Dan,

I think we've been doing the same thing for a while; recording hardware changes as a means of dating Rogers drums rather than using serial numbers (which we know were pulled randomly from bins).

I've noted exactly what you just mentioned, but here's a few more visual details to date Rogers based on my observations of factory original drums:

1. Muffler pads on tone controls: Cleveland had flat, hard gray pads, Dayton had soft black pads, and Fullerton had white, but I'm still narrowing down by serial numbers when these changes took place.

2. Change from B&B lugs to Beavertail: 1963 Clevelands between Holiday serials numbers 35327 (B&B) and 36874 (Beavertails). On Dynasonics between 2810 (B&B) and 2950 (Beavertails).

3. Interior paint change: 1967 Daytons between Holiday serial 83883 (Gray) and 88308 (speckled).

4. Change in lug mounting bolts/screws: 1968 Daytons between Holiday serial 90961 (round slotted heads) and 95923 (slotted hex heads). Hex heads with no slot and built-in washers appear during early Fullerton period.

5. Changes in Bass hardware: 1966 (during transition from Cleveland to Dayton labels) the "T-Bone" double tom mount of the Top Hat setup is discontinued and replaced by the Swivo T-Bar mount, turning the Top Hat into the Londoner for 1967. Bass t-rods changes from faucet style to flat style during this transition.

6. Changes in shell plies: 3-ply Cleveland shell changed to 5-ply in 1965. 5-ply Dayton shell changed back to 3-ply after transition to Fullerton (probably with the 9/72 series).

This is a work in progress, and I welcome any other examples or corrections. So many of us want to know "when was my drum made" for no better reason than to know how old it is, but with all the parts stripping going on out there, I think it's more important to know which hardware is proper for which serial number when piecing drums back together.

Thoughts? Opinions?

Mike

Excellent post Mike. Very detailed and helpful. That one's a cut, paste and keep. I'm assuming you've seen the one Kelly Smith did years ago noting some of the changes as well as the serial numbers.

I'll send a PM with eamil address. Respond on an email and I'll send an Excel spreadsheet showing the data from my kits for use on your research project and let you know anything I've discoved along the way.

Best,

Thanks Dan. Can't wait to see what data you've collected.

Mike

This drum has original lugs.

[IMG]http://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu169/ThePloughman/Snare%20Drums/Rogers%20Dyna-Sonic%201963%207%20Line%202811/sdc10071e.jpg[/IMG]

Anyone have an idea on this one what year? I think I was told 1968 by someone on here but cant remember. It's my dads. Thanks

That would be my guess based on the information I've seen. I have a very similar one with serial 11908.

Thanks! Now if I could just find that snare bridge..

Thanks Ploughman. Knowing it's factory original contributes to dating the hardware changes. Looks like your 7-line Dyna #2811 has to be one of the earliest Beavertail Dyna's off the line in 1963.

Mike

Thank you. That is the reason I bought it. I have seen quite a few B&B drums after it.

I also need a frame, 2nd Gen, which is a tough find. A lot of the posts ended up being ground off