HOW TO SET UP A ROGERS DYNASONIC SNARE DRUM

[@assassinationarchivesandre6272]

Very informative presentation. The "Ford-a-sonic" gets the Blue Ribbon. Beautiful drum.

[@jimbo7051]

Thank you for your kind words appreciate that 🙏

[@russwilson5180]

Just picked one up at an estate sale in NJ. Got a Big R 5 piece kit including this snare for $350.00. I absolutely LOVE this snare. It's got that certain tone you can't get from snare drums today, really has that vintage sound and sensitive as f%$k! Love it, thanks for the video!

[@jimbo7051]

Hi there! As long as you set it up properly it will give you great results, they replacement parts now, changing out the snares on the frame makes a world of difference in the response to the drum Tuning as well, make sure the bottom head snug and the top head medium up Never over tighten the tension screw at the frame, on the snare throw use the tension knob to bring the snare frame up to the bottom head so it kisses the bottom head, do not over tighten otherwise you will choke the drum. Good luck and enjoy

[@rtanidean4931]

Great share. Omg. I love ford drums. Would love to own. They are classy. Like me The 5x14 is the absolute Buddy Rich sound. Articulate and perfect old school for the marching, rolls and buzzing applications. The ford was my fav for my ear. Obviously, not a bad choice here. I own a 5x14 Rogers dynasonic. Yeah. It’s a fav. Great drumming btw. TY

[@terrydonegan1622]

Ive recently purchased a modern 14x5 dyna. Wonderful. Thanks for the video. Ur ford sounds amazing

[@jimmyford6293]

Guys,don't give up on your old Dynasonics,they're great drums,the new ones from Big bang distributions are very good. Remember tune the bottom head snug and the top head medium tight. Don't ever over tighten the tension screw on the snare frame,and make sure that the frame just kisses the bottom head.If you need to get the snare frame a little closer to the bottom head use the the tension knob on the throw off

[@jimbo7051]

That's absolutely correct, I was told this by the great master himself Roy Burns.

[@bbbolster1]

In 77 I purchased a Rogers Londoner VII which came with a 5x14 Dyna Sonic snare I later traded that snare and regretted it for years. I just acquired one in fair condition and looking forward to renewing it as close to original as possible. I truly want to thank you for your video it is very helpful.

[@jimmyford6293]

You're welcome,remember you can get replacement parts now for your Dynasonic. Roy Burns told me that you tension the bottom head tight and the top head medium.

[@barberjeff67]

Earliest wood shell dyna-sonics were 3 ply, later dynas, after serial number 7500 were 5 ply using maple and birch. The reinforcement hoops were the same plys as the drum. One thing I've realized playing a dyna-sonic, it will let you know if your technique is off because it's so precise! Thanks for the informative video!

[@357pick]

I'm glad that you found Jimmy's video presentation informative. Thank you for your comments.

[@jimmyford6293]

You're correct,the plys were a lot thicker back then.

[@michaelorlando6898]

Jeff: Completely agree with the inherent precision magnifying and amplifying any flaws in tuning as well as technique. (See longer post about this same date replying to Terrence Thorn.)

[@barberjeff67]

@@michaelorlando6898 I saw the reply... yes, every little movement amplified! Lol. I kept hearing all these extra notes when I first started playing a dyna-sonic and realized it was me laying the stick on the head in between beats that a regular snare would not register any of that. Lol.

[@jimbo7051]

You're very welcome I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Remember they sell replacement parts for this drums,replacement snare wires which makes the drum responsive

[@Darrylizer1]

Thanks! Just inherited my dad's Dynasonic COB 14" x 5.5" from 1971 which he gigged with until his 80s, and this video was helpful. One thing I'll say about that drum is that it's really LOUD. You don't need to put much effort in to get some volume and it sounds good everywhere on the head.

[@jimmyford6293]

You're very welcome,enjoy that Dynasonic,thanks for checking out my video.

[@Rancherinaz]

Those are 5" drums not 5.5" They built them in 5" and 6.5"

[@Darrylizer1]

@@Rancherinaz Yes you are correct. It sounds pretty good once I figured out how to use the Dynasonic snare strainer.

