I played an early 70's kit,they reminded me of my 60's rogers sound wise,and from what I have seen they were well built drums,upper tier build quality wise as compared to the other American drums.Why they are getting as much as or more than Gretsch I couldn't tell you.Maybe Rarity,but rare doesn't always mean valuable but in this case I guess it does.The D.W. Connection? Maybe.High Profile endorsers/players? I think some Jazzers of note played them,the only rock players I remember using them were Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys,and Doug Clifford of CCR.They bring big bux even for the late 70's kits,or people seem to ask big bux for them.Even in this economy they seem to be holding their value really well.I personally think they are a overpriced but but the Market obviously disagrees with me.

Camco's from Oaklawn are the most desired. I think they used Jasper shells, but unlike Gretsch, they had re-rings. They don't sound like Gretsch or Rogers. They have their own distinct sound. I have played Camco on and off for many years and never fail to get compliments on the sound. Build quality is very good. I have a kit I gigged hard for years and everything is still intact and functional. I have Rogers, Sonor and Ludwig kits, but my Camco's will be the last to go when I start selling.

It's gotta be because of the round lugs :) Those have always caught my eye.

You can take a listen to my buddy Brian's Camco set here...

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So9pAnFB4s4[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OkOQYLhSfc&feature=autoplay&list=QL&index=7&playnext=2[/ame]

Here's a blast from the past... when the Camco's were in the "pre-vintage" stage

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mnwm300p2Bw&feature=related[/ame]

Hard to really hear what they sound like in that video.

This is an excellent example of what Camco drums sound like

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn1sEssGMLk[/ame]

Camco Oaklawn drums are the best sounding drums IMO. Big & warm! Camco drums from the L.A. era sound very different as they were made with Keller shells and do sound very much like Rogers drums.

That's John Ferraro on the those drums. Not surprisingly a long time DW endorser.

BoDolFan54 what's your take on the Camco/Tamas?

To me Camco drums really ended with the Chanute era. L.A. era changed to Keller shells and dropped the Tuxedo lug from the line. Camco drums made by Tama are just that, Tama drums with Camco hardware. They don't interest me.

If you're looking for drums that sound as good or better than Oaklawn Camco drums but at a much better price, try to find a set of George Way drums. They don't go for nearly as much as a Camco kit but the hardest part is finding one! Snare drums pop up from time to time on Ebay and they go cheap if they are a no reserve auction.

So far my collection contains 9 George Way snare drums, 3 George Way kits, 3 Camco Oaklawn snare drums, 1 Oaklawn kit, 1 Chanute snare drum, 1 Chanute kit and 1 L.A. snare. Yes, I got the Camco bug bad!!!!

Ha...I'll say. Nice collection. Can't remember if you saw my tread but I am fixing this 18/12/14 Hoshino kit up for a friend. I'll be gigging with it Friday night. The shells look almost new inside and out. Can't wait to hear how they sound. Have any experience with this era?

Pardon the momentary hijack.

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/agopsalott/-5-6.jpg[/IMG]

I've had probably half a dozen Camco kits from Oaklawn, Chanute and LA and all have been great in their way.

The earlier ones are great all round vintage American drums which are beautifully made and tune up consistently and...well, they sing.

The LA ones have, as Dolfan points out, significantly different shells but they are the epitome of the great West Coast studio sound of the 70s (think Gordon, Porcaro et al).

I've had studio engineers all over the world rave about them (all badges). A lot depends on what you are after.

My LA wood snare has been a firm fave for over two decades and I'm not finding myself tiring of it yet.

The fact there weren't that many of them made in the first place certainly adds to the snobbery/mojo/mystique/call it what you want.

But, bottom-line is they're really great drums. You could do worse.

Me, I'm looking for a George Way....