Rogers Drums USA Big R 1975-1984 Dating Guide For Snares and Drums by Jack McFeeters

The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

The Rogers Drum Company “Big R” period has been difficult, at best, to understand or sort out. There are no extant records for production numbers from year to year. Production moved several times during this ten year period plagued by an ever increasing stranglehold from the parent company to produce more for much less with little regard for the “drum” as an instrument. As we stand today, Rogers USA Drums remain highly sought after by players and collectors, with special attention for the golden years that were the decade of the sixties. Rogers was a tremendously innovative small company with a long history in the drumming community. The invention of Swivo-matic drum mounting hardware gave the company an edge during a time drum mounting hardware was unreliable at best, and a complete disaster most of the time. Rogers mounts were used by Moon and Bonham. They were installed at point of purchase on Ludwig, Gretsch, Premier, and many other drums, at the request of the purchaser. A quick glance of drummers who played Rogers by choice reveals some of the greatest players of all time. Rogers invented the modern bearing edge in the early 60s. They put snare drum construction into the modern age with the Dyna-Sonic and Powertone. The list of innovations by the Rogers Drum Company is astounding. They were the most expensive drums of the day. “The Cadillac of Drums.” CBS purchased the Rogers Drum Company in 1966. In less than twenty years, Rogers would cease to exist. But, it must be said, Rogers did not fail as a company because of a poor product, or bad design, or lack of following. Even while being squeezed out of existence from above, the drum company continued to invent, innovate, and astound the musical instrument community with its products. In 1969, the Rogers Drum Company was moved to Fullerton California. In 1975, Rogers introduced Memriloc hardware to the world and gave us a drum identification badge that has come to represent the era…… The Rogers Big R.

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The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

The Big R Badge 1975-1984 Trademark number 1,098,732 was registered with the United States Trademark and Patent Office on August 8, 1978. The record shows the Big R Badge first used in or around December 1975. Included below are the registration document from the Patent Office, as well as examples of badge variations during the Big R period.

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The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

1975-1976 This is the “D” series five digit badge. This badge series starts at 001 and examples have been seen through the mid 40,000 range. Drums with this badge are the earliest Big R drums. This example from a 5x14 SuperTen.

1976-1979 “D” series six digit badge. Numbers in the low 600,000 range, fully through 700,000 range, possibly some numbers in 800,000 range, and into the high 95xxxx’s. This example from a 1977 5x14 Dynasonic COB.

1980 into 1981 No Serial USA Badge This example from a 1980 5x14 SuperTen.

1981-1982 “RD” Series, Six Digit, Numbering RD96xxxx, RD97xxxx, RD98xxxx This example from a 1982 8x14 SuperTen

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The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

Late XP8 Period 1983-1894 “D” Series, Six Digit, Numbering starts at 100,000. This example from a 1983 6.5x14 Dyna-Sonic.

Present day knowledge of the Rogers Big R period has long been fraught with myth, misinformation, and misunderstanding. As stated previously, records do not exist. Identifying when a drum was built has always been difficult. Serial numbers are not specific. Big R badges came on rolls and were used as they came off the roll. More than one roll might be present on the same work station. Many rolls were in use at the same time. I have identified segments of serial ranges that are all over the place. And yet, I am confident of the integrity of dating drums from this period by serial number. It is not exact, it cannot be. However, with a few exceptions, the ranges of serial numbers are dependable. This is possible because key values for interpretation of the number sequences are locked into snare drum construction. Over the past several years I have looked at thousands of Rogers Big R drums. I have extensively used the eBay marketplace and Craigslist, sending hundreds of emails to sellers requesting information on the drums they have for sale. Bobby Chiasson’s online inventory at the Drum Farm has been invaluable. The pictures he provides as part of his inventory, serial information, along with interior and exterior shots of the drums, do much to demonstrate manufacturing tendencies and go far to expose anomalies in construction. The Rogers Book, by Rob Cook, has come to be the premier source for history and information. I highly recommend this to become your baseline source of information. It is the place to start for most inquiries, and provides a wealth of information. There are some errors, but all of those have been identified long before now. And then, the various drum forum sites. Harry Cangany’s Drum Center forum was one of the first I discovered. The DrumForum.Org and Vintage Drum Forum have been a great source. I have been a member for several years at a number of forums where I post regularly, and have received much information through these sources. I am also appreciative of the work done at the Rogers Owners Forum, and to all of its members. Without the Rogers Owners Forum, this guide would probably not exist. The work of the late Bruce “Longroll” Felter, who probably knew more about the DynaSonic than anyone in the world, made me appreciate attention to detail, because, “without the details, the numbers do not mean anything.”

