blueonyx
Registered: 09-2007
Posts: 18
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Rogers Clevelands on the job
Rogers Cleveland afficianados
Here is a photo documentary of a gig I did about 2 weeks ago. I used a set of Rogers Cleveland drums on this gig. Got the film back and it came with a CD so I posted them for you all. These are Rogers drums that are old (sorry, "vintage") but still sound good, and are used heavily on lots of gigs.
Arrive at the gig by the side door:
Well, I have my work cut out for me-- have to unload all this junk:
Whew, I am broken out in a sweat now! (just kidding, I do this almost every night these days)
OK, here we are at the stage. As per usual, I am the first person to show up.
I stake out my claim
Getting the drums set up now
and put up the cymbals. This is my blue onyx Rogers Cleveland set in the following sizes: 14x22 bass, 16x16 floor tom, 14x14 floor tom, 8x12 mounted tom, and 5x14 Dynasonic snare drum.
The bass player, Jeff arrives
Another shot as the band begins to arrive. I remember a time when a drum set like this could be had for $300 including snare. This would have been the early - mid 80's. Nobody cared for what we now call "vintage" drums. I bought this Dynasonic for $100 then, and another one like it a few years later for $350. I originally had one that I bought with a set in the 60's when I started gigging in Philly, but then it got stolen in '75 or so.
Since I was too busy to shoot many more pictures, I asked "Marty" one of the fans, to take a few shots of the band. He did allright, doncha think?
This is a big band called the "Peninsulans" that I play with sometimes. I guess you could say I am the regular drummer. They are located in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, CA. Some of the guys are big time Hollywood recording studio guys. The regular bass trombone player used to play with Buddy Rich, but he sent a substitue this night. Guess he had a better gig!
Some of these guys are just monster players. I am honored to play with them. The job involves all reading charts, you never know what is going to get thrown at you!
I took a couple of shots of the drums while on one of the breaks. I bought these quite a few years ago from ebay for $500. Actually what I bought was the 22, 16, and 13. Since I have another small set of Clevelands, I substituted in the 12 here, and added the 14 tom too. I use these a lot, and they sound very good for this kind of work.
I have a set of DW pedals, both high hat and double bass pedal, but I like the Swivo hardware too, that is what I am using here.
Here is what the view looks like from where I am sitting during a song change when I took a few shots -- left side:
straight ahead:
toward the right (there's Steve Fry, UCLA music faculty retired, on piano):
and finally, far right is Jeff Smith again.
Well, after 4 long sets, it's time to start breakdown
Here's Sylvia, collecting her charts. Isn't she cute? Good voice too.
Back onto the old rolling cart
and now its time to drive home. Notice that the parking lot is completely empty, since I am always the last to leave (sigh).
Well, I hope you liked looking at these pictures. Maybe I will do this again when I am playing in a combo with a different sized Rogers drum set. I have to say these Rogers cleveland drums have held up very well on lots of these gigs. A few parts here and there have broken, but most everything is fixable. I feel lucky to be able to use these drums. Please shoot me a reply or email if you want to know anything else.
Thanks!
John
Last edited by blueonyx, 10/2/2007, 10:44 am
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9/30/2007, 12:01 am
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musicbybj
Dyna-Sonic Member
Registered: 04-2007
Location: Hamilton, MT
Posts: 3800
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Re: Rogers Clevelands on the job
Hey John,
That had to be one of the most interesting and fun posts we've ever had here. Great stuff. The drums are beautiful.
I just played The University of Montana homecoming this evening with the alumni big band and now I'm sorry to say I didn't bring a camera. I won't leave it home again.
Keep that kind of thing coming...love it
Jack
Last edited by musicbybj, 9/30/2007, 12:28 am
--- "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream" Les Brown
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9/30/2007, 12:27 am
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philc2
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Registered: 06-2007
Posts: 918
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Re: Rogers Clevelands on the job
Great documentary of your gig!! phil
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9/30/2007, 6:10 pm
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superten
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Registered: 04-2007
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Re: Rogers Clevelands on the job
I gotta say that i thoroughly enjoyed that...great stuff and the Rogers drum set is fantastic
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10/2/2007, 2:24 am
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Rogersoholic
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Registered: 04-2007
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Re: Rogers Clevelands on the job
The lil saab that could. Ya know what would be cool, next time try a frame every 15 seconds and make one of the movie maker thumb page books. Im glad your gig went well. Tell Sylvia shes off the charts and I said hi.
--- ....... I BUY ROGERS DRUMS! PM ME!......
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10/2/2007, 4:13 pm
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IsaacHeath
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Registered: 06-2007
Posts: 229
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Re: Rogers Clevelands on the job
Thanks BlueOnyx! Great post!! The drums set makes me say YES! I know it it sounds great. Thanks again.
I can't believe people who say Dyan's are a nightmare, they are magical. Is a wood Dyna-Sonic your snare of choice for all applications???
Isaac
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10/27/2007, 12:50 am
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mschnake
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Registered: 09-2007
Posts: 2206
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Re: Rogers Clevelands on the job
Great pics, Isaac!
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10/27/2007, 10:13 am
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Blog
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rogerwdowns
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Registered: 02-2008
Location: LEESBURG, OHIO
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Re: Rogers Clevelands on the job
Fantastic pix! I can relate to the "1st in,last out" philosophy! Gettin' ready to do it saturday,but only w/a 3 piece jam/blues outfit-The Storm.
Beautiful kit!!
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3/5/2008, 8:20 pm
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tommykat1
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Registered: 06-2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
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Re: Rogers Clevelands on the job
BlueOnyx, I honestly do not know how I missed this post back in September. Blows me away, but not as much as your picture book story does! This is great stuff! Thank You, in a most belated sort of way!
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3/5/2008, 9:01 pm
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backintoit3
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Registered: 07-2007
Location: Harrisburg, PA.
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Re: Rogers Clevelands on the job
ah, brings back memories, very nice indeed, Thanks - awesome post
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3/19/2008, 2:58 pm
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