1956-59 Slingerland 'Radio King' 14x5.5" 1-ply solid maple shell with original Blue & Silver Duco finish

The shell is actually slightly wider than 5.5”, and is more like bang on 5 3/4". A whole 1/4” wider.

1-ply solid maple shell. 8-lug design.

All original nickel over brass hardware, including 3-point strainer, single flange hoops, tension rods and butt end.

Original duco finish has it’s scratches and chips but all the best ones do! It’s character!

The Chicago badge dates this drum to 1956-59.

This drum comes from an era where Slingerland were changing the names of their models. Around ‘59 the ‘Radio King’ name disappeared and the single ply drums became the ‘Artist Model’. Usually single ply examples didn't come with single flange hoops, and they would normally come fitted with a dampener. I actually prefer the single ply hoops compared to the s-type hoops - I find they let the drum speak much better. The shell is definitely single ply, but maybe it was assembled in the factory as a student model example. Either way, it’s a single ply drum and single ply Slingerland drums are the Rolls Royce wooden snares and this one is no exception.

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