[@jimbo7051]

Exactly, remember never over tighten the tension screw on the snare frame, the throw should be for when you want to bring the snare frame up the the bottom head so it kisses it, never over tighten otherwise you will choke it

[@rogersdrums]

Mine is a 5 line cob 14” x 5.5 Id like to accurately date it i think its ‘69-‘70 I cant find a list of serial numbers ?!?!?!?

[@alanduncan1980]

I've got a 7 line one. I've had a couple of 5 line Dynasonics in the past. These are great drums! Cool video! I liked your customized solid maple one.

[@jimmyford6293]

Thanks so much!

[@jimbo7051]

Thank you so much, I realized that the 7 line Dynasonic the bead of the bearing edge is more narrow than the later models which added more resonance to the drum, check it out the next time you change out the heads

[@ian40]

i have a Ford drums T shirt, won it at the UK Drum fair, many years ago. this is my first encounter of them, whilst searching for Dynasonic set ups

[@philipnestor5034]

Great video and great playing. I would like to see a video of you putting the snare wires on the frame. And then on the drum. I have a problem with sometimes the snares sounding too choked. I then loosen the wires just a little bit with the screw on the frame but then they might buzz too much. I think this is why people got frustrated with these frames.

[@jimbo7051]

Contact me on Facebook messenger or email me and I'll hook you up.

[@rogersdrums]

Thx I have a 5 line COB ROGERS Dynasonic circa 1969-70 and it sounds great now that I bought the Rogers reproduction snare wires and what a diff i knew it sounded better you just confirmed what I thought also the original snare wires were 19 strands and one strand was unattached at one end - bought the new Rogers snares from Guitar Center and they have 20 strands versus the 19 on the original strands!!

[@matthewpaluch777]

Thanks for a great tutorial Jimmy, I'm really missing ford!

[@jimmyford6293]

I'm still around,I'm building stave snare drums and doing bearing edges,cut downs and re wraps,I'm on facebook,hit me up.

[@carlupthegrove262]

Thanks for this vid. I also have a 6 1/2 COB DynaSonic and this is very helpful. I saw you performing with Randy Caputo at the Hollywood Drum show back in Oct. That was a fabulous show....thank you so much for keeping the Gene Krupa / Buddy Rich vibe alive.

[@jimmyford6293]

Thank you very much,appreciate your kind words,the video has been posted of Randy and I on youtube,enjoy

[@jimmyford6293]

You're welcome, and thank you for your kind words.

[@jimbo7051]

Thank you so much for you're kind words, sorry for the slow response RIP Randy Caputo. 🙏 ❤️🙏🥁

[@BCSchmerker]

+357pick *The Dyna-Sonic™ snare strainer group from Rogers Drum Company had one problem:* The cords had to be cut to a specific ratio of lengths to drop the gut frame uniformly. In the mid-1970's, Hoshino Gakki did a Frankenstein act with the Ludwig®/Conn Selmer P70's lever and shaft and the Rogers® Dyna-Sonic® gut frame to create the mechanism for the TAMA® King-Beat™ balanced strainer.

[@Disciple888]

5 line or 7 line are how many thin horizonal lines across the middle of the body! Go figure right! Great tutorial Jimmy!

[@gerryjones3164]

I'd like to share with you a not so well known tip about Dynasonics. If you notice one begin to buzz like crazy, remove the snare frame from the drum. Remove the snare wires from the frame Place the frame on a glass table top (perfectly flat surface). Now with your finger, lightly tap on each corner of the frame. If it rocks then it has came out of alignment and here is your problem. LIGHTLY twist the frame then check once more. Do this until the frame is perfectly flat and does not move when you press on any corner. Place the wires back on the frame and back on the drum. The annoying buzzing will be gone. Incorrect tensioning, rough handling, maybe weather or age will cause this to occur with many snare frames. T'is a very easy fix and "tune up" to get your drum to sound awesome once more. Every time I change a bottom head I check for this. As you know, they are really awesome snare drums!

[@jimbo7051]

That is a great tip Gerry and I will check that out on one frame that I do have that was causing me an issue. You're correct! It has to be flat, also as you know that they sell replacement parts, the new frame comes with wires and when I built my replica Dynasonic it is amazing sounding. I'm on Facebook messenger and I can send you a video of that drum Thanks again!

