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Identifying a vintage Slingerland Radio King drum set

Posts: 278 Threads: 65

Need some help identifying what I believe to be a 1940's Slingerland Radio King drum kit I recently acquired by trade.

The kit has large Beavertail lugs, a cloud badge from the 1936 to 1942 era I believe, the 13" and 16" toms have no vent holes nor badges, the size of the bass drum is 14" x 20" and the tom leg brackets have screw type tighteners rather than spring loaded releases. Hardware is nickle over brass. Straight hoops with no flanges, but with holes for each tension rod like more modern drums. I have Rob Cook's Slingerland book but the details of this kit don't add up. The kit has the same fade to the White Marine Pearl and appears to have been born together upon close examination. The resonant head on the floor tom is calfskin and looks like it may be original?

I need some small parts for the kit like the attaching hardware for one floor tom lug which is missing one screw/washer amongst some other things. Any help will be appreciated from the very knowledgeable forum members. Thank you.

Barry (mono-plane)
UPBEAT - Drums For Kids (on Facebook)
71 Black Cortex 22, 14 *wtd 16" ft*
61 Ludwig Super Downbeat 20, 16, 13 w/matching Jazz Festival (Black & Gold Duco)
63 Ludwig Clubdate Blue Sparkle 20, 14, 12 (WTB a nice 12" Blue Sparkle tom)
79 Black Beauty SS 6.5 x 14 (one previous owner players or studio drum) 4 sale
80 Black Beauty Supra 6.5 x 14 (4 sale)
Posted on 12 years ago
#1
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

pics sure cut to the chase...

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Posts: 747 Threads: 37

There were no 20" basses at this time period. A close inspection should reveal how it was fabricated.

Posted on 12 years ago
#3
Posts: 2753 Threads: 132

That "bass" drum might have started out as a floor tom.

No matter how far you push the envelope, it is still stationery.
Posted on 12 years ago
#4
Posts: 278 Threads: 65

From tdennis

There were no 20" basses at this time period. A close inspection should reveal how it was fabricated.

Are you saying that Slingerland would not have made a custom size bass drum if ordered or just that it was more likely a conversion?

Barry (mono-plane)
UPBEAT - Drums For Kids (on Facebook)
71 Black Cortex 22, 14 *wtd 16" ft*
61 Ludwig Super Downbeat 20, 16, 13 w/matching Jazz Festival (Black & Gold Duco)
63 Ludwig Clubdate Blue Sparkle 20, 14, 12 (WTB a nice 12" Blue Sparkle tom)
79 Black Beauty SS 6.5 x 14 (one previous owner players or studio drum) 4 sale
80 Black Beauty Supra 6.5 x 14 (4 sale)
Posted on 12 years ago
#5
Posts: 747 Threads: 37

Most drum companies were amenable to custom orders, so there is a slim chance this was special ordered. However the concept of a 20" drum is generally credited to Dave Tough late in the forties, as a special request to Gretsch. It was considered very unusual for the time. (every Slingerland set came w/ a 26" or 28. Even most of the student sets went down to 24"). I would say that the chances that your bass is a conversion project is very high. It would be easy to tell when broken down, & inspected.

Posted on 12 years ago
#6
Posts: 278 Threads: 65

From tdennis

Most drum companies were amenable to custom orders, so there is a slim chance this was special ordered. However the concept of a 20" drum is generally credited to Dave Tough late in the forties, as a special request to Gretsch. I would say that the chances that your bass is a conversion project is very high. It would be easy to tell when broken down, & inspected.

Well I will try to do that when I have some time. I have posted some pictures. The snare shown was not part of the kit originally.

Barry (mono-plane)
UPBEAT - Drums For Kids (on Facebook)
71 Black Cortex 22, 14 *wtd 16" ft*
61 Ludwig Super Downbeat 20, 16, 13 w/matching Jazz Festival (Black & Gold Duco)
63 Ludwig Clubdate Blue Sparkle 20, 14, 12 (WTB a nice 12" Blue Sparkle tom)
79 Black Beauty SS 6.5 x 14 (one previous owner players or studio drum) 4 sale
80 Black Beauty Supra 6.5 x 14 (4 sale)
Posted on 12 years ago
#7
Posts: 5356 Threads: 87

Really nice drums!! Bet they sound nice too. 20" bass is pretty cool. I like em.

Glenn.

Not a guru just havin fun with some old dusty drums.
Posted on 12 years ago
#8
Posts: 278 Threads: 65

From FFR428

Really nice drums!! Bet they sound nice too. 20" bass is pretty cool. I like em.

Thank you FFR428. They do sound pretty cool.

Barry (mono-plane)
UPBEAT - Drums For Kids (on Facebook)
71 Black Cortex 22, 14 *wtd 16" ft*
61 Ludwig Super Downbeat 20, 16, 13 w/matching Jazz Festival (Black & Gold Duco)
63 Ludwig Clubdate Blue Sparkle 20, 14, 12 (WTB a nice 12" Blue Sparkle tom)
79 Black Beauty SS 6.5 x 14 (one previous owner players or studio drum) 4 sale
80 Black Beauty Supra 6.5 x 14 (4 sale)
Posted on 12 years ago
#9
Posts: 112 Threads: 10

Nice kit. You are right about the details though.

The tom and floor tom have pre '48 lugs, no "shelf" at the top. However, the double flanged hoops which are on your drums didn't come into use on the toms until '48. My '47 RKs have single flange hoops and clips on the toms, no badges or vents either.

Add in a bass drum with an earlier badge, this may get interesting.

Posted on 12 years ago
#10
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