eBay

Sweetwater is an Authorized Slingerland Dealer

Genuine New Item
Sweetwater's 2-year warranty*

Slingerland Radio King Artist Snare Drum - 5.5 inches x 14 inches, Maroon Glass

5.5" x 14" Mahogany/Poplar Snare Drum with 3-ply Shell and Single-flanged Hoops - Maroon Glass

Vintage Appointments Fit for Today’s Timekeepers

The Radio King Artist snare revives iconic Slingerland specifications to deliver a backbeat that’s both vintage-inspired and optimized for modern drummers. Its classic 3-ply mahogany/poplar/mahogany shell — the same formula used across Radio King kits in Slingerland’s heyday — produces a punchy tone with plenty of depth and smooth, controlled response. A maple reinforcement ring and 30-degree bearing edge keep the design period-correct, as do the Stick Saver hoops, Streamline-style lugs, and tone control muffling system for dependable, professional-grade tone and playability. Slingerland also equips the Artist with an updated version of its historic Zoomatic throw off for modern reliability. Finished with 20-strand wires, heritage-inspired badging, and hand craftsmanship in Oxnard, California, the Radio King Artist snare stands as a stunning blend of classic style, contemporary performance, and unmistakable Slingerland character.

Long live the Radio King!

Few big-band drum models have garnered as much attention as Slingerland’s world-renowned Radio King lineup. Now coveted as vintage collector’s items, original Radio King drums from Slingerland’s golden era — spanning 1937 to 1957 — are widely regarded by enthusiasts as some of the finest ever crafted. From rhythmic legends such as Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa to modern players who still champion the nearly century-old design, the Radio King name helped cement Slingerland as one of the most iconic brands in drum building. Today, the Radio King makes its much-anticipated return, blending traditional elegance with premier performance to meet the demands of today’s musicians.

Smooth power of mahogany and poplar

Slingerland has a storied history of using a 3-ply mahogany/poplar/mahogany formula on its toms and bass drums, and this Radio King Artist model perfectly matches the energy. This sandwiched blend exudes a musical character that’s quite smooth and deep, with some lively giddy-up that will punch through mixes of any sort — whether you lean toward old-school jazz, contemporary soul, or anywhere in between. Plus, this formula follows the DNA of Slingerland’s existing Radio King shell packs, giving you a tonally fluid companion for backbeats that feel right at home.

Supporting its phenomenal tone is an internal maple reinforcement ring, which works to not only maintain perfect shell-round over time, but instills a bit of extra tonal purity and punch while it’s at it. Further enhancing this natural tone is the fact that Slingerland crowned the shell with its vintage-correct 30-degree bearing edges. This tactic allows more surface contact with the drumhead, extracting and projecting all the sonic beauty of its 3-ply formula for the entire room to appreciate.

Elegantly equipped to perform

The beauty of the Radio King Artist snare is that, beyond its incredible sound, it comes outfitted with period-correct hardware that captures the original’s signature flair and functionality. At the top of the list, Slingerland’s Stick Saver hoops feature a smooth inward flange, giving you confident cross-stick performance while protecting your sticks from heavy wear. Its long, center-mounted Streamline lugs deliver sleek golden-era styling and unmistakable vintage character.

For extended tonal control, the built-in tone control muffling system lets you rein in overtones or open the snare up fully, adapting to any musical mood. To manage its 20-strand snare wires, Slingerland has reintroduced and refined its classic Zoomatic throw off. With its knob-and-lever design, the system offers fast, intuitive snaring action and a streamlined look that’s as stylish as it is functional. At Sweetwater, we rarely see hardware that blends vintage cool and modern smoothness this effortlessly.

Slingerland: a rhythmic resurgence

Founded in 1912 as a banjo maker, Slingerland’s rise to drumming icon status is a story of rhythm, reinvention, and enduring legacy. From pioneering the world’s first tunable toms for jazz legend Gene Krupa to crafting the kits and snares that defined the swing and big band eras, Slingerland quickly became a cornerstone of 20th-century percussion. Its influence later expanded into marching percussion and surged again within the ’70s arena rock scene, favored by the likes of Rush’s Neil Peart and Chicago’s Danny Seraphine. After years of universally mourned obsolescence, Slingerland started a new chapter in 2019 when California’s legendary Drum Workshop revived the company for a new generation. Here at Sweetwater, we are excited to see this historic brand reemerge, and we look forward to offering our drumming customers a taste of the coveted Slingerland style and sound.

Slingerland Radio King Artist Snare Drum Features:

A perfect match for your Radio King shell pack or a powerful way to bolster the backbeat of your current setup
3-ply shell of mahogany/poplar/mahogany supplies a smooth, lush, deep, and lively power
Steam-bent maple reinforcement ring supplies extra punch and boosts structural integrity
30° bearing edge improves drumhead contact with the shell for greater organic projection
Handsome nickel-plated hardware, such as center-mounted Streamline lugs
Stick Saver hoops promote triple-flanged playability with a safer surface for your sticks
Optimized lever-and-knob Zoomatic throw off system prioritizes both speed and style
Built-in tone control muffler offers the choice of both traditional and dampened deliveries
20-strand set of wires offers just the right amount of snappiness when snared
Classic Radio King badging delivers an exceptional vintage energy
Carefully handcrafted in Oxnard, CA

Specification	Detail
Type	Radio King Snare
Drum Depth	5.5"
Drum Diameter	14"
Shell Material	Mahogany/Poplar Hybrid
Shell Construction	3-ply
Hoops	Single-flanged Stick Saver
Lugs	8 x Streamline Lugs
Color	Maroon Glass
Finish	Nickel-plated Hardware
Heads	Slingerland by Remo
Additional Features	Re-tooled Zoomatic Throw-off

RETURN INFORMATION

We want you to be completely happy with your purchase from Sweetwater. If you are not satisfied with your product, you may return it for a refund of the purchase price within 30 days. If your purchase was eligible for Free Shipping, the shipping cost will be deducted from your credit or refund. Returns must be in the complete and original packaging with all accessories and complete documentation (Owner's Manual, warranty card, quick start guides, etc.), show no signs of wear or use, and include a Return Authorization number or be subject to a restocking fee.