Coopers Vintage Drums
http://www.coopersvintagedrums.com
.
The History of the Slingerland Drum Company
Here is a brief history of the Slingerland
Drum Company from 1923-1970. I have included many photos, which may take a
while to load. Unless otherwise noted, all photos are from my personal
collection. For more detailed information on Slingerland, please visit the Guide to
Vintage Drums section of this web site. Some of the same
information and photos are featured in both articles.
NOTE: While I have made every attempt to provide
accurate dates, it is nearly impossible to be 100% accurate. Old catalogs are often
vague and contradictory. I am basing my information on catalog information,
discussions with other collectors and historians, as well as many years
collecting and working on Slingerland drums.
Unfortunately, often a guess is all that is available!
Very early Slingerland badge
Photo courtesy of Dave Brown
It is important to note that while all dates
mentioned here are fairly accurate, some cannot be verified. This is due to Slingerlands occasional use of older badges and hardware
on newer drums, contradictory catalog listings, special custom orders, and loose
quality control at the factories. In addition, nothing was ever wasted at the Slingerland factories, so it
was not uncommon for production workers to use up older parts, badges, and drum
shells or to mix and match parts, resulting in some confusion for vintage drum
enthusiasts many years later.
~SLINGERLAND~
1923: The Slingerland
Banjo Company is formed by members of the Slingerland
family in Chicago. Initially, only ukuleles, banjos and guitars were made. Drum
production began in 1926.
Slingerland advertisement in a May 1925 music
trade magazine
Slingerland May-Bell Banjo
Unknown
Source
Slingerland Factory
.
1920s-1930s
1928-1933:
Slingerlands first catalog was published in
1928, featuring tube lug snare drums such as the Fancher
and Tone Flange models, along with bass drums in various and
pearl and sparkle finishes. The tone flange assembly consisted of a thin metal
ring that was placed on flat wood screws in the top bearing edge. A fat
hubcap shaped flange rested on the ring under the head and top hoop. Its
purpose was to eliminate unwanted overtones. According to the 1928 catalog, It
rejuvenates and clarifies the tone and staccato notes pop out like the crack
of a machine gun. The tone flange
was actually still available in the late 1930s and could conceivably be
ordered on a Radio King drum. I have never seen a Radio King thus equipped but
it was possible. Tone flanges were made from solid brass with holes, solid
aluminum with holes and solid aluminum without holes. I believe the version
without holes was the earlier type.
Early 1930s
Artist Model with Tone Flange and Artgold Hardware
1929 Rose Pearl
Tone Flange model
Below is an
example of a Sea Green Pearl Tone Flange model made by the Liberty Musical
Instrument Company of Chicago around 1928. Slingerland
purchased the Liberty company around that time.
Below is an
exceptionally rare Artist Model drum known as the Lipskin
Special Model. Lipskin was a musical instrument
distributor in the Midwest
(Courtesy of Les Rutledge)
.
Metal shell drums were also featured, including the Black Beauty Artist
Model engraved snare drum. Simulated gold plating or Artgold
was applied to the hardware, creating a stunning contrast to the black plated
shell. The Speedy Sure Hold snare strainer (known to collectors as the three
point strainer) was used on all snare drums except for the lower line
models. The Black Beauty Artist models were introduced in 1928 and were
discontinued around 1935. Slingerland was the first
to use the Black Beauty name. Today, they are extremely scarce and only about
a dozen are known to exist. Slingerland was the first
drum company to use the name, Black Beauty.
1930 Catalog
Slingerland
Black Beauty
Dave
Brown Collection
Photo by Tony Bradshaw, courtesy of Jim Messina
Totally reconditioned* Slingerland Black Beauty
*Restored by Adrian Kirchler
..
1934 Catalog
Late
1920s Artists Models
Late
1920s Sea Green Pearl Artist Model
Daughter and Grandaughter of H.H. Slingerland, Sally and
Laura Slingerland, seen
holding a late 1920s Slingerland Artist Model at the 2012
Chicago Drum Show
Late 1920s Slingerland Opal Pearl snare
drum
Photo courtesy of John D. Zima
Early 1930s Slingerland Sparkling Gold Pearl
snare drum with Full Dress Diamonds
(Notice that Full Dress snare drums did not
always have badges. However, bass drums did have them.)
