George Way sold to DW

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DolFan54 said:
Actually the first Camco drums produced in 1961/62 were just George Way drums that were rebadged. 4 ply maple gum gum maple shells with wide 4 ply rerings. They eventually did their own 4ply shells with a skinnier rering. Around 1965 they switched to a 6ply shell. If you collect enough Camco drums you will discover that there were at least 3 different bearing edges. I think it just depended on who was cutting bearing edges on any particular day.
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Thanks for the info. Are you saying that Camco produced shells in-house at some point? If so, I had never heard that. I'd read here and elsewhere that Way and Camco shells were all sourced from Jasper.
Not to hijack. I'd love to see an *accurate* Oaklawn Camco reissue. The shell is only part of the magical formula.
 
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Ronn Dunnett said:
Because of the way my material is sourced and sheared, it is coated in a plastic film to protect the natural finish from damage during shearing, rolling and welding. Yes, I fabricate my own shells, but I do not have enough room in my humble little shop for smelting titanium. ;}. In some circles that reduces me to being an "assembler" - a term generally used to try to belittle drum builders. So far I have assembled 11-12 patents, some of which are licensed to Remo and Sonor. ;}
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"Smelting Titanium". Permission to use as a band name?

It will be interesting to see what DW does with the George H. Way Drum Company. Can you confirm or deny that it won't be shuttered?
 
Ronn Dunnett said:
Well, I think I got pretty close to what I believe George was trying to achieve. Manufacturing back in the day was much different than it is now. When your dealing with such a gap in production you really have to think about where things would be when you pick up. Not easy, but I think I designed some of the best plywood shells ever made. I am biased of course.
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Hopefully, this transition is a favorable one, congrats on the sale and milestone. Happy to hear the drums will continue on, hope DW will do it right.
Ronn Dunnett said:
At some point in the future I might discuss some of the work that went into reviving the George Way brand and all the insane things that happened along the way - or the things that did not happen. My engagement here depends on respect. We can discuss, agree or disagree, but I rarely post on DFO for reasons that are evident.
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It looks like a labor of love, from a drum community perspective, it was very cool that GW recognized and the brand resurged. Would be great to hear stories, hopefully that can happen, I have no interest in social media historical banter of whatever happened before.
 
bellbrass said:
Thanks for the info. Are you saying that Camco produced shells in-house at some point? If so, I had never heard that. I'd read here and elsewhere that Way and Camco shells were all sourced from Jasper.
Not to hijack. I'd love to see an *accurate* Oaklawn Camco reissue. The shell is only part of the magical formula.
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No, all shells during George Way and Camco Oaklawn & Chanute were made by Jasper but to the specs that George Way and Camco gave them.

Camco LA shells were made by Keller.
 
Ronn Dunnett said:
While I really don't know what the future holds for me in this industry, it is my intention to put the (working title) DaVinci / Beseler pedal into production. I'm also working on publishing a book that puts my nearly 50 years of photographing drummers into a beautiful volume. As for what my work in designing and manufacturing drums means - sadly I might have to leave that for the drum forums to decide. Hopefully I'll outlive most of them!
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I respect that. I certainly look forward to checking out your pedal and book as well. Peace!
 
jbonzo1 said:
He calls himself a "drumsmith" but he's really just an assembler.
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If you go back to the original George Way Drum Company almost all components were outsourced. Wraps, lacquers, bearing edges and calf heads were done in house.

Camco was a machine shop so they had a bit more in house work with hardware . But the lugs and hoops were still outsourced.
 
