All I can say is I'd love to have that kit. It was just shy of a miracle to find the right side handing tom with badge and tone control in the correct position and matching the rest in color.

As seen in the attached picture, and seen myself with drums I've had, even Rogers didn't always get that right. Take a look at the right-handed tom with respect to the location of the script badge and tone control. That was an error they made quite a few times during the transition period after which toms had double scripts with the tone control opposite the tom mount. You have to wonder why that wasn't considered from day one. Was it the cost of one script badge even though the sets were the highest priced in the industry? Go figure!

I did find that my understanding of some of the Rogers timeline was improved through this thread, and verified for myself that the kit we are discussing did fall in the period where the early double tom mount would have been used.

I say, if you've got the dough and like that finish and sizes, jump in now!

You are correct Dan. I can see where someone reading what I wrote would think there was a change made to the original outfit. Sound advice for sure!

If I had the money,I would jump on them! I haven't thrown in the towel just yet. Waiting to see what happens on a few things. This is an amazing set and I would love to have it.

Drumfactory,

Since it's been established that this transition set is probably one of the last Top Hat sets, and one of the earliest Dayton sets, would it be possible for you to share the serial numbers of those Dayton labels? I'm estimating they're Holiday labels between #61000 and 71000. Your labels could help with future dating. Thanks.

Mike

badges appear to be all over the place but go like this: not sure which 8x12 was added by me but they are both Dayton "Holiday" 74204 and 71689...14x14 tag has Luxor lined out and "Holiday" typed above it and is Cleveland 14115 and the bass is Dayton "Holiday" 99918.

Hope this helps?

Thanks so much, but it only adds to the mystery. The two 12"s are early Daytons, but the Holiday #99918 tag in the bass dates it to 1968, long after the Top Hat configuration was available. In fact, the Holiday interiors switched from solid gray to speckled somewhere between #84000 and 88000, so the toms should have gray interiors while the bass should be speckled (and it probably has factory slot-headed hex screws holding the lugs rather than the earlier round headed screws).

Of course, none of this dating trivia detracts from the fact that these are absolutely beautiful drums, and with a 14" FT, very desirable and well worth the price of admission. Thanks for sharing.

Mike