1971 Slingerland No. 80N in Lacquer Mahogany

[mcjnic]

I haven't discussed this one much on the forum. I drove down to Dallas to pick it up around the beginning of the year. I've continued working on it off and on. Mostly, I've played with it. I've just about completed the restoration. I still have not been able to find the second 16. I would appreciate any assistance given. I will continue to search ...

Until then, this is the kit. I have another set of spurs enroute. There are two pair here, but I found a nicer set to switch out. Forgot to put the rubber tips on the spurs for the pics. If you look closely, you will see them on the bass spike thingy. Oh well...

This is by no means similar to what Buddy used. It's the Slingerland model number kit only.

1971 Slingerland Buddy Rich Outfit No. 80N
Lacquer Mahogany Finish
22x14, 16x16, 13x9, 5 1/2 x 14 Artist snare
5 x 14 COB Gene Krupa Sound King snare (seemed appropriate)
Twin 66 Buddy Rich cymbal stands
806 Dynamo Hi Hat stand
1382 Rocket Snare stand
938 Tempo King Pedal
(another flat bass stand to hold the extra snare)
(two non-standard bass cymbal arms)

This one was a kick to work on. I really enjoyed searching out the appropriate parts and the cool little twiddly bits. Those stupid skinny spurs were a nightmare, though. The shells on this kit are ridiculously thin. They are about half as thin as any of my other 3-ply shells. Seriously thin. Consequently, they are very resonant and sensitive. I can't seem to find the best heads to take advantage of that...as of yet. I believe I'm going to put either calf or goat skin on it (or a combination of the two).

I've played it out a couple of times. The other musicians seemed to really be taken by it. I don't believe I'll be doing that again, though. It's a bit too delicate for banging around town. It's a home kit.

I'll hang on to this one for a while. I really like playing it.

[kevins]

Sweet kit, Mcjnic, congrats!!!
Is it possible to arrive at that finish when you find mahogany under a wrapped drum, or were certain "more attractive" plys of mahogny chosen for Mahogany Finished drums? I'm wondering about the M and P that we find stamped inside Slingy shells, were they pre-determined by a "better" mahogany ply being reserved, or was the determination made after the drum was built?
One would think that the stamp would be applied afterwards, since we don't see any M's crossed out and re-stamped with P's, but could the original intent be for a mahogany finish with a reserved ply, and some minor damage occurs along the way, causing it to be re-assigned to a pearl finish?
These are the kinds of things that keep me up at night......

[mcjnic]

My guess is they used rougher plies under the wrap. But, having pulled wrap from more than a couple of drums, I can attest to finding some very nice wood under there. It is hit or miss on that, though. And just for the record, the drums I pull wrap off of are usually dogged drums and/or victims of drill-happy multi-holed kits. I don't make it a habit of just arbitrarily ripping the stuff off. (sorry, had to say that) So, you might find something nice under there or you might find something rather rough. It's like being in a Monty Hall flashback..........

Wanted to add:
Didn't Slingerland use Maple for the outside of the drums that were to be lacquered??? This outer ply appears to be mahogany. What's your call........

[kevins]

Looks like mahogany to me...
My M stamped 65 Slingy snare is mahogany exterior...
My P stamped 67 Red Glitter bass is mahogany exterior...
My P stamped 77 Red Glitter outfit is mahogany exterior...
The good Doctor doesn't mention maple exterior plys until 81...

[Tommyp]

mcjnic/kevins!...

It LOOKS like Mahogany because it IS Mahogany!! Slingerland offered drums with an outer ply/veneer of Mahogany starting in the mid to late 70's. They called it Mahogany Wood Finish... and you are correct Michael, it's not maple stained to look like Mahogany... it's Mahogany!!

I was teaching at a drum studio back in '78 when a Slingerland set came in to be traded against... Pearl. Who knew??!! :-) Anyway... that set's configuration was twin 14X24 bass drums w/double spurs ala the BR #80N... 8X12 and 9X13 rack toms... and a 16X16 and a 16X18 floor tom... in ... "Mahogany Wood Finish". I had never seen that before as a Slingerland offering, but they were BEAUTIFUL!!! And yes, real Mahogany outer ply. I still remember them well, and thought of them when I saw YOUR set mcjnic. Oh, by the way, the snare drum that came in with that set was the 5X14 Sound King w/eight lugs, COB.

