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Mystery Camco's ?? Last viewed: 5 hours ago

Posts: 17 Threads: 9

I'm new to the forum and but so far from what I've read this appears to be an excellent source of information and I thank in advance anyone who can help and thanks for the folks who have put this forum together. OK here we go I recently traded for a three piece set set of what I believe are LA Badge Camco's - 12" 15" 24" and no snare, they are in a rough shape as you can see by the pics and I have some questions:

Questions:

1. Does this look like an legitimate Camco set to you? (the tom mount holes have me confused)

2. Why have the lugs taken on that dark color (I'm assuming the chrome has worn off and its showing the brass underneath)

3. Why the odd sizes especially the 15" tom? was this this part of a larger set maybe or were there 3 piece sets in those size configurations?

4. Looking at the holes left where the tom mounts were removed it does not appear to be the hole configuration for an Camco tom mount, why does a Rogers tom mount fit it correctly?

5. Also the outside finish does it look original to you? (both toms appear to have been painted white on the inside. )

And then lastly I'm not sure what to do with these, I would love to see them restored but not sure how much the hardware would cost, or where to find it? And the tome lugs should I have them re-chromed or leave them as is? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance!!

Best,

Chris

Posted on 15 years ago
#1
Posts: 816 Threads: 72

It was fairly common for people to "upgrade" tom mounts on Camco kits in the 70' and 80's. Before that, many kits were ordered without tom mounts or with other brands (Rogers Swivomatic mounts were common in the 60's). Yours were fitted with Rogers Memrilok hardware. There was a tom mount bracket for the BD on Ebay just the other day.

Camco hardware was not highly regarded by many drummers.

Which city is listed on the badges; I suspect LA? That will determine age. Also, interior pics would be helpful.

By the way, you should thrash the former owner of that kit.Sumo Dude

Posted on 15 years ago
#2
Posts: 4715 Threads: 299

Welcome! And I don't know much at all about Camco, but I can tell you this, the first thing to do before thinking about replacing or rechroming lugs, take some rubbing compound and try to clean the years off them, then see what is under there.

"Ignorance may be overcome through education. Stupidity, however, is a lifelong endeavor." So, educate me, I don't likes bein' ignant...
"I enjoy restoring 60s Japanese "stencil" drums...I can actually afford them..."I rescue the worst of the old valueless drums for disadvantaged Children and gladly accept donations of parts, pieces and orphans, No cockroaches, please...
http://www.youtube.com/user/karstenboy
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Posted on 15 years ago
#3
Posts: 10 Threads: 7

The color looks like "Alice Cooper White" which was legit...The interiors should be clear. I think the lugs look cool...

Posted on 15 years ago
#4
Posts: 715 Threads: 59

The lugs appear to be the highly rare gold plated lugs. They are in poor shape. It does look like Alice Cooper white as mentioned above. Most likely there is a floor tom and possibly a 3rd tom that went with your kit. Badges are hard to come by but they do appear from time to time on Ebay. I hope you got those cheap as they need a lot of work to make them pretty again not to mention a floor tom. Definitely L.A. era Camco drums. L.A. used Keller shells not Jasper like Oaklawn & Chanute era Camcos.

1957 George Way BDP 26" concert bass drum
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
Posted on 15 years ago
#5
Posts: 17 Threads: 9

OK so this is all really excellent information, Alice Cooper white, Keller shells, possibly the ever elusive gold hardware. But if I choose to restore at least the three shells that I have based on their current state (finish is spidering, chipped and overall really bad) would you just rewrap then in something like a marine pearl or some sparkle color or is it possible to restore

that Alice Cooper white back to original? If so how does one go about that.....thanks again guys you have been gracious with your information. Also its missing the the spurs for the bass drum are those difficult to find?

**I'm going to take some rubbing compound to the lugs this weekend and see what's under there, I'll upload some pics of the results.

Posted on 15 years ago
#6
Posts: 156 Threads: 22

Was this by any chance the Craigslist kit being sold by a gal looking to trade for a MAC book?

If so.. Good for you!! She returned my call once and then I never heard from her again...

With regard to cleaning up the lugs-- I use Simichrome to polish hoops, lugs, etc. and have had great success. For really detailed work I have lately been using a $20 pack of battery-powered ultrasonic toothbrushes in combination with a lot of elbow grease. Most of the George Way lugs that I thought would have to be trashed turned out to be quite lovely after a little time-intesive polishing...

Jeff


- Current restoration Project: Geo Way 5 piece
- 60's Oaklawn Walnut Camco kit (12/12/14/20) matching Snare (Camco hardware and Paiste black logo 2002s)
- 70's LA Maple Camco kit (12/13/16/22) matching Oaklawn snare (Rogers hardware and Paiste Signatures/Mellow ride)
- 70's Blue Vistalite Ludwig Monster kit (6/8/12/13/14/15/16/18/24) matching snare (all Hercules hardware, all Zidljian shadow logos)
Posted on 15 years ago
#7
Posts: 816 Threads: 72

You can find the thinner diameter 70's Ludwig curved spurs on Ebay or buy reproductions that will match the later production Oaklawn and LA Camco spurs.

Posted on 15 years ago
#8
Posts: 17 Threads: 9

Yes as a matter of fact it was that Craigslist post!! As you can see in my previous posts they are a mess but I'll use your tip for Simichrome and post some results - and also thanks to the other gentlemen for the tip on the spurs, all very helpful.

Posted on 15 years ago
#9
Posts: 879 Threads: 74

If those lugs are gold plated, they probably only need a good cleaning. Gold does not tarnish. Also the gold plating is more than likely extremely thin. I would NOT use any thing abrasive like rubbing compound.

Posted on 15 years ago
#10
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