Sparkling
Green Pearl Artists model
From
the Dave Brown collection Photo by Dave Brown
1920s Fancher
model
Named after
rudimental champion, Frank Fancher. This solid walnut
Artists model is equipped with a tone flange and a special cloud badge bearing
Fanchers name.
Sea
Green Pearl Fancher Model
Black
Diamond Pearl Fancher Model
.
Early
1930s Artists Models
BRASS
SHELL VERSION
Wooden
Hoop Artists Model
THE DUALL RADIO MODEL
Slingerlands version of the
parallel snare strainer, the Duall debuted
around 1933-1934. This model had an extremely complicated snare mechanism and
was similar in concept to Ludwig & Ludwigs Super snare mechanism as well
as Leedys Parallel system. However, the Duall was soon discontinued after about a year due to a
lawsuit over patent infringement with the Ludwig & Ludwig Drum Company.
There were a few different strainer designs, including one type that utilizes a
wire cable instead of a metal rod.
1934 Du-All Models
Photos courtesy of Dave Brown
Possibly the most rare Slingerland drums are the
Black Engraved DuAll models. The photo below shows
the only engraved model known to exist.
Photos courtesy of Mike Curotto
In 1934, Slingerland
introduced their first tunable tom toms. The top head could be tuned but the botton head was attached to the shell with carpet tacks.
These bottom heads were very thick and made from goat
or pig skins.
.......................................................................................................................................................
1935: In this year, Slingerland introduced the Broadcaster model. While
not actually catalogued, the Broadcaster was the forerunner to the Radio
King models. This new drum featured a solid maple shell, double flanged
engraved hoops and Slingerlands new Streamline
lug casings. These lugs had tapped threaded holes for the tension rods. By
1937, most lugs were equipped with spring-loaded, threaded inserts, which
eliminated cross threading problems. The new extended patent pending
adjustable snares gates were first used on this model, as well. While they are
quite rare, a metal shell Broadcaster was also available in 1935. Few examples
exist today.
1935 Sparkling Green Pearl Slingerland
Broadcaster
1935 White Marine Pearl Slingerland
Broadcaster
Note the use of
the older Todd internal tone control on the Broadcasters.
Engraved
Broadcaster hoop
1935 Slingerland Sparkling Gold Pearl
Broadcaster
1935 Metal Shell (brass)
Slingerland Broadcaster
The Gretsch Drum Company had been using the name
Broadkaster since 1928, so in late 1935 or early
1936 Slingerland was encouraged to abandon the
Broadcaster name. The name was then changed to Radio King. As far as I know,
there is no actual evidence of any legal action by Gretsch
but it can safely be assumed that was the reasoning behind the name change.
1936-39: The Radio King line of drums first appeared in the 1936 catalog.
These drums had the distinctive Slingerland Radio
King stamped in the metal hoops (see photo at left). On very early Radio King drums, the words were actually engraved into the top rims
(see photo at right).
1936 Catalog illustrating the Radio King line (Note the ten lug
configuration pictured. Im not certain
that a ten lug Radio King was ever produced but it is possible. Eight
lugs became the standard by 1938).
1936 Catalog illustrating the various finishes available.
Very rare 1936 metal (solid brass)
shell Radio King (note the tapped lugs)
1937 5x14 Radio
King
1936
Patrician drum outfit
Early trap console
1936-38 Ben
Pollack Model
Rare 1936 Abalone Pearl Radio King
Courtesy of Mike Curotto
...............................................................................................................................................................................................................
In 1936, the King of Swing, Gene Krupa became Slingerlands first and most famous endorser. His photo
would be featured on every Slingerland catalog until
1968. Krupa is credited with bringing the drummer to
the forefront. He is also responsible for the introduction of the fully tunable
tom tom. Prior to 1936, tom toms could only be tuned
from the top, thus limiting the tuning range. He encouraged Slingerland
to add a tunable bottom head and the rumbling jungle beat of the tom toms
became a new voice in Swing music.
