The early 60s drums were a jasper three ply shell with reinforcing hoops. Before the transition to Beavertail lugs, the shell transitioned to a three ply keller shell. I have seen drums with the keller shell that had bread and butter lugs. I do not believe I have seen or heard about beavertail jasper shelled drums. The beavertail transition was in 1963 as stated above. In 64 or early on in 65, Rogers changed to a thin five ply shell. This was on all drums. Tower, luxor, powertone, dynasonic, holiday. The five ply shell was used until 1973 ..... and the 9/72 Fullerton tagged drums are called out in the Catalogue as a three ply shell.......made by keller. All drums. Powertone and Dynasonic. In 1975 with the introduction of the Memrilock hardware Rogers changed again to a five ply keller shell on all drums. There were no wood dynasonics or supertens produced during this period, except for Marching Dynasonic drums. In 1979...... Rogers came out with the XP8, eight ply keller all maple shell with sharply double cut bearing edges. Very minimal bearing edge, again about 1/16". In 1983, they introduced the XP10 Supertens and Dynasonics.

Hope that helps.

Oh my gosh! Thank you so much. That is a huge chunk of info that I did not have. The followup is comments on the sonic character and quality of said shells. Good stuff.

The Tower snare drum is identical in construction to the Powertone. Shell, bed, and edges are the same. Lugs are the same. The primary difference is that the Tower used a less expensive throwoff, called the Sta-Tight, and a less expensive snare butt. Tower snare drums may or may not have a dampener. Towers were produced until about the time Rogers production moved from Covington (during the Dayton era) to Fullerton California.

Anyone that feels the need to clarify any of the above, please feel free to do so.

Thanks, hope this helps.[/QUOTE]

[SIZE="5"][COLOR="Red"]So does the sta- tight strainer work good?[/COLOR][/SIZE]

The Sta-Tite is the evolution of the Clock Face--- Perma-Tension throw off that was used on Holiday, Dyna-Sonic, early Powertone... Sta-Tite beginning sometime in 1963 towards 1964. The Sta-Tight isn't necessarily cheaper, as it is the basic foundation of the Powertone Throw, the Dyna-Sonic Throw, and the Bantam. This is a beautiful evolution. Easier to assemble/disassemble, better functionality, total interchangeability of parts. It is a grand evolution. In 19643/64 we get the Sta-Tite, in 1965 The Swivo-Matic is introduced on Powertone and Dyna-Sonic snare drums... and while it will have some minor changes over the next 20 years... nothing really changes. It is the most dependable throw off to grace a snare drum in the last 50 years.

Thank you Ploughman, your knowledge is so impressive and you your always so kind to share it. This helps me with a decision. Thank you!