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Slingerland Radio King hoop help please Last viewed: 10 hours ago

Posts: 7 Threads: 2

Hi, I am new here. This forum looks like an invaluable resource; a lot of knowledgeable people!

A few words to introduce myself. I live in the UK, a city called Sheffield (once was the home of British Steel). An ex-architect (out of work for over a year) and now a full time drummer trying to support a family!

Earlier this week I bought a Radio King. I have lusted after one for many years (when I first heard one in the flesh, it was what some say alcoholics describe as that 'moment of clarity').

So I got a 7x14" drum supposedly from the 1940s. The wrap has been removed, and the drum seems to be in pretty good condition. Some nice birdseye maple, and the drum looks like it has been professionally repaired. I wanted a drum that I would enjoy playing, and not be afraid to gig with.

I have scoured the UK for a 14" batter hoop that has the Radio King engraving in it. My hoop does not have the engraving, the hoop is plain.

Can anybody help me locate a 14" Radio King engraved hoop?

I'd love to post a picture of the drum, but (a) I don't know how to, and (b) someone might tell me I've bought a lemon!

Posted on 14 years ago
#1
Posts: 7 Threads: 2

Hi, thank you for the reply.

Yes, you are correct, it is a hoop just like that.

A 14" batter head hoop with 8 lug holes,with the Radio King logo imprinted on it. It is called 'stick chopper' because you get through sticks playing rimshots?!

I'll keep checking ebay USA (unlikely to come up on ebay UK) and I will post for one in the wanted section as you recommend.

Thanks.

(Great looking drum of yours, by the way).

Posted on 14 years ago
#2
Posts: 7 Threads: 2

[IMG]http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h59/MARK-DOT-DRUMS/DSCF0037.jpg[/IMG]

....hope this works...

HERE IT IS!

Posted on 14 years ago
#3
Posts: 6288 Threads: 375

You see what we see.

Kevin
Posted on 14 years ago
#4
Posts: 7 Threads: 2

From vintagemore2000

Mark this year model Rk Isn't suppose to have the Engraved Rk hoops the ones you have are the correct ones!

Is it 1948?

Posted on 14 years ago
#5
Posts: 7 Threads: 2

From vintagemore2000

No it's a 50's model look at this link http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/drcjw/article_1_badges.html# also the riveted snare gates on the bottom rim date it

Aha, interesting. I'd got the drum down as the 1948-1950 badge, as it is the same size badge and text layout. The 1950-1956 badges are smaller.

How does the drum look to you from the pic?

Well, I'm just packing the drum up now for its first gig...

Posted on 14 years ago
#6
Posts: 596 Threads: 4

It looks like the 1948-50 badge to me. I'm not familiar with the date cutoffs for the riveted/screwed/stamped snare gates, but the two snare drums shown on the Coopers Vintage Drums Slingerland history page with the 1948-50 badge have riveted gates like the ones on Mark's drum. (On that site, the date for the badge is given as 1948-49 to 1951-52.)

Posted on 14 years ago
#7
Posts: 596 Threads: 4

I certainly respect your opinion and will happily admit I'm still fairly new to this game. Because of that, I was hoping you'd add some detail so I might be able to see where you're coming from. (Thanks for that.) And I know there can be variance when it comes to badging and whatnot. I mean, Slingerland has a reputation for exceptions to the rule regarding pretty much everything!

I'm still inclined to think the drum is 1948-to-1950-ish though, in part because of the badge and in part because I think the riveted snare gates were available well before 1955. There seem to be plenty of examples of 1940s cloud-badged drums with wide riveted gates -- there are some pretty clear pics on the Coopers Vintage Drums page I linked above. And if 1955 was when the Sound King hardware and Stick Saver hoops with stamped snare gates were introduced, wouldn't that be the end of the riveted gates and not the beginning?

Regardless of who's right, no hard feelings, ill will, or whatever. I'd still buy you a beer.

Posted on 14 years ago
#8
Posts: 7 Threads: 2

Well, I used the drum last night in a small club, with a band I regularly dep for.

IT WAS A JOY TO PLAY.

I had lots of good comments from the band, particularly the bass player who is a bit of a legend in these parts (and i am very lucky to get to play with him!)

Skydog, thank you for the links and opinion

vintagemore2000 I am very grateful indeed for your historical summary in this thread, great information thank you.

Posted on 14 years ago
#9
Posts: 596 Threads: 4

From mark.drums

IT WAS A JOY TO PLAY.

If it sounds half as good as it looks, I'm sure it was! Thanks for sharing!

Posted on 14 years ago
#10
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