[@gerryjones3164]

@@jimbo7051 Once someone brought me a wooden Dyna that just buzzed like crap and no re-tuning at all seemed to help. I removed the frame and tested it for flatness and...... WALLA KAZAM! It was bowed ... probably from being dropped in a case, etc. When it was adjusted (by twisting and re-testing) and was flat once again, the drum became like the day it was new. When the frame is true-flat it sings like a songbird! Dynas are my very favorite. I've used them since 1967.

[@donaldshultz]

Great presentation Jimmy and I really like the sound of the Fordosonic’! It is my understanding that the new wood Dynasonic shells are 3 thick plies (maple/poplar/maple) with two thick plies of re-ring. Might explain how they get that vintage tone. Just curious, did you put any snare bed at all on the Fordosonic?

[@357pick]

Thanks for watching. Jimmy told me that he put an ever so slight snare bed in my Ford-a -sonic because he wanted to keep the edge consistent all the way around. He says that with the dynamic-a- sonic snare bridge you really don't need much of a snare bed. I hope that this answers your questions.

[@357pick]

I don't know why that line appeared in my reply

[@icetech6]

Man, i have a '67 COB dyna and when it's right it's amazing but it's only right like 1 in 100 times.. i really gotta figure it out. thanks for the video!

[@dxfordummies]

I accidentally put my snare cord in the holes closest to the edge of the drum and it still working okay. Should I fix it?

[@dlc630]

Now I want to get a Dynasonic!

[@davidsuprenant893]

I got a 6 _ 1/2 ×14 white marine pearl app. Six months old barley used still in the original box.for sale. I changed the heads other than that it's like new.paid 8oo.00 will take 600.00 plus freight.if interested contact me and I'll send photos. Thank you.

[@cpu554]

@@davidsuprenant893 Where you located?

[@davidsuprenant893]

@@cpu554 Kankakee illinois,60 miles south of chicago.

[@jimbo7051]

Contact me I'm on Facebook messenger if you have questions

[@hbaboris]

Thank you for the video. Please, could you inform where I can get the snare parts ?

[@357pick]

Rogers is now offering parts including original design fine gauge snares. Check them out at www.sweetwater.com.

[@jimmyford6293]

You can get these parts on Ebay,the replacements parts are distributed by big bang percussion,just type in Rogers drum parts via google.

[@jimmyford6293]

Sweetwater is a Rogers dealer now for parts

[@nealsausen4651]

If you live in the south California region professional DRUM SHOP in Hollywood stocks parts for the Roger Dyna Sonics!

[@jimbo7051]

Sorry for the slow response Big bang distribution sells Rogers replacement parts which are very good.

[@AndyPutt1]

Would you recommend the PureSound snare wires for these... I think you said you favour genuine Rogers over them. Not sure where to source those though. Thanks

[@357pick]

The reason Rogers snares are the preferred snares is that the wires are a finer gauge and thus you'll get much better snare response. Sweetwater.com carries all the new Rogers stuff.

[@bobfane4365]

I purchased my snare frame from Musician's Friend.

[@Rancherinaz]

I put Fat Cat wires on my 5 X 14 COB . Fat Cat is maybe one of three companies making replacement wires for the DynaSonic . They're 16 strand while the originals were 19 strand but they were the best bang for the buck by far and my 48 year old classic sounds as good as the day I bought it in 1972 . I can't hear the difference in having 3 less strands .

[@Rancherinaz]

Oh , for Andy , the Rogers and the Fat Cats are steel strands and the Pure Sounds are brass strands . It's personal preference . I figured the originals were steel so I stayed with that but the Fat Cats were a lot less money so I could actually get like two sets for what the others cost for one set . I believe the Rogers replacements are now 20 strand instead of the original 19 Strand . The Fat Cats are 16 strand and I can't recall off the top how many strands the Pure Sounds are . I am happy as can be with the Fat Cat wires though . Hopefully they continue to sell enough of them to keep producing them . Before Rogers came back supplying their replacements you wee at the mercy of Rogers NOS if you could find them , or Pure Sound or Fat Cat .

[@nikolabanovic9767]

im one of the frustrated ones. on the egde of selling it. this video gives me hope. thanks!

[@callumconnorXX]

great roll!

[@jimmyford6293]

Thank you so much

[@jimbo7051]

Thank you 🙏

[@Eurodrummer666]

Can this Rogers system eliminate buzz while hitting the toms or other elements?