The 1936 catalog featured these new tunable tom toms
Interestingly, the very first of these drums were fitted with streamline
snare drum lugs with the double ended inserts! Soon, special single sided lugs
were produced. Below are photos of Gene Krupa using
an early Radio King tom with snare lugs and an example of a green pearl tom
with them.
..
Constructed of three-ply mahogany and poplar shells with maple reinforcing
rings, the Radio King tom toms were available in
various sizes: 6x10, 7x11, 8x12, 9x13, 12x14, 16x14 and 16x16. Although larger
sizes were available, they were not offered in catalogs until the late 40s.
Most bass drums and tom toms had three reinforcing rings (see below) until the
1940s.
*Drums that had pearl
finishes had an outer ply of mahogany. Those with painted finishes received an
outer ply of maple.
The best selling snare drum at this time was the Gene Krupa Model Radio King. It was an eight lug, solid
maple snare drum and was offered in the 6.5x14 size only.
Gene Krupa Model
Note the four screw extension brackets with adjustable end pieces.These were changed to the six screw type around
1938-39. The adjustable brackets had small brass thumb wheels that raised or
lowered the height of the snares. These adjustable end pieces were discontinued
after World War Two. For more information on strainers, visit the Guide to
Vintage Drums at
http://www.coopersvintagedrums.com/guide.htm
Late 1930s Black Diamond Pearl Gene Krupa
Model
6.5x14
Radio Kings circa 1939-40
..
1940s
1940-1942: Slingerland drums did not
change much in design from 1936 through 1939. However, in 1940, Slingerland introduced the Super Radio King snare
drum. This drum featured the new Super lugs and the innovative Super
snare strainer. The Super lugs (also known as the small beaver tail
lugs) were available on snare drums as well as tom toms and even bass drums.
The Super Strainer (also known as the clamshell) was an
attractive design but proved to be rather fragile and difficult to adjust.
Despite its shortcomings, the Super strainer was offered up until the
early 1960s.
1942 Slingerland patent for the Super
1940 Slingerland Catalog
1940 Super Radio
Kings
Hollywood Ace with Super lugs
7x11 Tom Tom featuring the Super lugs
Extremely
rare 14x24 bass drum with Super lugs.
By the 1940s, exotic finishes of the 1920s and 30s were gradually phased
out, with white marine pearl and black diamond pearl being the most popular. A
few sparkle finishes were offered as well.
1940 Hollywood Ace Model in Sparkling Green
1940s Krupa
Model in Sparkling Silver
For the drummers who
did not like the extended snare systems of Radio King snare drums, a simpler
version was available. Sometimes referred to as the Buddy Rich model (the true Buddy Rich model had 16 Super lugs,
three point strainer, and no extension brackets), the drum featured a three point strainer and
simple butt assembly and bottom hoop.
1940s Radio King without brackets
1940 Super Swing Krupa Full Dress Ensemble
1942: During World War Two, the U.S. government placed limits on the
manufacturing use of essential materials such as brass and steel for
non-essential items. As a result, American drum companies were forced to
manufacture drums that were comprised of only 10% metal parts. Slingerlands answer to this metal restriction was the Rolling
Bomber line of drums. Replacing the metal lugs were beautiful
hand-carved rosewood and walnut lugs. These distinctive lugs along with
pearl-inlaid solid maple hoops, and rosewood Super strainers combine to
create a true work of art. The Rolling Bombers line continued for the
duration of the war (war years: 1942-45).
For more
information on drums of the war years, click here: http://www.coopersvintagedrums.com/war effort.htm
During the war (1942-45) and until about 1947, the aluminum cloud badge was
often used in addition to the brass version. It is interesting to note that
WWII Rolling Bombers did not have aluminum badges. Most likely, most of the
aluminum badges were only used near the end of the war or right after.
1946-47: Slingerland president H.H. Slingerland passed away on March
13, 1946. His brother Walter Robert Slingerland
became new president.
This 1940s Radio King
has the rare aluminum bottom hoop. Brass was difficult to obtain during and
right after WWII.
.
