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Restoring / Modifying Vistalite set - tom mounts & BD Hoops

Posts: 7 Threads: 2

Hello!

I have a three-piece set of green Vistalites that I am going to put in to service. It's really not much of a "restoration" job as it is just cleaning it up and lubing everything. There are no cracks and very few light scratches in the shells however a couple of the chrome hoops are a little pitted and will need some attention.

In particular I am interested in the following:

1. I would like to replace the tom arm mount on the rack tom. The current mount uses a 9.5 mm arm (I think that's right anyway) with the nut / ring fastener. I would like to convert it to a newer-style mount that uses a wing nut and preferably a 10.5 mm mount as I have a several nice cymbal stands with 10.5 mm L-arms already attached.

Does anyone know if there are any parts of this nature that will bolt in to the existing holes? I definitely will not drill new holes in the shell so if I have to live with the inconvenience of the nut fastener then so be it. It works fine, I just hate always having to have the wrench around for it, especially since I'll be traveling extensively with the kit.

2. The bass drum hoops are in pretty good shape but have several areas where the black paint has chipped / scratched off. What is the best way to refinish these? I don't mind to sand them down but what kind of paint should I use on them once they are sanded?

Also, is the silver sparkle ring around the hoop glued on or just stapled at the seam? If they are glued, is there any way to take them off to refinish the hoops without destroying the silver sparkle rings?

3. And finally, I need a snare drum to complete this kit! Does anyone have an original green snare that they would like to part with? Excited

Thanks in advance for any help that you can offer!

Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 526 Threads: 60

As far as I know, the new Ludwig mounts (with wing nuts instead of hex nuts) are still 9.5mm. I learned this the hard way after ordering a bunch of them and then finding that they didn't fit my 10.5mm Tama L-arms.

But! You can solve this problem without replacing the mounts. It's possible to buy 9.5mm L-arms to replace the L-arms in your cymbal stands. They sell just the L-arm on the black plastic ball. You can swap it out without having to do away with your cymbal stands or replace your mounts. (This doesn't solve the problem with the hex nuts, but at least it takes care of the L-arm issue.)

If you want Ludwig mounts with wing nuts, you can always buy new Ludwig wing nut mounts for the drums, and 9.5mm L-arms to replace the L-arms in your cymbal stands. That should take care of the problem at both ends.

Kits:
1950s Gretsch Name Band in Midnight Blue Pearl (13/16/22/14sn)
1965/66 Ludwig Club Dates rewrapped in Black Diamond Pearl (12/15/20)
Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 7 Threads: 2

From section2

As far as I know, the new Ludwig mounts (with wing nuts instead of hex nuts) are still 9.5mm. I learned this the hard way after ordering a bunch of them and then finding that they didn't fit my 10.5mm Tama L-arms.But! You can solve this problem without replacing the mounts. It's possible to buy 9.5mm L-arms to replace the L-arms in your cymbal stands. They sell just the L-arm on the black plastic ball. You can swap it out without having to do away with your cymbal stands or replace your mounts. (This doesn't solve the problem with the hex nuts, but at least it takes care of the L-arm issue.)If you want Ludwig mounts with wing nuts, you can always buy new Ludwig wing nut mounts for the drums, and 9.5mm L-arms to replace the L-arms in your cymbal stands. That should take care of the problem at both ends.

Thanks for the reply! Will the new Ludwig wing nut mounts bolt directly on without having to drill new holes?

Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 526 Threads: 60

From KG4ONJ

Thanks for the reply! Will the new Ludwig wing nut mounts bolt directly on without having to drill new holes?

Hmm. 'Fraid I don't know off-hand. I don't have those Ludwig mounts at my house, otherwise I'd happily measure them for you.

Another possibility: can you get wing nuts to replace the hex nuts on your existing mounts?

Kits:
1950s Gretsch Name Band in Midnight Blue Pearl (13/16/22/14sn)
1965/66 Ludwig Club Dates rewrapped in Black Diamond Pearl (12/15/20)
Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 241 Threads: 26

keep yhem warm. they don't like the cold. easy damage

Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 7 Threads: 2

From section2

Hmm. 'Fraid I don't know off-hand. I don't have those Ludwig mounts at my house, otherwise I'd happily measure them for you.Another possibility: can you get wing nuts to replace the hex nuts on your existing mounts?

Thanks anyway for the offer! That's a good question - I haven't really explored them enough to know. I'll try to take one apart today and see what I can figure out. I have an account with Conn-Selmer so I might just try to order one of the newer mounts and see if it works or not..

From johnnyz

keep yhem warm. they don't like the cold. easy damage

That's actually how I ended up with this set - the original owner was moving to Alaska and was too concerned that the cold would destroy them!

Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 526 Threads: 60

Let us know how this turns out. In the meantime, I'd love to see pics!

Kits:
1950s Gretsch Name Band in Midnight Blue Pearl (13/16/22/14sn)
1965/66 Ludwig Club Dates rewrapped in Black Diamond Pearl (12/15/20)
Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 16 Threads: 1

For BD hoops I have found the best way to repair them is to first mask the inlay with 3M blue masking tape. Use a scapel with a number 11 blade or an x-acto knife to trim the mask to the exact size of the inlay. Then you can fill, glue, sand, and paint as needed. once done, remove the masking and you are good to go. Any residual adhesive can be removed with water or isopropal alcohol and a clean cloth.

Posted on 13 years ago
#8
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