Slingerland Special Student 14x5.5 — 3-Point Strainer, Chicago Badge

Chicago-built Slingerland Special Student in White Marine Pearl, 14” x 5.5”. Black-and-brass oval badge, three-ply mahogany shell with maple reinforcement rings, 6 streamlined lugs, nickel hardware, single-flange hoops with original claw hooks, and the original No. 967 three-point strainer.

To be clear about what this is: the Special Student was Slingerland’s 6-lug student drum, the 8-lug equivalent was the straight Student Model. It’s a different and earlier drum from the Deluxe Student, which arrived in the ’60s with Stick-Saver hoops and a Rapid throw. Same shell Slingerland used across the line. The student designation came from the hardware, not the wood.

The strainer is what makes this one an earlier model. The Special Student started out with the three-point strainer and switched to the cheaper Rapid throw in 1958. This drum still has the three-point. The design Slingerland ran on their better instruments and the one that doesn’t jam. It’s original, and engages and releases cleanly. Also, you loosen the thumbscrew and it lifts off or folds flat against the shell.

There’s a faint factory ink stamp on the mahogany interior near the badge grommet — visible in the photos, only partially legible.

The wrap has aged beautifully to a nice cream color. Interior is clean and dry, bearing edges are true, and there are no cracks, no repairs, and no extra holes anywhere in the shell.

It will arrive to you set up and ready to play with a fresh head package: Evans ’56 Calftone batter, Evans 300 snare-side reso, and wires. It tunes up dry and woody with the low-tension crack these three-ply mahogany shells do better than anything built since. Jazz, roots, rockabilly, and studio work — six lugs and single-flange hoops want low tension, which is exactly where this shell sings. (Hear in the video).

Also included: a vintage Evans All Weather Orchestra head for anyone who wants to run it fully old-school.

*Honest condition notes:

Nickel hardware shows its age — dulling, pitting, and haze across the lugs, hoops, and tension rods. Cleaned gently, not restored, and photographed close up so you know exactly what’s coming.

Small lift at the top edge of the wrap seam, and light pale-orange staining on the panel beside it. Both pictured.

The badge rotates on its grommet. Extremely common on drums of this era; shell and grommet are intact.

General playwear consistent with a drum that got used for 65+ years.

**Note - my shop policy on buyer commitments: if payment is not received within. 24 hours of committing to purchase, the sale will be cancelled & item relisted.