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Dynasonic Snare Drum observations Last viewed: 27 minutes ago

Posts: 681 Threads: 81

Well this is always a controversial issue.

Dynas do have a reputation of being tough to tune. The problem is, many drummers have tuning issues (trying to be polite here) with an 8 or 10 lug standard snare drum. They like to crank the heads and choke the wires. Try that on a dyna and it will not work for you.

I currently own a couple of Cleveland era wood dynas and 4-5 COB dynas from a b&b paper tag version to a 6.5" 7 liner (the latest version I own). I do know how to tune them as I have been playing them since 1966.

I have two dynas that I actually like to play - an English built dyna and a 7 line 6.5x14. The rest don't do it for MY ear behind a kit. I have always considered them fine orchestral snare drums, but I prefer the sound and feel of an 8 lug Powertone (or Tower) over a dyna. Just part my my overall fondness for 8 lug snares over 10 lug versions.

Everyone's ear is different.

Posted on 13 years ago
#11
Posts: 2411 Threads: 55

Powertone!...

Gotta agree with you on a few points in your post... Your first two paragraphs I have said/written numerous times over the years! Agreed! But here's the main one:

Not ALL Dynasonics sound good. But... if/when you get that "magic" one... WOW. Like you and Ploughman, we all own more than one. I have four: 2 COB, and 2 wood: 1963 COB... 1966 COB... 1967 WMP... and 1968 WMP. "THE ONE", is the 1967 WMP. BEST Dynasonic I have ever played/owned in that it works in all types of music, every time. That is my MAIN snare drum. Thing is, I also have a 1965 WMP Powertone that is INCREDIBLE. Drum is absolutely KILLER... but I never play it.. because .. the 1967 Dynasonic is as good as and even beyond... for me. Again though, agreed!... 10 lug snares "generally" don't open up as much as their 8 lug brethren. But this 1967 WMP... truly a "magical" drum... for me.

Ploughman!...

Bruce Felter was a very good friend of mine too! We got together at the Chicago Vintage Drum Show a few years before he passed.. then ... he would call a couple times a month just to chat... or discuss Dynasonic dating... or ask if I wanted to SELL ANYTHING! LOL!! Which I did by the way. Bruce bought two wood Dynasonics from me and a Powertone. They are still in his collection last I knew, although I think MC may have sold the WMP Powertone for Cathy and Bruce's estate. Anyway, Bruce and I discussed at length how most guys just didn't take the time to understand HOW the Dynasonic is supposed to work. I think today, it's much better than it ever has been with regard to that knowledge... which is GREAT as there so many more Dynasonic snare drums being played rather then relegated to the snare drum rack!

Tommyp

Posted on 13 years ago
#12
Posts: 1597 Threads: 96

This issue started for me in 1965 I was trading in my red Ludwig Hollywood set on my new blue glass glitter double bass Rogers set, I was asked by the music shop if I wanted the dyna that came with the kit or did i want to keep my supra, I played with the dyna in the shop for a hour or more and finnaly said to heck with this and kept my supra and my speed king and bought another.. NOW the point is I agree that the dyna is a awesome snare drum but some of us are tinker's and some are not , my music style has always been blues based hard edge guitar driven rock, I play very hard and I am hard on gear so for my own situation the supra worked for me and i just never gave the dyna a true chance.. I wish I had i might have liked it but to this day I still play speedkings and a supra...

BTW I am the same on all gear I buy I like simple strong and no tinkering guess i am a cave man.. :)

Posted on 13 years ago
#13
Posts: 2411 Threads: 55

Mike T!...

Nah... you're not a Caveman... you just know what you like! And there's a lot to be said for that! I will admit.. ( although I know there are at least a couple national level guys that have used a Dynasonic for R&R ) .. the Dynasonic really wasn't ever conceived/designed for heavier type music/playing. It's just not where it functions. The whole snare frame/strainer approach was all about sensitivity/response/NO CHOKING... more articulate if you will, and I know you know this too! So yeah, couple that design with a drum that most certainly demands one's attention in the set-up/tweeking, and I also think the Supra would indeed be the better choice in the R&R idiom.

Tommyp

Posted on 13 years ago
#14
Posts: 5550 Threads: 576

i sold the magic one a 65 on feebay in may i believe, of last year the sound still haunts me hope it went to a vdf person i was actually showing pics of the resto it had a very small ding behind the strainer which the crew here pointed out i body hammered it out with a dolly it was very nice even if i got 450 + shipping that should of stayed

April 2nd 1969 scarfed pink champagne holly wood and 65/66 downbeat snare, and , supra same year very minty kit old pies
66/67 downbeat with canister
Super 400 small round knob
1967 super classic obp





once the brass ceases to glitter, and the drum looses its luster, and the stage remains dark, all you have left is the timbre of family.
Posted on 13 years ago
#15
Posts: 681 Threads: 81

TommyP......

You nailed it when you said.....

" the Dynasonic really wasn't ever conceived/designed for heavier type music/playing. It's just not where it functions. The whole snare frame/strainer approach was all about sensitivity/response/NO CHOKING... more articulate if you will"

Therefore, if a player has trouble knowing how to tune a regular snare drum and isn't an articulate or nuanced player, then this isn't the drum for him/her.

I also agree re those special versions. Just haven't run into one I enjoyed as much as my English built dyna that has been with me since my Covington days.