After the end of World War II, Slingerland slowly
resumed normal drum production but their drums were basically the same as their
pre-war drums. Understandably, it would be several years before any significant
design advancements were made. One example of Slingerlands
rather slow move toward the future was their lack of floor tom legs. Leedy had been offering floor tom legs since 1938! Slingerland finally joined the competition in 1947,
replacing the older cradle stands with nearly exact copies of Leedy and Ludwig & Ludwigs leg brackets.
Cradle stand (left) and late 40s leg
brackets (right).
.............................................................................................................................................................
1948: In 1948, Slingerland
presented their new line of hardware. Replacing the Streamline lugs were
the new Beaver Tail lugs. They were identical in design to the 1940
Super lugs but larger. These larger beaver tail lugs were installed on tom toms
and bass drums.
The small Super lugs were still offered as an option on snare drums, toms
and bass drums. New double flanged hoops were also introduced in 1948,
replacing the single flange clip-on style hoops. Smaller bass drums became
available in answer to the new Be-Bop craze. Large bass drums like 14x26 and
14x28 bass drum shells were often cut down to smaller sizes.
1940s Radio King set with 14x24 bass
drum.
1930s Radio King set with bass drum
that was cut down from 28 to 24.
Interior photo of cut down bass
drum. Note the beautiful craftsmanship.
Below is a catalog
page from 1948, illustrating the NEW Slingerland
Super Gene Krupa Radio King snare drum. However,
it is identical to the 1940 catalog illustration (see above). The text mentions
the new 1948 hardware and the new snare strainer, which had
been introduced over eight years earlier!
..
1950s-1960s
1949-53: Slingerland drums remained
pretty much the same during this period. Around 1949, a new large oval brass
badge was designed that replaced the cloud-shaped badges of the 1920s, 30s
and 40s. This badge was used until 1951-52.
Oddly, some Radio
King sets had both the older streamlined hardware as well as the new large oval
badge. These were most likely older pre-war drums and/or parts fitted with new
badges.
The large oval
badge was replaced by a slightly smaller version in 1952.
Early 50s 20x20 Combo- Be Bop set with
reversible pedal and 4x13 solid maple snare
5.5 x13 Bop snare
Combo outfit in action
1954: In this year, Slingerland president Walter
Robert Slingerland retired with H.H. Bud Slingerland Jr. replacing him as new president of the
company.
H.H. Bud Slingerland
A third, simpler version of the brass
oval badge came out around 1954 and was used for about three years. Note the
aluminum grommet on this mid fifties bass drum badge below.
...
1955: Slingerland completely changed the look of their drums in 1955 with the introduction
of the new Sound King hardware. Futuristic styling gave the Sound King
drums a unique and more modern appearance. The new hardware featured Stick
Saver brass hoops and newly designed lugs. Around 1958, telescopic bass
drum spurs, push button floor tom leg brackets, and newly designed bass drum
T-rods and claws were introduced. Early versions of Sound King hoops had the
distinctive Radio King name stamped into them. This feature was discontinued
around 1956. The old Radio King stick chopper straight hoops, beaver tail
lugs and streamlined lugs were no longer offered on any of Slingerlands
drums.
The drums of this period were pretty much the same as those of the 1940s.
Three ply shells (mahogany and poplar) with maple reinforcing rings for bass
drums and tom toms remained standard. The Radio King snare drums were still
being offered with either the three point strainer or the Super (clam shell)
strainers. Bass drums were gradually becoming smaller (14x24, 14x22, 14x20) at
this time due to the new trends in jazz music and the wane in popularity of big
band music of the 1930s and 40s.
1955 Slingerland Krupa
Deluxe Outfit
One very unusual and somewhat
questionable drum was being made in the mid 1950s, using Masonite as the shell
composition. This was most likely an attempt to cut costs. Slingerland was also experimenting with aluminum hoops and
lugs to save money and lessen the weight of a drum.
1955 Slingerland snare
drum with Masonite shell
It was also in 1955, that the Slingerland
Drum Company purchased the Leedy Drum Company from
the Conn musical instrument company. Conn had been the owner of both Leedy and Ludwig drum companies since 1929.
.
Slingerlands new 1956 Leedy drums were basically Slingerland
drums fitted with Leedy lugs, strainers, and badges.
