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Rogers Koa Powertone Kit - Enlighten me!

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Hey folks! I'm new here. So, Hi! Also, I'm not terribly well versed on vintage drumspeak, so you'll have to excuse my descriptive liberties.

I've got a crazy old Rogers kit (In a particularly bizarre set-up in the old photo) I've had for about 10 years I thought I'd share with you drum nuts, maybe you can help educate me. I'm in Atlantic Canada, where I bought the kit from a kid back when I was in a lousy band in high-school. I didn't (still don't) know too much about drums but it was an old Rogers and I knew that was probably a good thing. It's not complete, and it's certainly not perfect, but I've got a soft spot for the old girl. I'd like to learn what I would need to get it back as close as I can to original prim and proper.

Here's what I think I know:

(Late 70's?) Powertone, there's a paper label still intact inside the bass.

Koa finish (some scratches and rashing on the bass shell from both of the toms)

24" Bass

The larger tom is 14", - I keep the kit at a friend's house so it's not on hand to measure the others, at the moment.

Some of the stands and hardware are just random brands, the snare is a deep shelled chrome Pearl of some kind.

Here's what I'd like to know:

1. The drums are Rogers script, but my bass pedal and high-hat stand have the Big R logo on them in black. I suspect they're from a newer Rogers kit than my actual drums, but could they have sold a kit with both logos on the hardware? Was it from some weird transition period, perhaps?

2. Currently there's 1 (maple?) hoop on the bass, I am still searching for its mate. I may just pony up the $100 odd dollars for a new raw maple hoop and try to stain it to match, but I'm not sure if the maple hoop is original. I've spoken to a local vintage drum fellow about finding a hoop and he believed the proper hoops may have been inlaid... I've seen examples of black hoops with koa inlay, could that be what I'm looking for?

3. Would there have been a matching koa shell or chrome powertone snare? Would the snare often be sort of an interchangeable piece when bought new? I think I've got what may be the original snare stand, but it's a bit odd, I don't use it.

Bass rash (character, I call it) aside, the drums are really quite in lovely shape. One of the... (Swiv-o-matic?) knobs on the tom mounts has had the biscuit, won't hold the ball joint jobby in place, which is probably why all that drum rash occoured.

Again, any insight would be much appreciated. What I should be looking for, where I might be able to dig it up, anything is great, really!

I'll upload some better photos when I get a chance, if that helps. Thanks so much, gang!

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Posted on 10 years ago
#1
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Well Sir, Welcome to the forum.

Regret can not assist on your questions.

Hope others will. Nice kit!!

Creighton

Nothing special here but I like them.
Posted on 10 years ago
#2
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Welcome to the forum.

#1-Doubt that the hardware was Big R and the drums with Script would of been sold together, but with Rogers anything is possible.

#2-Yes the hoops would of been black w/inlay. I have 2 solid maple hoops in 24 inch diameter that are for sale if you're interested, PM me.

#3-You could of chose what snare you wanted, but more than likely the COB powertone would of been the one seen in the pics, from what I've seen. You say the stand is "weird"? It may be the original Swiv-o-Matic snare stand. Could be worth something.

eBay is always your best bet, but it never hurts to put a "Parts Wanted" post in the forums.

I have 2 KOA kits, both script (later models) Its a finish that some dig and others just don't

Its better to have people think you're an idiot, than to open your mouth and prove them wrong, unless you doubt yourself then speak away....
Posted on 10 years ago
#3
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That kit will clean up nice. If it has Powertone tags it's early 70's. I have the parts to fix your sloppy tom arm issue.

Welcome to the VDF,

Cam

"If we can't be free we can at least be cheap" -FZ
Posted on 10 years ago
#4
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Wow, that was quick! Thanks for the info. From what I can gather, would the proper pedals for a 70's Rogers look like one of the examples I've attached?

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Posted on 10 years ago
#5
Posts: 1459 Threads: 87
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Little more info for the tom arm problem. The arms have 2 holes in the mount for the set screws. You only use 2 holes with set screws. Having 4 allowed the player to put 2 where they were easiest to reach. This pushes the ball of the mount against the inside edge of the ball, providing a large friction surface to hold it in place. Cannot see from the pictures, but if someone thought they needed all 4 holes with set screws, that only provides 4 small end of the set screws to hold the arm in place-and often tears up the ball in the process. Something to check before replacing the arm.

It could have been ordered with a wood Powertone Koa snare, but they would have been VERY UNUSUAL for the era. I made a wood Koa snare from a concert tom myself at one time, and have not heard of an actual original Koa wood snare. COB Powertone or Dynasonic is likely the original snare with the set.

Posted on 10 years ago
#6
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From amosguy

I made a wood Koa snare from a concert tom myself at one time, and have not heard of an actual original Koa wood snare. COB Powertone or Dynasonic is likely the original snare with the set.

I thought there was a member here trying to sell a KOA Dynasonic....

Its better to have people think you're an idiot, than to open your mouth and prove them wrong, unless you doubt yourself then speak away....
Posted on 10 years ago
#7
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