Slingerland 80N/BR WMP

[billygoodtime]

1972 WMP 80N Buddy Rich Set Up

[RogerSling]

That's a looker, indeed!
If we've discussed this before, just ignore it ... it looks like the cymbal holder on the tom side is too far forward and reversed. The blunt side should be towards the drummer on that one.
Again, if this has been covered ... my apologies. I'm just blown away at the looks of the kit and just happen to see a very minute inconsistency.
Dang! I do love an 80N. Great kit and a great year for Slingerland builds.

[Bigdrummie]

Lovely set indeed.
Would love to be able to listen to them in person. And play them too!
Nice.

[billygoodtime]

That's a looker, indeed!
If we've discussed this before, just ignore it ... it looks like the cymbal holder on the tom side is too far forward and reversed. The blunt side should be towards the drummer on that one.
Again, if this has been covered ... my apologies. I'm just blown away at the looks of the kit and just happen to see a very minute inconsistency.
Dang! I do love an 80N. Great kit and a great year for Slingerland builds.

Yes we have and ya know I made a mental note to flip it around when I put the second set of spurs on............do you think I remembered??? NOOOOOOOOO :(
Of course not, but as always thank you for reminding me, that'll be on my long weekend to do list.
It was orignally a 50N Rock Outfit which you probably remember from a previous post.
The second floor tom is a 65 vintage and the snare is a 65'ish Artist with Radio King top hoop that makes it sound even better to my ear.

BGT

[Yoshi]

Nice drum set & cymbals!!

[RogerSling]

thanks for jogging my gray. I do remember.
either way, that is a seriously beautiful kit made from some of the absolute best vintage shells ever. kudos to you.

[billygoodtime]

thanks for jogging my gray. I do remember.
either way, that is a seriously beautiful kit made from some of the absolute best vintage shells ever. kudos to you.

Thanks very much. I certainly will defer to you, as to your opinion as far as the "quality" of of the shells and overall sound. What timelines are the best for Slingerland in your opinion?
I'm alway thinking the late 50's 60's as to the "golden age" for Slingerland.
I have a Hollywood Ace Chicago snare that's from around 1958-60 that has great sound and feel and I just scored a Radio King from the early to mid 50's that I haven't got yet, so I'm really curious about that sound and how it compares to the few Artist's Models and the Ace that I have.
I have calf on all of the snares except for an early 70's COB Sound King that was my first snare.
But the 65' Artist is my favorite.

BGT

[RogerSling]

I currently own four Slingerland kits ... 68, 71, 76, and a 79.
The 68 is very different from the others. The shellis thicker, rounded over and almost non-existent edges, and rougher woodwork. The sound is blunt, round, warm, and more like the other 3ply builders of the day. Not bad, but not the greatest I've ever played.
The 71 shell is the thinnest of all. It is very thin. The edge is sharper with a slight round over. The woodwork is much better. The sound is unbelievable. It is warm and round and very very resonant. There is a marked difference between the sounds of Slingerland and other 3ply builders with these changes.
The 76 and 79 shells are by far the most artistic builds. The interior ply is flat out beautiful. The shells are consistent and even. The edges are sharp and clean. The woodwork is stunning. The sound is deep and warm and open and very full. They can be sensitive or very powerful, depending on head choice and approach.
My experience is not based on hundreds of kits. It's based on less than fifty. That's less than some of the respected dealers, but it is fine for my use.
I like the 50s and very early 60s builds, but there are some issues. The good is the wood utilized. It is a sweet African Mahogany that remains fairly untouched inside which is beautiful to my eyes. The edges are calf friendly, much like the later 60s edges, but more so. They are not as flat as the WFL dead thumpers, but close to it. Slingerland managed to build a shell that actually sounds sweet in spite of the contrary elements. They are highly sought after for a reason.
If you want, there is a thread on here ... somewhere ... that demonstrates the Slingerland edges. Do a search and check it out.

[Mr.Lud]

That's seriously one of the nicest kits I have seen so far. Them are just awesome. Congrats and you better keep them ;)

[Purdie Shuffle]

Billy - That's a seriously beautiful set of drums. Museum piece! I hope you're playing the hell out of them and having fun with them for all of us.

