Hi,
I got this *Clamshell Sea Green Pearl Radio King a few Chicago Shows ago from my good friend and fellow collector Joe Luoma.
*The correct name for this strainer is The Super Strainer but collectors know it as The Clamshell Strainer.
A brief history:
The Super Strainer was introduced in 1940 and remained available on certain models until 1962. There were minor variations of this strainer over the years. For a more detailed explanation see Carl Wenk’s article located at vintagedrumguide.com
**A little discrepancy here in that Sea Green Pearl was introduced in 1938 but the Super Strainer was introduced in 1940. The obvious answers are 1. Left over Sea Green Pearl shell. 2. Inaccurate dating. I’ll leave any further speculating up to the readers. What’s a few years of discrepancy amongst friends?
The Sea Green Pearl was in great shape and polished up nicely. The nickel plated hardware was also in great shape and polished up nicely. The strainer works ok but is definitely not my favorite strainer. I know of collectors who love this strainer but personally I would not take a drum with that strainer on any gig. Of-the-era calf heads rounded out this cleaning/restoration.
As a nice companion to this drum I added a photo of another Sea Green Pearl Radio King. This one is a 1940s 6.5 x 14 Sea Green Radio King. This drum has good mojo as I got it from my good friend Mark Cooper (RIP).
Enjoy!
Mike Curotto