Track said:
Unjustified is a double-edged sword. You've missed his countless unjustified attacks towards regular people. For example, players who've had an issue with one of the R-series throwoffs spontaneously throwing off the wires mid-show. They make an innocent comment or post about this occurring and seeking a solution and he shows up and blows up at them, blaming the player, researching them and viciously attacking from every possible angle. As for his drums, they look great. The aesthetic style he has developed is classic and, imho, quite beautiful. However, his never ending circle of hypocrisy (old timers will recall that he swore for years that he would never make metal shell drums with a bead because he claimed the bead compromises the sound LOL) and the well known situation with Carter McLean demonstrate just a small sliver of the toxicity that lies just beneath the surface. For entertainment, run a query on how many lawsuits he's filed through the years.
At the core of it, he's a malignant narcissist who surrounds himself with an echo chamber of sycophants. Lucky for him, most turn a blind eye to his behavior and continue to purchase his products.
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You speak the truth. I sold every Dunnett I purchased, and I had several, simply because I can't stomach Ronn's treatment of people in and out of the industry. Him going after Jefferson from Sugar (while Jefferson was actually building, and GIVING away drums during and after Covid and raising money doing so for various social causes) was the icing on the cake. Ronn will always be a small person in heart, soul, and integrity.

And yes - I've been around for a long time - on the old forums, including Ronns....
 
retroplate said:
I remember the feud he had with Tom Shelley of Universal Percussion about a decade back. Tom wasn't just some guy in his garage selling drums; he was a pretty important figure in the percussion instrument field.

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I wouldn't define what happened as a "Feud". I took exception to the unauthorized use of Roberto Spizzichino's name and likeness. So did Roberto's family. So did every musician who ever knew Roberto. Where is Tom Shelley today?...
 
red66charger said:
"Smelting Titanium". Permission to use as a band name?

It will be interesting to see what DW does with the George H. Way Drum Company. Can you confirm or deny that it won't be shuttered?
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Without getting into the background, I did ask that question. My understanding is that the company IS moving forward. Beyond that I have no further details.
 
s1212z said:
Hopefully, this transition is a favorable one, congrats on the sale and milestone. Happy to hear the drums will continue on, hope DW will do it right.

It looks like a labor of love, from a drum community perspective, it was very cool that GW recognized and the brand resurged. Would be great to hear stories, hopefully that can happen, I have no interest in social media historical banter of whatever happened before.
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It truly was a labour of love. George...he kinda always felt like an Uncle to me. And looking through the archives of his estate - it is mind blowing how far advanced he was. He was brilliant. I'm always open to positive conversations about drums!
 
drums1225 said:
Are you an old RMMPer? My 13x6.5 Dunnett Ti was originally Rob's, though I didn't buy it from him; I got it on eBay and Rob recognized it as the one he had owned. Over the years, he asked me a bunch times to sell it back to him, but I told him I just couldn't let it go.
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I miss Rob. He wasn't all bad. I got to know him reasonably well. He had a soft spot for animals. In hind sight we probably shared a few undiagnosed afflictions.
 
Paradiddle said:
You speak the truth. I sold every Dunnett I purchased, and I had several, simply because I can't stomach Ronn's treatment of people in and out of the industry.
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Same here. Had a 6,5 COB Hollywood that was a fine drum, but had to sell it because it didn't give me good vibes. Seeing it reminded me of how his behaviour was on the website he used to run... can't remember the name of it now. What was it called? Maybe it's located on some...forgotten cloud.
Tee hee.
 
I met Ron Dunnett, in Musikmess, Germany! I was in the MING DRUM stand, because I was endorssed by this brand! Mr Dunnett was here for meet us!! I was very happy to see him! He invited me to visit the DUNNETT stand for trying the Titanium drumset! Ron was the most gently and kindest personn i met in the Musikmess show!! Thank you again Mr Dunnett, It was a great pleasure!
 
I don’t know all the “history” and that’s fine with me. Everyone has an opinion. @Ronn Dunnett I appreciate you providing answers to the questions in this thread. Always good to have info from the source. If you are at the Music City Drum Show next month I’ll stop by your booth and say hey.
 
If you're reading this Ronn, do you have any tally of how many of those famous 6 1/2 x 13 titanium you sold ?

Mine sounded good, especially with Stanbridge hoops. But man, I'm just a Ludwig snare guy at heart
 
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