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[B]1938-40 SLINGERLAND 5 x 14 NOB ARTIST MODEL RADIO KING[/B] Last viewed: 9 hours ago

Posts: 1334 Threads: 235

Hi,

I got this snare drum at the 2014 Chicago Vintage Drum Show. A special thanks goes to Mark Cooper for assisting me with the purchase and with some additional information as to what this snare drum is.

1938-40 SLINGERLAND 5 x 14 NOB ARTIST MODEL RADIO KING

The SHELL:

Nothing out of the ordinary here, just a nicely preserved nob shell that just needed a good cleaning. Simple Green (full strength) works really well. As the photos show, the shell is a lighter weight one-piece brass shell than the heavy 2-piece and one-piece brass shells that Ludwig & Ludwig used in the same era.

The HARDWARE:

Again, nothing out of the ordinary here. The nickel plated hardware was in good shape but still needed a good cleaning and polishing. As always the steel tension rods show the most wear but they cleaned up and polished up nicely. The top rim has a strong Slingerland Radio King stamp.

Radio King logo top and bottom calf heads and of-the-era Slingerland snare wires rounded out this restoration

Final thoughts:

This snare drum was sold to me a Radio King. As I started to get into the restoration I noticed that there are no extension brackets or any drilling for extension brackets. I have seen catalog photos of Slingerland Radio Kings with no extension brackets but a few possible scenarios still remain: 1. With the WW II War Act (metal restrictions) approaching along with the dwindling metal parts situation maybe the extension brackets were left off on this drum. 2. Maybe this was a special order a la Gene Krupa where the buyer requested no extension brackets. This is quite possible as drum companies of that era would entertain special orders or “factory re dos”. And, just keeping it real... 3. There is also the possibility that I got ripped off this time.

As always feel free to weigh-in with your thoughts and experiences.

Enjoy!

Mike Curotto

Posted on 9 years ago
#1
Posts: 1334 Threads: 235

A few more...

Mike Curotto

Posted on 9 years ago
#2
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

Man this is one of the real beauties. Thanks for sharing it with us Mike !

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 9 years ago
#3
Posts: 5356 Threads: 87

Beautiful snare Mike!

Glenn.

Not a guru just havin fun with some old dusty drums.
Posted on 9 years ago
#4
Posts: 6432 Threads: 290

Very cool, and pretty!


Thank you!
Jeff C

"Enjoy every sandwich" Warren Zevon
Posted on 9 years ago
#5
Posts: 727 Threads: 96

Mike,

First, the Drum is stunning! While scenario 3 is possible, based on what I see, scenario 1 is more probable. Perhaps it was a one off using mostly RK parts. I have always ascertained what makes a Radio King is the snares extending out past the beds.

Either way, I would call that a rare Drum in mint condition! You should be proud to have it in your vast collection.

Dean

Drum Kits
1965 Ludwig Clubdate Oyster Blue
1966 Ludwig Clubdate Oyster Black
1969 Ludwig BB Blue Oyster Keystone Clubdate
1971 Ludwig BB Black Oyster
Early 60's Camco Oaklawns Champagne Sparkle
Posted on 9 years ago
#6
Posts: 1334 Threads: 235

From schmegeggie

Mike,First, the Drum is stunning! While scenario 3 is possible, based on what I see, scenario 1 is more probable. Perhaps it was a one off using mostly RK parts. I have always ascertained what makes a Radio King is the snares extending out past the beds. Either way, I would call that a rare Drum in mint condition! You should be proud to have it in your vast collection. Dean

Thanks for the kind words Dean.

Mike Curotto

Posted on 9 years ago
#7
Posts: 750 Threads: 69

From schmegeggie

Mike,First, the Drum is stunning! While scenario 3 is possible, based on what I see, scenario 1 is more probable. Perhaps it was a one off using mostly RK parts. I have always ascertained what makes a Radio King is the snares extending out past the beds. Either way, I would call that a rare Drum in mint condition! You should be proud to have it in your vast collection. Dean

Not entirely true. There were many Radio Kings with no extended snares. They are considered true Radio Kings. The Buddy Rick RK model comes to mind.

Posted on 9 years ago
#8
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