Just seeing this Chris. I own a bunch of Slingerland snare drums from 1940's to 1980's. The 2 things I found helpful in new head seating is after tensioning, press down around the lug points on the drumhead as to stretch it. Also I would punch the middle then retune. Sounds a little extreme but it works. As far as snare buzz, detune the lug rods at the snare wire beds. Just enough to rid the buzz. The Slingerlands have a unique dry fat sound that no one else has. Nice drum you got there.
I love the sound of that snare, and I'm impressed with your drumming, I have 2 radio king snares ones a 40s Krupa model the other from early 60s I think is an artist model but has a 3 point strainer but no bridges. I found these very difficult to tune also, but as I've got to know the drum through time it's now so easy to get all lugs equal sound. I to like the calfskin the best though they all sound really great, I have calf on the artist model. Honestly that snare of yours sounds like among the best I've heard.
Those old calf skins really sound WARM! For new heads, I like to break them in by cranking the lugs very very very very tight, but not too tight that it might crack the shell by the inner lugs if the shell is wood. Maybe even push the middle of the head in. The head will make popping and cracking sounds and get mad at you but it will settle down. Literally. I like to leave it that way overnight. In terms of general snare drum tuning, the advise that has always worked for me is tune the top head TIGHT and tune the bottom head TIGHT. Maybe loosen the bottom 4 legs that are closest to the snares to help control rattling. Tuning low is fine for studio effects but the best way to get a warm FAT sound out of a snare drum is to .... use electronics. Tune that sucker tight and mic it and apply liberal amounts of EQ. These are just my observations over 3 decades of drumming. There are always exceptions. Cheers and thanks for sharing that vintage snare with us. :)
I have a 1962 6.5 x 14" Chicago badged (not Niles) Slingerland concert snare in white marine pearl. It's a mahogany shell with maple rings (just like in this video). I traded it for my high school trumpet at a pawn shop. I'll never sell it. A decade ago it was worth $1,000 but probably half that now. If it's one thing the world is in no short supply of it's old (and new) drums.
The original set up is great. Seems older snares always have fewer snare wires and it's always surprising when the new strand with more wires doesn't sound as good. I think any more than 16 makes the snares not as crisp and too noisy after the hit. I like a tight snare sound with no after buzz muddying things up. I bought 42 strand ones and kept the old snares when I sold that drum thinking originally I would do the opposite but I couldn't get good control with those at all. Later got a Supraphonic with 16 and figured the drum was better but also 16 instead of the 20 I had always used before improved everything as well. How do others feel about this?
Just seeing this Chris. I own a bunch of Slingerland snare drums from 1940's to 1980's. The 2 things I found helpful in new head seating is after tensioning, press down around the lug points on the drumhead as to stretch it. Also I would punch the middle then retune. Sounds a little extreme but it works. As far as snare buzz, detune the lug rods at the snare wire beds. Just enough to rid the buzz. The Slingerlands have a unique dry fat sound that no one else has. Nice drum you got there.
Thanks so much for this video. My son is looking at buying one of these snares so thank God y’all did a video on this. 😀
Very cool! I’m thinking about selling mine would your son be interested?
I love the sound of that snare, and I'm impressed with your drumming, I have 2 radio king snares ones a 40s Krupa model the other from early 60s I think is an artist model but has a 3 point strainer but no bridges. I found these very difficult to tune also, but as I've got to know the drum through time it's now so easy to get all lugs equal sound. I to like the calfskin the best though they all sound really great, I have calf on the artist model. Honestly that snare of yours sounds like among the best I've heard.
Great video demonstration also ..!
it looks and sounds fantastic, subscribed
Those old calf skins really sound WARM! For new heads, I like to break them in by cranking the lugs very very very very tight, but not too tight that it might crack the shell by the inner lugs if the shell is wood. Maybe even push the middle of the head in. The head will make popping and cracking sounds and get mad at you but it will settle down. Literally. I like to leave it that way overnight. In terms of general snare drum tuning, the advise that has always worked for me is tune the top head TIGHT and tune the bottom head TIGHT. Maybe loosen the bottom 4 legs that are closest to the snares to help control rattling. Tuning low is fine for studio effects but the best way to get a warm FAT sound out of a snare drum is to .... use electronics. Tune that sucker tight and mic it and apply liberal amounts of EQ. These are just my observations over 3 decades of drumming. There are always exceptions. Cheers and thanks for sharing that vintage snare with us. :)
Haze Anderson Thanks for the tips!
Sand the bearing edges with 220grit, you can wax them with a candle and cotton towel, keeps em' smooth.
Original sounds great for my bebop on the 1st take/ higher calf’s tuning ..!
I have a 1962 6.5 x 14" Chicago badged (not Niles) Slingerland concert snare in white marine pearl. It's a mahogany shell with maple rings (just like in this video). I traded it for my high school trumpet at a pawn shop. I'll never sell it. A decade ago it was worth $1,000 but probably half that now. If it's one thing the world is in no short supply of it's old (and new) drums.
Used by Jimmy Chamberlin, one my favorite snares by far
The calfskin high is where it's at
I believe a student model would have 6 lug,s.
The original set up is great. Seems older snares always have fewer snare wires and it's always surprising when the new strand with more wires doesn't sound as good. I think any more than 16 makes the snares not as crisp and too noisy after the hit. I like a tight snare sound with no after buzz muddying things up. I bought 42 strand ones and kept the old snares when I sold that drum thinking originally I would do the opposite but I couldn't get good control with those at all. Later got a Supraphonic with 16 and figured the drum was better but also 16 instead of the 20 I had always used before improved everything as well. How do others feel about this?
My experiments so far line up with your theory. More isn’t always better!
If this was the greatest snare ever made ,why didn't Buddy use one when he had his Slingerland endorsement instead of a Fibes?
Good question! Haha he also played ludwig and other brands too right? He must of known something I don’t.
because Buddy told them "you don't want me playing other snare drums? fine: go make one that sounds as good as my Fibes and I'll play it!"
Because “greatest” or “best” is purely subjective. Buddy also DID play Slingerland snares when he was a Slingerland endorser.
@@RUGBYmusic When Buddy went back to Ludwig for the last time in 1978, he only played Ludwig snares…either bronze or brass Super-Sensitives.
RUGBY music Scoooooorrrrred!!!!!! Nice comparison with the heads! They all sounded good in their own way but the calf skin was best!
Try the Fiberskyn stuff...Those calf skins won't last forever... you're going to have to find something you like.
Tune tight push hard in the middle with a towel. Then tune down or back up if you want the Copeland crack...
Calfskin is hands down the best head for a snare drum, but they're reallllly not suited to heavier playing, sadly.
Awesome snare. But what was that ride?????? 😮
Dream dark matter flat earth 22”!
@@RUGBYmusic thanks! I’ve had a few Dreams but not that one…tasty! 😋
I'm more interested in what kind of drums than the sner
North!
@RUGBYmusic thanks for your reply, is that the name of the company name,
@@mikebroszczak5767 yes it is. North Drums
@@RUGBYmusic thank you.