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Radio King question Last viewed: 25 minutes ago

Posts: 168 Threads: 10

I have a question that has been puzzling me and wondered if anyone has a similar experience to me.

I am a lover of RKs and have had a few now, I own 2 sets and have another on the way but my question is about snares.

I bought a cloud badge 5 1/2 X 14 last week with clam shell strainer in WMP which I would estimate is early-mid 40s

It sounds great and I am very pleased with it.

I have also had a 1940 7 x 14 in duco with three point strainer which was also a great drum.

My first was a 50s dog tag badge WMP 5 1/2 x14 with 3 point but I let it go because no matter what I did with it it sounded what I can only describe as boxy and a bit dead.

I went to see a 6 1/2" a couple of weeks ago, also dog tag with 3 point and it also sounded boxy.

I have tried a good few now from the early to mid 50s and all of them have this tone that I just don't like at all whilst most cloud badges I have tried regardless of the strainer sound much livelier and more open.

Bearing in mind that I can see no noticeable difference in the construction between the 40s and 50s drums is there some detail I am missing or is this just a strange coincidence and I have just tried a bad run of 50s drums?

Posted on 11 years ago
#1
Posts: 5550 Threads: 576

i think its the hoops my cloud badge was sweet too and brand of wood could be a great growth year for the stock that they had

April 2nd 1969 scarfed pink champagne holly wood and 65/66 downbeat snare, and , supra same year very minty kit old pies
66/67 downbeat with canister
Super 400 small round knob
1967 super classic obp





once the brass ceases to glitter, and the drum looses its luster, and the stage remains dark, all you have left is the timbre of family.
Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 5356 Threads: 87

I blab too much sorry.......DOH

Glenn.

Not a guru just havin fun with some old dusty drums.
Posted on 11 years ago
#3
Posts: 5356 Threads: 87

From jaghog

i think its the hoops my cloud badge was sweet too and brand of wood could be a great growth year for the stock that they had

I never thought of that. My drum came with a Premier die cast hoop batter side and the original NOB sticksaver snare side. When I re did the drum I used a old pair of early NOB RK stick chopper hoops on both sides. I just love them stick choppers~! ;)

Glenn.

Not a guru just havin fun with some old dusty drums.
Posted on 11 years ago
#4
Posts: 168 Threads: 10

I hear what you're saying gents but on the early - mid 50s RKs the rims are the same as the cloud badge.

I'm not talking about the later 50s drums with the new lugs I've played lots of those and they generally sound great, but predominantly the dog tag era.

This vid gives an example, to me this snare sounds "boxy" the guy puts forward the idea that the drums from this era are considered the best Slingerland ever made, I've personally never heard this said but who knows

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV6CMYg_Ol0[/ame]

This is pretty much the tone every dog tag I have tried has including the one I owned and persevered with for a few years. Earlier models seem to have a more open sound.

I'd love to hear from people who have had plenty of RKs through their hands.

Posted on 11 years ago
#5
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

Let me start with the video. Man I hate that snare drum sound. Radio king snare drums are all individual drums in their on right due to being hand made. Also I am not a fan of the clamshell strainer they get a very boxy sound due to the strainer. also heads are critical to the Rk sound as are the snare wires used. Also how in round the shell is. I use a Tama tension watch to tune with, Rks have to be racked up very tight to get a crisp clean sound out of. I do this with my 30's to my 50's Rk's, I have had some real dogs and some very good sounding RK'S.

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 11 years ago
#6
Posts: 5550 Threads: 576

to me thats why i dont collect them

April 2nd 1969 scarfed pink champagne holly wood and 65/66 downbeat snare, and , supra same year very minty kit old pies
66/67 downbeat with canister
Super 400 small round knob
1967 super classic obp





once the brass ceases to glitter, and the drum looses its luster, and the stage remains dark, all you have left is the timbre of family.
Posted on 11 years ago
#7
Posts: 168 Threads: 10

From vintagemore2000

Let me start with the video. Man I hate that snare drum sound. Radio king snare drums are all individual drums in their on right due to being hand made. Also I am not a fan of the clamshell strainer they get a very boxy sound due to the strainer. also heads are critical to the Rk sound as are the snare wires used. Also how in round the shell is. I use a Tama tension watch to tune with, Rks have to be racked up very tight to get a crisp clean sound out of. I do this with my 30's to my 50's Rk's, I have had some real dogs and some very good sounding RK'S.

You're probably right, I have probably just happened on a fair few duds, the first I owned was one of the cleanest shells I have ever seen, perfectly round 3 point strainer, lovely looking drum, tried every head combo imaginable, tried puresound snares, still sounded like that one in the video.

The one I bought last week, nice clean shell, clamshell strainer, original snares which are a bit misshapen, put a Remo emperor bottom and Aquarian American vintage one top, sounds amazing.

Perhaps the cloud badge gives them a lightness:)

I have noticed a few dealers only ever seem to offer cloud badge RKs and a large percentage that turn up on ebay seem to be dog tag badges.

Conspiracy theories start like this :)

Posted on 11 years ago
#8
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

As I mentioned by using the tension watch I am assured that the tension and tuning are correct. for 7x14" RK'S I tune the top head to 80 and the bottom to 80 then back it down if tuned too high. on 5 1/2x14" I tune the top to 80 and the bottom to 83 or to 85 this is tight but the sound coming out of those ole RK'S that old growth wood just sings.

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 11 years ago
#9
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