Slingerland 80N Copper set

[flyfields]

Hello from Buffalo, I dug out my old Slingerland set which I special ordered back in 1975. It's the 80N copper set. I am going to clean it up and reskin all the drums. Any thoughts on what to use on crome stands and copper shells, there is pitting on the copper. What is the latest in skins to use for this older set?
Thanks, Doug

[DrCJW]

flyfields:

Always one big caution on this finish, if I may. Slingerland's Copper finish is a steel wrap onto which was placed a very thin copper plating and outer protective clear coat. If one tries to polish the finish in any way one will remove whatever protective coat is still there, and then quickly wear the copper plating off exposing gray steel. In other words, you do not want to polish Slingerland Copper at all. The only thing you can do is clean the surface with some inert Martin's Guitar Cleaner and Polish for lacquered wood guitars, or something similarly harmless to the clear coat. I know several folks, including a very knowlegeable drum store owner, who innocently polished, now to their great chagrin. Very different story on the chrome stands of course, though I personally think it's always safest if polishing to use a chrome polish without any added abrasive.

Wonderful that you have had them as the original owner all this time! If possible and not too inconvenient, I am sure many folks would love at some point to hear some details: shells, serial ranges, features, maybe some pics. Notwithstanding the thin-skinned nature of the finish and its wear problems, I for one think Slingerland Copper drums are pretty cool.

DrCJW

[flyfields]

Thank You DrCJW, I will do just that. I'll snap some photos and include the sizes I special ordered... etc. Doug

[Lefty]

Doc is right,also watch moisture because if there's a scratch,it will get under the lacquer and turn the copper black,green.
Owned the BR kit.
Loud kit!
Pat

[flyfields]

Thanks Lefty, what skins were you using. The original Slingerland Tom Tom Batter skins 3/4 muffled were still pretty booming. I have had Remo weather king pin stripes on all the upper heads for years. Not a bad sound. Can you tell me what the latest skins of choice are these days? I'm going to reskin the set. Doug

[Lefty]

fly,I used coated Ambas. on both top and bottom but on the second 16"fltm I used a coated Emperor to give the tom a darker i.e. different sound from the first 16" floortom.
Pat

[flyfields]

Thanks Lefty, I special ordered at the time of purchase, a 10x14 mounted tom, the 16x16 floor tom, that was standard and the second floor tom I ordered is a 16x18 which has a really nice deep sound. The snare I went with was Slingerlands 6-1/2x14 crome, to offset the copper color alittle bit. The bass drum pedal is a "Ghost" foot pedal, I didn't care for the Slingerland pedal at that time.
I recently purchased another 8" splash and am now looking for the "L" arm to complete. Where that went, I have no idea. Everything else on the set is original. The copper did take a beating through the years..... I was on the road for 7 years straight. I'm going to set up the set outside in the next couple of days and snap some pics before I start cleaning her up. Some folks have asked me for pics and serial numbers which I can include. Thank for your help, this is a great drum forum.
Doug

[flyfields]

2351Here is a picture of this set when it was brand new and the original receipt to boot. Don't have any idea why I kept that.

[PHROGGE]

I had acustom made SLINGERLAND "CONCORD 11-N" CHROME SET MADE FOR ME IN 1971....SIMPLY BECAUSE ROGERS DIDNT MAKE CHROME DRUMSETS,,,,,TOOK THEM 6 MONTHS BUT AHHHHHH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL LOOKING AND SOUNDING KIT(I HAD TO HIRE AMAID TO KEEP EM CLEAN!!!!) TRY AQUARIAN "SUPER 2 COATED HEADS"""THEY ARE THE BEST I'VE EVER USED.....(BY THE WAY) I DONT HAVE THAT KIT ANYMORE BUT HAVE REPLACED IT WITH A CHROME SET OF LUDWIG CLASSICS (EVERY DRUM MADE 3/23/72)TOTALS 11 DRUMMS AND 22 CYMBALS,,,,AND I AM THE MAID!!!

[flyfields]

Thanks for the tip on the skins, I will be starting to take them apart next week. Does anyone know anything about re-wraping the copper on this set? The copper wrap has gotten bad through the years. I am taking "before" pics with sizes and serial numbers and will post them soon. Thanks! Doug

[PWindows878]

Hi, There is no possible way to re-wrap this Set. These Slingerland Drums have an actual Copper plated Steel metal Wrap that is glued tightly on the outside surface of the 3-ply Wood Shells. Do not try to remove the metal wrap or you will slice your hand open if you are not careful! The metal wrap is razor sharp! I would just leave the Drums as they are. They are worth more in their original condition! Good luck to you. Phil C. Fitchburg, Mass 01420

[flyfields]

Hey Phil, thanks for the info! I am not really bother with the look as it is aging.... well so are we!! I had a guy at the music store I taught at tell me he re-wrapped his crome set with 3mm chrome vinyl and it truned out really nice. I guess with the miles that set has seen, I'm not surprised the metal is starting to show it's age.
Thanks! Doug