My Purple Slingerlands

[Mateo Leone]

These are my purple Slingerlands. They were custom made for Prince in the early 90's by Pat Foley. I picked them up from Gabe Gonzales, who used them when he played for George Clinton/P-Funk. Foley confirmed that he made the drums by looking at the hand-numbered serial number plates which were in his handwriting.

Notice a couple of strange things about the kit. First off, they are DW sized, with 10", 12", and 14" toms, and a 16" suspended floor tom. Slingerland did not typically use toms in these sizes for a Studio King set. Second, notice the odd lug configurations. The two small toms have 5 lugs, while the two larger toms are 8 lugged. The bass is 10 lug, which is pretty normal for Studio Kings. Third, notice the copper plated hardware, the cast hoops on all the toms, and the RIMS isolation mounts on all the toms. Very curious, but they look very cool in person.

I have used these in the studio, and I think they are the finest sounding drums I have ever used to record. Even without any effects, these drums just have pure tone and presence.

I played Slingerlands back in the 70s and 80s, and I was looking for a kit that could replace the ones I had back then. When these came up, I just couldn't resist! They are hanging on DW stands and are topped with a collection of Zildjian cymbals. I have a bunch of different snares I use with the kit, one is a purple wrapped DDrum that looks cool with the kit. My favorite is a old (1960) era Pearl 5x14 in chrome that has a crack that complements the drums quite well.

Hope you enjoy the pictures.

[mikei]

wow

very cool looking kit

it is cool that you have a kit that was originally made for prince

[Tom Sawyer]

So that's actually THE kit that was made for Prince? Sweeet!

[katman]

Wow, they look fantastic. The copper plated hardware is very elegant and goes well with the purple. Is the natural maple bass drum hoop also the original? I like the look of a natural hoop against a darker or coloured drum, although this is often the result of a replacement somewhere down the line.

[Mateo Leone]

These are just how I got them from Gabe. As far as I understand it, the bass drum hoops are original. Given the oxidation on the finish of the hoops on the batter side, they seem to be the same vintage as the rest of the set.

These have gigged and toured a lot, and they are far from pristine, but the uniqueness and the history made the deal for me. Plus, I always liked Slings, and I was looking for a reason to get another set when these came along. I would have liked to get a set of sSling stands to complete the set, but they are pretty hard to find since Slings are not in many stores anymore. Too bad Gibson let a proud and honorable brand decline to the point they are at today.

Thanks for your input, they are a very unique kit.

[harryconway]

By far one of the best looking Slingerland kits I've ever seen. Total class.

[latzanimal]

Cool kit. Any way to post some better lighted pics? I'd really like to see the color...

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

It's a shame Slingerland aren't what they once were. Looks like you've got the best kit they've made in 20 years - definitely looks rather stunning to say the least. I really like the colour combination and they look like quality drums.

[CudleeMan]

That set it amazing.
Copper on purple = class
You are one lucky man

[bonzolead]

A drumkit made for Prince and it's purple go figure LOL seriously I love the purple color Slingerland uses on their radio & studio king kits very nice.that is one beautiful kit I really like the radio king snares they play and sound terrific.

Keep Swattin'
Bonzolead

[bonzolead]

It's a shame Slingerland aren't what they once were. Looks like you've got the best kit they've made in 20 years - definitely looks rather stunning to say the least. I really like the colour combination and they look like quality drums.
Slingerlands have been great drums since Gibson bought the company they broung them back from the dead. I agree with you through they were not that good in the 80's a drum company that isn't. what they once were is Rogers and I think anyone will agree with that if they seen them lately.

Bonzolead

[Four Sticks]

The music shop downtown has one of the new Rogers kits... sounds bloody terrible.
Nice kit brother... that purple is astounding.

[TenPastTen]

Very cool looking drums and an even cooler history behind them. This baby is screaming for a copper snare to round out a visual treat. You know maybe one with purple hardware!

[mrchattr]

Dude, those drums are horrible.

Very ugly, not impressive at all, and gigged too much to be worth anything.

Since I'm such a nice guy, I will buy them from you, and you can get a real kit.



























Please???
:-D

Seriously, those are amazing. Love 'em.

[T.Underhill]

Whew, what a tight set!! Great color and hardware, even better history. Best looking Slingerlands I've seen in a long time.

[Mateo Leone]

Horrible? Seriously, thanks for the round-about compliment. I have had some band members refer to them as "pimpy".

Slingerland does make a cool copper snare, but they are hard to find. Would be cool to do the lugs and hoops in purple... Hmm, have to work on that one. I have an old (1920s) Leedy brass snare that looks good with the kit, but the sound is all wrong.

[lewisn27]

im likeing the purple

[slingerland755]

They make mine look like a bore.

[junglelord]

Purple Haze is in my brain....purple rain don't look the same, I feel funny and I don't know why, excuse me while I kiss Apollonia...