I gotta think Mr. B. Schwartz would be all over this business...

I say there's little overlap between the realms; a vintage kit is only an antique if it's to be displayed not played; owned/played by someone famous/at a famous event etc. Otherwise a well-done restore is value added in most cases...I think.

But intent is key. If those were mine and I was selling I wouldn't touch them at all. If I was keeping them, like, for real, I'd be robbing the 12, 14, and one kick shell for lugs for the 13, 16 and one complete kick. [I mean I'd be drilling the shells because if I was keeping them that would mean they weren't going to remain power toms.] Then you just need a 13" and a 16" rim. Those sizes all match colour-wise and you've got a wicked 13, 16, 24 kit that I would probably not refinish, at least not for a while...

Then I'd start sourcing parts for the darker smaller shells, and end up with a wicked 12, 14, 20 kit that I would also probably not refinish. :) If the Camco parts were stupid expensive I'd use something else with the same mounting hole spacing.

Thanks! It was fun to imagine doing all that :)

Mitch

Camco parts are hard to find and they are expensive. The hoops would really set you back if you were to make them two sided drums, if you could find them.

Oh fersure, I was just thinkin out loud. The hoops look tall, with the rounded ears, maybe Rogers would do. For the 13, 16, 24 kit you'd only need the two hoops to complete it.

Not sure how much of a purist the OP is - like I say I'd be putting together two kits out of these shells with little to no regard for originality or even the correct lugs. But that's just me...:)

[edit] No that's not right - I'd make sure to use tension casings with the same mounting-hole spacing as the Camcos, so some regard at least...

Mitch

Even if you intend to keep them forever, you are not going to live forever.

Vintage drums have and will out live their "owners"

we are just custodians of them there is no guarantee on what will happen to them later.

Sustaining them for the future? Sure.

Drilling them to suit today's trend? Never.

It's the same as cutting down power tom shells, or taking the hoops off the bottom and filling the holes, or painting the insides black.

As Camco drums are pretty uncommon, I'd try to keep them as original as possible.

If you want a new turret lugged behemoth in a custom finish, order a new DW.

Speaking only for myself, I didn't like concert toms in the 70s or 80s either, so it's all about "what I want" and nothing to do with trends, again, only speaking for myself.

I like your point about "custodians" though. As such it's probably always better to trade for what you want rather than altering vintage shells you may happen to possess. Luckily for the shells in question I never liked round lugs either, so if I had em I'd almost certainly sell...:)

I do feel obliged to say though that painting the insides black doesn't compare to drilling some correct lug holes to make a wicked-ass kit. :)

Mitch

These drums will not last much longer if left as they are at this point...

Hopefully they are not too badly warped on the reso sides from not having adequate bottom hoop support. Remember these are Camcos with very thin shells of maple with the same thickness of re-rings but the re enforcement plys are shaved to less than 50% of their original thickness. The support rings are shaved at an angle almost straight down off the bearing edges making them too thin for strong enough support to keep them from warping over time..

The deep scratches and gouges from from transporting without cases can also grow into a nightmare if the wood is not sealed from moisture in those area's.

The reso side bearing edges should also be an area on concern. They are still being placed on hard surfaces with weight on top and no protection, further damage still appears to be happening.

These drums need to be saved before they are lost from neglect..

I would send them to a professional who can drill and tap for bottom lugs. (Yes the later 6ply Oaklawns/Jasper era had lug screw holes that were threaded for the lug screw size.) Fix/true the bearing edges,seal any bare wood, install lugs and get hoops on all of them..

Once they are severely warped and the bearing edges are shredded and dented and the shells have soaked moisture you might as well throw them out. Also this could very well be the only special order double 24 kit ordered without reso lugs so pictures of the restoration would be a good idea. Have them pro restored to preserve them just as they do in museums, not by a carpenter or cabinet maker but someone who restores drums for living, and knows about Camcos.

Last but not least, Congratulations on an amazing find, that 20" FT is also especially rare and valuable...Now please get them to a pro or to one of the 5 or 6 collectors of Camcos that are worldwide..They'll know how to best preserve this kit to make them last many more generations...

Roger

Now *that*....is an answer!

[edit] except for this - "Have them pro restored to preserve them just as they do in museums, not by a carpenter or cabinet maker but someone who restores drums for living, and knows about Camcos."

Because wood is wood after all and all carpenters/cabinet makers are not equal. :)

Mitch

I agree and I would like to see you give JCC the chance to do so :)

Oh no, it needs to be done by a pro who specifically works on drums, not a carpenter or cabinet maker.