The Slingerland Drum Company is an historic drum company which is linked to the rich history of jazz drumming. The company was founded by H.H. Slingerland (1875-1946, either Henry Heanon or Heanon Henry) in 1912. The company started out importing ukeleles from Germany but set up its own production because it could not meet demand. Soon, they produced their own banjos and ukeleles and eventually, also guitars (including electric guitars from 1936 or earlier). Production of drums was started in 1927, in answer to the entry of the Ludwig & Ludwig drum company into the banjo market. The first Slingerland drum kits came out in 1928. For a long time, Slingerland drums were synonymous with such jazz drumming greats as Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich and rock drummer Neil Peart used them from 1974 to 1979. Elton John's drummer, Nigel Olssen, also used Slingerland sets widely. The company remained in the Slingerland family until 1970. In the 1970s and 1980s Slingerland changed ownership multiple times until it was acquired from Gretsch by the Gibson musical instruments company in 1994. Slingerland still exist and offers a variety of drumsets, including Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich signature sets. They now operate from Conway, Arkansas and also produce a series of drumkits there. Bass drum made from wood, rope, and cowskin A drum is a musical instrument in the percussion group that can be large, technically classified as a membranophone. ... Jazz is a musical art form that originated in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States around the start of the 20th century. ... The term company may refer to a separate legal entity, as in English law, or may simply refer to a business, as is the common use in the United States. ... Ukulele The ukulele (pronounced OO-koo-LAY-lay, or the Anglicised YOU-ka-LAY-lee), or uke, is a fretted string instrument which is, in its construction, essentially a smaller, four-stringed version of the guitar. ... For other uses, see Banjo (disambiguation) A modern 5-string banjo The banjo is a stringed instrument of African American origin adapted from several African instruments. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Left: Rosa Hurricane, a heavy metal-style solid body guitar. ... Ludwig-Musser is a drum and percussion instrument manufacturer owned by Conn-Selmer, Inc. ... Look up Market in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A drum kit (or drum set or trap set) is a collection of drums, cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. ... Gene Krupa Gene Krupa (January 15, 1909 – October 16, 1973) was a famous and influential American jazz and big band drummer, known for his highly energetic and flamboyant style. ... Bernard Buddy Rich (September 30, 1917 Brooklyn, New York – April 2, 1987) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. ... Neil Ellwood Peart (IPA: ) OC, (born September 12, 1952 in Hagersville, Ontario) is a Canadian musician and author. ... Gretsch is a U.S. musical instrument manufacturer currently being distributed by guitar company Fender and drum craft company Kaman. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified with the purpose of making music. ... Conway is a city located in Faulkner County, Arkansas, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city was the eighth most populous in Arkansas, with a total population of 43,167. ...

Slingerland's most famous product line is the Radio Kings series of drums. These drums were introduced in 1935, and remained Slingerland's flagship snare drums and drum sets until 1957, when the Radio King model briefly disappeared from the product line. Between 1960 and 1962, Radio Kings were reintroduced and remain the premier product for the Slingerland Drum Company. Older Radio Kings are obsessively collected by vintage drum enthusiasts. Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich were both Radio Kings endorsers. Gene Krupa Gene Krupa (January 15, 1909 – October 16, 1973) was a famous and influential American jazz and big band drummer, known for his highly energetic and flamboyant style. ... Bernard Buddy Rich (September 30, 1917 Brooklyn, New York – April 2, 1987) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. ...

The original Radio King snare drum is distinguished by its construction: rather than several plies of mahogany, like most snare drums of the era, a Radio King drum is created from a single piece of steam-bent maple with solid maple reinforcement rings, which assist in keeping the drum round under the pressure of the metal hardware attached to it, along with the wear and tear drums are regularly exposed to. Single ply wood drums are known for their resonance and bright tone. An example of Mahogany The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored wood, originally the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, sometimes referred to as Spanish or Cuban Mahogany. ... Distribution Species See List of Acer species Maples are trees or shrubs in the genus Acer. ...

Radio King bass drums and tom-toms were made from mahogany with maple reinforcing hoops. These drums are known for their "thuddy" sound - very warm with quick decay. An example of Mahogany The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored wood, originally the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, sometimes referred to as Spanish or Cuban Mahogany. ... Distribution Species See List of Acer species Maples are trees or shrubs in the genus Acer. ...

For most of the company's pre-1970s history, Slingerland's manufacturing process were not standardized in the way that modern large-scale manufacturing companies are standardized. Exceptions exist to nearly every strict product taxonomy. This is due in large part to the fact that parts would often be left over from year-to-year and would be used by workers despite these parts having been officially discontinued from the line. To say unequivocally that "All Radio Kings manufactured between 19xx and 19xx have X finishes and Y lugs" is an invitation to be proven wrong by the existence of an odd hybrid drum. Look up taxonomy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

An interesting departure from the standard Slingerland product line occurred during World War II, when wood was used to manufacture drums parts that had traditionally been made of brass, chrome, nickel and steel. This was due to high demand for metals needed for the war effort. These drums were named the "Rolling Bomber" series, and are also highly collectable. Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... For other uses, see Brass (disambiguation). ... Bright chrome is often used as a decorative feature on consumer products such as cars. ... General Name, Symbol, Number nickel, Ni, 28 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 10, 4, d Appearance lustrous, metallic and silvery with a gold tinge Standard atomic weight 58. ... The steel cable of a colliery winding tower. ... In military affairs, the war effort refers to the harnessing of economic and human resources towards support of a military force. ...

The popularity of old Slingerland Radio King snare drum is evident by myriad professional drummers that still use the snare in 2006, despite endorsing other brands.

Slingerland lost its footing in the late 1980's after introducing the Magnum series, and the company folded. In the late 90's, the Slingerland name was revived by Gibson. Slingerland is once again in production, but they use Keller maple shells rather than producing their own. They are struggling to attain market space like they had in the glory days when the Slingerland name was strong and recognizable.

Trivia

Comedian Patton Oswalt often uses Slingerland as a last name in his act. Patton Oswalt (born January 27, 1969, in Portsmouth, Virginia, USA) is a comedian, actor and writer who first began headlining comedy clubs in 1996. ...

External links

• company website
• A history of the Slingerland company, focused on the guitar production
• A very detailed page about Radio King drums