Those drums are so sweet, they make my teeth hurt...

John

[billygoodtime]

Billy - That's a seriously beautiful set of drums. Museum piece! I hope you're playing the hell out of them and having fun with them for all of us.

Those drums are so sweet, they make my teeth hurt...

John

Yes I am John............every day, thank you! I have Radio King calfs on all the toms and an old AmRawCo NOS on the Artist snare. Remo Weatherking on the resonant side and a Remo Powerstroke on the back, nothing like a BIG ol' 24".

Only drawback is the weather and the Radio King heads, ya gotta stay on your toes, everyday it can be something different.

I have Earthtones on the other snares and they do seem less prone to the small changes in the weather.

BGT

[billygoodtime]

That's seriously one of the nicest kits I have seen so far. Them are just awesome. Congrats and you better keep then ;)

Thanks, I just got a PM about a member wanting to buy them.
I told him, that it took awhile but with patience and time you can put it together and of course a few stray sheckels are needed.

[tayedrummertom]

Billy,

You have a beautiful set of drums, my friend! It just goes to show that with some patience and diligence, a set like this can be assembled, often without breaking the bank. I think the hunt is part of the fun.

My favorite part of the kit is that it exhibits all of the original (and correct, I'm guessing) hardware. This is probably the hardest part about assembling a kit one piece at a time. All of my vintage kits have the correct hardware as well. I think it adds the crowning touch. After all, when most of our beloved kits were new, they came with various accessory hardware of one kind or another. It's cool to restore them that way.

This forum's a wealth of information if a person wants to do what you did.

My hat's off to you, man. That set is KILLER nice!!

Rock on!!

Tom

[billygoodtime]

Billy,

You have a beautiful set of drums, my friend! It just goes to show that with some patience and diligence, a set like this can be assembled, often without breaking the bank. I think the hunt is part of the fun.

My favorite part of the kit is that it exhibits all of the original (and correct, I'm guessing) hardware. This is probably the hardest part about assembling a kit one piece at a time. All of my vintage kits have the correct hardware as well. I think it adds the crowning touch. After all, when most of our beloved kits were new, they came with various accessory hardware of one kind or another. It's cool to restore them that way.

This forum's a wealth of information if a person wants to do what you did.

My hat's off to you, man. That set is KILLER nice!!

Rock on!!

Tom

Thanks Tom, truer words haven't been spoken about that it does take time and patience, but exactly as you say it's the hunt that's half the battle and the fun.
The hardware is correct and the great thing about the forum is when there's a slight error there's someone with greater knowledge to help you fix any slip ups.
Case in point the splash mount is backwards as referenced earlier by Rogersling, that's the GREAT part of people who care and don't jam it down your throat.

Keep swinging

BGT

[billygoodtime]

Billy,

You have a beautiful set of drums, my friend! It just goes to show that with some patience and diligence, a set like this can be assembled, often without breaking the bank. I think the hunt is part of the fun.

My favorite part of the kit is that it exhibits all of the original (and correct, I'm guessing) hardware. This is probably the hardest part about assembling a kit one piece at a time. All of my vintage kits have the correct hardware as well. I think it adds the crowning touch. After all, when most of our beloved kits were new, they came with various accessory hardware of one kind or another. It's cool to restore them that way.

This forum's a wealth of information if a person wants to do what you did.

My hat's off to you, man. That set is KILLER nice!!

Rock on!!

Tom

Here's what they looked like originally.

[OldSchool]

"STUNNING" kit, Billy! Thanks for sharing the pic.

[Purdie Shuffle]

"STUNNING" kit, Billy! Thanks for sharing the pic.

The second photo is cool! Looks like Pres. Obama is sitting behind the kit wailing on the drums! <grin>

John

[OldSchool]

The second photo is cool! Looks like Pres. Obama is sitting behind the kit wailing on the drums! <grin>

John

John: Great minds think alike! I was going to make the exact same statement in my post.