Okay, call me ignorant, but why would you require a 'heater' in a snare drum? Would this be to keep a calfskin head taught? Always more to learn here on VDF. Thanks.

Thanks vintagemore2000. One more question; shouldn't it be called a 'Lightbulb King', or is there a radio in there too? :)

wow..thanks everyone for all the info on my new Radio King...the mystery has now been solved...Detective 2000 thanks for this post mate..the picture says it all and really pleased its a 48-50 model..which now makes my purchase an even better deal than i first thought..

once again many thanks to all members for taking the time to respond to this post and really appreciate all your input

Bowing

pleased to finally introduce my long awaited Gene Kruppa Slingerland Radio King from 48-50...It has taken over 4 weeks to get my hands on it, as was held up at U.K. Customs for 2 weeks whilst I had to fill out a declaration to confirm that I was not importing as a dealer ... however I still had to pay a lovely £65 to customs before they finally released it !!!

Got to say the wait was well worth it as the condition is amazing and so pleased to finally own one as i had been sniped on the last 2 that i was bidding on !

Jump For Joy

I have a 67 Supra with a heater in it. Original owner only played on calf heads.

A lot of older drums would have had heaters built in or removable in some way, heating pads (invented 1912) would have been used too. Calf heads are suseptable to changes in humidity, effecting the sound. Heating the drum head would dry it out, returning it to a tuned (or a tunable) state. Timpany players understand this terror well.

This became a non issue with the invention of mylar drum heads in 1959.

Dispite this many feel the calf head's feel and sound can't be beat.

The badge & coloration look more like the 1948 Oval. (The slight angle of the ebay photo makes it look narrower than it actually is). Your updated photos of the badge show it is the 1948 Oval. Could you post some good picture of the 3 holes. Heater holes have a certain look, & are usually quite large.

drudge, I think you're correct. I see now, the name "Slingerland" clings to the top line in the oval, whereas the 1948 badge has more space in this area.

Other than on that drum, where is a listing for that badge?

It's not in the lists we have on hand on the drum guide.

My bud Vintagemore2000 has a drum with that badge too, I think.

Thanks!

Hey I see it in the Cook Book, he says it's a 1951.

thanks to everyone for their input on my Radio King..so update.. its a 52-54model (thanks Fuse). as it has the second slinger oval badge..

tdennis i attach a photo of the 3 holes (the best i could) and it shows the triangular formation of them.

still cannot get over the fact it has taken a month to get this beauty, but they say..good things are worth waiting for !!!!