Question about mufflers on metal Slingerland Snares (70's)

[DrumSmith]

Some mufflers on Sound Kings have the threaded rod protruding out of the turn knob, and some do not. Is there any consensus on when the switch was made to non-protruding?

 

[jmetatual]

Some mufflers on Sound Kings have the threaded rod protruding out of the turn knob, and some do not. Is there any consensus on when the switch was made to non-protruding?

Not an exact date yet, but evidence is suggesting a '72/'73 time frame. '74 and later is a solid tone control knob (non-protruding threaded rod). '71 and earlier is a j-hook tone control (protruding threaded rod). There are other subtle changes on metal shell snares that occur with the tone control changes.

 

[DrumSmith]

Not an exact date yet, but evidence is suggesting a '72/'73 time frame. '74 and later is a solid tone control knob (non-protruding threaded rod). '71 and earlier is a j-hook tone control (protruding threaded rod). There are other subtle changes on metal shell snares that occur with the tone control changes.

Thanks! That tone control is janky. Your advice seems to confirm my research in the catalogs. Seems like if you just wanted one of these as a player's drum, the later tone control is much nicer. Should a Sound King and a Radio King sound the same?

 

[JazzDrumGuy]

I don't know but I saw a band at an event yesterday and the drummer had a 70's steel snare with a wallet on top!!! Made no sense since his batter appeared clear.

Yamaha kit in Maroon - 12/14/20?

 

[Rogerland]

Not an exact date yet, but evidence is suggesting a '72/'73 time frame. '74 and later is a solid tone control knob (non-protruding threaded rod). '71 and earlier is a j-hook tone control (protruding threaded rod). There are other subtle changes on metal shell snares that occur with the tone control changes.

I agree… having owned 60’s and 70’s Slingerland drums, the solid tone control was early mid 70’s. One of my favorite snares is an 8 lug COB with zoomatic strainer. It’s an early 70’s four digit serial # with the silver and black badge. My guess made around 70 or 71.

Here’s a pic …. It has the protruding threaded rod sticking out of the knob. So probably 72 to 74 is spot on where you see the solid tone control. This drums sound is more like some brass Slingerland 60’s drums I have, or have had.

 

[jmetatual]

It’s an early 70’s four digit serial # with the silver and black badge. My guess made around 70 or 71.

@Rogerland: Four digit serial in the 8000-9000 range?

This drums sound is more like some brass Slingerland 60’s drums I have, or have had.

The early 70's COB snares have the same construction as the 60's version. Changes in construction occurred sometime in '72/'73.

 

[DrumSmith]

I agree… having owned 60’s and 70’s Slingerland drums, the solid tone control was early mid 70’s. One of my favorite snares is an 8 lug COB with zoomatic strainer. It’s an early 70’s four digit serial # with the silver and black badge. My guess made around 70 or 71.

Here’s a pic …. It has the protruding threaded rod sticking out of the knob. So probably 72 to 74 is spot on where you see the solid tone control. This drums sound is more like some brass Slingerland 60’s drums I have, or have had. View attachment 745287

I have the same, except 5 digit SN. Not as nice as yours though! I also have a much later maple and an even later copper MusicYo. I'd like to get a well sorted mid to late 70's COB. Thanks for the awesome pic!
edit: on my COB, the shell is COB but the hoops are not. Is that typical? The hoops are also in worse shape than the shell.

 

[jmetatual]

edit: on my COB, the shell is COB but the hoops are not. Is that typical?

Yes, that is correct. Change from COB to steel hoops was 1970.

 

[Rogerland]

I have the same, except 5 digit SN. Not as nice as yours though! I also have a much later maple and an even later copper MusicYo. I'd like to get a well sorted mid to late 70's COB. Thanks for the awesome pic!
edit: on my COB, the shell is COB but the hoops are not. Is that typical? The hoops are also in worse shape than the shell.

My drum in the pic is heavy, brass hoops, and probably the same as a 60’s drum. Probably the first wave of 70’s drums were the same as 60’s.

I got two 60’s ten lug Slingerland COB. One is 6/12” the other is 5”. If you can find them at a good price…. Get them. They sound really good.

 

[Rogerland]

@Rogerland: Four digit serial in the 8000-9000 range?


The early 70's COB snares have the same construction as the 60's version. Changes in construction changed sometime in '72/'73.

The serial # is 9151.
Yes I agree…. The construction of this drum is like the 60’s drums. I just posted pics of two other COB Slingy’s.
Good drums. Even if you’re not a Slingerland person, it’s nice to have one in your arsenal.

 

[jmetatual]

The serial # is 9151.
Yes I agree…. The construction of this drum is like the 60’s drums.

Black/silver badge with serial 9151 is 1970. No earlier than mid year.

 

[Rogerland]

My drum in the pic is heavy, brass hoops, and probably the same as a 60’s drum. Probably the first wave of 70’s drums were the same as 60’s.
View attachment 745749I got two 60’s ten lug Slingerland COB. One is 6/12” the other is 5”. If you can find them at a good price…. Get them. They sound

Black/silver badge with serial 9151 is 1970. No earlier than mid year.

Hey… thanks for identifying that date.
I always felt that drum was right on the edge of being a 60s drum. It’s the second snare drum I’ve owned. Got it when I was about 16. It’s a forever drum. Sounds and looks great.
You know your dates…. Thanks

 

[jmetatual]

I'd like to get a well sorted mid to late 70's COB.

@DrumSmith, if your looking for a mid to late 70's ('75-'79) Sound King COB snare watch for the following:

3-line shell
and
Black/silver badge with serials in the 200,000 to 400,000 range
and
Hardware layout: Badge is two panels to the left of throw off and tone control is 180 degrees across from badge.

Very good examples show up regularly so no reason to settle for less.

 

[idrum4fun]

Here's my 1970 COB Festival snare drum, with Black/Silver badge and serial number 1757. It has the J-hook muffler with large round knob. Check out the factory dual felt pads!! How in the heck did that happen?!! It would require a longer rivet, too!

-Mark

 

[jmetatual]

^^^^^^Neat drum Mark has here. Note the first version Black/Silver badge featuring the 60's style "Slingerland" script. This badge was only used briefly around mid year 1970.

 

[idrum4fun]

^^^^^^Neat drum Mark has here. Note the first version Black/Silver badge featuring the 60's style "Slingerland" script. This badge was only used briefly around mid year 1970.

Yes, it's definitely a cool first version Black/Silver badge!

-Mark