I think the Oaklawn Camco's are the most sought after Camco's. I'm no expert, but prices seem to point in that direction. I wouldn't wrap them for 2 reasons. 1. Originality = higher resale value and 2. Sound. It could change the character of the drums.

Nice looking set - Play them as they are and have fun!!

p.s. I have access to and frequently play an earlier WMP Oaklawn snare (with the long lugs) and it's by far the best sounding snare I've ever heard.

They have already been refinished doe's that lower their value?

To me, drums are worth nothing until you sell them. And a set like that, if it sounds like I think it does, then I wouldn't part with it. So my vote is leave the finish as is, play them and love them. Music first.

Without a question, refinishing lowers the value. If the refin is a pro job, then I'd leave them alone. If it's not and you want to sell them, while getting the highest price possible, then a pro refin or re-wrap back to the original color/wrap would be the best you could do (assuming you know the original color/wrap).

If they were mine, I'd leave them alone unless they were butt-ugly, but then again... if they were mine, I likely wouldn't be selling them. I'd be playing them as often as I could.

I agree with Blueflame and Big Daddy, don't change a thing and play them like crazy!

I would rewrap them. I would leave them as they are and play them until your limbs start coming off!! :-)

nice kit I must say.

Harrison

Saw these on ebay and was sorely tempted myself, despite my difficult geography.

Like they all say, unless there's something intrinsically wrong with them as they are, don't re-wrap 'em. I've got a Camco "bitzer" kit of Chanute and LA (a mistake - what can I say) which I was kind of forced to recover but your situation is different. I will however post a photo of my recovered kit because, well, I did a really good job.

And, on a general note, Oaklawn do seem to have the collector's vote in the U.S. over Chanute and L.A. Outside of the U.S. it's a different story 'cause the Oaklawn stuff was pretty much never exported as far as I can tell (at least I've never seen an Oaklawn kit ex-US and I look out for this stuff). The Oaklawn's had the 60's Ludwig-style white painted interiors which were dropped when they moved to Chanute and later LA.

Are Oaklawn better? I think it's becoming more a matter of myth than anything and probably more than a little to do with the fact that the Oaklawn are sixties and the others are seventies. But from what I've seen and heard the shells are pretty much made the same, the bearing edges are the same, the actual internal finish on the later stuff is excellent (though not painted white) and I've had recording engineers on two continents go nuts for the sound I got on the later ones.

Value is all about perception - and the perception is that Oaklawn are better - so I guess they are.

And anyone with any spare Camco stuff - I'm always interested.

Xmas greetings from disturbingly warm Sweden.

D

I sent This set to Matt Sinyard of Bonzo drums for a wrap and an overhall. Matt and I agreed the wrap is to be Bronze glass glitter. Matt is very excited about the project and will be showcaseing it on his site when its Done in about a month. (www.bonzodrums.com) I'll be back with pictures when I can ........Thanks for all you great input

Good luck with it. Only (last minute) comment is that all wraps will affect the drums' resonance compared to a straight lacquer job. Glass glitters I believe tend to be the heaviest. Look forward to seeing the pix - glad someone else other than me in this place has a Camco thing going on.

D