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The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

There is another person who should not be forgotten, whom I believe deserves a special mention, Kelly Smith. The first work towards a dependable dating guide for Rogers drums as a whole, and which included the very first dating lists for the Rogers Big R period, were his. I met Kelly Smith in Fresno a few months before he passed away, and in that short meeting, I recognized he had a great love for the drums, for preserving them, and passing them on.

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The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

The Big R Period Serial Number Sequencing A few years ago, it was accepted by most, and posted many times on the various drum forum sites, that Rogers Big R serial numbers repeated several times during the decade of Big R drum production. A careful examination of badges reveals this is not true. A few solid facts concerning Big R Badge numbers and drums: Five digit “D” badges are only found on five ply drums and on Dyna-Sonic snare drums that have two distinctive builds: 1. The Big R Badge is found in the Oval Badge location, these are early, first issue Big R Dyna-Sonics. These numbers stop somewhere in the upper 14,000 range. 2. The Big R Badge is found in the new location, two panels to the left of the throw off and does not have a factory installed dampener. These are the first DynaSonic COB shells ordered for the Big R Badge. These numbers stop somewhere in the lower mid 40,000 range. They do not progress above 42,000 that I have seen so far. Six digit “D” badges begin in the 600,000 range but do not complete the range (terminating just below D610000). The range resumes in the D700,000 range continuing through the range. These badges are also only found on five ply drums and on DynaSonic snare drums that have the Big R badge in the new location and also have a dampener. These Dyna-Sonic and SuperTen snare drums also have a solid top knob on both dampener and throw off. None of these ranges of numbers have been found on an XP8 drum. There are no five ply drums, or Dyna-Sonic snare drums with early Big R characteristics that have a “No Serial” Big R badge. These badges are only found on XP 8 drums, DynaSonic and SuperTen snare drums of the same period. There are no five ply drums, or early characteristic Big R Dyna-Sonics that have a “D” series badge in the low 100,000 range. These numbers only appear on XP8 drums that have late Big R period characteristics. The 900,000 serial range of “D” series badges is found on both five ply and XP8 shells, with the upper numbers being represented by XP8 drums. I believe this is the transition point between the two drum lines. Six digit “RD” series badges are not found on drums or XP 10, Bare Brass and COB Dyna-Sonics, or SuperTens which bear later XP8 period characteristics. For example, black felts for isolation gaskets. These RD badges do not appear on five ply drums, that I have observed.

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The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

At some point the question must be asked as to how many drums were built during the Big R period. I do not believe it is possible to know. The serial sequence is abhorrent at best. Unlike during the Oval Badge period of Dyna-Sonic and SuperTen construction, snare drums did not have a dedicated badge numbering system. All drums shared the same badge numbering system during the Big R period. A record of numbers for Oval Badge SuperTen snare drums would yield a very close approximation as to the number of drums produced during the 9/72 period of production. This is not possible for the Dynasonic, due to “Custom Built Dyna-Sonic” badges going onto marching drums. With Dyna-Sonic and SuperTen snare drums built during the 1975-1984 period, there is no possible way to determine numbers. And, the same applies to all Rogers drums of the period. The only thing that can be done is to estimate a likely number of badges based on the numbers evident in use. So, at best, based on the numbers I have seen represented, and the ranges known badges indicate as possibilities, approximately 230,000 badge numbers are highly likely for 1975-1984. However, it is unknown how many “No Serial” badges still exist, or were put into production. While this number is purely speculative, and may not be accurate, it does represent the range of numbers seen in the marketplace.

