I believe Billy Martin was using a Rogers Luxor model on the Shackman record. Interesting, because, the Luxor model was not the highend line by Rogers. Seeing, Modeski, Martin, and Wood live...Martin has so much gear (he had a couple of tables of percussion instruments that he would just start picking up and jam out on), it doesn't really matter what he's playing. There are still some good deals out there to get a vintage Rogers kit. I believe Rogers to have been a pretty special drum maker, you will not be disappointed. Pick up "The Rogers Book" by Rob Cook, it will clue you in on most of the info you will need to find the right kit for you. I love all of my Rogers gear, still works great 40-50 years later. Billy is pretty cool and still teaches, you might be able to contact him about gear concerns from the MM+W website.

Welcome to the Forum!!!

Billy uses a '60s Rogers center lug (tower, comet) drum set from the 1960s in faded black onyx.

Here's an example in champagne sparkle:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.myolddrums.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/rogers_champagne_tower_0017.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.myolddrums.com/wordpress/tower-drums-by-rogers-with-3-ply-champagne-dynasonic/&usg=__MKxKZktdLtiu2m8O7rRedajmgm4=&h=830&w=1250&sz=396&hl=en&start=1&sig2=C--7qvphmehQ2kBd8Ja29A&tbnid=TsRIZKEfebDfDM:&tbnh=100&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Drogers%2Btower%2Bset%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DG&ei=m_A8StXQLNGgmAfkzeDDDg

He plays them with the resonant heads removed. When I saw him last year in NJ, he had that set, his playing was great, but I thought the drums sounded like heck...to each his own.

You could get the same drums...if you're on a budget but want that sound, look for similar Rogers kit that has some mods or is a re-wrap, or has regular lugs or a 16" floor tom (they sell for less).

You could also get a similar Slingerland or Ludwig and get a similar sound.

I read a really good description of Billy Martin's Rogers Tower kit and why he chose to play it...had some nice video clips and such but, dog-gone it, I just can not find it now.:(

Hey guys, thanks for welcoming to the forum and for your responses. I've never had the chance to see Billy live, but from the records and Youtube clips I'm awar he uses all kinds of percussion instruments.

Super B., thanks for the book recomendation. I'm definelty going to get it before a take the step of getting my first vintage kit...

Thanks again to all!

There's a good quality vid of Martin here, showing his kit in full:

http://www.zildjian.com/EN-US/zVideos/videos.ad2

Move your mouse towards the bottom of the list to the right of the little screen and it'll scroll down. The Martin video is a long, long way down, so try not to get distracted along the way...I said, TRY NOT TO GET DISTRACTED ALONG THE WAY! Ah, what's the use...

You don't need a vintage kit to get that Billy Martin kit sound . I used to own two 60's Rogers kits and A/B'd one - a 20/14/12 which is what Billy uses - and a Sonor Delite . Very similar sound and vibe . Both have thin maple shells with glue rings BTW . The 6 lug snare he plays a different matter . I am a big fan of MMW and MMSW , but not a fan of that 6 lugger Luxor . But to each his own .