Hello fellow VDFers,

Yet another Slingerland Broadcaster has entered The Curotto Collection! This one came from Zach Stewart of Counterhoop Vintage Drums.

1934-35 6.5x14 SLINGERLAND BLUE/SILVER/BLUE DUCO BROADCASTER MODEL

THE SHELL:

Duco finishes are by far not my favorite finishes on a drum but the rarity of the Broadcaster line of snare drums made this an easy purchase. I truly feel that the 1920s-30s Slingerland Artist, DuAll and Broadcaster models are very rare drums, more so than the 1920s-30s Ludwig & Ludwig Standard and Super-Ludwig models. Another reason that I am not a big Duco fan is that most of the Duco drums that I have seen are pretty thrashed as this finish does not age well. The B/S/B Duco finish on this snare drum is in very good condition and just needed a light cleaning and polishing. The shell is solid birds eye maple and the interior is very clean with no re-ring separation at all. The shell actually measures out to 6 5/8". The cloud badge is pristine with a tight grommet.

THE HARDWARE:

Yet another Broadcaster with all nickel hardware except for the 8 chrome (tapped, no insert) Streamlined lugs. I know I've said it in my previous Broadcaster articles but I really dislike the nickel hardware vs. the chrome Streamlined lug look, it just doesn't match to me but that's how Slingerland did it so this is what you get here. I must say that the hardware is in very good condition and both the nickel and chrome cleaned up and polished up nicely. The snare gates have the usual "manufacturer's cartouche" markings, the snare gates are marked "18", one side has just one "18" stamped on the rim/snare guard and "18" is stamped twice on the other side of the rim and the other snare guard. There is a very strong Slingerland Broadcaster stamp on the top rim.

Of-the-era Slingerland calf heads and James Snappi wires rounded out this cleaning/restoration.

Enjoy!

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Mike Curotto