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The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

The Rogers Dyna-Sonic Snare Drum Big R Period 1975-1984 COB, Natural Brass, XP10 5x14, 6.5x14, 8x14

1977 Rogers Dyna-Sonic, 5x14, D716061 (Photo by Jack McFeeters)

Relatively few construction changes to the Dyna-Sonic are evident during the Big R period. Those that are evident, are decidedly important to establishing a qualified dating time line for drum construction and badge usage. One of the great misunderstandings for the Big R period is the Dyna-Sonic frame commonly associated with the Big R era, was really a change made during the 9/72 Swivo-matic period (1972-1975). Likewise, the snare side hoop of the Big R period, was also a product of that same 9/72 Fullerton Swivo-matic time frame. Changes that were made to the Dyna-Sonic during the Big R period: 1. Early first issue Big R Dyna-Sonic Snare drums have the new Big R badge in the earlier, Oval Badge period location. 2. Second issue Dyna-Sonic Snare drum shells specifically ordered for Big R production with the badge in the new location, lack prep for the dampener. 3. Third issue Dyna-Sonic Snare drum shells ordered for Big R production with the badge in the new location, are prepped for the dampener. The dampener is then standard on all Dyna-Sonic and SuperTen metal snare drums to the end of production in 1984. 4. Approximately in 1980, during the mixed badge/no serial badge period of construction, the solid top dampener knob and throw off knob are changed to a rivet top knob that 9

The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

remains standard to the end of production in 1984. 5. With introduction of XP10 snare drums in 1982, both Dyna-Sonic and SuperTen drums get felt isolation gaskets under the lugs. This practice was expanded to include all lacquer finish drums and by mid 1983, is added to metal snare drums as well. 6. In 1982/early 1983 a new hoop profile appears on Dyna-Sonic and SuperTen snare drums. This new profile has a flatter top flange vs. the earlier top flange that was more rounded on the inside. This same hoop profile was evident on all other drums beginning with the no serial badge production in 1980/81. Flat top hoops are a good indication for build time for those drums, indicating earlier or later in the no serial badge period.

The Dyna-Sonic 1975-1976 First Issue Big R Serial sequencing of Big R badges began with 0001. Drums have been observed with numbers in the very low 200 range. Earlier in 2012, Dyna-Sonic D0211 sold on eBay. All drums shared the same numbering sequences at the same time. No numbers are dedicated to any specific line of drums. First Issue Dyna-Sonic Big R badged drums were built on existing Oval Badge shells. Badge is placed in the first panel to the right of the throw off, utilizing the existing grommet hole, and the badge covering the two small screw holes in the shell. Drums of this first issue number into the high D14000 range. There are a few drums that have been observed with higher numbers, but these are very few. They also have Second Issue characteristic drums above and below them in the numbering sequence. I have not observed a Second Issue characteristic drum below the upper D14000 badge range. Second Issue Dyna-Sonic Big R badged drums have no dampener, and the Big R badge is now located two panels to the left of the throw off. Numbers range from the very high D14000 well into the D41000 range. I have not observed any drums above D42000 with this build characteristic. There is a small number of drums in the 27xxx=35xxx ranges that have dampeners, I believe this was a small quantity from the shell manufacturer for approval, and that the drums were placed into production. The badge on these few drums is in the Big R location. There are too many no dampener drums following them in the number ranges to consider this a transition period.

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The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

