Slingerland Fancher Snare

[graniteman]

I am a long time musician and collector of anything & everything and could not pass up this snare drum at a local rummage sale. The badge on the side says ~Slingerland Quality Drums "FANCHER MODEL" Chicago ILL.USA~ You may view a pic of it at the following address...

It is pretty much intact. Has the original calfskin heads still on it, though they are both torn, and has the original snares on the bottom in good shape. It also has a tone ring inside, which from what I have learned from this site, dates it to 1928-1930. I am pretty sure that this is a fairly rare drum. Just wondrin' what the heck I should do with this. Should I think about restoring it? It looks like the hardware is (or was) all laquered brass ar one time. I can only imagine how fantastic this thing must have looked when it was all shiny and new! I did work in a local music store for 13 years, and was their drum and guitar tech, so I do have quite a bit of experience in the instrument repair field. Of course the end goal is to sell it, but just wondrin' if it is worth spending some time and effort to restore it.

[Webmaster]

You are correct on this being rare. If you plan on selling it, leave it alone.

The collectors that go for a drum like this would rather do that themselves.

Plus they are experts in the field and have their own methods.

I'm sure you will get a few offers on this drum in your PM's on the forum.

Having the original tone flange is a real plus.

Hold tight on the cleaning and see what kind of offers you get.

David

I wanted to add you should take at least four more photos including the interior so we can see the tone flange.

[Rich K.]

Hi...I've sent a pm. Let me know if you didn't get it. Rich

[sabshga]

A rummage sale!? Arrrrgh. I didn't see a piece like that at the International Drum Show and you found it amongst Flinstones jelly jars.

Congrats!

[DrCJW]

graniteman:

Right, other than dusting it gently with a feather duster or the like to clean surface dirt off, you basically don't want to do anything to this! A little Novus #1 plastic cleaner or Martin Guitar Cleaner on the pearl and hardware is O.K. also. But that's it, please!

Your drum is a treasure, and the "rules" of of the antique industry apply. Other than surface dirt cleaning leave it alone - anything you do to it related to refinishing, swapping parts, refurbishing, etc, will decrease its value - and by quite a bit.

Is your tone flange brass or aluminum? Does it have holes all the way around it or is it without holes? The hardware has Slingerland's original "Artgold" finish - a gold colored lacquer plated to the underlying nickel. Don't worry for a moment about the tarnishing - that's exactly what should be there!

In any case, your drum dates to the earliest years of Slingerland drum manufacturing, 1928 - 1930. It's historical value is enormous. Congratulations on owning it!

DrCJW

[graniteman]

The tone flange has the holes all the way around. I am not going to touch the drum. There is a local Slingerland collector that is really after this. It looks like I will sell it to him for $1500. I have forwarded your advice on the care of this drum to him. I am certain he will give it a good home. Thanks for all your help, the Graniteman

[Rich K.]

$1500 seems like a fair price for both the buyer and seller. Good job.

[Dan C]

I have a snare similar to the Slingerland Fancher model and am looking for some info on it.

Mine dosen't have the Fancher on the badge. It has Duall engraved on the hoop. Nickel hardware, 10 tube lugs. Gold sparkle original finish. PARALLEL STRAINER! Solid mahogany shell with maple hoops.

I believe it to be from 28 to early 30's but I've looked everywhere and can't seem to find a Slingerland with a parallel strainer. Help!!

[GoneDrumming]

I'm going to buy it, take it apart and change everything...hehe j/k

Cool drum, I never ever find anything worth a crap at any place I go. I guess when I'm dead my kids will sell all of my stuff in a garage sale and someone will get a deal...LOL!!

[Jaye]

Looks like graniteman's snare is missing the top hinged lever on the throwoff (?)

Thank you for sharing this drum with us...it was very cool to see one.

DanC...can you please post a photo of yours ? Sounds equally interesting.

[Chris Mattoon]

Dan C...
Your's sounds like a DuAll snare, very rare, very cool.
Slingerland tried to answer Ludwig&Ludwig's parallel snare throw, but they were unsuccessful. It was basically a copy of Ludwig's. They were taken to court over it, and had to stop production as Ludwig owned the rights to the parallel strianer. Slingerland then came out with the DuAll, as a "modified" parallel throw. If it's the snare I'm thinking of, your drum has cables inside driving both sides of the throw, correct? Very expensive to produce, so only a handful got out to the public. I believe Cook's Slingerland Book contains info on it... I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that's the story...

[originaldrum]

Glad to hear a discussion on the Slingerland Fancher snare drums.

I found an old 30's Slingerland Fancher Marching Snare in Mahogany/Maple/Mahogany 3 ply with the adjustment screw holes for the top "flat" reinforcing ring that support a tone flange & ring. This drum has overall shell dimensions of 12" deep x 16" in diameter, has eight (8) nickel-plated brass tube lugs with single-flange nickel steel hoops, and nickel plate chubby clips. It also has a standard butt plate and snare tensioner, no throw off.

When I first saw this drum, it was at a yard sale as a woodbox... :... < (

I figured I need a woodbox, it would be cool to have a funky Cloud Badge snare drum as a woodbox (duh.) When I got it home I realized it was a Fancher snare drum.

At this date, it is disassembled and I plan to refinish the drum and likely replate the hardware. The plating on the hoops is obliterated by rust and most of the nickel plating has worn from the brass parts. The top "flat" reinforcing ring has come loose and a small strip of outer ply has broken off, but I have that complete piece of veneer.

Does anyone know of a 16" tone flange and ring for sale? Any suggestions or comments? Any catalog photos or Fancher shots?

Thanks for the reply.

originaldrum

[Mike Curotto]

I have a snare similar to the Slingerland Fancher model and am looking for some info on it.

Mine dosen't have the Fancher on the badge. It has Duall engraved on the hoop. Nickel hardware, 10 tube lugs. Gold sparkle original finish. PARALLEL STRAINER! Solid mahogany shell with maple hoops.

I believe it to be from 28 to early 30's but I've looked everywhere and can't seem to find a Slingerland with a parallel strainer. Help!!

Look at Rob Cook's Slingerland book, there are some DuAll Models in there...

Mike Curotto