The new Slingerland Radio King drum sets are proudly built in Oxnard, California, where DW has dedicated years to honoring the brand’s legacy. From the very beginning, DW made it clear that this project wasn’t about slapping a famous badge on a generic shell. Instead, their goal was to treat the Radio King name with the respect it deserves. That meant studying the originals in depth — their shell recipes, bearing edges, hardware designs, and even the small details that gave them their unmistakable character.

Rather than reinventing the wheel, DW chose to faithfully recreate the spirit of the classic Radio King while making subtle updates where history showed weaknesses. Fragile spurs, unreliable mounts, and inconsistent parts have been replaced with sturdier modern solutions — all while maintaining the look, feel, and sound that made drummers fall in love with Slingerland in the first place.

The result is a kit that feels as if it could have rolled straight out of a 1950s music store, but with the build quality and dependability that today’s players demand. It’s more than a reproduction — it’s a careful balance of authentic vintage vibe and modern craftsmanship, proving that DW didn’t just bring Slingerland back, they brought it back the right way.

At the heart of the new Radio King lies the same formula that made the originals legendary. DW has stayed true to Slingerland’s traditional shell design, carefully matching materials and construction methods that shaped the warm, full-bodied sound drummers still chase today. Every detail — from the plies to the reinforcement rings to the edge profile — has been crafted to deliver that unmistakable Radio King tone while ensuring modern consistency and durability.

• 3-ply mahogany/poplar/mahogany shells.
• Solid maple reinforcement rings.
• 30° bearing edges for warmth and roundness.
• Classic Slingerland nickel-plated hardware for a vintage look.

There are 12 total configurations (6 standard setups, each available with or without snare). The model demoed in this first-look was a 24/13/16 kit with a 6.5" deep Artist snare drum.

Hardware Details

DW went to great lengths to match the look and feel of vintage Slingerland:

• Stick Saver Hoops — a Slingerland innovation, softer on sticks and sonically distinct.
• Modernistic “Beaver Tail” lugs — circa 1940 design, reproduced with detail down to the interior washers.
• Tone Controls — faithful recreations that look and work like the originals.
• Zumatic Throw-Off — the classic snare mechanism, reborn for today.

But not everything is purely vintage. Some functional upgrades were necessary:

• Bass Drum Spurs — sturdy and road-ready (no more wobbly vintage spurs).
• LRM-style Tom Mount — more reliable than Slingerland’s old “Stomatic” system.
• Modern Bass Drum Claws & T-rods — combined with matte hoops and marine pearl inlays.
• Beefed-Up Floor Tom Brackets — styled after beaver-tail lugs but more durable.

DW clearly balanced heritage styling with modern functionality, ensuring these kits look authentic while performing like a pro-level instrument.

To truly put the new Radio King through its paces, the team at Drum Center of Portsmouth set it side by side with an original 1950s Radio King kit in the same sizes (24/13/16), complemented by a 1940s Radio King snare drum. This wasn’t just a casual demo — it was a way to see if DW’s relaunch could stand shoulder to shoulder with one of the most iconic drum sets of the last century.

The vintage Radio King immediately showed why it has remained so beloved: a warm, woody resonance that fills the room with character, subtle imperfections in tone that make every note feel organic, and that unmistakable vintage vibe that can only come from decades of aging wood.

By contrast, the new Radio King delivered nearly the same sonic personality, but with the advantages of modern craftsmanship. The tone was authentic and full of that same mahogany richness, but with the added benefits of cleaner hardware, more reliable mounts, sturdier construction, and improved tuning stability. Where the old kit might show its quirks on stage, the new one offers peace of mind without losing its soul.

The biggest takeaway? These drums don’t feel like a reissue or a gimmick. They’re not “tribute” instruments trying too hard to look vintage. Instead, they feel like genuine Radio Kings, the kind of kit you might have stumbled upon in a music shop 70 years ago — only this time, they’re fresh out of the box and built to last.

The return of Slingerland isn’t just nostalgia — it’s a renaissance. Just as Ludwig, Gretsch, and Rogers have enjoyed modern revivals, Slingerland now has a chance to reclaim its place in drumming culture.

• For vintage enthusiasts: You get a kit that looks, feels, and sounds like the Radio Kings of old — without the fragility or limitations of a 70-year-old instrument.
• For modern players: You get vintage warmth paired with hardware that won’t fail mid-gig.
• For collectors: These drums honor their legacy while offering long-term parts support (DW confirmed replacement lugs, hoops, and throw-offs will be available).

And while this review focused on the Radio King, DW also announced the upcoming Studio King line, set to offer another slice of Slingerland history later this year.

After decades of false starts, the Slingerland Radio King is finally back — and this time, it feels real. DW’s careful stewardship ensures that the kits honor their history while meeting modern standards.

✅ Looks & vibe: Spot on — authentic, not forced.

✅ Sound: Classic mahogany warmth, with the same Radio King presence.

✅ Hardware: Vintage styling where it counts, modern upgrades where needed.

🎵 Best for: Drummers seeking that old-school Radio King sound without compromising on reliability.

This isn’t just a reissue. It’s a rebirth. Slingerland is alive again — and it looks like they’re here to stay.

What do you think of DW’s revival of the Radio King? Do you prefer the authentic quirks of vintage kits, or would you welcome the reliability of these modern reissues? 

Drop your thoughts in the comments!

The return of Slingerland marks a new chapter in drum history — and you can be part of it. Whether you’re chasing that vintage mahogany warmth or looking for a reliable kit with timeless style, the new Radio King delivers.

Ready to make it yours? Explore available configurations at Drum Center of Portsmouth and bring home a piece of drumming legacy today.

Reach out anytime for personalized recommendations and real-world advice.