The SuperTen Snare Drum COS 1975-1984 5x14, 6.5x14 XP10 Maple 1982-1984 5x14, 6.5x14, 8x14 I would have to say this model snare drum was one of the greatest missed opportunities of Rogers marketing. This is a fantastic snare drum, in every size offered. Loud and articulate, sensitive and cutting. A great drum. Over 5000 SuperTen snare drums were built during the Oval Badge period. It is unknown how many were built as Big R drums. What we do know now about the SuperTen came as a complete surprise. Five inch SuperTen snare drums never had a true Big R period shell. Rogers was very consistent in its placement of badges on snare drums through the entirety of the Big R period, two panels to the left of the throw off. The five inch SuperTen retains the badge location one panel to the right of the throw off for the duration of the Big R period. Also present are the two small screw holes that would have secured the Oval Badge. I have often seen no serial and even late numbered five inch SuperTen drums for sale as “transition period” on eBay and other selling platforms. I believe the truth of the matter is that Rogers ordered a LOT of shells during the 9/72 period of production for this snare drum. So many, there is no evidence throughout the entirety of the Big R period of a SuperTen five inch drum with the badge in the proper Big R period location. I believe five inch COS SuperTen snare drums of the Big R period are all built on existing shell stock and there never was an order for shells during the whole period. Catalog pictures of five inch SuperTen snare drums from 1976-1983 support this theory. The badge never moved.

1976 Rogers SuperTen 5x14, Five digit serial, solid top knobs, Oval Badge panel Big R (Photo Credit: Unknown. eBay Auction Picture, I own this drum.)

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The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

However, for the 6.5x14 SuperTen, this is not so. For the deeper SuperTen, of which I have not seen enough examples to solidly pin this transition, the badge does move. This indicates shells were ordered for this size during the Big R period. From drums I have seen, I believe this was 1978-1980. Below is a drum I purchased early in 2012, which demonstrates the differences found in the 6.5 version SuperTen.

1980 Rogers SuperTen 6.5x14, No Serial, Rivet Top Knobs, Big R next to dampener. (Photo Courtesy: Alan Watt, used by permission)

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The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

Big R Period Badge Numbering 1975-1984 I am sure at some point, drums will surface that do not quite fit. I admit there will probably be mistakes found in some of my conclusions. I know there are areas about which I am still not certain. I welcome anyone to add to, or correct, any conclusions I have made. 1975-early 1976 Badge sequencing begins with D001. Numbers through out this range up into the D41000 range have been observed. All snare drums of this period exhibit characteristics that demand dating them as early Big R period drums. All drums bearing these numbers are Five Ply drums. During the Big R period, the badge itself changed as to construction characteristics. Initially, badges had a very thin, almost cellophane like face with a vinyl backing, and are a slightly different shade of silver than later badges. They also tend to be fragile and the facing detaches rather easily from the backing. First issue badges have a thicker vinyl backing than the D600000 series of badges. Badges in the D700000 and later ranges do not have this vinyl backing and are more metallic in nature. They do adhere better to the drum, and do not have a tendency to separate. This could explain numbering sequencing terminating in the high D41,000 ranges, and the D600,000 range of approximately 10,000 numbers. 1976 towards 1977 No drums have been observed in the number ranges between the D41000’s and 99,999. Not on five ply, nor XP8 drums. They could be out there somewhere, but none have surfaced to date, that I have observed. Badge numbers are now seen to begin at approximately D600000. The dampener is also present on Dyna-Sonic snare drums. I have not seen numbers above D609xxx. All floor toms of this period have 9/72 cast mounts and hexagonal legs. This gives us approximately 50,000 numbers into production for the 1975 and 1976 years.

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The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

1977 and 1978 Possibly 1979 Five Ply to XP8 Badge numbers D700xxx-79xxxx are represented. Numbers are present throughout the range. The badge is now a true foil badge and continues as such to the end of production. Memriloc floor tom mounts are seen on drums D729xxx and upwards. This was a late 1977 or early 1978 change. My first Rogers drum set, a Londoner V, in larger sizes was originally purchased in Nov. 1977. The 5x14 Dyna-Sonic is number D716061. My 16x18 Floor tom has original Swivo Cast mounts. I have not seen any badge numbers in the D800000 range. Late issue five ply drums bearing badges in the D95xxxx range have been seen. D958168 is a 16x16 Tobacco Sunburst five ply, lacquered interior. D956669 is a California Wine five ply 8x12. D968999 is a Silver Metallic five ply. D968497 is a 16x16 XP8.(Numbers from Bobby Chiasson’s The Drum Farm online inventory). Remember multiple rolls were in use simultaneously. And, not all rolls were fully used. I have seen some D95xxxx five ply drums without the speckled gray paint that was used since the later Dayton era. Instead, they were painted a solid gray. I owned a set finished like this briefly in the early 2000’s. I thought at the time, they had been repainted. Since then, I have seen several drums bearing the same gray paint. I now believe this was a short period standard interior finish on five ply drums. Lacquer finish five ply shells are always seen with lacquer interiors for this period. The knobs on the throw off and dampeners of snare drums changed to the rivet-top knob with the XP8 transition. Dyna-Sonic number D955413 (eBay) which was an extremely clean drum, very original, with solid-top knobs on both dampener and throw off. This snare drum came with a set of five ply drums with serials in the same 955xxx ranges. D96342xx was a 13” five ply drum in this same set. This is the highest serial number Dynasonic I have seen to date with solid top knobs.