This Leedy drum line was discontinued around 1966.
Catalog
page from a 1960s Leedy catalog
1960 advertisement, featuring Leedy endorsee Shelly Mann
1957-58: A new oval shaped brass badge with
black lettering is introduced for Slingerland bass
drums and snare drums.
Drum shells were
still pretty much the same as they had been since the 1940s, however the maple
reinforcing rings were eventually cut down to a thinner size maple ring by
1958.
Also in 1958, a
new snare strainer called the Rapid Strainer was offered on the
Hollywood Ace model as well as both student models. This strainer was used well
into the 1970s.
Pearl finishes for 1958
1958 Solid
Maple Super Gene Krupa Sparkling Pink Pearl snare
New features for 1958
1958 Small scale Little Pro drum set
for children
1958 introduction of the new Flush Base stands
1959-60: Around this time, the Slingerland factory moved
from its Chicago, Illinois location to Niles, Illinois. The Radio King name was
no longer being used except for the Student Model Radio King. Oddly,
this drum had a three ply shell and none of the characteristics of the famous
Radio King line of snare drums. The solid maple, true radio Kings were now
called either The Super Gene Krupa
models (equipped with the Super strainers) or The Krupa
Models, which had the three point strainers.
Smaller bass drums became the standard on all drum outfits by this time. A
double bass drum outfit (the Duet) was offered for the first time in 1960. It
featured two 14x20 bass drums and twin 8x12 tom toms on a floor stand. The Gene
Krupa deluxe Ensemble featured a 14x22 bass drum
with 9x13 and 16x16 tom toms. (Note that the only difference between the 1960 Krupa Deluxe set and the 1955 version is the new floor tom
leg brackets.)
1960 Slingerland Krupa Deluxe Outfit
Pearl finishes for 1960
1962: After 22 years the venerable Super
(clam shell) strainer was replaced with the new Zoomatic
strainer. Drums equipped with this new strainer were called Artist models.
The shells were of solid maple but by 1970, the Artist models were made
exclusively with three ply shells. Serial numbers were now stamped into every
badge.
Artist model
1963-66: The Radio King name returns once again with the New Radio King Chrome
Snare Drum. This drum featured a solid brass shell, a three point strainer
and could be ordered with eight or ten lugs. A solid maple shell Radio King
snare drum was also once again available with the classic three point strainer
and extended snare brackets.
Radio King Chrome Snare Drum
1965 was the first
year for the new Gene Krupa Sound King Chrome
Snare Drum, which was similar to the Radio King Chrome Snare Drum but was
equipped with the Zoo-Matic strainer.
1966 Duet
Outfit
1967: The 1967 catalog would be the last to
feature Gene Krupa on its cover. He remained a Slingerland endorsee until his death in 1973
1967 Slingerland
catalog (Krupas last cover photo)
In an effort to compete with the
Ludwig Drum Companys hugely popular metal Supraphonic
and Super-Sensitive snare drums, Slingerland added a
new metal shell drum to their arsenal in 1967. This Super Sound King had a dual
strainer assembly, with snare strainer mechanisms on both sides of the drum,
reminiscent of the parallel drums of the 1930s and 40s.
1968: A new Slingerland
tom tom mounting system was introduced in 1968.
Called the Set-O-Matic, it incorporated a ball and
socket principal and was a vast improvement over the old rail mount type
holders that had been in use since the 1940s.
Also in 1968,
drumming sensation Buddy Rich once again joined the Slingerland
endorsee roster. Rich had previously been with the company from 1937 until
1940. He would remain until 1977.
Early promotional photo of Buddy Rich
(unknown source)
1968
Yellow Tiger Pearl jazz set (this
finish only available for about one year)
1970 Red Tiger Pearl set
(this finish
was available until 1973)
1970: H.H. Jr. (Bud) Slingerland
retired as president in 1970 and the company was sold to a publishing firm,
thus ending 42 years of family ownership of the Slingerland
Drum Company. The company would continue to change corporate ownership (Gretsch and Gibson to name a few) throughout the next three
decades, producing drums and percussion equipment with varying degrees of
quality.
