Camco

Camco

Also known as: Camco Drums, Camco Drum Company, LA Camco, Oaklawn Camco

Unclaimed

Camco is an American drum brand whose legacy traces back to 1961, when production of Camco drums was moved from the George H. Way factory in Elkhart, Indiana, to Oaklawn, Illinois. The company went through several ownership changes, with production shifting to Chanute, Kansas under Kustom ownership in 1971, and then to Los Angeles in 1973. After the original company wound down in the late 1970s...

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Camco is an American drum brand whose legacy traces back to 1961, when production of Camco drums was moved from the George H. Way factory in Elkhart, Indiana, to Oaklawn, Illinois. The company went through several ownership changes, with production shifting to Chanute, Kansas under Kustom ownership in 1971, and then to Los Angeles in 1973. After the original company wound down in the late 1970s, its drum-making assets were acquired by Drum Workshop (DW), while Hoshino Gakki (Tama) took over rights to the Camco name for hardware — most notably the chain-drive bass drum pedal.

The brand is best known for its high-grade maple shells, round lugs, and distinctive bearing edges, as well as its chain-drive bass drum pedal, widely regarded as a direct predecessor to the modern DW 5000. The so-called "LA Camco" kits of the mid-1970s became favorites among West Coast session players. Vintage Camco drums command some of the highest prices in the collector market, prized for their tone and build quality.

Notable drummers historically associated with Camco include Jeff Porcaro, Jim Keltner, Jim Gordon, Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys, and Doug Clifford of Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Camco has 5 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Bass Drum Pedals and Drum Sets. Their gear is featured by 6 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Metal, and Pop. Notable users include Doug Clifford, Gene Hoglan, and Jarrod Alexander.

Artists Who Use Camco

Doug Clifford uses 1 Camco product

Doug Clifford

Drummer · Creedence Clearwater Revival

Gene Hoglan uses 1 Camco product

Gene Hoglan

Drummer · Death (Metal Band)

Jarrod Alexander uses 1 Camco product

Jarrod Alexander

Drummer · My Chemical Romance

Dennis Wilson uses 1 Camco product

Dennis Wilson

Singer, Drummer · The Beach Boys

Michael Shrieve uses 1 Camco product

Michael Shrieve

Drummer, Composer · Santana

Billy Ficca uses 1 Camco product

Billy Ficca

Drummer · Television

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