Found a picture of one of the Elvin kits from the same Tama/Camco period. Can't help but wonder just how many 18/12/14's they actually made.
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/agopsalott/EJ1.jpg[/IMG]
I'm also reading in a 2009 thread here that the drums with the inlay around the shells were called the Renaissance Series. Here's another shot.
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/agopsalott/-4-5.jpg[/IMG]
That photo of Elvins kit is interesting. It has the traditional type of Camco badge but the later lugs. Things certainly got confusing during this period of Camcos history.
Further to my earlier comment, if it says "USA" it's probably USA.
I know very little about Camcos, but regarding the comments about it being made in the USA simply because "it says so"...
When I got into Kramer guitars years ago, I discovered that the only truly America-made Kramers were made back in the 70's. Their entire line of instruments changed in the 80's and were popularized by Eddie Van Halen.
The necks from both the American line, and the Japanese line (The Focus series) were manufactured side-by-side, and the company that made then was the now-famous ESP company. It's possible that many of the bodies were made in Japan as well.
The difference was that the American line was assembled in the Kramer plant in Neptune, NJ.
I know that's a guitar company, but this reminded me of that. I just figured I'd throw it out there...food for thought.
So, it's entirely possible that parts were manufactured overseas, but assembled here in the states on those late Camcos. Either way, that's a very nice-looking little set of drums you've got there! :)
My money is on MIJ.
I was hoping this serial number off the 12" would make it easier to determine if the shells are USA or Japan.
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/agopsalott/-3-5.jpg[/IMG]
Either way I'm hoping to get the kit, clean it up, maybe gig it a few times and then see what the owner wants to do with them. Won't touch those original Camco heads. I'll keep ya posted. Thanks again for all the info.
Gigged this kit last night. Here's a few rough cell phone pics. They sounded very nice.
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/agopsalott/-4-6.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/agopsalott/-2-8.jpg[/IMG]
Nice kitI have plain maple finish, 22undrilled,12,13 and 16. Your shells don't appear to have re.rings, neither do mine.Mine also have the paper serial number stickers inside.I'm not sure where shells were made but I had a set of the original 80's Tama Superstars in same maple finish and from memory I'd say shells very,similar.Where ever they were made mine sound great(as did the Tamas). Gary
ive got a super maple tama superstar and the shells look VERY similar,i wonder if they are the same?
About the made in USA thing...
As long as they were assembled here, an entity could use the Made In USA claim. Also, If the badges are the old Camco type, I would assume they were LA Camco shells that Tama acquired. I've heard that if you bought a 'Tamco' (Tama / Camco) you had a slight chance of getting Camco shells way back then. As someone mentioned: if it has re-rings, it's Camco shells. If not, it's Tama. That's what I've heard anyway. Regardless, that Bop kit looks like it would be a sweet kit.
thinking on,didnt they do a tama snare with that strange pattern on them?
