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Camco Drums

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I've currently got three Camco kits and have had two others previously. Camcos were made at three different locations - Oaklawn, Chanute and Los Angeles.

Collectors tend to have a real thing about the Oaklawn drums over the others but I've had kits from all locations and they're all great but the Oaklawns have that more classic 60s sound. The LAs were the classic 70s studio drum and you'll hear them on more records from that period than you'll realise. Notable for having considerably under-sized shells which gave the toms an almost timpani-like quality.

Camco were always the smallest of the US manufacturers and, despite having been responsible for some genuine innovations, they never really cracked the lucrative rock market (but the jazzers loved 'em) and couldn't withstand the Japanese influx with their superior stands and fittings for much lower prices (the problem for all the US manufacturers at the time).

In 1978, after a few different owners, they eventually sold the toolings to the fledgling Drum Workshop (who weren't even making drums at the time) and the name and some other elements (including their pedal design) to Tama which is why you will often seen the very fine Camco by Tama bass drum pedals. Tama also had a stab at making "TAMACamco" drums which wasn't really a success despite the drums being pretty OK (though not very collectable in today's market) and they briefly had Elvin Jones as an endorser.

Camco originally came from the George Way Drum Company, George Way being one of the greatest innovators of 20th century drum manufacture (he's the guy who came up with the distinctive turret lugs amongst many other things).

Very, very early DW (up until maybe the mid-1980s) bear a slight resemblance to LA Camcos but this is long before DW became a big name in drum world so these are probably rarer than Camcos.

I'm sure others can add some stuff. Here's one of mine (an Oaklawn re-wrap).

Posted on 15 years ago
#11
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Great summary of Camco history and nice rewrapped kit.

One difference between early drums and the LA and DW years, is the different bearing edge. I tend to like the sound of both.

Posted on 15 years ago
#12
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From Antipodes

I've currently got three Camco kits and have had two others previously. Camcos were made at three different locations - Oaklawn, Chanute and Los Angeles. Collectors tend to have a real thing about the Oaklawn drums over the others but I've had kits from all locations and they're all great but the Oaklawns have that more classic 60s sound. The LAs were the classic 70s studio drum and you'll hear them on more records from that period than you'll realise. Notable for having considerably under-sized shells which gave the toms an almost timpani-like quality. Camco were always the smallest of the US manufacturers and, despite having been responsible for some genuine innovations, they never really cracked the lucrative rock market (but the jazzers loved 'em) and couldn't withstand the Japanese influx with their superior stands and fittings for much lower prices (the problem for all the US manufacturers at the time). In 1978, after a few different owners, they eventually sold the toolings to the fledgling Drum Workshop (who weren't even making drums at the time) and the name and some other elements (including their pedal design) to Tama which is why you will often seen the very fine Camco by Tama bass drum pedals. Tama also had a stab at making "TAMACamco" drums which wasn't really a success despite the drums being pretty OK (though not very collectable in today's market) and they briefly had Elvin Jones as an endorser. Camco originally came from the George Way Drum Company, George Way being one of the greatest innovators of 20th century drum manufacture (he's the guy who came up with the distinctive turret lugs amongst many other things).Very, very early DW (up until maybe the mid-1980s) bear a slight resemblance to LA Camcos but this is long before DW became a big name in drum world so these are probably rarer than Camcos.I'm sure others can add some stuff. Here's one of mine (an Oaklawn re-wrap).

If that kit is a 20,12,14, I had an identical kit I bought new in about 1965. Wonderful drums. Currently I have a green sparkle be bop re-wrap. 18,12,14. Gigged the crap out of both of them. Love Camcos.

Posted on 15 years ago
#13
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I'm really thinking about picking one of these up guys. Hopefully ina month or two I'll show you some pictures.


Recent Purchases
-1961 SBP Pioneer Snare Drum
-1962 SBP Super Classic w/ Matching COB Supra

Working On
-1963 Red Sparkle Hollywood w/ matching Super Classic Snare

Recently Completed
-1964 WMP Super Classic
Posted on 15 years ago
#14
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"If that kit is a 20,12,14,"

Yes, it is with the cute extra that it's a 12" deep bass drum which I've totally fallen for.

I've got a massive sized Oaklawn oval badge kit from around 1970 with, for the time, a very unusual 24" x 18" bass drum (made up of a 10" and 8" shell joined together with glue rings). So quaint.....

Drumbum, good luck with your search but mint kits tend to be very pricey.

Posted on 15 years ago
#15
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Thanks....I'll just wait for the right one to come by for cheap.:)


Recent Purchases
-1961 SBP Pioneer Snare Drum
-1962 SBP Super Classic w/ Matching COB Supra

Working On
-1963 Red Sparkle Hollywood w/ matching Super Classic Snare

Recently Completed
-1964 WMP Super Classic
Posted on 15 years ago
#16
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i had a chrome over wood la snare,best ive ever owned,got broke and had to sell,camco drums cost a fortune in the uk and id love a set,would part with my beloved luddy for one!

69 super classic 63 supra paiste 2000
Posted on 15 years ago
#17
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Hi All

I'm lucky enough to own a 22, 12, 13, 16 Camco in maple that I use in smaller "jazzy" venues and a 70's Slingerland 24, 13, 14, 18 chrome clad for bigger gigs. Love them both. Also have a Yamaha 9000 RC that I thought was the business until I got the Slingerlands.

Gary
1970 WMP Star
1971 Gretsch
1976 Camco
1972 Slingerland
1982 Yamaha 9000 RC
FVF custom kit
AD Drums custom kit
RCI acrylic kit
Arbiter Flats Pro
Ludwig402, Premier2000, Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute, Ahead COB,
Posted on 15 years ago
#18
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From drumbum3131

Who played Camco back in the day? does anyone have some information about the brand. Are these sets collectable...if so WHY??? Rare brand not Rare?

Nick Cerolli with TJB

Posted on 15 years ago
#19
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I've got the LA version. Click on my sig link to see 'em...

fishwaltz
Posted on 15 years ago
#20
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