By the way: Check the 1976 Slingerland catalog should you have a copy... they are showing the "Standard Concert Model" snare drum in Mahogany Wood Finish, and it is quite apparent that it is REAL Mahogany and not stained maple on that outer ply.

Again... NICE set there mcjnic!!

Tommyp

[drumbum3131]

I'm sure they get the buddy rich tone.

[mcjnic]

I'm sure they get the buddy rich tone.

...but not the Buddy Rich SPEED...sad to say.

I'm going to put natural skin heads on this kit as soon as they are delivered. That's going to be a fun bit of experimentation.

[drumbum3131]

Sounds cool.Cool1

[lucky]

Sorry boy's but that is maple with a mahogany stain. Mcjnic, you have a better chance of finding that 16" floor tom in maple .

[mcjnic]

...but I want it to match the finish of the other drums. I'm seeking out the lacquer mahogany finish 16 floor tom from the late 60's to the early 70's. It should be close enough give the time frame allowed for the aging process. It's going to be very very tough to match it exactly, but I can get close.

[lucky]

If you find one that doesn't match you can always strip it and stain it to match, look for a natural maple one.

[Tommyp]

Lucky!...

... and that's what drawing on 31 years of memory will do... DOH!!!!!! What you say makes complete sense actually, because... Slingerland calls it "Mahogany Wood Finish"... not Mahaogany shell. Indeed! That said:

This does become much easier mcjnic, a natural maple shell is the way, with strip/stain as has been suggested... and ... the stain you want is made by ZAR. They actually have a Mahogany stain with tons of depth/pigment... ( it's a masking stain actually, although it is also wiped after application ) ... unlike say Minwax which just doesn't have the depth of color/pigment. Also available in the ZAR line is a Cherry that might also be a contender on matching. Onward sir!!!

Tommyp

[mcjnic]

oooooooo......good idea. That should help widen the scope of the search a bit. Thank you guys so much. I will proceed.

[lonecomic]

I haven't discussed this one much on the forum. I drove down to Dallas to pick it up around the beginning of the year. I've continued working on it off and on. Mostly, I've played with it. I've just about completed the restoration. I still have not been able to find the second 16. I would appreciate any assistance given. I will continue to search ...

Until then, this is the kit. I have another set of spurs enroute. There are two pair here, but I found a nicer set to switch out. Forgot to put the rubber tips on the spurs for the pics. If you look closely, you will see them on the bass spike thingy. Oh well...

This is by no means similar to what Buddy used. It's the Slingerland model number kit only.

1971 Slingerland Buddy Rich Outfit No. 80N
Lacquer Mahogany Finish
22x14, 16x16, 13x9, 5 1/2 x 14 Artist snare
5 x 14 COB Gene Krupa Sound King snare (seemed appropriate)
Twin 66 Buddy Rich cymbal stands
806 Dynamo Hi Hat stand
1382 Rocket Snare stand
938 Tempo King Pedal
(another flat bass stand to hold the extra snare)
(two non-standard bass cymbal arms)

This one was a kick to work on. I really enjoyed searching out the appropriate parts and the cool little twiddly bits. Those stupid skinny spurs were a nightmare, though. The shells on this kit are ridiculously thin. They are about half as thin as any of my other 3-ply shells. Seriously thin. Consequently, they are very resonant and sensitive. I can't seem to find the best heads to take advantage of that...as of yet. I believe I'm going to put either calf or goat skin on it (or a combination of the two).

I've played it out a couple of times. The other musicians seemed to really be taken by it. I don't believe I'll be doing that again, though. It's a bit too delicate for banging around town. It's a home kit.

I'll hang on to this one for a while. I really like playing it.

I have the 80N set that was used to take the picture with Buddy....
I believe my article is still posted on this site.....They are great drums

[mcjnic]

That's so cool. You must post pics of you sitting with that one. Unreal. That is such a cool kit and they sound oh so sweet. I've fallen in love with mine. Almost got rid of it. Wife stepped in and saved it. I thank her every day that I sit behind it. Calf heads have found a permanent home on it. Please tell me you play yours.