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Yet another Radio King in need of some tlc Last viewed: 12 hours ago

Posts: 13 Threads: 4

Hi everyone. This came to me 'free' with a 1940s Radio King drumset bought from a local guy here in the UK. I guess it's a Radio King but can anyone of you gurus out there put a date on it, tell me if the fittings are original or not and maybe give some guidance as to restoring it to something like it's former glory.

What you see is what I got. The shell is a beaut (I think) apart from an extra hole made to accommodate the absolutely horrendous DW throw off. The hoops (rims?), the lugs and hoop clips are all COB (well they don't attract a magnet anyway and they're pretty heavy). Not sure if the lugs are original as they're attached using allen screws and incorporate plastic washers. But they're nice enough and they fit. Originals would be preferable though.

It took me an age to pry the skins from the shell they were on so tight so any advice regarding that would be a big help.

And of course it needs that rarest of rare things, a three point strainer, which I've already made enquiries about on here. Thanks to Oldschool for doing your best to locate one!

Cheers! Robin

It's a lovely thing and I won't rest until it's sorted!

Posted on 11 years ago
#1
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

Robin post a pic of the interior showing the mounting hardware for the lugs ok ?

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

Robin look at this scan . http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/catalogs/slingerland/1928_slingerland_pg4_large.jpg

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 11 years ago
#3
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

Also..please take the butt plate off..so we can see original holes..and measure the originals...

I MIGHT have something that will fit...

I have a partial 3 point in nickel I can sell......just the part that bolts to the shell with 3 screws...you would need 2 other parts to complete....knob tensioner/downstem.... and the bottom part that strings pass through...

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 11 years ago
#4
Posts: 1311 Threads: 9

The only thing original is the "cloud badge".They are brass,with a brass grommet and were used from 28-41.After thet,the badge was aluminum,as brass was needed for the war effort..

The rims should be double flange"stick choppers" and be either chrome or nickel over heavy brass.The top batter side rim should also be engraved "Slingerland Radio King." The reso snare side rim,was not engraved,and had a large snare gate,that was rivited or screwed to the hoop.Mine is rivited.

However,some RK snares like the band master model,had wood hoops,and used bass drum claws with regular tension rods ,instead of double flange standard hoops or single flange hoops with clips.

Those aren't the original lugs,which would have been either small "beaver tails" or stream line "cigar" Lugs.I know repro beavertails are available,but it looks like your drum used stream line lugs(some people call these beavertail also)

Anyhow,reproduction new ones are available at Drumfactory.com for around 3.20 each US, if you can't find used originals.

The double flange,engraved top,and non engraved bottom rims do come up from time to time on ebay,if some vintage parts guys right here can't find some for you.

Some of these forum members are,besides walking encyclopedias,are also small parts /drum warehouses.Cheers Robin

Steve B

Posted on 11 years ago
#5
Posts: 13 Threads: 4

Wow! Thanks everyone for the advice/information.

Actually, Blairndrums, it was the pics of your Radio King that got me motivated as it had similar hoops and shell.

Distance between the lug screw holes is 3 1/2 inches

Distance between the butt plate holes is 2 inches. (There are only 2 holes. What looks like a third hole is just an indent).

Distance between the 2 horizontal strainer holes is 1 5/8

I had a feeling Steve B that none of the parts were original except the badge but…you never know…..!

Have uploaded a few more photos.

Deffo interested in any parts any of you guys have or know of.

Cheers

Robin

Posted on 11 years ago
#6
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

Didn't some VERY early Slinger drums have tube lugs?

Glad you liked my drum...need 1 more stupid part to play the thing!:mad:

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 11 years ago
#7
Posts: 13 Threads: 4

Yeah, your drum is cool mate.

Looking at the various reference websites it looks like the Slingerland tube lugs were associated with the tone flange model.

But maybe I'm wrong……who knows?

Posted on 11 years ago
#8
Posts: 123 Threads: 6

That is not a Radio King. It is an early 1930's "Professional Model".

Posted on 11 years ago
#9
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

From coopersvintagedrums

That is not a Radio King. It is an early 1930's "Professional Model".

Mark, that was my exact thought also !

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 11 years ago
#10
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