In my experience they seem like very good drums. Perhaps not the high point of Rogers quality , but that's a pretty high bar, but still extremely well made American drums...provided you like the Memri-Loc hardware designs. The later xp8 series are supposed to be extra special. The only other thing is that the big R badge was used by later iterations of the Rogers brand on import drums, so you need to know what you're looking at.

Fellow member Ploughman is an expert on the Big R series, and hopefully he'll chime in. The first Big R drums are identical to the late script Fullerton's with the only difference being the big, bulky Memriloc hardware. The Big R series was introduced in 1976, and the trend at that time was bigger shells (as you mentioned) and hardware that could withstand heavy gigging and pounding without any slippage or movement.

Since the Big R series are less in demand than the earlier Cleveland, Dayton, and Fullerton Rogers, they are usually a great bargain (very good quality at affordable prices). As KO mentioned, the Big R XP8 series drums are especially desirable, and are considered by some to be the best shells of that time period.

If you're considering purchasing a particular set, post pictures. You'll get lots of advice and comments from the Rogers guys here.

Did I mention the trend in 1976 was toward bigger drums and bigger setups? .....

[Attachment: 124981] [Attachment: 124980]

Mike

Mike

Bob, my experience with Big R Rogers was a good one. I covered a XP8 kit in KOA veneer several years back and those drums sounded killer! Heck I had some old worn clear heads on them and did not spend much time tuning them, they just sounded great. I ended up selling them to make a house payment when work was bad and now I miss them every day. At least they went to a good guy here on VDF.

Big R badge should have "USA" on them. Import shell drums with Big R badges will not have the USA designation.

And the XP8 series - clear interiors with no rering - are some of the best drums Rogers put their name on.

Thanks for the info. The ones I'm looking at are USA kits and one of the sets is very reasonably priced. The other is oversized drums and the tom holder is missing. The owner is asking too much for them with that missing tom holder and won't come down on the price at all, and this was after he told me to make an offer! He's playing games with me. I told him thanks, but no thanks.

The set I'm looking at is 13/16/22 and I can probably grab them for under $400 + shipping. I figure they're high quality American drums for a low price, and the bulky hardware doesn't bother me. They're in nice shape and all original. I'm considering sending an offer this weekend. I can always add a 12" or extra 16" tom, as odd Big R drums seem to show up cheap pretty regularly.

[QUOTE=mchair303;446097]Fellow member Ploughman is an expert on the Big R series, and hopefully he'll chime in. The first Big R drums are identical to the late script Fullerton's with the only difference being the big, bulky Memriloc hardware. The Big R series was introduced in 1976, and the trend at that time was bigger shells (as you mentioned) and hardware that could withstand heavy gigging and pounding without any slippage or movement.

Since the Big R series are less in demand than the earlier Cleveland, Dayton, and Fullerton Rogers, they are usually a great bargain (very good quality at affordable prices). As KO mentioned, the Big R XP8 series drums are especially desirable, and are considered by some to be the best shells of that time period.

If you're considering purchasing a particular set, post pictures. You'll get lots of advice and comments from the Rogers guys here.

Did I mention the trend in 1976 was toward bigger drums and bigger setups? .....

[Attachment: 124981] [Attachment: 124980]

Mike

Is that your set? I wouldn't know what to do with that many drums. You'd need a box truck to transport those. And a strong back to carry them. DOH

DB,

No, that isn't my set. The story behind that setup is described in Rob Cook's Rogers book. Apparently they spent a whole day setting it up for a photo shoot. I think it's now in a museum or private collection.

Mike

I know how to get that set to the gig! Remember the Ikea Volkswagen ad?

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rncOvnTuCDM"]2 Ikea ads - 2009 and later. - YouTube[/ame]

The early 75-79 five ply drums or the late 79-83 XP8 offerings were both quality drums that play very well. The XP8 also represent a rise in quality. Well cared for lacquer finishes of the period are most desired. The pearls used were thicker, and over time prone to cracking. 82-83 brought 18 BDs, 14x14 floor tom, and deep square sized toms to the market.