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Camco L.A. restoration advice?

Posts: 6432 Threads: 290

I would use a flat tapered plug with grain running the same as the shell. Dark stain alone will not help hide the plugs but if you were to use a shading additive in your clear coats it would help. Still, hard to make hole's go away. Dont blame you on the Alice Cooper white color, I would not want that either. You could stain one shell with plugs to see how it looks, if you dont like it then the wrap option is still considered.


Thank you!
Jeff C

"Enjoy every sandwich" Warren Zevon
Posted on 9 years ago
#11
Posts: 5550 Threads: 576

if it was me id plug the hole and wood grain it, be fore i finish it, as i grained my repair on the obp set. its a cake walk on that finish

April 2nd 1969 scarfed pink champagne holly wood and 65/66 downbeat snare, and , supra same year very minty kit old pies
66/67 downbeat with canister
Super 400 small round knob
1967 super classic obp





once the brass ceases to glitter, and the drum looses its luster, and the stage remains dark, all you have left is the timbre of family.
Posted on 9 years ago
#12
Posts: 6432 Threads: 290

Gary, I think your the only one on the planet that could pull that off!


Thank you!
Jeff C

"Enjoy every sandwich" Warren Zevon
Posted on 9 years ago
#13
Posts: 2197 Threads: 202

I'd bet this is half of a double bass set. So what year are we talking for the purchase and assembly of these drums? 73-77? I don't recall ever seeing Pearl spurs with that knob for tightening. 12"x15" mounted tom? Sheesh...

Posted on 9 years ago
#14
Posts: 5550 Threads: 576

From jccabinets

Gary, I think your the only one on the planet that could pull that off!

lol Jeff its really not that bad when it comes to his finish the grain that is missing could be drawn in a lot easier than opb but thanks jeff i appreciate it coming from the master....

April 2nd 1969 scarfed pink champagne holly wood and 65/66 downbeat snare, and , supra same year very minty kit old pies
66/67 downbeat with canister
Super 400 small round knob
1967 super classic obp





once the brass ceases to glitter, and the drum looses its luster, and the stage remains dark, all you have left is the timbre of family.
Posted on 9 years ago
#15
Posts: 763 Threads: 110

From rahvin

Stedi, all four of the drums have '#500' stamped on one of the reinforcement rings. I'm glad you asked, because it's very faint and small, and I didn't notice it before.When plugging holes, would you use pre-cut dowel, or would you get a piece of maple and drill out the plugs so the wood grain matches direction with the shell? Part of me wants to veer away from the 'Alice Cooper White' because it's cream coloured now due to aging, and it's not my favourite. When the lacquer chips off, it's much lighter on the wood side, which I assume is the original colour. I've looked into getting a wrap such as white marine (or even antique white pearl or black pearl for something different), but that's going to cost $400 - $500, just for the wrap. I probably can get them professionally painted for cheaper, but Camco colours don't leave me with many options. I'd love to do a wood finish, but it sounds like the plugs would be too visible. Would this be the case even with a dark wood stain?I've decided I'm going to go with a 1up 2down setup for the toms. That means I have to convert the 16" into a floor tom. I won't make any more holes - I'll use RIMS or something similar. Should I remove the floor tom mounts from the 18", fill the holes, and get a similar mount for the 18" floor tom, or would you leave it be?Thanks again guys!

Rahvin,

Thank you for those numbers. When you see a chance, please take a picture of one of them so I can add them to the database. When plugging holes, it's important to start with a very clean hole. Then make the plug from a raw piece of maple and use a Dremel to make one that fits. A method I've learned from JC,... it works like a dream.

I would keep an eye on Ebay and try to score 6 original Camco brackets and legs for the floor toms. It can take a while but they will turn up eventually.

Good luck and let us know what you decide on the finish.

Stef

Posted on 9 years ago
#16
Posts: 8 Threads: 4

Hey all!

Sorry it's been a while! A few months back I took my Camco drums to a local guy and had him professionally refinish them. I just got them back today, and let's just say I'm floored! They're stunning! I haven't had the chance to tune or play them yet, and I'm still waiting on some hardware. I'll post again in a few days when I have a better chance to fully assemble the kit and take pictures.

The only critical hardware I'm missing is one side of Camco T-Rods and Claws (10). I'm also on the lookout for a 12" or 13" orphaned Camco tom (preferably L.A.). If I can find one, that'd give me so many more options - 12/13", 15", 16", 18"(tom or maybe small bass drum), 24" bass drum.

Here are some photos I hastily took with my phone. I hope you enjoy them! Let me know what you think!

Here's the Bass Drum! As you can see, I'm missing t-rods and claws.

[IMG]http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/picture.php?albumid=98&pictureid=411[/IMG]

On the 16" tom, here's the wood inlay (big square) which covers up the patched holes from where the old tom mounting system used to be.

[IMG]http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/picture.php?albumid=98&pictureid=410[/IMG]

Patched holes from where the old dampeners used to be.

[IMG]http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/picture.php?albumid=98&pictureid=409[/IMG]

Drum minus resonant head. You can see the difference with the stain.

[IMG]http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/picture.php?albumid=98&pictureid=408[/IMG]

Serial stamp as requested by Stedi. (I'll get a better picture soon and send it to you!)

[IMG]http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/picture.php?albumid=98&pictureid=407[/IMG]

Here's the 18" Floor Tom.

[IMG]http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/picture.php?albumid=98&pictureid=406[/IMG]

Posted on 9 years ago
#17
Posts: 343 Threads: 65

Oh my! Jaw dropping results. GREAT job!

Bowing

Dan
(red66charger)

Looking for:
- L.A. Camco 12" Stradivarius Tom Tom
Posted on 9 years ago
#18
Posts: 1292 Threads: 147

Wow! Those look fantastic!

1964 Ludwig Champagne Super Classic
1970 Ludwig Blue Oyster Super Classic
1977 Rogers Big R Londoner 5 ebony
1972/1978 Rogers Powertone/Big R mix ebony
60's Ludwig Supersensitive
Pearl B4514 COB snare ( the SC snare)
Pearl Firecracker
PJL WMP maple snare
Odds & Sods

Sabians, Paistes, Zildjians, Zyns, UFIPs, MIJs etc
Item may be subject to change!
Posted on 9 years ago
#19
Posts: 763 Threads: 110

Wow,... such a transformation !!!

How wonderful to see Camco set number 500 was given a second chance.

These drum are worth it.

Please let us know what process your "local guy" used to get this amazing result.

Posted on 9 years ago
#20
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