Slingerland "Special Student Drum", Aqua Sparkle Pearl

[tdennis]

Slingerland "Special Student Drum", in Aqua Sparkle Pearl, 6 lug snare. This particular snare dates from between 1963 & 1966. I doubt that many drummers chose this wrap. ... & this is the only Slingerland drum I've seen w/ this color finish. WFL also used an Aqua wrap & they show up occasionally.

[Gerald Sterken]

That's a cool drum. I'd pick that color.

[FFR428]

Cool wrap I haven't seen many that color either on Slingerlands. Did they still use those clip mounted hoops then too? Either way very nice snare!

[FFR428]

Fuse thanks that's good to know about. As you can tell I'm still new (but a old guy) to the vintage drum scene.

[tdennis]

This snare model was around since 1955, but available in pearl, only starting in 1963, & the Aqua Sparkle was fazed out by the 1966 catalog, hence, '63-'66. The badge is a black/brass Chicago,ILL, U.S.A. , w/ no serial number. I like this finish, but I'm guessing it probably wasn't considered very masculine at the time.

[kevins]

According to Dr. Wenk, that finish was made in 1958 and 1959 only.
Quite rare he says, as well.
Linkaroo
With the Chicago badge on your drum, that's points at 1959 specifically.
(now watch there be a date stamp of something different, freakin Slingerland !! )

Don't know what to say about the different strainer between the Deluxe and Special models comment except, nah, the Rapid Strainer is on both, as on all Student models..... except for the Student Model Radio King which had a 3-point until somewhere between '55 and '59 when the Rapid Strainer is pictured.

Some more and better quality pics sure would be of benefit here for history's sake.
I don't think we have any pics of this model drum in this finish on the site.
Thanks!

[tdennis]

Even though Aqua Sparkle was available in the fifties, this particular model was only available in pearl starting in 1963 (1955-63, lacquer or mahogany only, Cook p. 215) The badge is a bit out of date, but I'm not surprised. It was common for the drum companies to use out of date, & fazed out parts on their lower end lines. The dates for beginnings & ends aren't very exact, & there are always some anomalies & anachronisms. This could have been a virgin shell from '58-'59 that was originally made for 8 lugs, but was found at a later date & drilled for 6 to make a Special Student Drum. (BTW, thanks for your information, it makes this snare even a more interesting puzzle).

[kevins]

Originally Posted by tdennis

Even though Aqua Sparkle was available in the fifties, this particular model was only available in pearl starting in 1963 (1955-63, lacquer or mahogany only, Cook p. 215) The badge is a bit out of date, but I'm not surprised. It was common for the drum companies to use out of date, & fazed out parts on their lower end lines. The dates for beginnings & ends aren't very exact, & there are always some anomalies & anachronisms. This could have been a virgin shell from '58-'59 that was originally made for 8 lugs, but was found at a later date & drilled for 6 to make a Special Student Drum. (BTW, thanks for your information, it makes this snare even a more interesting puzzle).

Well, no puzzle really, Mr. Cook is just mistaken in this case.
Check the catalogs, Pearl was available on the Student Models back to 1955.
Here is your drum in the 1959 catalog with a Sparkling Pearl Glass Glitter finish on it.
It lists the finish options for the Student Model too.
And a link to the 1959 catalog available in the Drum Guide.
Linkaroo

We've got some great resources for drum ID purposes here, it just takes a little poking around.
There's plenty of other mistakes in Mr. Cooks' books also, but no wonder,
he's covering hundreds of thousands of details about decades upon decades of drum production.

[tdennis]

Many thanks for the download & information. I've made a copy of this page to insert in The Slingerland Book. Finding an earlier date for this snare is a pleasant surprise.