Drumming News :
In July 2025, a significant chapter in drum history quietly turned its page.
Just a few weeks ago (Early July 2025), Ronn Dunnett, the master craftsman behind Dunnett Classic Drums, announced that he had sold the George Way Drum Company to Drum Workshop (DW), marking the end of a nearly two-decade era in which Dunnett served as the brand’s steward. While the announcement was made via a simple Instagram post, the significance of the transaction echoes far louder than any press release could convey.
The George Way Drum Company, originally founded by George H. Way in 1956, has long held a mythical status among drum enthusiasts. Known for pioneering designs and impeccable craftsmanship, Way’s innovations—including the now-iconic turret lug—laid the groundwork for what would eventually evolve into Camco, and later, into the foundations of Drum Workshop itself.
Ronn Dunnett acquired the rights to the George Way name in 2006 (though some records place the acquisition in 2007) and began reviving the brand in a way that honored its vintage soul while elevating it with modern craftsmanship. His versions of George Way drums were meticulous, drawing heavily from archival designs while implementing contemporary improvements in shell construction and hardware.
In the summer of 2025, Dunnett officially sold the George Way brand and trademark to DW Drums. For DW, this is more than just a business transaction—it’s a return to roots.
DW has long been connected, philosophically and structurally, to the lineage of Camco Drums, which absorbed George Way’s original company. DW adopted the turret lug design—originated by Way himself—as a central visual and mechanical feature in their own drum kits. In many ways, DW’s acquisition of the George Way brand feels like the closing of a historical loop.
What DW plans to do with the George Way brand remains to be seen, but the possibilities are tantalizing. Will they preserve the boutique elegance and retro sensibility that Dunnett maintained? Will George Way drums become a distinct line within DW’s catalog, much like their PDP or Design Series? Or will elements of Way’s classic design language be subtly absorbed back into DW’s flagship kits?
One thing is certain: the potential for synergy between George Way’s timeless aesthetic and DW’s cutting-edge manufacturing is immense. Drum collectors and working musicians alike are watching closely, wondering how DW will honor and evolve one of drumming’s most storied names.
This transition also underscores a deeper narrative: how ideas, designs, and legacies in the music world are never static. George Way’s original designs inspired Camco. Camco’s remnants helped birth DW. And now, DW has brought George Way home.
For Dunnett, it marks the end of a passionate journey. For DW, it marks the beginning of a new one. And for drummers, it’s a rare moment to witness history reshaping itself—one lug, one shell, one beat at a time.
© 2025 Drumming News Network