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The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

1979 Dyna-Sonic D955413 (Photo Courtesy: Gerry Porter, Hazelshould Drums & Cymbals, used by permission)

Very few serial numbered early XP8 era Dynasonic drums have surfaced. In 2008, a COB 6.5x14 Dyna-Sonic was offered for sale on the Rogers Owners Forum with condition issues. This drum had the Badge in the Big R location, with serial number D966981, and had the rivet-top knobs. There was a 1/2” hole drilled in the panel to the left of the Badge for some unknown reason.

1979 6.5x14 Early XP8 Period Dyna-Sonic (Photo Courtesy: Willie Hunnewell, used by permission)

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The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

Numbers which have not been seen: Anything in the D800000 badge range. D90xxxx-94xxxxx. (Exception on the D90xxxx. I have seen one XP10 snare drum with late characteristics with a number in the D906xxx range). The XP8 Period 1979-1984 The XP8 drum shell was a huge change in construction. Rogers introduced the eight ply, all North American Maple Keller shell, expanded Memriloc hardware, reintroduced the Dyna-Sonic wood snare drum, continually made innovations… and, ceased to exist at the top of their game. The most significant change to drums other than the new shell would be the thicker shells required longer lug screws. If a person is purchasing unmounted C-Clip Beavertail lugs for an XP8 drum, they must come from XP8 shells. Sometime during this period, the profile of the triple flange hoop changed from a rounded inside top flange to a flat bend in the top flange. This change shows up later on snare drums than it does on other drums. Early XP8 drums I have seen still have the earlier, more rounded, style. Snare drums I am very certain were made in 1981 still use the earlier style. On tom drums, I see flat top hoops first evident on “No Serial’ badged drums. One of the aesthetic issues addressed by Rogers production during this period was to move the badge location and grommet on mounted drums from its position left or right of the mount, to a position 180 degrees opposite the mount. During the five ply period for example, a 12” drum would have the badge to the right of the mount, a 13” would have the badge to the right of the mount, a 14” would be to the left. This created a perception of ugliness when the drums were seen from the audience viewpoint. One drum would display a badge, one would not. By moving the badges 180 degrees opposite the mount, a much cleaner look was achieved. The wood shell snare drum is reintroduced in late 1981 and is fully available in the Japanese language catalog for 1982. Initially these drums did not have lug felt isolation gaskets. When they were used, they were green, as time progressed by early 1983, black was being used. The use of these gaskets was expanded to include all lacquer finish drums and metal snare drums by mid to late 1983.

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The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