[@jimmyford6293]

Yes you can,make sure that the tension screw at the snare frame is snug,do not over tighten,and be sure the wires are not bent.They sell replacement wires,also back off a quarter turn at the 4 tension rods at the snare throw side and butt side,tune the top head medium up and bottom head tight,hope this helps

[@Eurodrummer666]

@@jimmyford6293 I do not own any of this brand's snares, but I was just curious, since I truly hate unwanted buzzing. I own a sonor Protean snare, with only 8 wires strand, which helps a lot, but I like to know other solutions exist.

[@thomasmoje5926]

Who makes the new snare wires for Dynasonic snare drums? (to fit on the proper Dynasonic snare wire frame)

[@357pick]

Rogers drums are making the wood Dynasonic again sold through Sweetwater music and they are exactly like the 1960's ones. They also have snares, snare bridges and other parts for separate sale. I definitely think you should get a set of 20 strand Dynasonic snare wires and follow Jimmy Ford's directions for installing them.The snares that you get from Rogers are of a finer gauge wire than other snares. I own a new Rogers Dynasonic and I demo mine on my channel. It came with a coated Remo Ambassador batter head and clear Ambassador snare head. Check out my video. Good luck with yours.

[@jimmyford6293]

Big bang distribution

[@Rancherinaz]

Big Bang is also the distributor for the Fat Cat wires . I bought two sets of those for my DynaSonic and love them .

[@jimbo7051]

Big bang distribution, you can find them on Ebay

[@thomasmoje5926]

By the way: '7 line' version shell was the lines were simply 'surface etched' into the surface of the shells..7 of them. The later '5 line' version: the 'lines' were actually formed into the shells during the rolling process so as to be 5 'ridges' running around the circumference of the shell. One of the niggling features collectors look for..the '7 line' version being the older models.

[@jimmyford6293]

It really doesn't matter it was for asthetics,it's the top and bottom head that gives the shell rigidity.

[@thomasmoje5926]

I will bookmark this video as I have a 1970 vintage Rogers Dynasonic 5 x 14" COB snare drum. I've had it since mid 1990's and I just cannot get it to sound good no matter what I do. Went through a variety of heads (now have a Remo Diplomat weight coated batter head and a Remo Ambassador hazy snare side head on it). It either is 'loose and sloppy' sounding with a lot of excess snare buzz, or it is tight and choked with no middle ground. I've gone through all the Dynasonic tuning videos and read all the written material I can find on how to tune them. The only thing I haven't done is change the snare wires..maybe that's it? I've basically given up on it and gone to other snare drums to use with my Rogers kit. It is a very well made snare drum but man I just cannot get the thing to sound good to my ear.

[@kennethdean4349]

I'm having a similar problem with my Dynasonic. I hope this video helps because I'd like nothing better than to get it to sound as good as I know it can. My other snares are easier to tune so I use them instead of the Dynasonic.

[@thomasmoje5926]

@@kennethdean4349 Yeah I'll hang on to my COB Dynasonic for the time being just for it's collector value. Maybe I'll find the secret to tuning it. The reissue wood-shell Dynasonics look pretty tempting but just too much money right now. Recently purchased a Pacific 7 1/2 x 14" maple/walnut 'Limited Edition' snare drum which I like a lot..I prefer wood-shell snare drums anyway. Cheers.

[@Rancherinaz]

My first snare drum and I still own it was a 5 X 14 COB DynaSonic . I have never had a problem getting that thing to sound better than anybody else's snare . I can't understand why so many people have problems with them . As long as the wires aren't all stretched out of shape , you finger tight only the tension knob on the frame . It has a slot in it but that's a no no . Finger tight as tight as you like but finger tight only . Then I tune my bottom head up pretty tight . And I've always tuned my top head maybe not as tight as the bottom . If you are still getting some harmonic snare buzz , tighten the tentioner on the throw off a tad more . I know they say "just till it kisses the head" but I go a bit tighter than that to eliminate any annoying buzz and everybody is just wowed by the sound I get .

[@thomasmoje5926]

@@Rancherinaz OK thanks I will keep your suggestions in mind.

[@michaelorlando6898]

@@Rancherinaz I agree with you, Dave... if the wires are over-tensioned, they become stretched and there is no way to find the satisfactory "middle ground: between buzz & choke.

