mlvibes...

As we all know, a 14X14 floor tom is usually a pretty rare bird... and especially in WMP, regardless of manufacture. However, a couple questions for you:

Is this particular drum going to go with a Rogers WMP wrapped kit... or ... is it going to go with a Rogers kit with a different wrap? The reason I mention that is a re-wrap in WMP will never match original WMP, and if this drum goes with a WMP kit, it would be better to leave it as is. I own/play two Rogers BR kits, both in WMP, one is original, the other was a COMPLETE RESTORATION, which included a total re-wrap done by Jack Lawton. The reason I chose to re-wrap the one kit was for much the same as you have here: The original WMP drum/wrap was pretty damaged. So, if this 14X14 is destined for a Rogers kit with a wrap other than WMP,

I don't think it would serve any purpose by keeping this drum with it's current wrap... I mean after all, it is pretty damaged, and even an EXPERT REPAIR would still show in this case. Now,

If this drum were in perfect shape, no damage, and you wanted to re-wrap, that probably would be frowned upon, and for obvious reasons! Not to mention that it would lower the value of the drum too. In this case however, you should have no issues or regrets with doing a re-wrap contingent on WHAT you are doing with the drum.

Tommyp

In my opinion, I would explore getting it repaired. There are some great people working in the area of restoration these days and I'm quite sure that the cracks could be repaired....if the wrap isn't brittle, that is. It looks pretty clean the way it is...a little elbow grease to shine it up and you have a pretty solid investment...well, depending on what you paid for it. Someday, someone will be looking to either sell their WMP Rogers bass drum, ride tom and snare drum to you...OR, you will have the 14 X 14 that someone will likely pay BIG bucks for to complete their Rogers WMP kit.

I absolutely discourage re-wrapping drums with new wraps. I have seen re-wraps done using NOS wraps, though...and they are VERY nice.

My vote would be to leave it alone or to try and repair the cracks.

I have a Cleveland Rogers kit in Black Onyx, sizes 18x14, 8x12, 14x14. My intention was to wrap this drum in Black Onyx, and have two 14's. I was just worried about angering the vintage drum gods. However...I've done some research and have been dissappointed to find that Black Onyx wrap is no longer available. I found a version offered by one company that doesn't come close to the original in my opinion.

So...no rewrap...I'll probably leave the drum as is, and see how much it is worth to someone on ebay.

Someone on the forum may be interested in it

if you would like to offer it up first.

mlvibes...

You have described EXACTLY what I was mentioning in my post regarding "to re-wrap, or leave alone?" This is why I asked you WHAT you were going to do with this drum... and again, a re-wrap would have been completely warrented in your case. A repair on these cracks would most certainly show... PLUS ... the drum is a Fullerton era. ( Trunk Paint on the interior, light weight lugs, cast knobbie's ) Not quite as coveted as the Cleveland, Ohio production Rogers, but still a very nice drum for sure! I have THREE Cleveland Rogers 14X14 WMP floor toms. One is restored/re-wrapped, the other two are original and belong to my 1966 Buddy Rich Headliner kit. Anyway,

I wouldn't worry 'bout angering the vintage drum gods, or the people that THINK they are vintage drum gods... ( and this comment is NOT meant for anyone in particular! ) ... because it is after all, YOUR drum! Enjoy!!

Tommyp

:D I'd sell it, I'm sure you'll get an outrageous price for it. I like a minimum of two inches diameter difference between my toms and if I don't have that it doesn't work for me. I think drums tend to have a sweet spot in their tuning range (they may sound good across a range of pitch but there is a place where they sound best). I like to tune drums to that sweet spot and let the size of the drums drive the intervals between their pitches. So I wouldn't have two drums the same size. I know Buddy did but I'm not Buddy and that's my humble opinion.

14 x 14s sell really well (I don't know how much you paid for it).

That stated, I have recovered drums like crazy I generally don't touch the snare drums with an eye towards future market value but the toms and kicks? I'm a player more than a collector so if the kit is for playing, I want it to look as good as it posibly can.

Regards,

Gary

Dix Hills, NY

Hey Gary...

Actually, there a LOT more drummers that used two floor toms of the same size than just Buddy! But, I also understand where you are coming from with regard to certain drums "sweet spot"... course on the other hand, a lot of drums seem to have a few areas where they open up and sound great. Regardless, the twin floor toms of the same diameter and depth was very common back in the day... not so much now though.

With regard to the Rogers 14X14 WMP floor tom: You must remember that this particular floor tom is a Fullerton manufactured drum. These are the later Rogers drums that were made in CA and as such, they are not generally as highly prized as the Cleveland, OH manufactured drums. There are a few reasons for this:

The lugs are much THINNER metal and of cheaper grade, the washers are now the "star" locking washers and not the heavier "fender washers", and the Knobbie's for the legs are the CAST variants, not machined. This all gives the drum a bit of a different sound... and then there's the "Trunk Paint" on the inside ply. This paint isn't quite as dense as the old flat Gray paint that the Cleveland Rogers had, so there is a bit of disparity in sound. Simply put,

The Fullerton Rogers don't usually bring the bucks like the earlier Cleveland Rogers do. Still, it is a 14X14... it is WMP... and it just may fly in under the radar for someone that is looking.

Tommyp

As always, thanks for schooling me.

G

Awwwww shucks Gary. You're welcome! :-)

Tommyp