company folded in 1986. Slingerland changed ownership multiple times until it was acquired from Gretsch (part of the Gibson Guitar Corporation by then) in 1994. Gibson revived the brand, but had limited success, due to premium pricing and poor economic conditions. In 1998, Slingerland released a model based on its Gene Krupa signature drum kit. In 2018, much if not all of the remaining warehouse stock of Slingerland drums, including bare shells, hardware and complete drum sets, were sold as a result of Gibson's bankruptcy auction to a private individual who proceeded to liquidate the remaining stock via eBay. This included drums produced in Nashville and in Taiwan. On November 25, 2019 it was announced that DW Drums had taken over ownership of the Slingerland brand from Gibson. Products Radio King Slingerland's most famous product line is the Radio King series of drums. These drums were introduced in 1936–37, and remained Slingerland's flagship snare drums and drum sets until 1957, when the Radio King model briefly disappeared from the product line. Between 1960 and 1962, Radio Kings were reintroduced. Older Radio Kings are obsessively collected by vintage drum enthusiasts. Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich were both Radio King endorsers. The original Radio King snare drum is distinguished by its construction: rather than several plies of mahogany, like most snare drums of the era, a Radio King drum was created from a single piece of steam-bent maple with solid maple reinforcement rings to assist in keeping the drum round under the pressure of the metal hardware attached to it. Single-ply wood drums are known for their resonance and bright tone. Radio King bass drums and tom-toms were made from mahogany, with maple reinforcement hoops. These drums are known for their "thuddy" sound; very warm, with quick decay. The popularity of the old Slingerland Radio King snare drum is evidenced by a myriad of professional drummers who still used the snare in 2017, despite endorsing other brands. Rolling Bomber A departure from the standard Slingerland product line occurred during World War II when wood was used to manufacture drum parts that had traditionally been made of brass, chrome, nickel, and steel. This was due to the high demand for metals needed for the war effort. These drums were named the "Rolling Bomber" series, and are highly collectible. Rock and Roll The Rock and Roll era of the 1960s and 1970s was a