I certainly don't think that price is unfair for a nice set of professional drums. As far as collectibility, I'm not sure. If it IS a Kool cigarette ad drum set that was made for Kool by Slingerland, then it could be worth a lot....or not. I really have no reference for something like that -IF it is that.

These clear stains are a modern invention for drums. My guess is even if they are 70s, the finish is not original. I would bet if pushed, the seller would admit it is a re-finish job and is an alcohol based dye from the last 5 years. As O-Lugs points out, it has an orange peel effect that suggests someone was in a hurry or was not 100% sure of exactly what they were doing upon application of the top coats. I can see it this exact color right here:

http://www.drummaker.net/1-800-NEW-DRUM/www.drummaker.com/FMPro?-db=DM_Orders.fp5&-format=jumpfinishes.htm&-new

http://www.drummaker.net/1-800-NEW-DRUM/www.drummaker.com/FMPro?-db=dm_products.fp5&-format=detailpop.htm&-lay=cgi&-sortfield=name&Category=Wood%20Dyes&-max=15&-recid=34337&-token.0=3758343619&-find=

Man, this one is kinda bugging me. I was just perusing eBay and saw another Slingerland kit from that era in a different finish and it, too, had the orange peel look and texture of this green one.

At this point, I can say that I've never seen that finish on ANY vintage drum from that era...but I also can't rule it out. I may have been too quick to judge this one.

If it is legit, then it's a really "Kool" finish, in my opinion. And that price is pretty fair, regardless, because the drums will likely sound really good, either way.

Hmmmm......

On the other hand...those two round bolts in the 13" tom tom CAN'T be original.

I'm throwing my cards in and my final answer is that the finish isn't original.

There.Chewie:

Yes, I agree with you. But for some reason, the idea of that Kool cigarette ad campaign stuck in my head.

But now that I've had my coffee....:Santa:

Right Drumforfun,

It's the Super Rock 51n. It"s the same as my kit and was sold with a 6.5 COB

snare.. Same serial number range as mine also.. I too have been watching it out of interest. I don't know about the finish.. but my kit won't show up in any catalouges either.. the stained timber finishes were in though.

I paid 1470 AU at the time.

Only issue I can see here are those two bolts in the tom. It is a great sounding BD.

Cheers

(Hope someone here buys it)

Just my 2 cents...none of the grommets look original,and I don't see a M stamped on the inside of any of the shells.Didn't Slingerland still stamp M or P inside their shells in 76?

Steve B

Steve, I just looked, only drum stamped is the 18 tom.."P"

Cheers

John

Now if I remember right, "P" meant that the shell was to receive a "pearl" finish -meaning a wrapped finish. That solves it! A stained/lacquered shell would not have been marked "P".

I think Lonjohn is talking about his kit, not the auction kit.