the drum your showing would be up to a 1962 model, this is a 1 ply shell, but the clamshell strainer arm is not original or slingerland. the badge on this drum is from 1956-59.the color is champagne sparkle.oops forgot yes it's a Radio King. the clamshell strainer your showing, I personally hate this thing, they either work or they don't!! if you can find an rk with a three point strainer this drum will be very playable, all my rk's are the three point strainer, my bud kevins hopefully he will chime in on this he's owned both strainer types get his opinion, I just gave it to you but his own words are best. If the price is at or over $500.00 I myself would pass! I've enclosed a pic of a radio king of mine to show the three point strainer. here read through this link on clamshell strainer. http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/drcjw/article_5_strainers_clam_shell-1.htm

Thanks,

The one I posted is for sale at about 800. Other than the throw is it a good drum? I'm not sure exactly what he'd be looking for in an RK. I cant ask him exactly what he wants either because its supposed to be a surprise.

So this isn't the valuable drum?

It is valuable just not $800.00 valuable. Rk's are a finicky drum due to they almost always have ply separation as the one you've shown does it's not bad but I haven't seen the entire shell so?. your father did he have one in his youth? so that's the driving force?

There are cataloged snares that are titled "Radio King", but drummers also , informally call another solid shell Slingerland, Radio king. This includes the Solid shell "Artist Model", w/ the Zoomatic strainer (1963-79). I wouldn't doubt that your dad heard this snare called an RK in his youth.

I have not been into the vintage scene very long but it seems prices are up a bit compared to last year on the RK stuff. Back at the height of the market what kind of prices were the RK snares going for? It's funny soon as I become interested in something and enter the market to buy it seems the prices double. Laughing H

John welcome to VDF. That's a really nice gift your getting Dad for his Birthday.

The Thanks everyone for the input.

I guess the driving force for this is the sound. My old man alsays loved the sound of that particular snare but never owned one. My original concern about price is that I thought it was low because I always saw Radio Kings that were over a grand.

Also thanks for the warm welcome.

In the End if 800 is too high, I'm not too concerned. My brother and I are splitting the bill.

The reinforcing rings on the 1 ply shell have not separated.

My concern is if this type of snare has the legendary sound or not.

Plus it's the only working radio king I could find.

If it is a good drum ill haggle with the seller.

So price and throw asside is this a good sounding drum?

Sorry to be a bother but thanks everyone for the knowlede, I'm learning a lot on this site.

John first off your no bother sir, this is for your father it must be right!! tdennis gave you good advice you can get a solid ply atrist model it's the radio king shell with a the fantastic throwoff the zoomatic it works great as long as it's not been over tightened and you can get one of them for $400.00 and under

There are 6 completed listings on ebay for RK snares. Each one is considerably lower than their price peak of 2008/09. What seems high or low depends on when you entered the market & started noticing prices.

I've had the zoomatic throw before and I had problems with it but its a nice looking drum.

What model is it? I think part of it was the name of the drum. King of like having that 60s mustang. Does the green one fall under the Radio King name?