[IMG]http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll197/Luxor65/EngDYna004.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 13 years ago
#16
Posts: 2411 Threads: 55

Powertone!...

ALWAYS liked the English Rogers Dynasonics! They were just a little "different" in their appearance so they made one look twice! The one you have shown here.. ( like ALL your fine Rogers specimens! ) .. is just stunning. SUPERB! The fact that it is also an excellent player makes it even MORE superb!

I have a 1966 COB 7 line Dynasonic that also plays/sounds really good. As a matter of fact, that was the drum I played the most until I found the 1965 Powertone in WMP.. then .. the 1967 WMP Dynasonic... and that was it for me!

Strictly out of my personal curiosity: Do you have a build year on your English Rogers COB/7 line Dynasonic? 60's for sure of course!... but curious as to what year. BEAUTIFUL DRUM Powertone! Almost like J E W E L R Y!!!!!! :-)

Tommyp

Posted on 13 years ago
#17
Posts: 1597 Threads: 96

Powertone > I understand your statement BUT I can tune the Crapolla out of any snare drum or any other drum but i don't have the time to fiddle faddle and then treat it gingerly while going to the next gig at the time I was playing 5 to 6 nights a week and the dyna was just to much of a hassle to mess with . Just wanted to explain my post and reply to yours again a great drum but even people who are not articulate and nuanced can tune drums some just choose not to be bothered with over engineering. hope this makes sense not trying to be negative or flippant just trying to explain how and why I did not use the drum... :) peace

Posted on 13 years ago
#18
Posts: 2753 Threads: 132

From Tommyp

leedybdp!...With all due respect... and I mean that sincerely .. "... I'd be trying to tweak the drum all through the gig... " actually, no, you wouldn't! Once the Dynasonic, either wood or COB is set up CORRECTLY with regard for the snares within the frame/tension/throw... tension on the heads to taste/personal preference... you're there! YES!... they are and can be "finicky", no argument there, but once the drum is understood and set up again, CORRECTLY, they are a dream. My main snare, as in EVERY GIG, is a 1967 WMP Dynasonic. This drum covers every style with aplomb!, and then some.. because .. it's set up CORRECTLY. That is the key. I have written a set up guide/instruction for getting the drum in the proper area with final tweeking left to personal taste, and it works! Just sayin'. :-) Here's a link to the set up guide: http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/rogers_dynasonic_set_up2.html Enjoy!Tommyp

Tommy:

All due respect right back at ya. I sincerely mean that. My problem with all types of electronic or mechanical devices with a lot of adjustments and fine tuning settings has always been that I am not "geared" to operate the things with the required finesse and delicate touch. Simply said....I'm a heavy-handed klutz. Simple and durable items have always served me best. The only exception to this for me has been the Rogers Swivomatic bass drum pedal that has been an essential part of my drumming ever since 1961. I guess that is so because the pedal is exceptionally durable with all of the adjustments being simple and intuitive. All I'm saying is that state of the art snare drums with precision type adjustments are beyond my comfort level.

No matter how far you push the envelope, it is still stationery.
Posted on 13 years ago
#19
Posts: 2411 Threads: 55

From leedybdp

Tommy:All due respect right back at ya. I sincerely mean that. My problem with all types of electronic or mechanical devices with a lot of adjustments and fine tuning settings has always been that I am not "geared" to operate the things with the required finesse and delicate touch. Simply said....I'm a heavy-handed klutz. Simple and durable items have always served me best. The only exception to this for me has been the Rogers Swivomatic bass drum pedal that has been an essential part of my drumming ever since 1961. I guess that is so because the pedal is exceptionally durable with all of the adjustments being simple and intuitive. All I'm saying is that state of the art snare drums with precision type adjustments are beyond my comfort level.

leedybdp!...

Indeed. Makes complete sense to me! The Dynasonic isn't anywhere near "the drum for everyone "... not even close! LOL! I can't blame any of the guys that had one and threw away the frame/wires in complete and total frustration.. or .. tensioned the wires/strainer SO TIGHT that they buckled/dented the COB shell behind the throw.. ( I see this ALL the time! ) .. and still didn't like the drum. Truthfully, I think most Rogers guys prefer the Powertone just as Powertone said, as well as many others have testified. Simple to get sounding GREAT!... whereas the Dynasonic.. well .. it does demand one's attention... initially. I guess I spent enough time with them to understand them.. plus .. as mentioned, that 1967 WMP Dynasonic I have is just incredible... it really is. I do believe that this is the EXCEPTION rather than the norm for this model snare drum... at least with one getting to a point where they can set the drum up in a nice area. That's the reason I wrote those set-up instructions. If those can help one person discover the Dynasonic, I'm a happy guy! But you know what... it IS subjective too! That's what's so great about having so many choices. Gotta mention this though:

I'm with ya! My main pedal of choice, and has been since 1979... is the SwivoMatic! The fact that you hooked onto it even earlier is too cool! 1961! That's GREAT!! Funny thing with those.. ( I wonder if you might agree? ) .. they all aren't great either! LOL!! I have had some DOGS!!! But again... I latched onto... the "ONE"... and that has been my main pedal for close to 20 years now. All I have done is keep the main bearing/shaft greased, and changed out the spring... and only TWICE in almost 20 years! Again though, not everyone likes 'em. Like anything else I guess. Buddy did though. SwivoMatic pretty much all the way from his Rogers endorsement through to the end in 1987!

Tommyp

Posted on 13 years ago
#20
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