Cooper’s Vintage Drums

www.coopersvintagedrums.com 

1936-39 Slingerland “Broadcaster” Model snare drum

Here’s one you don’t see every day….The very rare Slingerland Broadcaster snare drum.

This rare model was first introduced around 1935 snd very few were made. The Broadcaster had such a short life that it was not even mentioned in any product catalogs. Shortly after this model came out, the Gretsch Drum Company brought a lawsuit against Slingerland over the use of the name. The Gretsch company already had a guitar model called the “Broadkaster” and objected to Slingerland’s use of the name. As a result, Slingerland dropped the name and changed the name to “Radio King”.

Originally, this drum would have had the four screw extension brackets. At some time in its life, the brackets were changed to the late 1930’s-40’s six screw version. As a result, there are four very small holes on each side. Of course, they can only be seen from the inside of the drum and are not visible from the outside.

This drum has several cosmetic hairline cracks in the pearl finish. They have been there a long time and will not spread. These are quite common in old pearl finishes of this era.

….$1075….

E-MAIL US FOR MORE DETAILED PHOTOS

Here is a glimpse of the solid maple shell.

The “Achilles Heel” of the Broadcaster (and the early Radio King drums) was the tapped streamline lug. The tension rod screwed directly into the threaded hole. Unfortunately, they were prone to stripping and were discontinued by 1937. This particular drum either had threaded, spring loaded inserts added or the lugs were replaced with post-1936 threaded, spring loaded lugs. A very common and practical solution to the stripping problem.

One ply, steam bent, solid maple shell.

….$1075….