Welcome to the forum!

I dig! Great looking and versatile kit. In 1979 I was actually looking for a kit like yours, but couldn't find a dealer that carried them.

Welcome Einar!What's the story with these kits and why would anybody not like them?

Wow, those are sweet!

The unsubstantiated argument is that the shells with re-rings, like yours are the left over Camco shells obtained by Tama. I've heard numerous stories, but for no other reason except 'I'd like it to be so' that's what I think.

I've always thought those first issued Camco by Tama kits to be gorgeous, and every one I've run into (two I think) has sounded superb...

It's a pleasure to meet you!

Thanks guys

I’m no expert on the Tama/Camco history. There seems to be a lot of different opinions on the origin of the shells from that period. Some seem to be leftover maple shells from LA Camco and some to be Japaneese birch shells. My kit is maple with re-rings. I believe these kits were made between 1978 and 1980 and were marketed as Camco Renaissance series. This is from wikipepia on Camco: “In 1977, Drum Workshop (DW) and Hoshino Gakki (the parent company of Tama Drums) jointly purchased Camco's assets. DW would receive Camco's inventory and manufacturing equipment, while Tama would receive the Camco name, the original design blueprints, and engineering rights. Tama briefly used the Camco name in the late 1970s for so-called Tama/Camco drum kits which varied between US-made Camco shells and sometimes Japanese-made shells with a rounded lug similar, though not the same, as the Camco lugs.”

The most sought out Camco kits are the ones from the Oaklawn era that featured 4 ply maple shells made by Jasper.

Just to be clear if those are indeed leftover Camco shells they would be from the LA era that featured 6 ply maple shells made by Keller. Those shells would also have to be very undersized even by today's standards!

Your kit is a perfect example of Tama/Hoshino made Camco drums! Probably the best I've seen so far except for Elvin's Kit that actually has cloud badges on it!

Thanks

Yes, mine are slightly undersized, so it makes sense those are LA shells.

All I need now is a snare and an original single tom holder. I'm using a Premier which works but is not great. Have you guys seen any snare drums from that period, that is with the Hoshino/Camco style lugs? I still haven't seen any. They must have made some, especially using the single post lugs, as the ones on my 10" tom?

I disagree again! In 1978 through the early part of 1980 Tama was producing their own 6/6ply maple shells. (Detailed and Outlined from their own Tama catalogs 78 and 79 both!) Also detailed and outlined in the 1978 Vol.#1 Tama Drum Book! Our new member is correct, DW received ALL the inventory Including drum shells. My 1980 DW 6.5x14 serial # 100624 which would be 524th made is exactly 13 13/16" That's an L.A. era shell all day! Even the throwoff and strainer are stamped Camco. The only parts of that snare that is not Camco are the thin chrome plated washers, hoops, and the DW badge. Even the tension rods are the Camco 50/50s...The records show that Tama was producing Birch, 9ply Mahogany, 6/6ply Maple, and their Fiberstar which was black fiberglass from 78 to 80. They might have owned the blueprints, engineering rights and the name, but DW owned all the inventory and machinery...That was the deal.

Slingalud-

I have said many times that I don't believe Tama made Camco drums are maple or come from leftover shells. It is very hard to tell the difference between maple and birch.

In my post I said "if" and the only thing that could be a possibility is that there were left over shells at the PA warehouse, the place where Hosino/Tama/ Camco drums were assembled.

I'll try to post some pics soon of the bearing edges. I need to study them anyway:)

With 6/6ply, I'm assuming you mean maple with 6ply re-rings?

Again, regarding the snare I mentioned, have you guys seen any from that period, particularly ones with the single-post (double sided) lugs as the lugs on my 10" tom?