Rogers XP8 Numbers 1979 XP8 drums numbers in the D958xxx, D959xxx, D96xxxx numbers with early characteristics have been seen, with some five ply drums in the same ranges. Drums from very late in the XP8 period have also been seen with numbers used in this early XP8 period. As has been previously stated, multiple numbers were in use simultaneously, and not all numbers in a sequence were used at the same time of production. I recently exchanged emails with an eBay seller who was offering unused badges. Numbers have been on eBay off and on for several years. Sometimes they were sold in lots of a few, mostly as singles. I do remember seeing numbers in the D96xxxx upper ranges, and most recently D97xxxxx. These were purchased in a lot of material from the close out sale at Rogers Fullerton. Several partial rolls of badges were included in the sale, being from the parts department. While odd to see a late black felt Tobacco Sunburst drum with D959842 badge, it is certainly not out of line for such an occurrence to happen as part of normal production. My conclusion is that at least in this particular instance, these series of badges were used at odd times, the example here spans over three years. Black felt isolators do not appear on drums until very late 1982 into 1983. If these badges were removed from the regular production line and used for parts or repair, then it is reasonable to see them out of sequence. More explanation for this chaotic use of badges may be found in the various moves that took place between 1979 and 1984. In total there were five moves during this period. June 1979 from Fullerton to Monrovia. In 1981, from Monrovia, final assembly was moved back to Fullerton, while shell and hardware sub assembly were moved to San Luis, Mexico. A few months later, everything was moved back to Fullerton. Another move to Mexico in 1983, returning everything to Fullerton in early 84. (Rob Cook, pg. 56, 2nd Edition The Rogers Book). With that degree of chaos, it is easy to understand how badges could get completely out of sequence, and numbers appearing on drums separated by a year or more in production time.

1980 No Serial Badge This period of production is the easiest and yet, the hardest, for which to establish a good time line. Production was in Monrovia, California. A special thanks to Tom Taylor, who provided the time line information on the “No Serial” badge. Mr. Taylor purchased a set of Tobacco Sunburst drums in July 1980, and he visited the factory to do so.

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The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

I have not seen enough Dyna-Sonic or SuperTen snare drums from this period in the hands of original owners that bear numbered badges to adequately determine numbered badge production through this period. At the same time the “no serial“ badges were being used, drums were being produced with numbers. It is hard to tell exactly what those numbers were. Every drum I have seen to date, specifically, Dyna-Sonic and SuperTen snare drums bearing numbers above 100,000 have definitive characteristics that place them later than the “No Serial” badges, as well as the “RD” series badges. This much I can be confident in saying… some later D95xxxx numbers are seen. They have been extremely few. The majority of drums with D95xxxx badges are five ply drums or very early characteristic XP8. More drums with the D96xxxx numbers have been seen that span the period of XP8 production. I have a small picture of the badge on an 8x14 XP10 snare drum with serial D960090. This drum has black felt. I do not know if it had a dampener. Very few D97xxxx numbers have been seen. Concerning the whole series of numbers, it appears these badges were routinely used at different times, and they do run the full scale of XP8 production. 1981-1982 It seems that 1981-82 are dominated by the six digit RD badges. RD96xxxx, RD97xxxx, and RD 98xxxx numbers are seen. These numbers appear on both drums and snare drums. Dyna-Sonic and SuperTen metal snare drums, and XP10 Maple snare drums, all wear this badge. The vast majority of these metal snare drums are without isolation felts, with the exception being the newly released “naked brass” Dyna-Sonic. The felts on all of these drums I have seen to date with the RD badge have green felt. XP10 Dyna-Sonic Maple drums from this period with the RD badge also have green felt. XP10 SuperTen Maple drums from this period have no felts until sometime in the RD98xxxx badge run. The run of these badges suggests an orderly progression through the range when changes in snare drums are considered. It is fairly reasonable to assume “No Serial” badges were in use for at least part of 1981. To date no XP10 Maple drums have surfaced wearing one of those badges. To me, this suggests they fell out of use in 81, early on. Two moves occurred in 1981. The first, from Monrovia back to Fullerton. In the second, shell and sub-assembly were moved to San Luis, Mexico. According to interviews conducted by Rob Cook, this move was a complete disaster for quality control, and by November, everything moved back. I exchanged emails prompted by a Craigslist ad for an XP8 Rogers kit originally purchased in 1982 and then more drums in later 1983. His first drums had D962xxx, D968xxx numbers among them. The added drums had numbers D115xxx, and D119 among them. He was not very forthcoming on complete numbers, or even numbers for all the drums.

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The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

Numbers NOT seen… D99xxxx and RD99xxxx.

