Early 1950s Slingerland 'Gene Krupa Deluxe Radio King Ensemble 1N'

Sized 24x14”, 13x9”, 16x16"

3-ply mahogany shells with reinforcing rings

Original Black Diamond Pearl wrap

Chrome over brass hardware

This is an incredible opportunity to own a remarkable kit. These kits are incredibly sought after and are well respected in studios across the globe. The last set of these I had are now homed at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios.

The 1951 catalog reads: 'The Gene Krupa Outfit is the same outfit Gene Krupa uses with his band except that Gene uses an extra 20x16" tom tom.' Well, if it was good enough for Krupa, then...!

Brass & Tan Chicago badge dates to 1950-1953. The 1951 catalog (black and white) scan shows a different tom mount system, and the 1955 catalog shows the usage of the newer lugs, so I’d roughly date this kit 1952-1954. The finishes catalog scan is from 1953.

13x9”

• Original chrome over brass engraved hoops

• Original internal damper

• Two hidden extra holes under tom mount. I think these might have been already drilled in from the earlier tom mount system but hadn’t left the factory so the newer mount was added.

• There is a very small circular dent at the front of the tom and a few scratches at the bottom.

• Signed ‘Charles Ross’ on the inside and there is another signature which might be from the factory but that is illegible.

• Fitted with Earthtone batter with Remo Clear Ambassador reso

16x16”

• Original chrome over brass engraved hoops

• Original internal damper

• Nickel leg mounts with two thumb screws that don’t match the first but work as they should

• Bottom 8 tension rods are longer but are era correct Slingerland

• Fitted with Earthtone batter with Remo Clear Ambassador reso

24x14”

• Original chrome hardware with some nickel fittings

• Brass & Tan Chicago badge

• Rail mount is complete but isn’t (unsurprisingly) amazing by modern standards. The tom rests on the mount. Some chrome from the rail has worn away.

• Two cymbal mounts are present but no extra hardware in included to use these.

• Signed ‘Charles Ross, 62 Traverse’ on the inside

• There is wear on the hoops from pedal rash and where mounts might have been placed. There is some tape on the batter hoop where the pedal attaches

• Fitted with Remo Clear PS3 batter with Earthtone reso.

• Also included is an original Radio King stamped calf head too

Please see all photos for condition.

** Unfortunately, due to the weight and size of these shells, this kit is for collection only. Collection from West Yorkshire. **