Unknown Slingerland Snare Drum

[olon mischief]

I have an unknwon snare drum that I can not identify myself so i need some help:

1. Drum Shell Material -- Wood

2. Drum Finish -- Pearl

3. Drum Badge -- Oval Badge all Brass 1955-1959 (I got that from this site)

3. Drum Dimensions -- 4.5x13 (yes I'm very sure on the dimensions)

4. Interior Finish -- Natural

5. Hardware Configuration -- 6 lugs (not sure on the rest, regular hoops silver color not sure what kind of metal)

6. Strainer Type -- Clamshell

7.It is missing part of the clamshell mechanism (the part that sticks out that you hit with your stick to turn the snare on or off)

band3 band3 band3 band3

[Mike Curotto]

Photos please...

Mike Curotto

[olon mischief]

sorry i cannot get any pictures of this snare until maybe next week

:( :( :( :(

[olon mischief]

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r238/olonmischief/55-56snare004.jpgDrum badge
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r238/olonmischief/55-56snare005.jpgClamshell snare mechanism (notice the part that sticks out is missing)
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r238/olonmischief/55-56snare008.jpgThe drum
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r238/olonmischief/55-56snare006.jpgLugs

[ARCHxANGEL]

Thats a Radioking as far as I am aware.

[vadrums]

This was part of the Slingerland Be-Bop kit. It came with a 20" floortom/bass drum. When a bass, the snare was mounted to the tom tom mount. I bet your snare is a 3-ply? I have the same one.

[olon mischief]

i have never seen a radioking 4.5x13 the fact that it is 13 inches is surprising anyway for the time it was made. Or at least as far as I know

[olon mischief]

It is single ply by the way

[Bebop]

I think this must be the Slinger "Bop Snare Drum" which was made from 1948-1962, although its only listed as a 4x13 size they must have made some 41/2"s as well also in Rob Cook's book he writes this:

"piccolo note:
Although this is the only 13" snare drum catalogued except for juvenile models, others were produced. The author is aware of 3-ply and solid-shell 13" drums with and without the RK engraved hoops. These drums were evidently special-order instruments."

So this snare drum must've been special order. I like the size though....maybe I'll get/make a snare that size...

Cheers

Harrison

[olon mischief]

OK thanks for that info bebop 1000 thanks i coould not figure it out. but would you or anyone kniow how much a bop 4.5x13 special order snare drum would be worth

[Rich K.]

You can't always go by Mr. Cook's book...although it's great, there are some errors, like that about the 13" snares. The drum you have is rare, but I doubt it was a custom order. Most of them were 3 ply, but solid shell ones do exist. I'd guess your drum would get at least $500.
Until the 1980s or so, most drummers had no idea what type of shell they were getting...it was either wood or metal. Even though Slingerland listed a lot of their drums in their catalog as solid shell models, thousands of them went out with 3 ply shells, and nobody noticed. I've yet to see any proof of anyone ever ordering a particular type shell.

[Bebop]

I agree that there are some errors but as far as I am concerned this is the only book out there for us drummies. I am also going to kindly disagree with you about the snare drum as slingerland was known for creating whatever drum you really wanted and I am sure since the only drum that was close to that size (4x13) in the catalog would mean that whoever got the snare drum specially ordered the 4.5x13 size. Also if it's rare and not in the catalog how would it not be custom/special order? Im sure DrJCW can help us out here.

Have a good one
Harrison

[Mike Curotto]

That's a 3-pt. strainer (missing the ext. arm and thumbscrew), not a Clam Shell strainer...I have a few of these 4.5x13s from the 30s-late 40s and a 4x14 RK....photos soon.

Mike Curotto

[Mike Curotto]

i have never seen a radioking 4.5x13 the fact that it is 13 inches is surprising anyway for the time it was made. Or at least as far as I know

Here's a few...4.5x13 1930s-40s Cloud Badge era, 4.5x13 late 40s-early 50s and
(so far) the only 4x14 RK around...all are solid maple drums...enjoy.

Mike Curotto

[olon mischief]

Wouldn't a RK say RK on the hoops or the drum or something and besides those were like 20 years before mine was made

[Rich K.]

Not all of Radio Kings had "Radio King" stamped on the rim.
I'm not saying Slingerland didn't do special orders, I'm just saying that I've never seen any proof of a special order in the '30-'60s. Drums and drummers were much less sophisticated regarding sizes and materials back then, so I doubt someone actually requested a 13" snare with an extra 1/2" depth. I've had that drum in red sparkle...with a 4 1/2 " depth. I just think a lot of them went out that way.

[DrCJW]

Ah, a fun discussion, with great information from all. And for the record, while the #444 Bop Snare Drum was cataloged as 4x13, it regularly came out the factory door as 4.5x13, no special order required. Another tiny morsel in the great feast of Slingerland lore...

DrCJW