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The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

1983-1984

1983 Rogers Drums USA Catalog, Cover

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The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

New catalog showing off spectacular pictures of sets and snares. Introducing the XL drums, square size toms, deeper bass drums, the comeback of the 14x14 floor tom, expanded Memriloc hardware, the 18” bass drum. Judging by the snare drums I have seen, the majority of XP10 snare drums were probably produced during this period. Bass drums now wear natural maple hoops. This creates a much nicer look to the drum, and is complimentary to the set as a whole. The COS SuperTen shown in the 1983 catalog, does not have a visible badge, however, from the position of the drum, the “Big R” panel does not have a grommet. This leads me to conclude the badge is still in the Oval Badge position. Looking at this catalog, it is hard to believe that by the time it was available in stores, Rogers had no future. By the middle of the year, production could not keep up with orders. By the end of the year, it was pretty much hopeless. And yet, during that year, some of the finest drums to ever wear the Rogers name were produced. 1983 numbers begin in the low 100,000’s, there is a steady progression of numbers through the year and possibly into 1984. It is not known how numbers were used in 1984, but we do know that as things marched towards the end, fewer drums were assembled, and assembly depended on using existing stock on hand (Rob Cook, Interview with John Cermanaro, The Rogers Book, 2nd Edition). Its rather difficult to know whether some earlier number leftovers were used close to the end. Very few COB Dyna-Sonic or SuperTen snare drums from this late period have been seen. The Dyna-Sonic COB drums I have seen from this period are all wearing six digit “D” badges in the low 100,000122,000 serial ranges. This same is true for set drums. I have not seen a serial number badge above D122xxx. I do not know if numbers stopped there, or if there are existing drums above that range. I am reasonably sure some six digit numbers leftover from the D95, D96, and D97 prefixes were used during this period. For example, the black felted TSB floor tom I mentioned earlier. Also, an XP10 drum of which I have a badge picture which also shows black felt on the lugs. My Gina Schock SuperTen snare drum is signed and dated by John Cermanaro on January 23, 1983. It is a 6.5x14 XP10 Maple. It wears serial number D101526, it has green felts, dampener, and the flat top triple flange hoops. The first XP10 snare drum I purchased is D122346. It is a 6.5x14 Dyna-Sonic. I also have D122347. I have seen many drums in the D122xxx range. To date I have seen none higher than that. I do not know where numbers stop, or when old unfinished rolls were put back into use during that last year of Rogers Drums. I believe it is definitely possible some of the D97xxxx numbers may be from this period.

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The Rogers Drums Big R Period Dating Guide for Drums and Snares

Conclusions

I believe I have definitively debunked some of the myths surrounding the Big R period, and especially in regards to the use of serial numbers on drums. To be able to say any given number can be solely used to date a given drum is not possible. Production characteristics of drums are important to establishing the reliability of a number range. With some numbers , the number itself is enough. For example, the entire five digit number range, all numbers in the 600000, and 700000 ranges. In short, all five ply drums of the 1975-1979 early Big R period can be assigned a range of production that is dependable. The later period of the XP8 Rogers drums is altogether a different story. The atmosphere of chaos spawned by random moves and unrealistic production demands amidst a complete regard for quality, created the ideal situation for sporadic practices on the production lines. Some numbers from the XP8 era are very dependable, and then, as I have attempted to demonstrate in this guide, some numbers in the same range are visible in 79, 82, and possibly, even later 83. It is unprecedented in corporate business practice to randomly move a company several times as was done with Rogers drums during the final four years of its existence. These moves, coupled with seemingly irresponsible corporate oversight, doomed the very best American drum company to an untimely, and unnecessary, end. There have been three periods of Rogers drums since 1984. And, they have all been sadly disappointing in their own ways. I do not foresee a Rogers Drum Company that Ben Strauss or Joe Thompson would have been proud of in the future.

I trust people will use this guide for what it is intended, to help approximate a date of manufacture by year for the drums of this period. I welcome any input that could sort out some of the wrinkles I have encountered in this endeavor. I thank everyone who responded to emails, posted on drum forums, answered my questions, or provided information.

Jack McFeeters 3rd Edition July 21, 2012

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