yes!

i bought my 1970-71 (still can't 100% verify the year, but '71 seems likely) slingerland set specifically because my teacher has almost the identical kit and i loved how it sounded. he uses it on a lot of small group jazz gigs instead of toting his mongo dw kit.

my kit is standard rockish sizes: 12, 13, 16, 22, which may feel big to you, but the depths are shallow, which is what i really wanted. shallower depths make a huge difference in my world. i don't have a lot of room in my practice space.

what's great about this kit is it's really sonically versatile, so i wouldn't hesitate to use it on a rock gig. it has 2 main tunings: high and low : D i know that doesn't sound versatile to some, but really, if you're doing straight ahead jazz or straight ahead rock at a straight ahead venue, these totally do the job. they have an overall warmth to them but still project very nicely and cleanly. no crazy overtones.

main downside: limited tuning and tom mounting options--the hardware for that (on mine, it's a cruder version of that set-o-matic mount) is pretty fixed so you don't have a ton of tom mobility. thus far this has not been an issue for me. you can still raise and lower the toms with the center mount.

i really couldn't tell you the exact model or series they are, but my post further down about stripped hardware on slingerlands has a pic.

i also have a 60s gretsch kit and am thinking if you are really going for a jazzier vibe, you might want to stick with that, because the bass drum really has some serious presence and boom. i just was never pleased with the 13" tom on mine.

still, i can't say enough good things about this kit, despite the fact that i am having to replace hardware. they got good use, so something is bound to need fixin'

best of luck!

That's some nice feedback! I appreciate it. The Gretsch is staying, so this would be an additional kit. Tempting.

The Slingerland "Jet" kit. -Cool kit and jazz oriented all the way!

[IMG]http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/slingerland_drum_sets/1967-slingerland-catalog5.jpg[/IMG]

Since Slingerland kits are generally cost effective, there is really no reason not to snag one if you have the means. The black and gold badge drums generally are pretty great as well as the earlier 70's drums. Nice "woody" tone and pretty versatile. I have a 12" b/s badge tom that still has the thin shell with re-rings. I put coated ambassadors top and bottom and tune the heads to the same pitch in the middle of the drums range. It is extremely articulate like you would use for the smaller jazz combo idiom, but it it still very warm and open sounding. You know how many drums start to sound a little "hard or brittle" when the batter head is tuned up? Not this one.

I know I'm in the minority here, but I just cannot play a Slingerland bass smaller than a 22. I've had a couple of 20 inch Slingy bass drums and they all suffered from "pedal rock" due to the positioning of the spurs - dead center.

With that said, I LOVEd the sound of my Slingy jazz kits. I just can't do the bass. I recently said goodbye to my last one. It went to a good place and I can visit it if the need arises. Excellent sounds. Seriously excellent.

My remaining Slingy jazz kit is of the 22,13,16 variety (80N Buddy Rich).

I like the Ludwig jazz sizes ok. They have some nice sounds.

but ...

... for jazz, I choose mid60s Rogers. Unfreeeeekin' real jazz sound. That 20 inch bass can handle whatever I throw at it. The 12 inch tom has an unbelievable range and resonance. ... ... ... and that 14 inch floor ... ... ... oh my. That's one of the best sounding drums I've ever put a stick to. The Powertone snare is boss - crisp, sensitive, ... perfect.

Not to start a fight or to urinate on someone's love ... but I don't see the price meeting the product where Gretsch jazz drums are concerned. They sound good ... but not "nine grand" good. To my ears, they are not "better" sounding than a sweet Rogers kit. It's really a subjective thing. They play stiff and the tones are just not smooth and warm enough for me. I might take in a 22,13,16 config if the price were just killer, but I own drums that sound better than the ones that I've played and heard.

I think Gretsch is more nostalgic than anything. I'd take a set of Ludwigs, Slingerlands, or Rogers over a set of Gretsch drums any day.

Back to the topic...I had a Slingy 12/16/20/Radio King snare set for a while. Sounded GREAT, and the price was good, too. Since they typically sell for less than Ludwigs (which they sound pretty close to, in my opinion), they are a bargain buy. Kinda like if you want to get a Supraphonic, but you buy an Acrolite instead...know what I'm sayin'? Whatever you get, check. the. edges!

I have a 4-piece 1955 Slingerland Gene Krupa Deluxe set.

It has a unique "green pearl" finish on the shells. It is light and has the shallow depth shells. The sound is like no other set I have owned. I have had it for about 15 years now and have played it live many times with bands. It sounds great using sticks or brushes.

5.5x14 snare

9x13 tom

16x16 floor tom

14x22 bass drum

I use Remo Coated Ambassador's on the snare and toms. I have an Aquarian Super Kick series on the bass drum which I find gives it a nice well-rounded sound.

Below is a link to the original catalog where this drum set was listed:

http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/slingerland_drum_sets/1955-slingerland-gene_krupa_deluxe.jpg

20" or 18" 12" 14" floor Slingerland or Gretsch = jazz

Just something about them !

[QUOTE=RogerSling;194521]I know I'm in the minority here, but I just cannot play a Slingerland bass smaller than a 22. I've had a couple of 20 inch Slingy bass drums and they all suffered from "pedal rock" due to the positioning of the spurs - dead center.

With that said, I LOVEd the sound of my Slingy jazz kits. I just can't do the bass. I recently said goodbye to my last one. It went to a good place and I can visit it if the need arises. Excellent sounds. Seriously excellent.

My remaining Slingy jazz kit is of the 22,13,16 variety (80N Buddy Rich).

RogerSling,

Your post makes me really want a Rogers kit now! Your description "sounds" great.

I am a little confused about the issue you have had with Slingerland 20" kicks? I have one and have not noticed an issue with it.