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Slingerland Radio King ID help

Posts: 728 Threads: 92

Hi guys,

A couple of months back I purchased a nice war era Slingerland Radio King as a project drum. In going through the process of pulling it apart to clean, strip, and re-stain Ive started to wonder exactly what model of radio king (or not) I've got here. Here's what I know:

- its got the aluminum/white war-time cloud badge

- 3 ply (maple, poplar, mahogany) shell

- 7" x 14" shell

- beavertail lugs (#564)

- engraved Radio King rims with gate secured by rivets

-#1967 Leedy three point strainer (looks just like the #967A Slingerland stainer but has a small diamond hole in the lower section). Must have replaced that original Slingy strainer at some point.

Anyone know of any early to mid 1940's 3 ply radio king models? Were the early Hollywood Aces 3 ply? The Concert Kings didnt come out to '48 but did not have engraved hoops like mine. Hmmmm......

As always, thanks for any help!

James

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change.” - Charles Darwin
Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 747 Threads: 37

You have the Hollywood Ace Swing Model Radio King, 7X14. (The Concert King was a 6 1/2" snare).

Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 728 Threads: 92

Thanks very much for your help!

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change.” - Charles Darwin
Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 5356 Threads: 87

Please post some pics of that bad boy. flower

Glenn.

Not a guru just havin fun with some old dusty drums.
Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 728 Threads: 92

Will do. I will probably stain the shell this weekend and will post before and afters once I get some more pics. I'm really excited about this one!

James

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change.” - Charles Darwin
Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 747 Threads: 37

Why are you stripping it ?

Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 728 Threads: 92

The shell had already been stained inside and out when I bought it. I dont know what the original paint looked like for this drum. Anyway, I stripped the stain off, sanded, and treated the shell and now its ready for a new stain. I will not re-stain the interior mahogany ply. It looks way too nice all sanded and conditioned. I've already cleaned and polished a lot of the hardware, save the strainer, internal muffler, and tension rods. This one should be finished pretty soon!

James

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change.” - Charles Darwin
Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 747 Threads: 37

Good luck w/ your project. I've refinished 2 of these big Radio Kings that had been slathered w/ house paint. (In the past, many drummers would prematurely strip these Duco snares because they tend to get a bit unsightly when they lose some lacquer. I've learned to keep them original, flakes & all, if I can )

Posted on 13 years ago
#8
Posts: 728 Threads: 92

Cool! I would like to see pictures of yours - post em! Did you use a coat of polyurethane after painting the ones you refinished? I've never done this before and am not sure if this is the right thing to do or not?

Thanks Tdennis,

James

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change.” - Charles Darwin
Posted on 13 years ago
#9
Posts: 747 Threads: 37

This RK was completely painted black, hardware & all when I got it. I finished it w/ Mahogany stain, & finally Tung oil. This does not have a thick protective finish, but I wanted the very natural look of the wood. This was a solid one piece shell.

Posted on 13 years ago
#10
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