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Radio King Kit Help Last viewed: 3 hours ago

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I'm "attempting" to do a little down-sizing over here (although my wife considers it "right-sizing"), which is ALWAYS hard for me, and have been going through some of my kits that haven't been getting any significant use.

I've got a BDP Radio King kit that I picked up many years ago that was basically put into storage since I got it. From the research I've done, I believe the kit to be from the WWII-era. However, I've got a few questions that I'm hoping the "experts" out there might be able to help me with:

1. When viewing the pic of the floor tom you'll notice that its got rim clips and wooden hoops with BDP in-lays. Would this be considered correct for a WWII-era floor tom?

2. The rack tom has a tacked-bottom head. Is this era-correct?

3. The snare and both toms have beavertail lugs while the bass drum has cigar lugs. Was that common for a WWII-era factory-issued kit or do you believe the prior owner piece-mealed this kit together?

Any and all "words of wisdom" would be greatly appreciated.

THANKS in advance for your time and your help!

Posted on 12 years ago
#1
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all is normal on your kit. no worries here, the tacked bottom tom is always a hard sale. but it could easily be pieced together the floor tom would normally have stick chopper rims that are engraved. Really no way to tell for sure. it's a real beauty good luck.

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Posts: 5356 Threads: 87
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THAT my friend is a beautiful set of RK's. :) Best of luck with your sale!

Glenn.

Not a guru just havin fun with some old dusty drums.
Posted on 12 years ago
#3
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Gary do you have any pics of the floor tom interior? this will tell me the age of the shell. The color muffler pads? also the outside muffler knob is a late 30's to 40's model so that is correct. as are the lugs, t rods, wood rim clips, and lugs. oh is the 13" top rim engraved RADIO KING?

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 12 years ago
#4
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From vintagemore2000

Gary do you have any pics of the floor tom interior? this will tell me the age of the shell. The color muffler pads? also the outside muffler knob is a late 30's to 40's model so that is correct. as are the lugs, t rods, wood rim clips, and lugs. oh is the 13" top rim engraved RADIO KING?

vintagemore2000: Here's a couple of pics of the interior shell of the floor tom as well as one of the head that's on the drum. In regard to the 13" tom, the top rim is NOT engraved Radio King.

FFR428: Thanks for the positive feedback!

Posted on 12 years ago
#5
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Thanks buddy. this tom is 100% stock all the screws and washers are correct as is the muffler. This drum is from early 40's to probably 1943. they also stopped engraving around that time on the tom rims not on the snare drum rims.Also with the metal band at full bore then that is maybe why the floor tom is the earlier basket mount with the wooden hoops. is it s a 16x16"? You know I'll never ever get tired of looking at such a beautiful shell interior, that is just awesome I'll never get tired of it!!! :) Hey are the re rings like 2 1/2" wide?

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 12 years ago
#6
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From vintagemore2000

Thanks buddy. this tom is 100% stock all the screws and washers are correct as is the muffler. This drum is from early 40's to probably 1943. they also stopped engraving around that time on the tom rims not on the snare drum rims.Also with the metal band at full bore then that is maybe why the floor tom is the earlier basket mount with the wooden hoops. is it s a 16x16"? You know I'll never ever get tired of looking at such a beautiful shell interior, that is just awesome I'll never get tired of it!!! :)

THANKS so much for your time, your help and the information you provided! The top rim on the snare IS engraved with the Radio King logo. I don't have the floor tom at home (it's being stored at the studio), but I do believe that it's a 16x16. I agree that the interior shells on the Radio Kings are pretty amazing to see. Any idea why the bass drum would have the cigar lugs in lieu of the beavertails? Just wondering.

Posted on 12 years ago
#7
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From OldSchool

THANKS so much for your time, your help and the information you provided! The top rim on the snare IS engraved with the Radio King logo. I don't have the floor tom at home (it's being stored at the studio), but I do believe that it's a 16x16. I agree that the interior shells on the Radio Kings are pretty amazing to see. Any idea why the bass drum would have the cigar lugs in lieu of the beavertails? Just wondering.

Most of the bass drum have the longer lugs, they just looked more balanced on a bass drum. Glad to help. get a 9 x13" tom double sided, put calfskins on these ole tubs and a go smoking with em is what ya need to do! :)

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 12 years ago
#8
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That's a great looking kit, Gary. I don't think you'll have any trouble selling it, but it's a shame that you can't keep it. I've got a BDP 7 x 14 Radio King snare that looks just like yours, except mine is pre-aluminum badge.

Good luck with it.

Best.

Stephen

Vintage Drum Student
Posted on 12 years ago
#9
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From relayer

That's a great looking kit, Gary. I don't think you'll have any trouble selling it, but it's a shame that you can't keep it. I've got a BDP 7 x 14 Radio King snare that looks just like yours, except mine is pre-aluminum badge. Good luck with it.Best.Stephen

Thanks, Stephen!

I just might look for that double-sided tom vintagemore2000 suggested prior to making a final decision on the kit.

Posted on 12 years ago
#10
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