Slingerland · Gene Krupa Sound King snare · 1963–1978
Gene Krupa's name went on Slingerland's top chrome snare in the early 1960s. The 1963 catalog introduced the Gene Krupa Sound King with the new Zoomatic strainer, which was Slingerland's flagship throw-off from 1962 to 1972, on a solid brass shell that was triple chrome plated with no center bead. It came in 5 x 14 and 6½ x 14, with eight or ten lugs, as Nos. 130 to 133, and No. 130 was the snare in the Modern Solo outfit. Krupa's name stayed on the page into the early 1970s, and by the 1977–78 catalog the same numbers were simply the Sound King chrome snare. Its siblings get mixed up with it in listings. The Radio King chrome shell snare of 1963 used a brass shell with the 3-point Radio King strainer, the 1967 Super Sound King added the Dual Super strainer that releases both sides at once, and the lower-line Festival had flanged edges and a Rapid strainer before Slingerland switched it to steel. Tell them apart by the strainer, and run a magnet over the shell to confirm brass. Pick one with a working Zoomatic and clean chrome.
Inside the shellGene Krupa Sound King snare
The badge narrows it down. Black and brass Niles badges with a serial number ran from October 1962 into 1970, black and silver ovals followed in 1970, and the football-shaped black and silver badge runs from 1973. Serial numbers restart in 1970, so a low number on a black and silver badge isn't an early drum. The Krupa name was on the catalog page through the early 1970s and gone by 1977–78.
Zoomatic strainers wear and lose their adjustment, and old chrome can pit or flake. Festival and Radio King chrome snares get listed as Sound Kings.
Buying guide
We'd buy the 70s 5x14 chrome over brass titled with its Zoomatic strainer at $319 delivered, from a US seller near the bottom of the band. There are at least 13 for sale and most ask $310–420 delivered, since nearly all are US listings with low shipping. A Zoomatic that holds its adjustment and chrome without pitting set the price, so ask for close photos of both, and check the strainer, since Festival and Radio King chrome snares get listed as Sound Kings. The Krupa name was gone from the catalog by 1977–78, so let the badge settle a drum titled 1978 Gene Krupa. Skip the 60s drum from Japan at $1,209 delivered, about three times the median.
$260.21est. delivered
The lowest delivered Sound King here, a 14x5 chrome over brass 8-lug titled good shape at $260 delivered. Its photo looks brassy, so ask for daylight photos of the chrome and a look at the Zoomatic.
Slingerland Sound King Chrome Over Brass 14x5 8 Lug Vintage/Good Shape
$318.61est. delivered
A 70s 5x14 8-lug chrome over brass titled with its Zoomatic strainer, near the bottom of the band at $319 delivered. Ask for a short clip of the throw-off engaging and holding.
Slingerland Snare Drum 70's COB Chrome Brass Sound King Zoomattic 8 Lug 5 x 14"
$384.95est. delivered
Titled No. 130 Gene Krupa, the 5x14 8-lug Krupa model, inside the band at $385 delivered. The 1963 catalog introduced it, so ask for the badge and serial to check the 1960-62 date.
VINTAGE 1960-62 SLINGERLAND 5x14 No. 130 GENE KRUPA COB SOUND KING SNARE DRUM
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$260.21est. delivered
$250.00 + $10.21 shipping
Buy It Now$250.00
Good buy
Titled COB 14x5 8-lug, good shape. Photo looks brassy, so ask about the chrome.
Seller: bgmnrs2
100% positive
Used$318.61est. delivered
$295.00 + $23.61 shipping
Buy It Now$295.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
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Good buy
Titled 70s COB with Zoomatic, 8-lug 5x14.
Seller: allgoodsstuffat321
100% positive
Used$384.95est. delivered
$359.95 + $25.00 shipping
Buy It Now$359.95
Good buy
Titled No. 130 Gene Krupa, 1960-62. The 1963 catalog introduced it, so check the serial.
Seller: drumcavedave
100% positive
Used$352.62est. delivered
$329.99 + $22.63 shipping
Buy It Now$329.99
Our take
Titled 1978 Gene Krupa, but the Krupa name was gone by the 1977–78 catalog. Ask for the badge.
Seller: themanwhosoldthedrum
100% positive
Used$395.00delivered
$395.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$395.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
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Our take
Titled COB Krupa. Free shipping.
Seller: rocco7411
99.2% positive
Used$415.08est. delivered
$310.00 + $105.08 shipping
Buy It Now$310.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
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Our take
Titled 1960s with serial 30687. $105 shipping is high for a snare.
Seller: brutuslong
100% positive
Used$624.00est. delivered
$575.00 + $49.00 shipping
Buy It Now$575.00
Our take
Titled Gene Krupa 6.5x14 10-lug, the No. 133. Above the band for the deeper 10-lug drum.
Seller: rkcitymuse
100% positive
Used$1,208.72est. delivered
$1,018.72 + $190.00 shipping
Buy It Now$1,018.72
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
Titled 60s metal snare, from Japan. About three times the median.
Seller: tgmstore
97.8% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 12, 2026.
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