new vintage snare

[JJM72350]

Here's the deal, I've acquired a couple N.O.S. Slingerland solid maple shells that were of the Niles era. One is 6 3/4" x 14" already to be put together it was drilled for 12 standard snare drum lugs and sprayed with clear coat. I've got used rims with the drop down snare area around the snares (the kind that came with the slapshot strainer). Question is do I put a slapshot on it? I want to sell this drum just curious to see the best things to put on it. I've got slapshots and T.D.R. strainers. Also how are the reproduced lugs? I've got a bunch of used ones but there is some pitting on them and new ones would look alot better. I'd like to take it to the drum show to see what I could get for it.

[vintagemore2000]

Here's the deal, I've acquired a couple N.O.S. Slingerland solid maple shells that were of the Niles era. One is 6 3/4" x 14" already to be put together it was drilled for 12 standard snare drum lugs and sprayed with clear coat. I've got used rims with the drop down snare area around the snares (the kind that came with the slapshot strainer). Question is do I put a slapshot on it? I want to sell this drum just curious to see the best things to put on it. I've got slapshots and T.D.R. strainers. Also how are the reproduced lugs? I've got a bunch of used ones but there is some pitting on them and new ones would look alot better. I'd like to take it to the drum show to see what I could get for it. that is cool, is the shell drilled for the slapshot or tdr, if not don't use them, use a 3 point radio king strainer and butt end, also, i have only used the radio king beavertail repros. but they are very good, except the screws are metric, not standard,

[lucky]

How does a head fit them? I bought a nos slingy with a wrap and heads fit tight. Sounds great and looks great but I have often wondered if that is why it was never used?

[jonnistix]

If you're not going to wrap it, they should fit fine. Test run? If you have a head, slip one on. Also, the beavertails look quite sturdy, haven't tried them yet, but they vary widely in price. Best I have found is here:
www.drumfactorydirect.com (http://www.drumfactorydirect.com) the colors are off on some of the chrome pix, so take that into consideration as well.
and they have decent prices on hoops as well. They sell a great looking copy of the Sound King lugs as well, so you should be able to make a Sling out of for relatively light on the wallet.

[JJM72350]

The shell was only drilled for 12 lugs,not for anything else, the head fits fine. I have read that Slingerland made the radio king's tighter on the head it was part of there sound. I think the beavertails are a different hole pattern than the more modern snare lug so I'm kinda stuck with those, but it's a natural maple with clear on it and just putting some old lugs on it and rims it looks COOL. I have a couple of nice slapshots that cleaned up well as well as a couple of N.O.S. T.D.R.'s so I could go either way. It will kind of look my Magnum snares I have, just trying to make it like an original factory drum. Actually I used to work at the plant in Niles when I was a kid(nights and summers). My dad ran the wood shop and actually made the solid shells hand sanded them to size, no lathe. So I have a lot of history with Slingerland.

[JJM72350]

I wouldn't mind putting a three point strainer on but the prices are pretty high if I bought one I don't think I could get the money out of the drum, but I have these other parts that I could use. I also have a 5 1/2" x 14" shell maybe I can get one for that drum and put it together with C.O.B. rims 8 hole more traditional you know? I kind of want to get the 6 3/4 shell ready for the drum show.

[vintagemore2000]

The shell was only drilled for 12 lugs,not for anything else, the head fits fine. I have read that Slingerland made the radio king's tighter on the head it was part of there sound. I think the beavertails are a different hole pattern than the more modern snare lug so I'm kinda stuck with those, but it's a natural maple with clear on it and just putting some old lugs on it and rims it looks COOL. I have a couple of nice slapshots that cleaned up well as well as a couple of N.O.S. T.D.R.'s so I could go either way. It will kind of look my Magnum snares I have, just trying to make it like an original factory drum. Actually I used to work at the plant in Niles when I was a kid(nights and summers). My dad ran the wood shop and actually made the solid shells hand sanded them to size, no lathe. So I have a lot of history with Slingerland.Yeah go ahead and use the lugs you already have, and that is why i said use a 3 point strainer to keep it some what factory, because they would of been 8 lug instead of 12 lug. man that is great you have history with the company, please tell us some of your experiences!!

