Rogers Dayton Series | US-built maple/cherry

Two weeks ago Rogers launched the R-Series, a modern maple kit from $1,499. Now it has a second new line, and this one looks back rather than forward.

The Dayton Series is a US-built kit with maple/cherry shells, Beavertail lugs and the sort of finishes you’d expect on a 1960s Rogers. Expected pricing is about $2,199 to $2,699 for a shell pack.

So if you want a new Rogers, which one should you buy? Let’s find out.

Why “Dayton”?

The name is a nod to the brand’s Ohio years. Rogers dates back to 1849, but most drummers know it from the 1950s and 60s, after Cleveland’s Henry Grossman bought the company and production moved to Ohio. Vintage drums from that period often carry Dayton, Ohio on the badge.

CBS bought Rogers in 1966 and moved production to Fullerton, California, a few years later. The brand faded out in the 1980s, and it came back in 2017 with Dyna-Sonic reissues, followed by the Covington, PowerTone and Cleveland lines.

What do you get?

The shells are an 8-ply maple/cherry hybrid with Rogers’ dark fruitwood stain inside. Select snares go up to 10-ply, according to Drumming News Network.

The hardware is where the vintage feel comes from:

• Beavertail lugs and bowtie tension rods, both classic Rogers details
• Triple-flanged hoops on the toms
• Double-hoop claws on the bass drum
• Risers on the tom brackets to keep vibration off the shell
• Memory locks, so your setup goes back where it was

What kits and finishes are there?

Two three-piece shell packs are planned:

• 20/12/14, the compact, jazz-friendly option
• 22/13/16, the classic rock setup

Individual drums will be sold as add-ons, so you can build out from either pack.

There are five finishes: Satin Walnut, Ginger Glass, Black Glass, Sky Blue Ripple and Red Diamond Pearl. Sky Blue Ripple is the one in most of the launch photos, and it looks the part.

How much is it?

Expected pricing is about $2,199 to $2,699 for a shell pack. Treat those as expected, not confirmed. Rogers hasn’t given a ship date, and the source points buyers to BigBang Distribution for listings.

We haven’t seen UK or European pricing yet.

Dayton or R-Series?

On paper the gap between them is around $700. Here’s what that buys you.

The R-Series (from $1,499) has 7-ply maple shells, high-gloss lacquer and modern hardware. It’s aimed at drummers stepping up from a first kit and working players who gig often. There are more configurations, up to a four-piece, and sizes run from 8” to 24”.

The Dayton has a different shell, maple/cherry rather than all-maple, and it’s built in the US. You also get the vintage hardware and the wraps. It only comes as a three-piece for now, with add-on drums to expand it.

So who should buy which?

• If you want a reliable gigging kit and don’t mind the modern look, the R-Series is the better value.
• If you want the 1960s Rogers look without buying vintage, the Dayton is the one to save for.

There’s one more option. A real 1960s Rogers can still cost less than a new Dayton, but you’re buying old hardware and you’ll need to check it carefully. Our guide to buying used drums online covers what to look for.

Final thoughts

The Dayton makes more sense with the R-Series beside it. The R-Series brings in new buyers, and the Dayton is for drummers who want the classic Rogers look.

The maple/cherry shell is the interesting part. The only downside is that nobody has played one yet, and until prices and dates are confirmed it’s hard to judge the value.

If you’re choosing between the two, read our R-Series story and our snare drum buying guide.