OldSchool,

Yes, all the Dyna-Sonic snare with the external badge did not have a label inside the shell. The only Dyna-Sonic snares that I am aware of that had the interior paper label were the very first 200 or so made before they began using the exterior badge. I think those were made around 1961.

So that would be the norm, no paper label inside the shell, and a badge with a serial number on the outside (at least until somewhere around 1980 or so).

Mike

That's interesting. My experience was the exact opposite. Plus, I never see any Dynas being played on gigs or on recordings -tons of Supras and Acros, though. Go figure. Burger Kin

The Supra is also one of the most manufactured snares ever...inexpensive for Ludwig to produce and used by almost every high school band in the country. They were everywhere in the 70's. I never felt they were the equal of the Super Sensitive, but they did have a distinctive 'crack'. I can't explain the whole 'most recorded drum' thing, and I will certainly make that part of the description when mine eventually goes on the bay. I will probably replace it with a wood Powertone.

Seems like comparing apples and oranges to me.

The Ludwig Supraphonic is like a pair of comfortable slippers, and like a Fender strat, it has been a staple of recorded and live music for decades. It is ingenious in it's simplicity...you turn on the snares and it sounds good. Ludwig figured something out and got the formula right...thousands upon thousands of ludalloy snare drums in schools, bands, concerts, recordings, etc happened for a reason. It's the snare sound as evidenced by its history.

The Rogers Dynasonic's genious lies in its complexity...Joe Thompson et al came up with a great idea. There are a minority of us that want the huge variation in sensitivity and sound, as well as the sheer beauty and cool factor that a Dynasonic offers, especially Rogers fans. However, while some people are into the complexity, and enjoy all the fine tuning and theory behind a dynasonic, most drummers just want to play a snare that needs as little messing with as possible. To adjust a dynasonic once every three years is the exception...I just looked on ebay and there are 6 Dynasonics...3 are missing the frame so are not even usable the way the snare was designed.

Brand loyalty plays a big factor here as well...if you are a Rogers guy, why would you play a Supraphonic? Messing with a dyna is part of the fun. But you gotta wonder why so many Rogers players, especially ones with 200 dynasonic snare drums, would rather play Powertones!

I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but to me it is hard to make a Supraphonic sound bad, and it is hard to make a Dynasonic sound good. If I was put in charge of finding a metal snare drum for the average drummer (and not a gear dork) to use on a gig, I would go with a Supraphonic...I wouldn't even consider a dynasonic...and I'm a major Rogers fan! Now wood, that's a different story...a Rogers wood Powertone is just a beautiful, perfect snare drum, and to me offers more than Ludwig's equivalent, the Jazz Festival.

I agree that a Supersensitive is a great snare, and it really is the best of both worlds.

What's the website with the instructions on setting up a Rogers Dyna-sonic?

I have one and I actually took off the frame, but I can easily put it back on.

"...it is hard to make a Supraphonic sound bad, and it is hard to make a Dynasonic sound good."

Yes, exactly.

I love both my Rogers and my Ludwig drums, but when it comes to comparing a (metal) Dynasonic to a Supra...well, there's no comparison (for me). I would even go so far as to say that the Dynasonic I owned was actually one of the worst snare drums I have ever played.

For me, the Dynasonic is like a Corvette Stingray...It's beautiful to look at, but hard to handle. You have to be a Corvette enthusiast to really appreciate them beyond their beautiful look and the same goes for the Dynasonic.

The Supra is more like the car that starts no matter how cold it gets -the reliable car that never lets you down....easy to park...good gas mileage...heater works....winshield wipers work...etc. You don't think about it. It's easily taken for granted because it's so ubiquitous. But, the beauty of the Supra is there, too. It's seamless, spun, beaded, flanged shell is actually unrivaled by even the most custom-custom snare drum builders. Just try asking ANY modern day snare drum builder to make you a seamless spun shell and see what reaction you get! LOL! And even the Acrolite uses the same shell! The cheapest drum in the world has one of the most deluxe shells in the industry. Ironic, isn't it?

The biggest "problem" with Supras is that they get "acne" -(the chrome doesn't always adhere to the aluminum alloy shell and often flakes off.) But, other than that, they can do no wrong. They are THE American snare drum.

The first snare drum I personally owned was a Rogers Dynasonic, in 1979. It gave me fits for the first couple years, I almost took the frame off. Then I learned how to handle it. I still have that drum, and still play it. Ive got seven dynasonics now. Two supertens, three powertones, and.... still I wouldnt mind having a supra. Ive had three acrolites as well (all donated to kids starting out whose parents probably could not have afforded band rental) and they are a workhorse drum. You can spend a lot more money, but the acrolite is well worth what it costs.

Try this web site, it has a lot of experts....

David

THANKS AGAIN to all you Rogers "experts" out there!

I've learned quite a bit simply by reading your forum comments.

I'VE GOT ONE ADDITIONAL SIMPLE (I hope) QUESTION: I'd like to know how hard it would be to find an original batter side rim for a Rogers Dyna-Sonic and what the approximate cost of the original rim might be.

I only ask since earlier today I took a CLOSER look at the drum that I'm considering buying for $150.00. I'd definitely want to replace the batter side rim, which is actually bent in several places.

THANKS IN ADVANCE for your help!

I played nuttin' but Ludwig from 1964 until 1995. That's when I went stupid and sold my Super Sensitive with my set to get my maple Gretsch kit. I added a 8X14 birds-eye maple M4155 and thought this this is pretty killer. During that period I would encounter many 'Gretsch-heads' and I assure you that each of them thought they owned "The American Drum" of one model or the other. Gretsch people are a fervent lot. This, indeed is an 'apples to oranges' debate...and a worthy one at that. I've never played one but I've been told that the Radio King is one that should be considered. If I had to trade my Dyna to get my Super Sensitive back...I would have to think about it. Let's face it; this is what keeps us all off the street and out of trouble.

God is Nietzsche