[@WreckinballRick]

ALL Dynas are chrome over brass, not steel.

[@jimbo7051]

Correct! Yes they are, not sure if they ever made a steel version, would be interesting though 🤔

[@terrencethorn9237]

If the Dynasonic snare system was so great, why was it never copied or modified by any other manufacturers ? I use a 5" x 14" COB Dynasonic but I tossed the pot-metal snare frame and use a 20 strand snare set with 2 strands cut out so it's 6-6-6. I also replaced the original rims with a set of Gretsch COB die cast rims and use no muffling. It just sings. I've been playing it for over 50 years and it is my only brass snare. No, I'm not a collector, I'm a journeyman.

[@michaelorlando6898]

Terrence: Thanks for the comment. I had an original late 60's 5x14" chrome-over-brass metal shell Dyna (stolen) and now have two more of the same. I encapsulated the internal alignment springs in the beavertail tuning lugs within silicone-based dampening sheaths to suppress the rattling sound of the spring vibration coming through. I also similarly modified the internal muffler mechanism, also to suppress unwelcome vibration noise. These drums are extremely sensitive and require precise tuning, which it seems like many younger players do not understand, and thus give unsatisfactory reviews. I remember when I first bought it, I was so eagerly anticipating a huge instantaneous audible improvement in my snare playing sound because I was so acutely aware of the shortcomings and consequent limitations imposed by the various quality deficiencies of my previous snare... ...was I ever in for a disappointment! I was thinking that the low-quality snare drum was holding me back, and I would instantly be a vastly better player on the Dyna-Sonic Instead, this beautifully engineered and crafted instrument accurately displayed and amplified every horribly atrocious nuance of sloppiness I had developed that was being hitherto masked by the insensitivity of previous drum. It was as if every previously undetectable tiny flaw was suddenly and unmercifully put under a microscope and in the spotlight at the same time. I was crushed and remained severely depressed for months... it was a tough time, because it cost me a lot of money back then ($150!) and it only made everything seem so much worse... until eventually the drum and my ears cooperatively forced me to overcome my established accepted limitations of technique. (To paraphrase Smokey the Bear: "Only YOU can prevent rotten drumming technique!" LOL) I had to un-learn and properly re-learn everything, down to the most basic of movements, using the amplified microscope and spotlight... harsh mistress, yes, but worth every remedial moment of struggle. And for that, I will always treasure these drums, and the people who brought them to me. I hope you have another 50 great years with yours! In case anyone is interested: The Dyna-Sonic metal snare frames are magnesium castings, not pot metal. Made from the latest "Space Age" metal of the era, and specifically chosen for its extremely high strength-to-weight ratio... just don't let it catch fire! I've worked with magnesium in the aerospace industry, machining and welding... it burns fiercely, almost impossible to extinguish, will keep burning completely submerged under water. If you've never seen it, go to a bonfire where someone throws an old VW engine case into the flames, and you'll see what I mean... that's why the original magnesium five-spoke "mag wheels" for cars all suddenly were manufactured from aluminum after Bill Vukovich was trapped and burned alive in his Indy 500 car when the metal wheels themselves caught fire from the friction of sliding and scraping on the track after the tires were gone. "Pot metal", so named because it was made from melting down and re-using all the otherwise unusable metal scraps left over from the manufacturing process, was a low-grade material used in the auto industry for decades, typically interior and exterior body trim castings, hood ornaments, turn signal housings etc... all low -strength requirement applications. Pits and cracks easily, tough to repair because its low melting point suddenly renders it into a blob of liquid solder as soon as you apply heat. And I am not certain, but the magnesium snare frame is explicitly detailed in the original patent application drawings... might that be a factor of not being copied? (I like that magnesium frame!)

[@terrencethorn9237]

@@michaelorlando6898 Thankyou for the additional history of the COB Dynasonic and the metallurgy of that snare frame. At the time that I added that drum to my

[@jimbo7051]

DW did it , its a nice sounding drum All brass shell with a bead at the top and bottom for extra strength added to the shell.

[@bigd-1-channel514]

I have to get together with you two guys and Randy, Would be a gas, besides I want jimmy to workover my Radio King Snare. Look for me by name on FB and message me

[@jimmyford6293]

I'm on Facebook give me a shout.