The hardware on a drum set is not the visual for me, it is the wrap that I look at. But # 1 priority is sound correct? The big R's that I own is one of the best sounding drum kits I have. And to me the there is no stronger/sturdier tom mount system found on any drums of that age. I love mine and will keep them for years and years.

Someone sure liked these!

[ame="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rogers-Vintage-Big-R-Drum-Set-/141260512528?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=6E3FvnVn7UYT6PErXiJeY87xBtQ%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc"]http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rogers-Vintage-Big-R-Drum-Set-/141260512528?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=6E3FvnVn7UYT6PErXiJeY87xBtQ%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc[/ame]

That is a great looking set of drums.

I would have liked those. But the last thing I need are more drums.

Anyone in the Portland, OR area could grab these. Might have myself if they weren't black -

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/msg/4425999512.html

Are the XP8s the best of the Big Rs or is it just a personal thing?

BTW, love the Grass Roots but where's the brass section? Did they ever have one or was it added in the studio?

I personally think the XP8 drums are some of the best built drums there were at the time. And perhaps, the best drums Rogers ever built. There weren't Swivomatic, they do not have that "magic." They wont inspire the way a mid 60s set will. I would not trade any of my three 60s sets for ANY set of XP8 drums. They are that good. When the XP8 sets were on the market, the number of 60s era sets still on the stage, touring, playing nightly, were very, very small. That does not say anything bad about them, there isn't anything one can say bad about those 60s drums. Time and function had sort of passed them. Just like time and function has passed by Rogers Memriloc. Complain about the weight, the look, the badges, the hardware, but, in any live playing situation, they could still function just fine, even with the worst hard hitter today. Swivomatic hardware, on the other hand, would not. I have had both Swivo drums and Memriloc drums at gigs where my drums were going to be used by others, and depending on the others the Swivo drums would not come out. Had Rogers stayed alive, by the end of the 80s, Memriloc would have also passed into history, and a new system of mounting and hardware would have come into use. Rogers always raised the bar for what was good. DW was born in that time. Ayotte Custom was born in that time. That is just two companies to look at to see what Rogers would have evolved into had it not been murdered by the parent company.

Oops, I thought all Big R kits were XP8 shells, learn something new all the time around here on VDF! :)

Much appreciated - thanks John

I would be all over these if I didn't already own 2 sets of Big R XP-8's.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/msg/4415756774.html

Wow. That is a great deal. I am going to see a set tomorrow and you've helped me out because I need to talk the seller down a long way. I'm seriously considering these drums for gigging. Currently using Yamaha RA series but I'm missing the maple sound.