[JJM72350]

working the night shift in high school with a friend cool job huh? Making a white gloss set for Led Zepplin. Guys with huge bell bottoms trying to steal bongos under the bell bottoms, immigration coming in and one guy got caught under the presidents desk.(the pres wasn't there).I was very young but I do remember the company picnic/ ground breaking for the Niles plant, early 60's? and a barn fire with the Niles fire dept. I was a machinist and I made a modification for the set-o-matic holder made a run of parts and got my 11 pcs. Magnum set for the idea and then made custom holders, T- rods for the bass drum, and all sorts of stuff, it's one sweet set! Actually my snare is a Magnum 7" 12 lug solid maple shell, so if I put the slapshot on it, it would be "factory."

[vintagemore2000]

working the night shift in high school with a friend cool job huh? Making a white gloss set for Led Zepplin. Guys with huge bell bottoms trying to steal bongos under the bell bottoms, immigration coming in and one guy got caught under the presidents desk.(the pres wasn't there).I was very young but I do remember the company picnic/ ground breaking for the Niles plant, early 60's? and a barn fire with the Niles fire dept. I was a machinist and I made a modification for the set-o-matic holder made a run of parts and got my 11 pcs. Magnum set for the idea and then made custom holders, T- rods for the bass drum, and all sorts of stuff, it's one sweet set! Actually my snare is a Magnum 7" 12 lug solid maple shell, so if I put the slapshot on it, it would be "factory."Oh man thats really good stuff, get that drum built and post the pics can't wait to see it!!!Yes SirJump For Joy

[MIKEY777]

Hi,If i was you i would go with very good used snare lugs.The re-pros are s***not the radio kings repro's,the new repro's of the radio king lugs are made great at the shop i have had a few sets useing them and they are still holding up some of the sets i made so time ago..Just a side note back in 1983 when Rogers closed down in ca i got all of the shells 5 ply with rings made of maple,sizes from 10" to 28" drums,600 total shells N.O.S. that is..Mikey

[JJM72350]

The problem is that used lugs are used, you see a ton of scratches and small pits in them. I bought some on e-bay first set was from Niles era, scratches, don't do the drum justice. Second set same thing, only this set must of been from the Gretch/ Gibson era they didn't even have the location bumps on the bottom that go into the shell! The screws that hold them on were philips head with a star lock washer on them. The pics on e-bay just don't show all the crappy stuff on them unless there really badly pitted. Anyway I ordered some repro's we'll see what they look like.

[JJM72350]

O.K., I've almost completed the drum still need to get a top head and snares, but this things beautiful! Polished the shell till I could see myself has a few marks on it but the finish is so vintage looking (slightly yellowed)I didn't want to redo it. I went with standard snare lugs finally came up with 12 descent ones and a slapshot strainer. This thing looks COOL. It's a 100 series drum with two extra lugs and a Radio King shell. Try and find a drum like this. When it's complete I'll post pics.

[JJM72350]

Here's some pics I was having troubles uploading but here are some links.
http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb82/JimMoritz/?action=view&current=008-1.jpg
http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb82/JimMoritz/?action=view&current=004-1.jpg
http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb82/JimMoritz/?action=view&current=005-1.jpg
http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb82/JimMoritz/?action=view&current=006-1.jpg
http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb82/JimMoritz/?action=view&current=007-1.jpg
http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb82/JimMoritz/?action=view&current=009-1.jpg
http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb82/JimMoritz/?action=view&current=010-1.jpg
http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb82/JimMoritz/?action=view&current=011-1.jpg
http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb82/JimMoritz/?action=view&current=017.jpg
http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb82/JimMoritz/?action=view&current=018.jpg
http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb82/JimMoritz/?action=view&current=019.jpg
http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb82/JimMoritz/?action=view&current=019.jpg
http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb82/JimMoritz/?action=view&current=021.jpg
http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb82/JimMoritz/?action=view&current=022.jpg

[vintagemore2000]

Very nice Indeed!!!

[mcjnic]

Does pic 19 show a tension rod or two off kilter? Looks like either the hoop isn't straight or the lug is slightly off. It's almost as if it's being pulled outward away from the shell and to the side. Can't tell. Am I seeing things?

[JJM72350]

mcjnic, just looked at the drum outward very slightly

[mcjnic]

Irregardless, it is a phenomenally beautiful snare drum that I would absolutely enjoy playing. You did an amazing job bringing life to it. I can only imagine how satisfying it must be. Outstanding work!

[jonnistix]

Gorgeous! Looks like it came out of the factory just like that. It is an amazing feat to breath life into parts and pieces, and then to know it could be the only one.