Goki's post about how much he loves his SClassix got me thinking in parallel.
As some of you may or may not know, I have rediscovered and rekindled my love for Rogers XP8 drums over the last couple years. My first real drums were a set of black XP8s purchased in 1982: 12 13 two 16s and two 22s with a COB Dynasonic snare. Most amazing drums, I spent lots of time playing and tinkering with them. they made me and my friends feel great when played. They also got dragged around to gigs when I was on bass or guitar because they just had that something something missing from my buddy's kits. (Over the top quality, to start...)
They were regrettably sold in the early 90s to finance my broke musician life. I was playing bass all the time, something big, bulky and valuable had to go.
Fast forward to Sept, 2009... It all started back again with the purchase of 24x14, 14x10, 15x12 and 16x16 Midnight Mist XP8s I found on Craig'sList for a song. The virus took hold. My friends, band mates and myself were so blown away when they were tuned and played with what I know now vs those early teen years of questionable tonality and feel. The yellow Sonors were taken down as the home/rehearsal space kit and the Rogers set up in their place. Not long afterwards-found and added a 10x9, 12x8 (from a shell and parts) and a nearly mint 18x16 found in Chicago while on tour. I even found a player's 12 13 16 22 shell pack of metallic silver XP8s for almost a song, as well as a minty set of 12 13 16 22 + COB Dyna 1977 black Big Rs for not even as much as a song, but a jingle!
The Midnight mists-wrapped in a relatively rare and more intriguing color-were definitely the keepers and the Big Rs were sold (kept the Dyna) for a nice profit. The silvers were kept around for seemingly an indeterminate reason--the silver 22" bass did make an appearance on two tracks of the new record along with my Midnight Mist toms.
Then my leg broke. I spent my downtime selling some unnecessary gear and therefore funding some projects for my eventual return to drums and the CD release tours starting in mid April. Since I couldn't play my drums, I hunted for, built and modified them to keep myself from going nuts.
Over the 'break' (pun intended) I have found some MidMist shells-13x9, 14x10, 22x14-which had been sitting in a basement for 2 years. I poached the hardware and heads off of my silvers (so
that's why I was sitting on them) to bring the 13 and 22 back into the fold as complete drums. I also found another 16x16 midnight mist shell with lugs that I am converting to a bass drum. The second 14x10" shell has just been finished being cut down, re-edged and bedded to be a 14x7.5" snare! All of the parts and heads ordered to do the final touches on the snare and 16" bass conversions are coming in this week. It's all timing out nicely.
The recently stripped silver 22" XP8 bass shell has been converted to a stand-up bass drum, replacing a much cheaper luan stand up bass I have been using since 1996. A considerable upgrade in looks and tone, for sure! The 13" shell is on the auction block, as it the 12" tom. Keeping the 16" around for a bit while I contemplate another project-thinking of putting it's legs on the 15" tom...
Fast forward to the last couple days: my leg is healing fast and I have started gingerly walking on it. Playing drums, however, is less demanding than walking and I have been rapidly & rabidly playing to getting my muscles rehabbed and reawakened. The reality of joining the band in early April for a short warm-up tour and our subsequent CD release shows later that month is 99.9% a GO! As a bonus, the convalescence kit will be on the road sooner than later!!! This is good, I am full of anticipation to play and play these tubs somewhere other than home.
Once I get the snare & mini bass assembled this week; those, the 22" bass and the 12" & 15" toms are going to accompany me on my first shows with the 'bionic leg'! I'm so excited to take these drums out for their first tour! Playing them is not only great for my ears, but my heart and soul. I really love those midnight mists, as does the band.
My usual tour kit, the trustworthy, solid and beloved Emerald Mist Pearl Masters, will have to sit it out for a spell. They did a great job comforting me that night 5 weeks ago when I played them with my freshly broken leg, left footed, open handed. I was not fully myself, the set up was different, but the drums the same.
It's kind of funny how attached we get to our instruments.
Except Kelly.
Not only am I nostalgic about XP8s, but pragmatic. They are really well made and great sounding drums relative to today's offerings. Sure, the hardware is bulky, but it's solid and reliable and still functions as it did 30 years ago. Best part is that XP8s are not ridiculously expensive, not even remotely expensive, but a bargain. To add to the emotional content: a few of my XP8 drums came about when I couldn't
play to stay centered and grounded, but rather they were tools to keep my mind off of playing and focused on the instruments that would accompany me on adventures once I started playing again. The 'convalescent kit' will always remind me of what I learned about having an important limb not at your service, but being served.
It's gonna be fun introducing these drums to their new life..!