Originally Posted by idrum4fun

Here's 5 pictures of a Camco kit that sold on eBay way back in March of 2003. Sure looks much greener than Moss Green! Anyway, this should help whet your appetite to restore your Camco kit!

Mark

Who saves the photos? Lol ... Gorgeous! We're a crazy bunch aren't we?

What a great kit, congratulations!

Be aware that they're 2 versions of moss green.

The pale version is the early one seen in the Oaklawn period.
The darker one is from the later Chanute and Los Angeles periods.

Originally Posted by stedi

What a great kit, congratulations!

Be aware that they're 2 versions of moss green.

The pale version is the early one seen in the Oaklawn period.
The darker one is from the later Chanute and Los Angeles periods.

After seeing those two pictures I think I would leave these drums as they are, original.

I have no intentions of altering the toms and bass drum. I had been looking for this kit in this finish for nearly ten years when I found these. The drums have no modifications to them and I intend to leave them that way. The snare drum is the only thing that needs attention. Someone already ruined it's originality by stripping it's wrap while trying to make it match the rest of the set. I only want to put a better quality finish on it and make it match a little better.

This must be the kit with all the Rogers hardware that was on Ebay.

A beautiful set of drums, congratulations!

The snare is clearly a stripped shell as it has a white interior. The natural Camco finished drums in the Oaklawn and Chanute period all had clear interiors. They're 2 versions of COB Camco hoops. Both have the curved ears but only the earlier ones have the rolled over top edge. They're also taller and heavier. The ones you have are slightly lighter and have indeed a weld spot.

When trying to match the snare to the rest of the kit, be aware that, what Camco used in those days, is not a real stain. The areas where the finish is scratched off, are clearly lighter so the color never really penetrated into the wood grain. What they used is more like a colored varnish. It's fairly easy to remove it. I hope your snare is done the same way. Attached you can find some pictures of a Camco Chanute kit that I restored. I used a walnut stain (1 coat) and 4 layers of polyurethane vanish. By using this method, the stain penetrates deep into the wood and won't come off. Achieving a perfect match will be difficult and what bart said: you would need to try out different swatches. Also be aware that once you start applying the top varnish coats, the appearance changes dramatically.

Stedi, you sure did a wonderful job on those! Makes me want to strip the wrap off of mine and make them natural wood.

NSparkman, I have been reading the entire thread but had already forgotten that you were only speaking of the snare drum as far as refinishing is concerned, sorry I made that mistake.
I have done a lot of stain, paint and finish matching over the years and the biggest problem will be the fact that the snare will have a new finish and will never look like the aged finish on the other drums. I am struggling with that right now on a cabinet job. I think your getting some good advice on what to do, especially the part about experimenting with some maple veneer. Please keep us to date on the project, this is interesting stuff!

Originally Posted by NSparkman

I remember seeing that set! I wonder if that is the original shade of green or if they were refinished. It definitely looks much greener than the chanute catalog finish. My bass drum actually has matching stained hoops with silver sparkle inlays.

I own a set of Chanutes and sure sure would love to see a copy of that catalog. I poked around on line and found some low resolution pics. Anybody got a better on line link or info on a Chanute Camco catalog ? I see a Camco catalog sold last month on ebay for $40.

Best of luck with your Camco project. You're gonna love those drums !

Doug

Originally Posted by Drum Doug

I own a set of Chanutes and sure sure would love to see a copy of that catalog. I poked around on line and found some low resolution pics. Anybody got a better on line link or info on a Chanute Camco catalog ? I see a Camco catalog sold last month on ebay for $40.

Best of luck with your Camco project. You're gonna love those drums !

Doug

The Moss Green finish is a bit of a mysterie,...

During the Oaklawn period, they're was only the pale version, just like the set NSparkman bought. During the Chanute period, there seem to have been 2 versions. The catalog shows the light version but the link and the second picture clearly shows the other version.

On Los Angeles drum, I've only seen the darker/brighter version.
The brochure however, doesn't advertise Moss Green,...

http://www.classicvintagedrums.com/i...roducts_id=627

Stedi,

Thank you very much for the links and info - I appreciate it !

Doug

Just wanted to say congrats. Beautiful drums. The interiors look so nice and clean too. I hope to someday see what all the Camco buzz is about and grab some of these. On a long wish list of mine. The only Camco's I played was my old drum teacher's kit back in the 70's. He and his Dad were jazz drummers and both had Camco 20-14-12-14s kits. Great sounding drums! Your finish is such a cool color too. Very nice hope you enjoy them for many moons.