More questions than answers....

[jonnistix]

OK, so I picked up my first COB snare, a Rogers Big "R" Dynasonic. In amazing condition, even has the original head, completely worn out of course, however the all important, to some, snare bridge is missing. Here is another problem...what era is this, considering it has the correct badge, I have verified it is a COB and has 10 lugs.....all the things a Dyna should have except one; a serial number. Now, I know, someone will pop up without looking closely and say "it is an offshore model"...not true. This is a Rogers USA, I checked it carefully before taking possession.
Can anyone shed light on this?

[BigE]

Hey Jonnistix!! Welcome to Rogers Time. I think its about an early 80s.
80 or 81? I am not the expert but I remember reading this somewhere.
Great snare. There are a few different styles of frame. I think you would need the latest one.

Cheers,Ed

[jonnistix]

Thanks, Ed! BTW, here is a pic midway through cleaning. Notice tje condition of the shell! Man, it was dirty, but there only a couple of minor scratches, not eve visible to the camera.

[wayne]

I,ll look forward to your comments on the sound compared to those nice heavy MIJ metal snares you have.The Dyna is one of the most respected drums ever made and i know first hand some of those MIJ,S sound surprisingly good.

[drumbum3131]

An AMERICAN MADE drum!!!!!!!

[backbeatkeeper]

I have 4 of them, and they are quite the drum when done right. There is a set-up guide on this forum. I want to say that I read an article that they were shipped with Diplomat heads on top and bottom.

I have different heads on all 4 of mine and I've found the best to be a good old Ambassador coated for the batter and a Diplomat clear for bottom.

[Jim]

Paragraph on the "BIG-R" badge in Rob Cook's "The Rogers Book" indicates the badges went into use in 1976 and showed up with numbers, without numbers, with USA and even without USA and any combination of that.

Another interesting note was the serial numbers started over again on the same number with each roll of foil badges so dating by the number is not possible on this badge.

The late 80's drums were the Island Music imports.. no numbers, no U.S.A.

The Rogers Book, p. 123, Cook, Rebeats Publications 1999.

[Tommyp]

I wrote this set-up guide/tutorial for the Dynasonic snare drum as it can be a "quirky" drum to get "right", so to speak. I'll supply the link to the guide... have a look. This will get your drum in the right area with the final tuning/tensioning being completely yours and individual. Enjoy!! http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/rogers_dynasonic_set_up2.html

Tommyp

[fishwaltz]

Congrats!

The nearest thing I have to that is a Super Ten. It's a sweet COS beast!
I hate to admit it, but I've never played a Dyna that I remember.

Keep us in the loop for the restoration!

[The Ploughman]

Badges 76-79, under 800,000. First year drums had five digit serials below 100,000, Six digit numbers seem to begin abovew 500,000.
Badges 79-81, No serial, made in USA
Badges 81/2- end of production 84/5, starting in the 900,000 and going up to around 125,000.
Badges without USA are from the Island Music period, and are junk. The lugs on the dynasonic are a different size, longer. The lugs on the drums are different...... fatter. The badge is more square and does not have USA.

The whole serial numbers starting over thing is a myth.




They just werent very consecutive all the time. But serials are more help at IDing date than not. Especially when taking into account the minute changes that took place during big R production.


You have a 1980/early 81 drum.

[FatherTime]

I,ll look forward to your comments on the sound compared to those nice heavy MIJ metal snares you have.The Dyna is one of the most respected drums ever made and i know first hand some of those MIJ,S sound surprisingly good.

Me too, this should be an interesting comparison for you Jonni. Keep us posted on you thoughts about the sound comparisons.

[atomicmorganic]

My big R dyna that I got from Backbeat Keeper is a suprisingly great sounding drum. I was messing with it and a 1960 cob Ludwig 400 at the same time and both drums have that special "mojo" that I have gotten from nob 20s drums. I know you will love yours after setting it up with Tommy's tips.

[jonnistix]

Thanks for the compliments folks!
As there is no frame/bridge, I cannot make a full, unbiased comparison. To simply say that it is more or less desirable to my ears in it's current set up would be unfair. That said, I am also unwilling to put another 100+ into a snare I have no intention of keeping. Suffice it to say, this is a very nice, clean and crisp snare, however I am certain it would perform and sound much better with those parts. I like it, but I will reserve a final judgement, saying only that it was a learning experience to restore it to clean, like new condition, minus the aforementioned parts.
Now, who wants it?

[jonnistix]

Badges 76-79, under 800,000. First year drums had five digit serials below 100,000, Six digit numbers seem to begin abovew 500,000.
Badges 79-81, No serial, made in USA
Badges 81/2- end of production 84/5, starting in the 900,000 and going up to around 125,000.
Badges without USA are from the Island Music period, and are junk. The lugs on the dynasonic are a different size, longer. The lugs on the drums are different...... fatter. The badge is more square and does not have USA.

The whole serial numbers starting over thing is a myth.




They just werent very consecutive all the time. But serials are more help at IDing date than not. Especially when taking into account the minute changes that took place during big R production.


You have a 1980/early 81 drum.
Thanks Bill. As usual, you come through with amazing accuracy. A local friend and member dropped off "The Rogers Book" late last night as I was completing the cleaning. I will read it over the next few days. We got it all set up as best we could and it plays very well.