this forum is really cool. I am Mike & have an old 1955 -59 pre badge red glass glitter slingerland cocktail drumset. I have had it for about 6 months now & am really enjoying it! I also have an old 1920's radio king drumset that I used to play out on for my little local gigs, but due to the sizes & weight etc. I was looking for a lighter, smaller alternative. I think I have found it. Getting the thing to sound good is a challenge. I have learned a lot from this site already, Thanks! Mike or now I guess I will be "Rat"
Adios
I'll get one 4 ya Mango! I kind of rigged it up myself, my buddy welded a big washer onto an old hi hat rod & I bent it & attached it to the legs with lp cow bell clamps, solid as a rock so far! It's anold duplex heyn pedal I've had for years, fliped upside down with no problems & works real well for being 50 years old or so! Made in St. Louis too, where I live!
Thanks John,
My main cymbal is a 14" zildjian crash cymbal, sounds good as a ride also, & my hi hats are old old 11" zildjians that I aquired with my radio kings when I found them. I had never ever thought I would use them for anything, but kept them anyway. Good thing I did !!
My top cymbal is a little 8" zildjian splash. I have played out with this set-up & it works pretty well. I am converted now!
It seems the vintage cocktail drums on e-bay are going for more money these days also!
I was lucky to aquire this one for as little as I paid for it! This website has taught me well too. I'm using a coated power stroke 3 on the bass & a remo ambassador for the snare head. Sounds real nice too, brushes & sticks!
Thanks to all here for all of the useful information!
I'm cocktail crazy now!
That is one sweet looking drum. I like the sparkle wrap.
Does your drum have the seam with the trim strip inside like most slingerland cocktail drums do or is it a solid shell? A friend of mine has a similiar slingerland drum with the seam in the center and it sounds fantastic.
thanks, It does have the center joining seam, you can see it pretty well from the outside too, but the old wrap & wrap seam is tight & red is unfaded. I just finished up my first recording project, (just rythmn tracks so far) using my cocktail kit. I'm using it with an upright bassist, and a guitar player, it is kind of vintage country rock a billy, sort of. I'll post more as the sessions progress........we recorded all together just the bass drums & rythmn guitar(acoustic) & the singer will over dubb the vocal & lead guitar tracks on top of those. I am very happy with the sounds coming from this drum.
Mike