Slingerland · 1970s Slingerland drum set · 1969–1978
Slingerland never cataloged a Sound King outfit. In the 1960s and 1970s that name belonged to its brass-shelled chrome snares and to its plastic heads, so this page covers the Niles-built drum sets of the Set-O-Matic years instead. The Set-O-Matic tom holder was new in the 1969 catalog, shown on the Buddy Rich outfit, and Rich's No. 80N in the 1977–78 catalog had a 14 x 22 bass drum, a 9 x 13 tom and two 16 x 16 floor toms. The 1973 New Rock outfit paired a 14 x 20 bass with 8 x 12 and 9 x 13 toms on a Double Set-O-Matic. In the 1970s Slingerland also signed Danny Seraphine of Chicago and Nigel Olsson of Elton John's band, and Neil Peart of Rush played Slingerland too. Standard shells stayed 3-ply maple, poplar and mahogany with maple reinforcing rings through 1978, and a ring-less 5-ply shell was an option from 1972 and became standard in 1979. Look for a set whose badges, serials and interiors agree, then check that every Set-O-Matic part is there.
Inside the shell1970s Slingerland drum set
Badges and serials do most of the work. A black and silver oval badge on aluminum appears in mid-1970 and serial numbers restart then, the etched oval runs 1970–1972, and the silk-screened football-shaped badge runs 1973–1986 (glossy black to about 1978, paler and matte from 1979). Interiors stained beige date a shell to October 1966 through 1970, with stragglers into 1971, and all were clear again by 1972. A 5-ply shell without reinforcing rings is 1972 or later.
Set-O-Matic holders and their shell brackets go missing or get swapped, and bass drums often carry extra holes from later mounts. Kits are often assembled from drums of different years.
Buying guide
We'd buy the 1970s chrome over wood kit at $1,148 delivered, the lowest kit here with shipping included. We found at least six 1970s Niles kits for sale, but four state no shipping, so the $1,150–1,225 delivered band rests on just two prices; budget $150–450 for freight on the others or plan to pick up. The lowest ask is the red kit titled 1977 with hardware at $664, a 22-inch bass with 12, 13 and 16-inch toms, if you can sort out shipping. On any of them, ask for photos of each badge and serial and the inside of each shell, since the football badge, a ring-less 5-ply shell and the interior color all help date a drum. Check that every Set-O-Matic holder and its brackets are there, because those are the parts that go missing.
$664.05+ ship
The lowest ask here, a red kit titled 1977 with hardware, in 22, 12, 13 and 16-inch sizes. No shipping is stated, so get a freight quote or arrange pickup before you offer.
Slingerland Red Drum Kit Set 12 13 16 22 w Hardware 1977 Vintage
$1,148.00est. delivered
A 1970s kit in chrome over wood, a finish Slingerland cataloged, at $1,148 delivered, the lowest price with shipping included. Ask for badge photos and a look at the Set-O-Matic holder.
Vintage 1970s Slingerland COW Drum Set
$1,219.99delivered
A 1970s Stage Band set in red gloss pearl from a drum shop with free shipping, so there's no freight to arrange. The photo shows a bass drum, one tom and a floor tom, so confirm what's included.
1970s Slingerland Stage Band Red Gloss Pearl Drum Set
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$664.05+ shipping
$664.05 · shipping not stated
Buy It Now$664.05
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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Good buy
Titled 1977, 12/13/16/22 with hardware. No shipping stated.
Seller: lovesurf1
99.7% positive
Used$1,148.00est. delivered
$949.00 + $199.00 shipping
Buy It Now$949.00
Good buy
Titled 1970s chrome over wood. $199 shipping.
Seller: aorlov1
100% positive
Used$1,219.99delivered
$1,219.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$1,219.99
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.
Good buy
Titled 1970s Stage Band, red gloss pearl. Photo shows three drums.
Seller: hawthornedrumshop
99.7% positive
Used$950.00+ shipping
$950.00 · shipping not stated
Buy It Now$950.00
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.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled mid 70s with concert toms, which are single-headed. No shipping stated.
Seller: trgon_56
100% positive
Used$2,400.00+ shipping
$2,400.00 · shipping not stated
Buy It Now$2,400.00
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.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled early 70s mahogany double bass, but the photo looks coppery. Ask which finish. No shipping stated.
Seller: todwt-ogawnl4
100% positive
Used$2,500.00+ shipping
$2,500.00 · shipping not stated
Buy It Now$2,500.00
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.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled late 70s 5-ply 6-piece, which fits 1972 or later. No shipping stated.
Seller: kikoka
100% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 12, 2026.
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