1980 Vintage Rogers XP-8 Drums (Pics!)

[ArtyZ]

All Zildjian Cymbals. Mostly Older Ludwig Stands. DW Turbo Foot Pedal and Hi-Hat Stand.
The snare is a Rogers Super Ten.

Of course, I don't use all of these cymbals for jobs.., I just set them up so I can post photos of them on this forum :).

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[drumminjohn]

Looks nice man, great cymbals

[The Ploughman]

ROGERS!!!.



Nice set. Whats your sizes? 24-13-16-18?

Check out my signature link,.........more Rogers.

[byebyepanda]

MMM! I would change the bass reso head to a white one though.

[TopCat]

That's a great cymbal arrangement.

[d.c.drummer]

Nice stuff. Great cymbal set up, although i did have to invert you pics to view em because lefty freak me out =P

[tamadrummer132]

well.. i noted that you had 2 16" med-thins... id be willing to take one off your hands for a reasonable price...


but yeah the lefty thing freaked me out a little bit, but taht is one of the most comfortable lefty sets iv seen.

[drummerchick435]

I was confused at first with the lefty thing but nice kit!

[ArtyZ]

well.. I note that you have 2 16" med-thins...
...the lefty thing freaked me out, bit, but that is one of the most comfortable lefty sets I've seen.

The 16" medium-thin cymbals I have are about 5 years apart in age. It is amazing how different they sound from one another. Definitely different pitch, sustain, and timbre.
This is a true life example why I always listen/play various cymbals (even the same model) to determine which ones I like.

PS: Lefties.., sigh. There are a few of us around. But don't let us freak you out too much. A BIG downside being lefty not being able to play comfortably (or at all) when 'sitting in' on a right-handed kit. Sometimes I just say "nah, some other time".
However, I love to see righties try to navigate my set when THEY sit in for a couple of songs. It is a thoroughly amusing situation to watch. Most righties have absolutely NO experience or idea of how to play 'backwards', lefties do.

Rock on…

Arty Z

[The Ploughman]

If you ever get tired of the Super Ten, heh, remember me

[bighaibigdrums]

Nice. For being over 20yrs old those Rogers are in nice shape.

[ArtyZ]

If you ever get tired of the Super Ten, heh, remember me
I liked my Super Ten so much, I bought another. I have two now that sound pretty much alike. I keep hydraulic heads on one for a more controlled sound.
I think that the Super-Ten is an under-rated snare drum. It seems that it was mostly over-shadowed by the Dynasonic.
My experience has been very positive with it. It is fairly versitile (for being a steel shell drum) and, boy, is it ever loud. Rim shots can take off a guitarist's head. It's great.

[byebyepanda]

Look at all those flying saucers.

[gmrakich]

Clean kit....love it...all of it...sell me your children......

[fanagel]

when I was a junior (1980) in high school, the school bought the exact same kit, same color. thanks for the memories...

[The Ploughman]

I have seven Dynasonics...........i will be sitting on my very first superten tomorrow. I just got it this week. havent even posted a pic of it yet. Sounds like a very fine drum so far.

[ArtyZ]

Nice. For being over 20yrs old those Rogers are in nice shape.
Thanks for noticing the condition of these drums. As with most people on this forum, this kit was a real ‘working man’s set'. They’ve been through hundreds of nightclubs, bars, restaurants, private parties, Bar-Mitzvahs, weddings, graduations, sweet 16’s etc, blah, blah, blah,..all kinds of events.
The point being is that these drums went through hell for over 20 years, until I stopped playing seriously and started a family.
Cigarette/cigar smoke damage, drinks spilled on them, rained on or the sun beating down during outdoor jobs, found floating in a flooded basement, winter snow, summer heat… you name it! Years and years of break-down, set-up, move-around, set-up, tear-down. Years of getting bumped around in the back of vans, buses, trucks, and cars, along with all the other gear. Whew! I’m surprise they made it out alive!
OK. The condition you see now is the finished product of about a 2 month refurbishing project.
I stripped the drums down to bare shells and then polished all of the chrome. The interior maple finish was cleaned up and treated with lemon oil. All of the threads on the rods and screws and bolts were wire brushed and oiled. I took everything apart to the fullest and cleaned everywhere.
The drums do look and sound great (see YouTube Video in “Playing Forum"), but of course there are a good many dings and scratches in the plastic finish. The wood is in very good shape as is most of the chrome. Rogers made a fine drum.
See the below pics…

Arty Z out!
Rock on…

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[ArtyZ]

One more pic that looks cool.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/ArtyZ/DSC09475.jpg

[ArtyZ]

...I will be sitting on my very first Super Ten tomorrow.
Please post and let us know how you like your 'new' Super Ten.
BTW. What depth is it? 6.5" or 5".

Arty Z

[Glasshead]

Wow! That is one beautiful set of drums. I can't believe that they are over 27 years old.
I love the Rogers sound, especially the XP-8 maple shells. You are a lucky man.
I like how you restored them. They almost look new. It looks like you put a lot of work into them.
Can you describe the sound to me? Did they mellow with age? Are they loud? Are they loud with good tone? Low volume tone?
I am considering buying a similiar set of drums, but have to drive pretty far to see them. Let me know your thoughts on this kit in regard to sound, quality, and durability.

Anyone else have any opinions about Rogers XP-8??

