Radio King 3 ply and not student model ???

[jazzbo]

This 40's Slingerland drum is being sold here in Japan . The seller says that it has 3 ply shell . As you can see in the photos it has engraved hoops and a 3 point with bridges . I had a look though the Slingerland Book but couldn't find a drum exactly like this . The Student Model was a 3 ply , but it didn't have bridges and had single flange hoops with clips . Can anybody identify this ? Or has it been modified somewhere along the line ? Any info appreciated . Oh - any idea what it would be worth in decent condition ?

[jazzbo]

One more pic ...you can see it has a muffler as well .

[backbeatkeeper]

All the hardware looks to be original, it looks like the real deal to me, but I'm not an expert. A better view of the shell would help.

[Webmaster]

Take a look at this page from different catalogs. It sure looks like the Gene Krupa Radio King. The 3-ply shell and a "Radio King" can be a source of debate, since Slingerland used the name at different times and it was usually on a single ply shell. I have had 3-ply Radio Kings
in my collection. We all know inventory was not the best for Slingerland. Of course DrCJW could shed much light on that drum.

Click Here (http://vintagesnaredrums.com/slingerland_catalog_pages.html)

David

[jazzbo]

All the hardware looks to be original, it looks like the real deal to me, but I'm not an expert. A better view of the shell would help.

I've emailed the seller and asked for a pic or two of the inside of the drum . Will post after receiving . Thanks guys for all your help so far . :)

[jazzbo]

Here are a couple of pics of the inside . It's a maple inner ply ! Huh ? What do you think guys ?

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/sonor23/P1030325.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/sonor23/P1030320.jpg

[jazzbo]

Lug mounting screws have been changed ... I wonder what else ?

[backbeatkeeper]

That looks like a maple shell a la Radio King style. Are the snare beds cut out on the bottom as well?

[jazzbo]

That looks like a maple shell a la Radio King style. Are the snare beds cut out on the bottom as well?

I don't know ; I didn't ask the seller .

[Bebop]

maybe its a special order radio king?

[backbeatkeeper]

Looking at the shell from the angle it's taken you can't really see any plys like you would if the picture was taken directly from above the shell. A snare that old and in that good of shape is worth some money. The pencil writing say RKC and another letter. I would have to say that points to Radio King. I have a 1951 Radio King that I got with a bass drum and tom for $40.00 about two months ago with green sparkle. The finish was faded to yellow on all the drums, so I took off the wrap and am in the process of restoring. I don't know what the offer is for the snare, but if it's under $300.00, I would go for it.

[jazzbo]

Looking at the shell from the angle it's taken you can't really see any plys like you would if the picture was taken directly from above the shell. A snare that old and in that good of shape is worth some money. The pencil writing say RKC and another letter. I would have to say that points to Radio King. I have a 1951 Radio King that I got with a bass drum and tom for $40.00 about two months ago with green sparkle. The finish was faded to yellow on all the drums, so I took off the wrap and am in the process of restoring. I don't know what the offer is for the snare, but if it's under $300.00, I would go for it.

Snagged it for $ 375 .

[backbeatkeeper]

I'm new to this vintage stuff, but I would say a good deal, fair market value. Badge puts it at 48-50, all original stuff I hope, from what I see it is. You didn't mention the size from what I read. The one I have is a 5 x 14, everything is original. Missing a few small mounting screws (two), Stick chopper hoops are a little dinged and a few dents, ohter than that for the $40.00 bucks I paid, I think it was worth it

[jazzbo]

The drum arrived yesterday . A couple of things the seller neglected to mention . The top hoop , while in round where it sits on the head , has a two inch section at the top of the hoop that is slightly out of round ( banged somewhere along the line ? ) . Also , there is a tiny spot near the bearing edge at the top of the drum shell where a ding was filled in . There is also some clear bond where the butt screws into the shell on the right side . Don't know why . There is some lacquer missing there but otherwise I don't see a problem . I'm going to give the drum a more thorough examination this weekend .

Set up with Ambassador heads and original wires the drums sounds very , very choked right now , and snare sensitivity is so-so . I've got a ton of snare drums , so once I get this one sounding decent I'll probably flip it for what I paid for it .

[jazzbo]

Seller is going to refund my $ inc. shipping . Yes Sir