I'm new to Camco, having just put my very first set together in the past 12 months. Anybody feel like discussing what it is that makes them so excited about these drums. Sound, design, etc. Also George Way drums of which I own one 16" tom. For me, I think these are some classy looking drum. I love the round lug design and what a cool badge. But the meat and potatoes is the sound. I've owned quite a few vintage and modern day drums.And I've pretty much enjoyed them all.But one day many moons ago I heard my first Camco set at this Hotel here in town and could not believe the sound. The drummer had no microphones on his drums so what I was hearing was just the natural sound of the drums.I could not believe the tone coming from these things." One day, one day " I gotta get a set of these. after years go buy and you hear a thousand other drums you wonder if those drums actually sounded as great as you remembered .Now that I have my own, YES THEY DO!!!!! No matter how I tune them they sound great. What a blessing it is to own a set of Camcos.
Camco Drums
The rail in the center indicates that at one time that bass drum held twin 12" toms. Twin 12" toms and rails are pretty much non-existent in the Chnaute era so my best guess w/o seeing the drums would be that they are Oaklawns. If you count plies and get either 3 or 4 plies then that would determine that they are indeed Oaklawn and 6 plies could go either Oaklawn or Chanute.
For me it's the 4ply shells and the COB hoops of the early Oaklawns that really grab me when it comes to Camco drums.
1959 George Way BDP 22/12/16 w/ 5.5x14
1959 George Way Green Sparkle 22/12/16 w/5.5x14
1961 George Way Blue Sparkle 20/12/15
1961 George Way Jelly Bean 20/12/14 w/4.5x14
1960’s Camco Oaklawn Champagne 20/12/14/16w/5x14
1971-73 Camco Chanute Walnut 24/14/18 w/5x14 COB
I think the drummer who was on the first couple of Al Jarreau albums played Camco. I believe Joe Correro was his name . I also believe this is the same drummer that is or was in a version of Paul Revere and The Raiders.
Nick Ceroli (Tijuana Brass & others), Dennis Wilson (Beach Boys), Jeff Porcaro (Toto & gazillions of other artists--played LA Camcos some, but endorsed Pearl), Jim Gordon (Leon Russell, Derek & the Dominoes & many others), Jim Keltner (tour & studio), and more I can't recall.
I think the drummer on the first couple of Al Jarreau albums played Camco. I believe his name is Joe Correro. Also I think this is the same drummer that is or was in a version of Paul Revere and The Raiders.
Here I am playing my LA era 10x14,16x18 and 14x24 Natural maple Camcos...I also have a Chanute era 9x13,10x14,16x18,14x24 Dark walnut set, and a Green sparkle (rewrapped) Chanute 8x12,9x13,16x16,14x22,5x14and some orphans too...oh, and the Diamond of my crown: 5x14 3D moire snare...
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wHu_4w6hFA[/ame]
Cause you got the bug dont'cha?
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Can't wait getting mine and playing on it...
All I read about Camco drums is so great...
I read the bearing edges were special weren't they?
Have a nice day!
Charles/Pollux
C&C Drums - player date europe 22 13 16
Camco LA Natural Maple 22 13 16
C&C PDE, Ludwig LM404 (1969), DW Maple 1982
Bosphorus (Masters, Master Vintage, Black Pearl, Turk, Hammer, Traditional)
Play for the song, not for your ego!
I've been a Camco nut for years and I think it comes from when I was in high school. They had a 22/12/13/16 in walnut. This was 1980-83. I've had quite a few Camco drums come my WAY and I currently own 2 kits and 6 snare drums. Here is my favorite, an early 1960's Oaklawn Nick Ciroli Outfit with a rare 12x20 bass drum! I'm still looking for a matching snare but the 5x14 burgundy sparkle Tuxedo Studio Model does just fine for now. [IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Camco%20Oaklawn/IMG_0603-1.jpg[/IMG] This kit is one of the best sounding kits I've ever owned. A 24/14/18 Chanute in walnut from 1971-73.[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Camco%20Oaklawn/Camco%20Chanute/P1010374.jpg[/IMG]These days I mostly collect George Way drums that were made from 1957-1961.[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/George%20Way/IMG_0767.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/George%20Way/P1010335.jpg[/IMG] Here's the skinny on shell construction.George Way 1957-1960 - 3 ply Jasper shellsGeorge Way 1961 - 4 ply Jasper shellsCamco Oaklawn 1961-mid-60's - 4 ply Jasper shellsCamco Oaklawn mid-60's - 1971 - 6 ply Jasper shellsCamco Chanute 1971-1973 - 6 ply Jasper shellsCamco L.A. 1973-1978 - 6ply Keller shellsCamco drums from the L.A. era sound the most like DW as DW initially used Keller shells. They also sound most like Rogers drums as well.I prefer the 4 ply Jasper shells and early Camco drums have beautiful COB hoops, 2 reasons early Oaklawns are sought out more than the other eras.But I prefer a 3 ply Jasper George Way drum over any Camco, but that's another story!
Hey DolFan,
I have one of those weird super adjustable tom mounts (like on the Green Sparkle kit) just sitting here taking up space.........
need another one?
Blair
...I also have a Chanute era 9x13,10x14,16x18,14x24 Dark walnut set, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wHu_4w6hFA
Dark walnut was called Ebony Stain and is a bit rare.
1959 George Way BDP 22/12/16 w/ 5.5x14
1959 George Way Green Sparkle 22/12/16 w/5.5x14
1961 George Way Blue Sparkle 20/12/15
1961 George Way Jelly Bean 20/12/14 w/4.5x14
1960’s Camco Oaklawn Champagne 20/12/14/16w/5x14
1971-73 Camco Chanute Walnut 24/14/18 w/5x14 COB
1959 George Way BDP 22/12/16 w/ 5.5x14
1959 George Way Green Sparkle 22/12/16 w/5.5x14
1961 George Way Blue Sparkle 20/12/15
1961 George Way Jelly Bean 20/12/14 w/4.5x14
1960’s Camco Oaklawn Champagne 20/12/14/16w/5x14
1971-73 Camco Chanute Walnut 24/14/18 w/5x14 COB
Nope.......only the swivel parts that connect tom to BD.............
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