Dennis played Blue Moire.

Miles played Kind Of Blue...

The Band

Thanks for the reply on Wilson's drums being blue moire. Any pictures?

Did someone say that Donn Bennett had them at one time?

This has been an interesting thread. The thought of owning a well preserved Camco kit or George Way kit is something that has always intrigued me and seeing some of the information here just reinforces that. DolFan, you kits and snares are outstanding!

I read the comment on the undersized shells and have heard a lot about their distinctive bearing edges. From what I understand, the bearing edges may have been customized per the size of the shell. I would be very interested in hearing more about that and any other comments about why these drums sound so great. Why do you think current manufacturers cannot duplicate this? I find all of this fascinating.

By the way, the first song I ever played on a kit was "A Taste of Honey" because that was the kind of stuff my parents listened to when I was a kid. I was secretly pretty fascinated with the album cover too as I recall. All of the comments about Nic Ceroli and the TJB brought back a lot of memories.

Fascinating. Without ever having had an opportunity to hear these in person, would you describe their tuning range as versatile? My assumption is that they are the definition of warm and resonant. I really appreciate you guys trying to describe these for me.

It just seems like, with the exception of available old growth wood, that one would be able to duplicate these with the proper resources. (not necessarily an individual per se, but a company with shell manufacturing presses.) I know that drum manufacturing has changed and the double 45º bearing edge is kind of all the rage these days. I have heard it said from someone who should know that the main reason for a double 45 is simply the fact that you can use the same router bit on two passes and be done.

All I can say is "ooooo, Camco" (kind of like Homer Simpson saying "oooo, donuts.")

George Way, Oaklawn and Chanute era Camco all share one thing in common. Jasper shells. The plies very from era - era but the overall thickness stays the same. That is why the basic tone is there in GW and Camco drums from Oaklawn and Chanute.

The shells from LA are vastly different as the shells are Keller and are far more undersized than earlier Camco eras. The bearing edge is also very different and for those reasons LA Camco drums sound far different than the other two eras.

I prefer the Jasper shells but from a construction stand point I'd have to say LA Camco drums are some of the best built drums I've ever seen.

[QUOTE=tnsquint;201836]I read the comment on the undersized shells and have heard a lot about their distinctive bearing edges. From what I understand, the bearing edges may have been customized per the size of the shell. QUOTE]

According to Ben Strauss of Rogers: " Leedy developed the floating head principle. We took the floating head principle and made smaller shells..."

According to Rob Cook: Rogers shell profiles differed per shell size.

That us certainly true of the older Rogers bass drums I have seen. The bearing edge is almost non existant. Lots of wood to head contact which I think is a good thing and something many modern manufacturers lack.

Because I work on so many different drums, I have become familiar with the different bearing edge profiles used by the major drum manufacturers. Camco drums, specifically the Geo. Way and Oaklawn drums, have one of the most unique bearing edge profiles I have seen. I haven't measured it, but it appears to be a shallow 30 degree back-cut, combined with, what is the biggest/fattest outside round-over I have ever seen on any other drums. I'm with tnsquint in that, I believe the increased head to shell contact that is facilitated by the large round-over is responsible for a lot of the warmth and resonance of Camco drums. The combination of shell construction (specifically Jasper shells) combined with that great bearing edge profile, sets Camco drums head and shoulders, soundwise, above all other brands. Just my opinion. I don't pretend to be an 'expert' on Camco's.

John

Purdie,

I think that is what I am getting at. Yours is, by far the most detailed description of their bearing edges, but that is what I envisioned when I've heard other people discuss this.

Wood aside (and I understand that is a big part of the sound) how hard could it be to replicate a big round over edge? It seems like it can't be that mysterious. Has anyone tried DW's more recent "vintage" style kits? I don't recall what they've called them but apparently they have put together a shell layup that is more vintage in nature and have theoretically added a round over edge.

This kind of thing fascinates me. If I were a wood worker I would be buying raw shells and experimenting like there was no tomorrow. Unfortunately my wood working skills are pedestrian at best.