XP8 kit I bought last year for 200.00, five piece, silver metallic...just like the set dexter posted....wrap looked a bit hammered. Hardware on the other hand, looked good. Took them apart, spent about 8 total hours with my air polisher and some polishing compound, and those drums looked fantastic. Hoops on the BD were shot, replaced those. Gave the hardware a good overnight Dawn bath, and it all come out looking very clean, minimal pitting.Now, this set was from 1983. These drums had been played, often. And not overly cared for. Amazing thing was... being a one owner set, there was only ONE set screw mark on each of the tom ratchet arms that fit into the double tom mount. This set was purchased in 1983, I got it in 2011. That is almost 30 years. Show me a Ludwig, Pearl, Tama, Brand X, Y or Z kit at 30 years that gave someone that much satisfaction. Rogers Memrilock hardware does not bend, break, disappoint, fail, limit your ability to position or look weak. I never have to adjust my mounts. I never have to worry if its going to be in the same position as the last time, or if its going to move no matter how hard it gets played. It is bullet proof. Some people don't like it, some think it is ugly, some absolutely hate it just because it isn't Swivomatic. But in 1975, you could not buy anything nearly that good, and in 1984, you still could not buy anything better. It was copied by Pearl, Ludwig, and a few others.
We get it, you like Rogers drums, but not all of us have your passion for Rogers, especially the Big R years.
I had a silver metallic Big R kit that sounded good, but I recently bought an 80's Tama Swingstar in a similar finish and guess what? They sound as good if not better than the Rogers. The double tom mount is easier to adjust than that big bulky monstrosity on the Rogers kit and the kick legs are less, uhh, noticeable.:D
