Construction and Restoration Blog :
Functional Restoration of a 1940's Slingerland Radio King Snare Drum
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As far as classic workhorse snare drums go, the Slingerland Radio King is always a top 5 choice for players around the world. The single ply shells and vintage bearing edges give these drums an unmistakable tone, warm and round with just the right amount of attack. Being 80 years old, this snare came to us ridden hard and put away wet - the original finish was long gone, hardware was missing and the shell had typical delamination between the reinforcing rings and the single maple ply. However, no extra holes were drilled in the shell, the lugs and badge were still present, and the shell was in-round. Fortunately for this drum, a local recording artist was looking for that warm, punchy Radio King sound in a players grade snare, and this drum fit that bill perfectly. Thus, our functional restoration began.
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1940's Slingerland Radio King after a functional restoration
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Functional verses Historical Restoration:
In our shop, we specialize in both functional and historical restorations, however these are very different processes with different end goals and results. For a typical historical restoration, the original builders intent is always adhered to, to the best of our abilities. We aim to produce a finished product that would not only represent factory construction and finish, but elegantly shows some age in a way that the drum rides a fine line between looking vintage and looking new. Original finishing techniques, original or reproduction hardware and parts, and reversing any modifications to the shell are key to obtaining this goal. However, with a functional restoration, we try to make a vintage drum as playable as possible without doing any further damage to the vintage instrument itself. This may include new finishes, modified new hardware, or recut bearing edges - all of which are reversible should a historical restoration be desired somewhere down the road. Also, it is important to note that while a functional restoration reduces the inherent value of a vintage instrument from a collectors stand point, it only increases the desirability of the instrument from a players point of view, making the drum many times more useful and often bringing the drum back to a playable condition. If the drum was already modified and not usable, a functional restoration can only help the value.
In our shop, we specialize in both functional and historical restorations, however these are very different processes with different end goals and results. For a typical historical restoration, the original builders intent is always adhered to, to the best of our abilities. We aim to produce a finished product that would not only represent factory construction and finish, but elegantly shows some age in a way that the drum rides a fine line between looking vintage and looking new. Original finishing techniques, original or reproduction hardware and parts, and reversing any modifications to the shell are key to obtaining this goal. However, with a functional restoration, we try to make a vintage drum as playable as possible without doing any further damage to the vintage instrument itself. This may include new finishes, modified new hardware, or recut bearing edges - all of which are reversible should a historical restoration be desired somewhere down the road. Also, it is important to note that while a functional restoration reduces the inherent value of a vintage instrument from a collectors stand point, it only increases the desirability of the instrument from a players point of view, making the drum many times more useful and often bringing the drum back to a playable condition. If the drum was already modified and not usable, a functional restoration can only help the value.
1940's Slingerland Radio King Snare Drum, before a functional restoration
The Restoration Process:
From the above photo, the non-originality of this snare is obvious: the finish was removed, there is non-original hardware, the grommet is incorrect and the shell needed a little attention at the bearing edges and reinforcing rings. In this case, a functional restoration is not going to negatively effect the already depreciated value, and will in fact only make the snare more useful. To begin, we stripped all hardware off the shell. Any delaminations were addressed and fixed, and the bearing edges were made true. The shell was wrapped in new Delmar sparkling silver pearl, an original option for the year. The only holes through the wrap that we re-drilled were those used for current hardware; the snare bridge holes and the muffler holes were left in the shell but not punched through the new wrap. The original three-point Slingerland throw off was replaced with a Gibraltar reproduction, however the bottom mounting tab was not in the correct place. A quick reforming of the throw off mounting tabs fixed this, and made it possible to utilize the original throw off mounting holes. Hardware was cleaned and reinstalled, and the badge was reinstalled with a new brass grommet of the proper size and shape. The project was completed with a new set of die cast rims and Remo heads.
From the above photo, the non-originality of this snare is obvious: the finish was removed, there is non-original hardware, the grommet is incorrect and the shell needed a little attention at the bearing edges and reinforcing rings. In this case, a functional restoration is not going to negatively effect the already depreciated value, and will in fact only make the snare more useful. To begin, we stripped all hardware off the shell. Any delaminations were addressed and fixed, and the bearing edges were made true. The shell was wrapped in new Delmar sparkling silver pearl, an original option for the year. The only holes through the wrap that we re-drilled were those used for current hardware; the snare bridge holes and the muffler holes were left in the shell but not punched through the new wrap. The original three-point Slingerland throw off was replaced with a Gibraltar reproduction, however the bottom mounting tab was not in the correct place. A quick reforming of the throw off mounting tabs fixed this, and made it possible to utilize the original throw off mounting holes. Hardware was cleaned and reinstalled, and the badge was reinstalled with a new brass grommet of the proper size and shape. The project was completed with a new set of die cast rims and Remo heads.
The wrap job modified to accept modern heads.
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Modifying the wrap to accept modern heads.
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Modifying the Wrap to Accept Modern Heads:
One of the challenges of these drums is the true 14" diameter of the shell. Modern heads are made to fit slightly undersized shells, however these vintage shells were designed to use calf skin heads tucked on custom flesh hoops, often fit to individual drum shells. As a result, modern heads do not fit well if at all over these shells, and the wrap usually makes this issue worse. To correct this, we very carefully cut 1/2" off the wrap on the top and bottom of the shell. This is done after the wrap is applied, making the line more even and following the height of the shell as determined by the bearing edge. The shell is not modified in any way, and so that originality is maintained. With the wrap removed from the top and bottom edges of the drum, modern heads can be used without forcing them over the shell and tuning is much easier and more consistent. The exposed shell edge is hidden behind the counter hoop when assembled. This same fix can be used on other vintage drums where modern heads fit too snuggly, such as Gretsch snares and drum sets. We do, however, recommend that this technique is used on drums with new, non-original finishes to avoid devaluing the vintage instrument.
One of the challenges of these drums is the true 14" diameter of the shell. Modern heads are made to fit slightly undersized shells, however these vintage shells were designed to use calf skin heads tucked on custom flesh hoops, often fit to individual drum shells. As a result, modern heads do not fit well if at all over these shells, and the wrap usually makes this issue worse. To correct this, we very carefully cut 1/2" off the wrap on the top and bottom of the shell. This is done after the wrap is applied, making the line more even and following the height of the shell as determined by the bearing edge. The shell is not modified in any way, and so that originality is maintained. With the wrap removed from the top and bottom edges of the drum, modern heads can be used without forcing them over the shell and tuning is much easier and more consistent. The exposed shell edge is hidden behind the counter hoop when assembled. This same fix can be used on other vintage drums where modern heads fit too snuggly, such as Gretsch snares and drum sets. We do, however, recommend that this technique is used on drums with new, non-original finishes to avoid devaluing the vintage instrument.