cliff wrote:
Hey Kelly,
Just like with Sonor, there are very distinct eras of Rogers drum production, and each era has its fans, for various reasons.
These are known as the 'Big R' period, and if I am not mistaken, these shells were 'five ply hardwood', and I am not sure if Rogers ever disclosed what that wood is.
Rogers, perhaps my favorite USA drum company. Ludwig is quite, sexy, but I don't own any other than 3 snare drums.
I personally am a
huge fan of the XP8 era. The 8-ply, old-growth New England Hard Rock Maple shells are amazing! I would put them up against most modern shell. They were the grandfathers of modern drums, IMHO and their tone holds up today.
-My first 'real' set of drums was a huge Ebony (Black wrap) set of XP8s. 1982ish. Two 22BD 12 13 Two 16FT 5" COB Dyna. Sold them in the 90s. Regrettably.
-I picked up a set of 1982ish Midnight Mist XP8s about 18 months ago. Added some orphans: 24 10 12 14 15 16FT. The 10" is an Island Music era Rogers from 1987. It looks really close-save the purple pearl added to the MidMist wrap and a 9" depth. Love this kit-it's my primary home practice kit, sounds so good-even with old, beat up Pinstripes on it! Want to add a 18" floor and a 18 or 20" kick to it, but this color is relatively rare and orphans pop up infrequently. Put the 14" rack tom in a RIMS FT mount and like it a lot.
-I recently picked up a set of 1980ish Silver Metallic (wrap) Londoner 5 XP8s that need a little clean up and heads. 22 12 13 16. Gonna get these up and running and see if I keep 'em. I certainly don't need them since I have my Midnights.
-Also have a set of 1977 Big R Londoner 5 in Ebony (Black wrap) 22 12 13 16, 5" Dyna. These have the 5-ply shell with rings. I have heard it's maple/poplar/maple/poplar/maple. Seems to make sense, they have that 'classic' tone that comes from a mix of hardwoods with poplar and rings. Great drums, but not as well made as my XP8s. Seems that Rogers
really got their shit together for that last USA-made run: the 1979-83 XP8 era.
There is a Rogers message board I frequent and one member has a Bop set of Midnight Mist XP8s. Sexy, sexy, sexy.
What I would give to find a freak show set of MidMist XP8s sized 10 14ft 18ft 20bd! That is my current set up on my touring set of Pearls.
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