1962 Camco Oaklawn Snare Drum Restoration

It's almost cheating to call this snare drum project a restoration. Technically, yes, I restored it and ensured it was fully functional, vintage original (except heads). I'm actually calling an audible...from this point forward, heads are not and should not be considered an aspect of a qualification for "vintage original" or period correct. There are just way too many variables to even include heads, unless on rare occasion. If someone says, vintage original, automatically assume it means everything except the heads.

For example (humor my aside about original heads), I'm also in the midst of a mid-80s Ludwig Classic rewrap and restoration...most of the heads are original, period-correct Ludwig/Remo Silver dot, marked Ludwig Rockers. And every head is trashed ... stick dented, over tuned and stretched, taped like a bad art project, and just plain useless. Yes, I would love to keep them, but I'm not. They are going in the round file. (Rant done.)

Back to this Camco Oaklawn snare drum restoration.

The drum made its way to the shop via a local music academy. It was in its original case from the early '60s, along with a chrome-over-brass snare stand, extra parts, original Camco drum key and rudiment book. I don't think it had been played since the early 60s. A few lessons at school maybe then back in the case and stored in an attic. 

The white marine pearl wrap was and is pristine. Check out the shots of the snare drum without the lug casings. You will see very minimal yellowing in the wrap. So what did it need? This one needed a thorough cleaning, lug casings stripped off, cleaned, packed and protected, shell buffed, and new snare wires.

One of the treasures I found while doing this restoration was the original pencil markings on the bearing edges to mark lug casing placement and snare throwoff placement. Seeing that brought me back to an age where hand-crafted snare drums earned there place in drumming history. 

This Camco Oaklawn era snare drum is in transit to a very happy and appreciative client in Chile.