Steve Maxwell Vintage Drums - (Vintage Videos: Slingerland 1950s-1970s - 1/4/14)

[@russellesimonetta9071]

Uhh, I have an early seventies Slingerland set that still sounds great!

[@boogingtonthunderwood8969]

I can’t believe I’ve just now stumbled onto this vid. My love for Slingies goes deep. At one point, I used Radio Kings exclusively. (At the peak of that time, I had 7 RK sets and a dozen RK snare drums.) Ironically, I had to stop using them when I signed on as an endorser during the Fred Gretsch era. Anyway, I currently have a stunning ‘64 Slingy kit in Black Sparkle that will breathe with me until I stop, myself. Wonderful vid, Mr. Maxwell. Thanks very much.

[@wuffb]

The Set O Matic tom holder was both functional AND Beautiful!!

[@albitcapinigro1107]

My new favorite channel.

[@MrVerno1960]

Great video on the history of Slingerland Drums. My 1972 kit help put me through college 1979-1983 playing in local groups. Still have them in the attic, need to get them out and play them soon. They always had so much tone and range I had to dampen down their sound in the small clubs we played or I would over power the rest of the band. Thanks for posting this informative history.

[@TimBunch]

I recently started working on a 1979 Slingerland kit with concert toms in a maple finish. Fantastic sounding kit. Not at all like a modern kit. Incredibly loud, 24” kick.

[@larrykinser5392]

Thanks for all the videos, and all you do for vintage drums,

[@funkydrummer14]

Love Steve's videos! My dream kit is a vintage set of Slingerland's! What a sound!

[@zerogroundinstruments]

Nice vid Steve. I agree the Slings are great and I particularly dig the bop kits tuned up!

[@robbopaloobop]

Thanks for this video. Steve. I've always loved Slingerland drums and the 70's custom set I ordered from the factory and still play on is my pride and joy. I've received many positive comments on it over the years from other musicians. ....BTW, that set at 2:47 made me drool...what a beauty!

[@gibsondrummer]

My first set i bought with my own money is a. 1978 slingerland i still have it and my 40’s radio kings too !

[@markhagan6558]

Great info Steve! I didn't know the 70's Slingerlands were as up to par with 60's. Nice to know that. I have a '56 or '57 kit in orange glass glitter that I just LOVE.

[@drumday]

Thumbs up on this series. You speak as a fan and identify the same things, features or perceptions I had at the time also. A Buddy config with that set-o-matic may be my favorite set of all time. Thanks for sharing your perspectives.

[@shraunbone]

Love these videos. The history is very interesting.

[@Johnny2Bags47]

Ist time watching..liked and subscribed 🙂

[@russellcarter1872]

Nigel Olsson played Slingerland for years. Great sounding drums.

[@glengamble526]

I owned a gorgeous 60’s Slingerland kit and I deeply regret letting it go.

[@seansteel3499]

I love these videos I have 2 radio king snares and am now a confirmed slingy fan. My fav drums. It would be great to show the 30s and 40s era.

[@stevemaxwelldrums]

Sean Steel Thanks!

[@palmsquad4]

I inherited a Slingerland set from my uncle who passed away before I was born. Found out that he got it all from a garage sale in about 78. Two mounted Slingerland toms, one Slingerland floor tom, one Slingerland kick... all blue agate from about 70 or 71. A Pearl snare, chrome from early to mid 70s, a large Pearl floor tom red oyster shell, zildjian ride and hi-hat, ajax crash. Haha. Quite a set to learn on. My hopes are to restore and complete the Slingerland set someday :)

[@roybeckerman9253]

I have late 60s Slingerland, late 60s Ludwig and early 70s English Premiers... The Slingerlands are my favourite.

[@rushton84]

Great stuff as usual Steve!

[@ronlambert2069]

Another great video Steve! I have a beautiful late '60s "Buddy" Slingerland WMP with an amazing '40s WFL WMP snare that I wouldn't ever part with. I'm a long-time Yamaha endorser but every group I play with asks for "the Slingerland" haha!

[@J4B7]

Picked up a 1975 "New Rock" outfit. The 3 ply shells have a huge tuning range. High or low these drums just sing....without modern suspension systems too.

[@chucktouchton398]

Mine's about a 75 as well...can't say enough wonderful things about that set!

[@FernandoFlores-vu6vx]

I have a slingerland chrome snare but im missing the snare strainer by wonder do you think you can help me out with this problem

[@brucekremer6069]

Appreciate the input... I'm guessing those were keller shells??? Thank you...

[@MikeHoltackers]

I would love to see a pre 50s video on Slingerland :)

[@hendrickroy7481]

Is there a drum company today using the same specs for their drums (3 ply maple poplar, baseball bat edges, reinforcement ring, etc.) as Slingerland did in that golden era?

[@dinodeluca6210]

I love Slingerlands....I own a Buddy Rich outfit that sounds incredible. I put pin stripe heads on the tops and I can olay any type gig with them.

