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would you do this to a Radio King? Last viewed: 20 hours ago

Posts: 126 Threads: 44

have a 1940 Radio King, which I believe may have been the Ray McKinley model? It was the first to have the clamshell strainer. I bought the drum without a strainer, and someone had painted it, so I had to strip it and refinish. Fortunately, it was a beautiful birdseye maple shell. I made a "Presto Plate" system, attached a TDR system to the plates and then attached the plates to the drum using the original holes. It is s nice drum.

Since clamshell strainers are next to impossible to get these days, and it seems no one is making repros of them, AND the drum has been devalued by the painting/stripping/refinishing - here is my question:

WHAT WOULD YOU DO:

1. Leave it alone and wait for a clamshell strainer to come along

2. Make the "Presto Plates" more atractive and leave it alone

3. Take the plates off and simple mount the TDR strainer and butt (which means drilling new holes)

4. Use a three point strainer and Slingerland gates to make it more authentic to the time period.

5. Other?

Any and all opinions are welcomed.

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TDR on RK.JPG
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Posted on 14 years ago
#1
Posts: 879 Threads: 74

I have two drums like this one. One has had a clamshell fitted to replace the 3 point. The other has the 3 point. I much prefer the 3 point, so I would say that is the way to go if you can make a neat job of it. Can't look any worse than what is on there now. Nice looking shell by the way.

Posted on 14 years ago
#2
Posts: 728 Threads: 92

I would choose between options one and four. JUst because I like to torture myself, I would probably try to track down a clam shell strainer for a while before committing to the 3 point :).

Good luck and nice drum!

“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 14 years ago
#3
Posts: 6288 Threads: 375

I'd work on making a more attractive plate, if looks are important to you, while keeping an eye out for a clamshell.

Very pretty drum !!

Kevin
Posted on 14 years ago
#4
Posts: 1071 Threads: 128

Eye Ball now thats just crazy!

80's 13 pc sonor signature
1979 12 pc ludwig power factory
Posted on 14 years ago
#5
Posts: 596 Threads: 4

I'd fashion a more elegant adapter plate while keeping an eye open for that elusive clamshell.

I've done the same thing for my old Slingerland snare -- pics are attached. When I received the drum, it was nothing but a shell, lugs, and top hoop. The huge fifteen-hole screw pattern of a three-point strainer and bridges make my adapter a bit bulky, but you should be able to cobble together a pretty elegant one.

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trick.jpg
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Posted on 14 years ago
#6
Posts: 126 Threads: 44

THANKS to everyone, well except drums2xs, for your input. I amended my post to clarify the origins of the drum.

I think I will go with the option to make a more attractive plate and continue the search for the elusive clamshell strainer. Buying a Clamshel strainer will probably prove more costly than the drum would bring, but then I could go to my grave and meet my maker with a clear conscience.

KEEP THOSE OPINIONS COMING - but please clarify any insane comments!

Posted on 14 years ago
#7
Posts: 126 Threads: 44

From drums2xs

Eye Ball now thats just crazy!

THANKS Mr. drums2sx! I always appreciate feedback, but this is a little vague. Why is it just crazy? What would you do? Also, just for future reference, "that's" should be written with an apostrophe, so that is means "that is." Just the professor in me coming out to help where I can!ExcitedExcited

Posted on 14 years ago
#8
Posts: 4009 Threads: 209

From vibeguy56

THANKS to everyone, well except drums2xs, for your input. I amended my post to clarify the origins of the drum. I think I will go with the option to make a more attractive plate and continue the search for the elusive clamshell strainer. Buying a Clamshel strainer will probably prove more costly than the drum would bring, but then I could go to my grave and meet my maker with a clear conscience.KEEP THOSE OPINIONS COMING - but please clarify any insane comments!

It's well worth continuing the search for the correct strainer. I looked for the better part of a year for the Renown strainer for my Gretsch Dixieland snare drum. Now it's complete (including a set of NOS Responso snare wires) and I'm happy with the results. I have more invested into the drum than it's worth, yes, but I am happy with it knowing that I restored the drum back to its former glory properly.

Posted on 14 years ago
#9
Posts: 802 Threads: 149

VibeGuy:

Absolutely....make a better wooden plate, and keep searching for that clamshell strainer.....there is one out there calling your name.

Very nice job on that drum. Congrats on bringing it back to life!!

Retro

Posted on 14 years ago
#10
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