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Just picked up these Vistalites Last viewed: 4 hours ago

Posts: 510 Threads: 193

Not your run-of-the mill sizes either, 24" bass, 18" floor tom, 13' and 14" rack toms, newer hi hat stand and a flaky Supra all for $600 locally on CL. I can't even find 1 crack although most of the chrome needs a good "de-rusting". I'll have to get original floor tom legs too. All serial #s begin with 195. Couple of questions I have:

1. What should I use to clean the acrylic shells so I don't scratch them?

2. Where can I get inlays for the bass hoops? Are they original?

3. Are those original bass spurs? I've seen them that require a key.

4. Any idea what those 2 legs are in front of set?

The seller also had Zildjians that he's selling separately (yep, tried to get them thrown in too to no avail) that I posted in the Vintage Cymbal forum to get an idea of their value.

Thanks and all advice welcomed since I have never owned Vistalites before.

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70s Slingy WMP
70s Ludwig Standard Aqua Mist
60s Ludwig Champagne Sparkle Downbeat
and a whole bunch of snares and hardware
Posted on 10 years ago
#1
Posts: 135 Threads: 14

The serial #s put them around 1978-79.

There are tons of threads on cleaning/polishing vistalites not only on this forum, but on many others.

The sizes would be indicative of a Pro-beat kit that would have originally come with a 16" floor as well.

The original bass hoops would have been black with a silver inlay so unless they were stripped and the inlay removed they are not original.

The bass drum spurs match the SBP set I purchased new in 1977 so I would say they are original.

No clue on the 2 legs.

1964 Ludwig Downbeat Black Diamond Pearl (12,13,14,16,20)
1976 Ludwig Stainless Steel "Bop" (12,14,18)
1998 Ayotte "Ray Era" Wood Hoop Copper Sparkle (10,12,14,16,20)
Posted on 10 years ago
#2
Posts: 1836 Threads: 336

I have always thought that Vistalites look great with chrome hoops! Just my two cents. Either way those drums will sound fantastic.

Curtis

Posted on 10 years ago
#3
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

Novus #1,2,3, polishes for the shells. To get the best sound out of them, spring for a set of REMO clear black dot batter heads, and clear Ambassadors for the reso/bottom side. Hoops don't 'look' original unless they've just been stripped of the original black paint and inlays. Great set of drums at an equally great price. You did real good with those.

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 10 years ago
#4
Posts: 510 Threads: 193

Thanks all. Did the bass hoop inlays on Vistalites match the shells or were chrome strips or some other kind of inlay used?

70s Slingy WMP
70s Ludwig Standard Aqua Mist
60s Ludwig Champagne Sparkle Downbeat
and a whole bunch of snares and hardware
Posted on 10 years ago
#5
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255

many of the vistalites had silver sparkle inlay. I think a nice solid black inlay would look neat with yours and leave the wood finish. just a thought. original is always a good thing too!

mike

Posted on 10 years ago
#6
Posts: 59 Threads: 20

Those legs in front look like they could be used to convert a floor tom into a bass drum.

Novus is great stuff.

Spurs look original to me.

Nice score. I have same sizes in clear. They will sound huge!

Posted on 10 years ago
#7
Posts: 1342 Threads: 71

From cnw20

Thanks all. Did the bass hoop inlays on Vistalites match the shells or were chrome strips or some other kind of inlay used?

My blue vistalites have silver silk inlays, my red set has red silk inlays. I know they are original. My green set has silver sparkle inlays but I don't know if they are original or not.

Posted on 10 years ago
#8
Posts: 532 Threads: 29

Hi there!

Congrats, good score!Jumping2

As far as I know / saw, all "original" Vistas (I mean from 73 to 83, not the 2000´s reissue) came with factory B.D. black painting wood hoops with Silver sparkle inlay, BUT as you can find on the 70´s catalogs, the "Choose any selection & mixture" advertised as an current option for patterns and, it´s my guess you can also included inlay color as well.

Anyway, all red Vista set I saw, were with red sparkle inlay,... i dunno probably a factory decision..

Let the Vista experts chime.... and enjoy !

Best of lucks !


Ludwig '67 Classic B.D.P.
Ludwig '79 Classic Pro-beat
C. A. F. '72 New Sonic "The Argentinean Ludwig"
A bunch of Ludwig snares..... + Dyna & P.Tone.
and always trying to recover some orphan drums!!
Posted on 10 years ago
#9
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