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Slingerland Fiberglass Drum History Last viewed: 1 hour ago

Posts: 1918 Threads: 60

I was very fortunate to stumble upon a drum shop that has been in business for much longer than I've been walking the Earth. It is steeped in drum history and the owner is an easy-going gent who has the time to share colorful and deep stories.

While we were negotiating deals on a kit and a couple of snares and a coronet (don't ask), I noticed some very unusual snares. I inquired and was given a story that stopped me in my tracks.

I will give the introduction here and then start a full thread with pics and documents and interviews.

His dad was friends with Bud Slingerland. He worked with Bud and a few engineers to design and develop a fiberglass drum for Slingerland. The design is a very thin shell with a quilted inner. Bud sent him Slingerland hardware to finish the build. They were sent to Slingerland and shown at a drum show as Slingerland drums. The kit sounds amazing. The gent is fixing up a snare for me and will pass it on to me in a week or two. Buddy Rich tested them out and loved the sounds. There are lots of documents and such I am compiling for the History part of the site. Just wanted to make you aware of it for now.

Neato!

What Would You Do
Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 1819 Threads: 153

Definitely keep us posted!!

Looking forward to it,

Bill

Bill
Cherryvale, Ks
"Redrums - Ks" on FB and Reverb
(also "billnvick" on eBay)
Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 5356 Threads: 87

Wow what great history. Can't wait to see and hear more. :)

Glenn.

Not a guru just havin fun with some old dusty drums.
Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 171 Threads: 10

Sounds like this is gonna be awesome. Glad you stumbled upon this great discovery. Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to hear and see more. I wonder how many other projects Bud had worked on and not brought forward.

Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 816 Threads: 72

Aha, Rogersling! You found the place. I actually knew Marty Rosen and spoke to him about his "Romco" fiberglass drums a few times while dealing for parts, etc. and still see his son David at the store from time to time. I bought a lot of hard to find parts from them when I was heavily into collecting in the 80's and 90's. That's why the parts inventory is lower now. Marty was an interesting fellow, too.

At their old store(s) on Kavanaugh Blvd, the second floor was a treasure trove of vintage drums. I believe it's all still in storage.

Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 351 Threads: 14

Fred Sanford, a legend in the marching drumline world, mentioned in an article that Slingerland was developing fiberglass shells in the late '70s. He indicated the drums never made it to market.

A few years ago on eBay I bought what was advertised as a NOS Slingerland fiberglass bare shell. I still have it; never finished it out, but the holes drilled for lugs match the Slingie lugs of that era.

Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 1296 Threads: 208

[QUOTE=tubelugs;185540]Fred Sanford, a legend in the marching drumline world, ...QUOTE]

Loved his sitcom! DOH

Never play it the same way once.
Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 1918 Threads: 60

I've also posted a pic of the very proud son (the current owner). A very nice and seriously knowledgeable man, to be sure.

What Would You Do
Posted on 13 years ago
#8
Posts: 1918 Threads: 60

Here's an excellent example of the build. Note the very very thin shell. That's one of the "issues" between Mr. Rosen and Bud Slingerland. I'm told that Bud wanted rerings to add strength for higher tensions. This was not a compromise that could be met.

Also, take a serious look at that inner. That's a quilting (three dimensional) effect there. It would have a monstrous impact on the sound of the drum. He did this for each and every drum he built.

The hardware on this one is Ludwig. It is a special order drum for a customer that was eventually repurchased(?) by the owner. Glad it's back where it belongs.

Next run ... the kit.

What Would You Do
Posted on 13 years ago
#9
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

Verlee Enteresting!!!LoLoLoLo

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Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 13 years ago
#10
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