[@roybeckerman9253]

Let’s hope DW do justice to Slingerland, now that they have bought them. Brilliant drums years ago.

[@mrjohnstgeorge]

I still have my 1965 Blue Sparkle Slingerlands. Would love to find a blue sparkle cylinder drum throne.

[@r.a.8590]

This was a great to hear someone very knowledgeable speak about these drums. I'm considering buying a mid to late-1960s Modern Jazz kit made at the Niles, Ill plant. After hearing you talk, I'm pretty much set on getting them over a new Ludwig Classic Maple kit. Very different drums, but I think I much prefer the warmth an fatness of these older shells and rounded edges. Thanks!!

[@stevemaxwelldrums]

Rob A. Hi Rob. Truly two different sounds here. Ludwig Classic Maple is more the 70s sound with the 7 ply all-maple shell with no reinforcement rings (the actual 70s shell was 6 ply), for wider tuning range, better projection and more overtones. The 60s Slingerland was still 3 ply maple/poplar/maple with rounded edges for a warmer, fatter sound. Both nice, but very different. Steve

[@roybeckerman9253]

Great informative videos. Brilliant. It's hard to understand, that considering some of the greatest drummers of all time, like Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa used Slingerland, the kits are quite inexpensive to buy, as vintage drums now. They sound so much better, than a lot of today's brands, but sell for a fraction of the price. It's s shame they are no longer made.

[@philipnestor5034]

When Slingerland went to the 5 ply shell without reinforcement rings did the sound still hold up or should I avoid those drums? I found a floor Tom but it was painted black inside. Is that original?

[@spercoco]

I have a bunch of kits that I guess could be considered vintage. Although I have had a few Slingerland kits throughout the years I only have one now and they are in terrible shape as far as resale so I will hold onto them. I'm curious if they are the all maple shell or the maple poplar or the maple mahogany that you mentioned. They do have the reinforcing rings you mentioned, Niles Illinois badges, swivel tom holder and are 20 inch bass, 12 and 13 tomes and 16 in. Floor tom. Gold sparkle finish. Also I have a question about vintage drums in general. How old does a set need to be to be considered vintage? I have kits also from the early to mid 80s.

[@double-h-farms]

I have a late 60's slingerland 5 piece, marine white pearl with concert mounted toms ( no bottom head)

[@brucekremer6069]

Would you know what the shell composition is on the Slingerland - conway, arkansas cloud badge drums that were made??? I cannot find a single bit of history on these! Would deeply appreciate any information.. Thank you all!

[@mrnegronis]

+Bruce Kremer They were probably similar to the shells from Nashville. 6 or 7 ply maple and no reinforcement rings.

[@TheMkarr]

The Slingerland history site tells everything & all one could ever need to know. I read/looked @ it for hours. It is a must if buying a kit. Hard to date Slingys without this info. Was any way. Serial #'s set to, zero in 71-71.

[@brucekremer6069]

@@TheMkarr Thanks to both of you for the input...

[@bobdadruma]

Thank You Steve, I always look forward to your informative videos. I own a 65 Slingerland kit with an 18" BD and I wouldn't part with it.

[@ldcsam1]

I can't wait to see what DW does with the Slingerland name. It should be John Goods next big project. We shall all wait and see. Anytime DW does something new, they always make a great video for all to see.

[@lcollingwood5959]

Sadly. Still waiting for something. Getting anxious. I really hope they re do rk snares. Same way they were made in the 40s.

[@beau_de_jour]

Hi! I'm 18yo I love jazz/bigband era and I'd buy an Slingerland Vintage Drum (possibly from early 50's to late 60's, better quality!) I want that warm, punchy and lot of lowfreq sound.. so i think i need 50's thing (with more mahogany and less maple).. or is still good the 60's things (less mahogany and more maple)? Hope to find some good drums.. hope to find an 24/14/16/18.. please let me know what kind of years i good for me... good music!

[@kennethotwaska7997]

I aquired a 4 piece raido king from a old timer in 1960, I still have them, all have the orignal skins but the snare batter. over the years I some how lost the cradle that the floor tom rested on. can anyone telll me if they have one that they want to sell.

[@benjiesantosdrumcovers4217]

How about the Slingerland Nashville era?

[@matthewpaluch777]

Welcome back SLINGERLAND! Now, where's my "Blakrome" Radio King???

[@Hawiianlion67]

Slingerlands are the best

[@sticksbass]

those nylon balled holders always seemed like they could be more unreliabe to me like crack or slip. i had a camco, for a short period, w nylon balled holding a 13 and 14 and i had to tighten it very hard or theyd slip.

[@TheMkarr]

A Co in Texas makes amazing replacement "set o matic" holders.All cast made. Well worth purchase.

[@roybeckerman9253]

One of the best sounding drums ever made, but the original setomatic tom holder in pewter, was not as strong as todays tom holders. I think it was 1968.