Vintage metal shell slingerland drum kit

[costanzadrums]

Got this kit with some other drums yesterday. When I picked it up, I just assumed it was a nice rewrap, but when I took a head off the bass I saw it was actually aluminum. All three drums have the same design — probably 3m or 5m shells with welded in reinforcement rings and a welded seam on the inside. Does not look to be like a home job whatsoever. All drums are outfitted with late 50s style hardware including push button mounts.

I know I’ve seen Kent use metal shells, but has anyone else seen a shell design like this?

 

[bassanddrum84]

Those are killer looking and I met the sound is just as good

 

[JazzDrumGuy]

Those look so cool! Sizes? Badges?

 

[D. B. Cooper]

Wow. Why do you think they're aluminum?

 

[mfry2112]

Heavy?

 

[steambent]

New to me.

 

[rikkrebs]

That's interesting. This is a new one to me.

 

[costanzadrums]

After looking at it more, I’m pretty sure it’s a prototype. The braised rings and interior welds are the same used on the aluminum student drums of this era and the matte finish on the metal is also the same

 

[D. B. Cooper]

What is the gold/bronze finish on them?

 

[Houndog]

Wow !!!!!

 

[Ludwig4life]

Gorgeous!

 

[K.O.]

Wow, those are very cool.

 

[Rich K.]

Guessing someone took the hardware from a Slingerland set and put it on those shells.

 

[fusseltier]

Back in the 70s my first drum set was a Ludwig stainless steel set. I kinda miss it, it did look good and tuned up easy without muffling.
And that's also when I switched from Zildjian to Paiste 2002s because the Zildjians cracked around the bells and I don't abuse or play hard, and I've never cracked a 2002. Even my 35+ years old 13 inch crash hasn't cracked yet.

 

[Houndog]

Guessing someone took the hardware from a Slingerland set and put it on those shells.

I think you are likely correct , whoever made those shells did a pro job though .
DANG !!!!!

 

[SKSMITH]

Not sure they are actually Slingerland shells, but those are awesome!!
I bet they sound fantastic. I'd put some clear Aquarian Reflector Gloss / Hi-Frequency clear heads on the toms & a Super Kick 3 / Regulator heads on the bass, but that is just my preference.

 

[JazzDrumGuy]

I have a certain book ready to peruse if I get some more info.......

 

[ThomFloor]

I think they are a Slingerland protoype. The seam and 'fold over bearing edge' is identical to what Slingerland did for their aluminium shelled snares.
How do they sound? A vid clip would be awesome.

 

[DamnSingerAlsoDrums]

This is just one killer of a set.

Can't wait to see/hear vids.

 

[costanzadrums]

I think they are a Slingerland protoype. The seam and 'fold over bearing edge' is identical to what Slingerland did for their aluminium shelled snares.
How do they sound? A vid clip would be awesome.

I was out yesterday but I’m gonna get them cleaned up and will eventually do a video