I have a fake one that was cut down from a 10x14 marching snare drum.

Hey, Steve!

Some time ago you were kind enough to inform me that you were only aware of two of these "in circulation." I'm just trying to find out if anyone else might have picked one up since then. Any idea why this model is apparently so rare?

I speculate that the main reason this model is so rare is the usual reason for the rarity of drum models. There were not very many of them sold in the first place. George Way drums were like the Studebakers of the drum world---way ahead of their time and under-appreciated when they were new. Another reason is probably that Mr. Way's little company was undercapitalized. Lack of funds did not allow for Mr. Way to put his advertising genius to work in setting up adequate production and distribution. His innovative drums also paid homage to some great drums of the past. He lost his little company to a creditor that subcontracted metal products for building his drums.

Leedy - I've been hacking away for 48 years. Been buying/selling/trading kits almost the entire time. George Way, and later Oaklawn Camco drums are -bar none- the very best sounding/playing drums ever made in America. Period, end of thought. There just isn't anything else that even comes close. DW tries, but it's a joke. There just is no comparison.

Rare or not, I'm scooping up every Camco or Geo. Way drum that comes my way. They need to be collected, played and kept alive for future generations of drummers. American classics!

John

You have my full agreement about the second-to-none quality of the Oaklawn Camcos. I have become aware of the George Way drums late in life. I was just not very knowledgeable about some drum makers even though I spent the first half of my life 30 minutes away from Oak Lawn, Illinois and one hour from Elkhart. People here who know me are quite aware that I have have respect for DW ONLY for their marketing successes with overpriced good drums with the gimmick of the lug shape created by George Way. I consider Camco, Slingerland, Leedy, and Rogers to be the best of the best. Each of these brands has its own type of magic for me. I will add Walberg & Auge to my short list because of their uniqueness.