Snare Drum

The Slingerland Radio King® snare is, with out a doubt, the most famous and most recorded drum in the history of modern music. In 1995, we started production of these snares exclusively in our Nashville plant; in 2003, this production moved to our Conway, Arkansas facility. Slingerland has gone to great lengths to ensure that the sound quality of today's Radio King® matches that of the classic original. Whether you choose an Original, Super or Select, this will be your favorite drum for years to come.

Shell

Like the original, the shell used to construct these snares is a single piece of steam-bent maple with reinforcement hoops on both top and bottom. This combination gives a deep, rich tone frequently called the "fat sound." Other features include a heavy throw-off, 13" 16-strand snares, coated white batter heads, and clear snare heads.

Hoops

The Radio King® Original model uses an 8-lug, chrome-plated brass hoop engraved with the original Slingerland Radio King® logo. The Super Radio King® model is a recent addition to the line and uses a 10-lug die-cast hoop configuration with the standard solid maple shell. The model should be specified at the time of order.

Finishes

Radio King® snares come in all available Slingerland finishes, including High Gloss Urethane, our new satin finishes, and Classic Wraps. These snares are sure to become collectible pieces as well as outstanding musical instruments.