After removal of one of the bass drum's pigskin heads a paper note was found inside the kick drum showing that restoration work had been performed on the kit. The note has since been lost, however, from memory the restorer's name and outer Melbourne eastern suburb address was given (now unknown) as was the description, '193? Radio King'.
The drums have remained in a cupboard in my home for all of this time.
Radio Kings: History.
"Slingerland is an iconic drum company with close ties to jazz drumming. famously endorsed by legendary drummer, Gene Krupa, as well as Buddy Rich and Louis Bellson...Slingerland introduced the Radio King line in 1936, and they remained the most popular Slingerland snare drums and line of drumsets. Radio King snare drums were made from a single piece of maple, while the bass drums and tom-toms were made from mahogany....'
'The history of Slingerland Drums'. www.ehow.com/about_5072703_history-slingerland-drums.html
See also Wikipedia entry.
See also: 'Vintage Drum Guide: the history of vintage drums' www.vintagegrumguide.com/radio_king_history.html
Excellent photographs and information in 'History of Slingerland drums' link in 'coopersvintage drums' website at: www.coopersvintagedrums.com/newslinghistory.htm
The drums:
Broadcaster snare. [Detailed description goes here] Size:.... 8 lugs. Nickel hoops/rims? with 'Slingerland Broadcaster' wording that appears to engraved not stamped .
"In 1935, Slingerland introduced the 'Broadcaster' snare drum, which was made of a solid maple shell, new threaded lug casings and the 'patent-pending' adjustable snare gates. The Broadcaster was the forerunner of perhaps the most well-known line of Slingerland drums, the Radio Kings" "Radio King snare drums were made from a single piece of maple....The snare drums usually had ten lugs and there could no mistake that the drums were, indeed, Radio Kings: 'Slingerland Radio Kings' were stamped on the hoops, and the earliest drums from this line had the name actually engraved on the rims." [see photo below]. From 1937 to 1938, the best-selling snare drum was an eight-lug, solid maple drum. It was the Gene Krupa Radio King."
'The history of Slingerland Drums' ....www.ehow.com/about_5072703_history-slingerland-drums.html
Photographs of my drum:
See 'coopersvintagedrums' website. In particular, web-page for '1935 Slingerland Broadcaster snare drum' Excellent photos.
www.coopersvintagedrums.com
Bass drum:
[description and photos]
Mounted tom:
Floor tom:
[description and photos]
Fittings:
[description and photos]
Dating the drums:
[add website URL's here]
Paste images from websites here showing match to establish and prove date]
[supporting info]
Restoration: parts required.
Vintage Drum store.
www.vintagedrumstore.com
Has 'Vintage drum parts' link.
See: 'coopersvintagedrums' website. In particular, web-page for '1935 Slingerland Broadcaster snare drum' Excellent photos, especially snare release.
Restoration: process.
[add URL for You Tube tutorial here...oops lost it...bad librarian]
Message boards/forums.
www.vintagedrumforum.com
coopersvintagedrums@verizon.net
'Drum Doctor'. drumdoctor@att.net (Mike)
Appraisals:
Vintage Drum Centre. www.vintagedrum.com
Bibliography: websites.
Bibliography: journal articles.
Journal: Not so modern drummer.
www.notsomoderndrummer.com
see also: 'Drum Centre'. www.drumcentre.com
Bibliography: Books.
Cook, Rob. The Slingerland book. Rev.ed. ( ) $29.95
Cangany, Harry J. The great American drums ( )
Images.
Excellent photographs in 'History of Slingerland drums' link in 'coopersvintage drums' website at: www.coopersvintagedrums.com/newslinghistory.htm
Clips:
