 22/10/12/16
Posted on 14 years ago
#2
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VERY SWEET KIT! By the way.....welcome to the forum.

Posted on 14 years ago
#3
Posts: 5227 Threads: 555
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From Andrew P. Clemenson

Hey all,I inherited a set of vintage slingerland drums from my grandfather at a young age, and after putting them in a closet for many years I dug them out on a request from a friend who knows some about vintage drums.As far as I know they are 1940 or 1941 Slingerland Radio King drums in white marine pearl wrap. They have the super lugs on the toms and snare with part number #549 separate tension lugs on the BD. The shells seem to be a 3- ply mahogany-poplar-mahogany with maple reinforcement rings on the toms and BD with a solid maple shell with maple reinforcement rings on the snare. The snare strainer seems to be a "super strainer" (clamshell) though I believe it is missing the throwoff arm (I have heard they would break often). The badge is the second tan and brass (Chicago). The tom is mounted by clamp onto the bass drum hoop. Each drum has the red felt interior mufflers. The only writing on the shells is 2 signatures, the number "3", and 4 digits "1287" on the inside of the mounted tom.I also have fibre cases for the toms and bass drum with a large box case that holds the hardware and snare drum.The heads seem to be the originals with a "radio king" stamp on them, and the resonant head on the mounted tom has a stamp from the store where the drums were bought(?).I also have most of the hardware for the kit including: Bass drum pedal, bass drum external muffler, Hi-Hat stand, Throne, Floor tom stand, and a single bass drum hoop mounted cymbal stand. There was also another piece of hardware pictured away from the kit that I am not sure exactly what it was used for.The Drum sizes are:BD: 26x14Snare: 14x7Rack Tom: 13x9.5Floor tom: 16x14I am a professional drummer living in the Midwest and I thought this might be a great kit to take to recording sessions and maybe a few gigs to get that vintage sound, so I would be interested in getting the drums back into playing shape. This would probably include new heads (some of the heads are torn or broken), new lugs (Bass drum and snare have several broken lugs and the floor tom has one broken lug), and new snare wires/throwoff (several wires are broken and it would be nice to have a throwoff on the drum so you don't have to manually tighten and loosen the snares). I'm not really worried about the kit looking great, I would rather just have something that sounds awesome.So my questions for the community is if anyone has some additional info on what this kit might be, if I could find someone who carries lugs that would work for these drums, what heads/ snare wires would you recommend, and if anyone has any ideas on that random piece or hardware? Thanks in advance for your help.Pictures are attached.

Wow, Nice complete set you have..Now onto the drums missing parts check Ebay and search Slingerland Radio King drums you will fine used lugs and new repo lugs for sale i would put Original lugs back on the set.Please don't put whatever lugs pn the set that also goes for the strainger..Now on heads you can re-do the heads with new calf skin one's or you can used Remo plastic heads on the set if you do this Keep the old original old heads and the wood flash hoop's..After you get all these parts re-sore this great set i would not change a thing on the set..These drums will Sound Great in the studio i have used these type's of vintage drums many times on the studio..Mikey

Posted on 14 years ago
#4
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Welcome! Andrew...

The lugs are referred to today as Beavertails. Nice looking drums, and you are indeed a lucky man to have them. Calfskin heads is the way to go, if you can afford them. The reproduction lugs are much easier to come by, however from 5 feet, no one but you would know they are not original. The lugs for tom and snare will be the same:

http://www.drumfactorydirect.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6_9_83&products_id=2304

the bass lugs may be a little harder to find. You could exchange them for the larger Beavertails, but that is your call.

I know that keeping a kit like this all original is the ultimate goal, but these are inexpensive enough to get them back up and running while you try to locate originals. If you do gig them, I would highly suggest going to the trouble of a complete lugs off detailing. They will shine like nobodies business and will look wonderhul sitting under a single, low light spot shining down on them.

One word of advise, NEVER use steel wool on the chrome or nickel. No matter what anyone tells, it will ruin the surface.

"Ignorance may be overcome through education. Stupidity, however, is a lifelong endeavor." So, educate me, I don't likes bein' ignant...
"I enjoy restoring 60s Japanese "stencil" drums...I can actually afford them..."I rescue the worst of the old valueless drums for disadvantaged Children and gladly accept donations of parts, pieces and orphans, No cockroaches, please...
http://www.youtube.com/user/karstenboy
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coffee...16613138379603
Posted on 14 years ago
#5
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Those are beautiful, even more so because you know the provenance.

It may be my eyesight, but the bass lugs don't look like beavertails.

Not a criticism, just an observation.

'56-'59 Slingerland BDP "Krupa Deluxe Ensemble"
DW Classics "Buddy Rich"
PDP CX
Various orphan shells and parts nearing critical mass
Posted on 14 years ago
#6
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Sir, that kit is beautiful.

Posted on 14 years ago
#7
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yep, the bass drum lugs are not beavertails, but the tom and snare lugs are. Glad you guys enjoy the kit!

Posted on 14 years ago
#8
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Here's a pic of those mahogany shells with the signature on inside.

1 attachment
Posted on 14 years ago
#9
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