Thanks in advance,

Glasshead

[The Ploughman]

XP8s are good drums. If you can find a set thats been well cared for, they are worth it.

[Class A Drummer]

Thats a really cool setup with everything there. arent those quick beats amazing hats?

[latzanimal]

It's always good to see a vintage set that's either been restored or taken well care of or both.

BTW Your drums are backwards! Turn 'em around....

[Glasshead]

XP8s are good drums. If you can find a set thats been well cared for, they are worth it.
Thanks for the info. I will take a drive over and see how the drums this guy has for sale sound. I hope that the seller really has the XP-8 maple shells and that they are in good condition.
I think I'll be doing OK if they are in as good a shape as the ones in this thread.

Glasshead

[ArtyZ]

Can you describe the sound to me? Did they mellow with age? Are they loud? Are they loud with good tone? Low volume tone?Glasshead
This is my opinion only, and others may have something different to say.
The XP-8 shells sound different than the 'classic' Rogers Keller shells. The XP-8 has a louder, deeper pitched, and somewhat less resonant sound. I think that it is better suited for rock & roll and probably a bit less versitile. I used to play the toms with an open bottom and a Remo Black dot for the batter side. Just killer. Lots of attack and volume. I now use a Remo coated Ambassador on the batter side and a Remo clear ambassador on the resonant side. This gives me good tone with controllable resonance, and a deep woody sound. These shells are powerfull.
The durability of the Memriloc cannot be denied. Look at the above pics. This kit has gone through years of jobs. 1000's of break-downs and set-ups. I can honestly say that the hardware or the drums have never let me down. NO BREAKAGES!
The maple shells have stayed round and there have been no delamination of the plys at all. The plastic wrap finish has not pealed away and is intact.
Has the sound mellowed with age? Can't really say, but the sound quality would definately challange any 'modern' kit on the market today.

If you want to 'hear' the kit, there is a link to a vid on the "My Playing" forum on this site.

Or... Click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx_omVlR3hk

Arty Z

[Glasshead]

Hey ArtyZ,

Sorry to keep buggin ya, but I have a couple of questions.
I looked at a set of Rogers drums the other day, and the hardware looked completely different then what you have. I know that there are other lines of Rogers drums such as the 360 and Island Music stuff.

If possible, could you post some pics of your mounting hardware so I can see exactly what you have? Close ups would be great.

PS: Are you sure of the year and model of your drums? Are they definately XP-8?

Anybody else know for sure if the ones pictured are XP-8s?

Thanks in advance.

Glasshead.

[ArtyZ]

If possible, could you post some pics of your mounting hardware so I can see exactly what you have? Close ups would be great. Glasshead.
Ask and you shall receive...

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Arty Z... Out!

[fourstringdrums]

PS: Lefties.., sigh. There are a few of us around. But don't let us freak you out too much. A BIG downside being lefty not being able to play comfortably (or at all) when 'sitting in' on a right-handed kit. Sometimes I just say "nah, some other time".
However, I love to see righties try to navigate my set when THEY sit in for a couple of songs. It is a thoroughly amusing situation to watch. Most righties have absolutely NO experience or idea of how to play 'backwards', lefties do.

Rock on…

Arty Z

Very nice set. They must sound incredible. I can proudly say that I'd probably be able to navigate your set just fine. I'm righty, but I've played "open handed lefty" quite a bit for physical reasons. I guess that's one of the perks, you don't have to share your set with most people :)

[fijjibo]

Well done.


I love what you've done there. I think its great when someone takes the time out to restore such a wonderful kit.

Kudos.

[ArtyZ]

I guess that's one of the perks, you don't have to share your set with most people :)
Well, with the way some people play (too hard, with no respect, etc...), that is a blessing...

Z

[spartacus1989]

Its a very beautiful kit with a very tidy setup!!!

[ellenvannin105]

Ah,true Drum Porn...There's something about Rogers Drums that make them look classier than other brands. I like the nice Zildjian cymbals too. When you said you were influenced by Don Brewer,you weren't joking...I wish I had your patience for refurbishing your drums otherwise my own monstrosity of a Pearl would be gleaming....Thanks for showing us your stuff...

[The Ploughman]

The Rogers Beavertail Lug is absolutely the sexiest drum lug ever produced. .........And I have a few of them Rogers drums myself.

[Tammy]

I haven't seen a drum kit like this in a long time. I heard a band doing a job in a bar once, and the drummer had these Rogers drums. I remember that they sounded so good. Real deep and full of tone. I was impressed.
I eventually got a used 5 piece kit of XP-8s and they were fantastic. They has tons of volume and a snare that wouldn't quit. That was also a Super Ten, but it was a 5" model.
My kit was in Butcher Block finish and I loved it. I always got compliments on the sound and look of my kit, especially the hardware at that time. Every band I played with, the members said they loved the tone of my drums. That felt good.
ArtyZ, great pics and close-ups of the hardware. I hope you enjoy your drums for years to come.
I would still have my Rogers kit it it wasn't stolen. That suks.
PS I also had a chance to hear you kit on the "playing" section of this forum. People, check it out.
They sound just great. I don't care what any of the other 'youtube' jerks say, your snare sounds wonderful. I bet it even sounds better in person and with a band.
Nice looking kit in Black.
Why isn't this kit in the "Bonham' thread!! Please move some of these pics!

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Very nice drums obviously, and I am impressed with the photos of the wife and kids on the workbench.