I think it is important to note that 380 drums (not just the 360's) were also made by Yamaha in the late 60's early 70's. Not just the 80's stuff made in Taiwan. I have read the 380 simply meant it had a 22 inch kick versus a 20 inch or 18. Not sure if that is true or not but I can say that my current restoration project is a Rogers Oval Badge 380 with small gold made in Japan stickers on the shell.

Thats very intriguing, if anyone else can confirm this please do.

Here is a before restoration shot of my oval badge 380's

[IMG]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/skapunk_edge/IMG_2684_zps02fd5eb4.jpg[/IMG]

with painted interiors

[IMG]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/skapunk_edge/IMG_2700_zpsb8425679.jpg[/IMG]

There were indeed R380's as well as R360's in the late 60's, and they differed in sizes and hardware but were otherwise the same and made by Yamaha.

The names they chose, R360/R380, were as confusing then as now and I'm sure that didn't help sales one bit. They should have just called them all R360 and given each layout it's own model name, similar to the way kit names were assigned to the top-line Holiday drum layouts.

Looking at the brochures for the 360 in 1967, it appears that these had 8 lug BDs. So, looks like that was not a differential in the 360 vs 380. Perhaps the number of lugs only involves what size of drum it is?

Also, I see there were R-360 18 and 20 BDs - perhaps the 380 had the 22 BD exclusively? Anyone ever seen an R-380 with a 20 or 18 BD?

Also, perhaps the difference was only colors and the grade of stands?? I was going to contact someone at Rogers - but that would amount to contacting Yamaha (they own the Rogers name now) and I will but don't have the time at the moment. So many different ownerships. Anyone know any former employees? I wonder who would have archival documentation from the late 60s that could shed some light on this. Yamaha may indeed be a good source as they produced these and also are the current owners - so there are 2 reasons to believe that they may know about this topic. I will report when I get some word from them.

Trying to play detective......and solve a Vintage mystery.....

Any speculation (we have seen alot of it) regarding the differences - please include proof - anything void of proof is simply guessing.

Hopefully we can figure something out here - and proving something that not only readers - but also something that Rob Cook can use to update his works.

Thanks,

John

I can tell you my Yamaha is a 22 inch kick and I see know differences other than that. I call it my Japanese Londoner! 12,13,16,22!

Great Info on the 360's & 380's....bought a set of these off of my boss in like '87 he told me he bought them in the late 60's so I knew they were not from 1980 but that was all I could find out about them 1980 catalog and that they were "junky"...except I love mine, and I get compliments all the time from other musicians(not drummers) about how nice they sound...it it the double soul kit in marine pearl finish....I do have both mounted toms but prefer to play it as a 4pc....

from what I know they were made by Yamaha from 67' to 71' and picked up again in the 80's being made in Taiwan the Yamaha one are birch with chrome over brass lugs and Rogers rims I have a set and the rims have the Rogers R stamped on them and are very nice rims I have also read the the badges were just stickers and this is only true on the steel snare drum the toms & Bass are metal and attached with finish nails/rivets....I got them in 87' from my boss at the time Chuck Linster who told me he bought them in 68' or 69' my research tells me along with the "serial number" stamp that they were made in 67'..it is the Double Soul kit in White Marine Pearl....I Love this set! fun to play and look an sound great. I have used it on alot of gigs overs the years and have gotten alot of compliments from other musicians on their sound...attaching a pic(I do have the 13" tom I just like it as a 4 piece & the snare just prefer my Ludwig HH Bronze)....if you're not a Rogers purist I'd say buy one if ya can for a god price!

I had a set of the 380's from the 80's and found them to sound pretty good (luan) asin mahog.

The hardware (lugs) were total crap, pot metal and one by one all broke.

And yes the badges on mine were just stickers with a big "R" on it.

The drums are now gone but i still have the snare (it's got a different sound to it so i kept it (steel 5x14) and some kingda screwy snare throw (both sides go up n down)

I was looking for an inexpensive "beater kit" and picked up an R-380 Double Soul Kit, like The Groovesmiths. I mounted some Evans Level 360 heads and was extremely pleased with the sound I got out of this kit, especially for the low price I paid. The prior owner threw in a Pearl Sensitone snare which I ended up giving to the son of a niece of mine, who's starting to get into drums. I prefer "one up" in lieu of two, so I used the second L-arm to mount a cowbell when playing out. After all, you can never have enough cowbell, right (lol)?