Hello all,
I picked up a vintage set of Ludwig Vistalites about a year and a half ago. I was in Virginia at the time, my uncle called me and said “my buddy has a drum set he’s selling” & I’m thinking they’re probably nothing major. So he says “they’re blue see through” so then I’m like 😮😮😮 “get them!!! Give him whatever he wants. I’ll pay you back when I get the Philly” so he says he’ll take care of it. Later that day my dad texts me saying “I got a surprise when you get home” and I reply “1970s Ludwig Vistas???” Then he immediately calls me and says “wtf! How’d you know?” So anyway my dad got them for $150... $150!!! He was ready to pawn our tv that’s how bad he wanted to get them for me.
The kit included:
22x18 bass drum
16x16 floor tom
6 & 8 concert toms
12 & 13 rack toms
14x5 snare drum
Also included all original heads, original pedal & hi hat, old stands and a vintage rolling trap case full of old gear.
Not one crack on any of the shells. It seemed as if someone bought these brand new back in the 70s and played them a handful of times. They were dusty of course but cleaned up very well. The bass drum had a little bit of rash on top, may have been wiped carelessly. And the tom mount bracket is missing one bolt. But for $150..... I’m still in awe.
I wanted to share them for anyone who was interested. Also wanted to get a little back story & info to fill me in on what I’m not sure of.
The snare drum strainer throw was bent in. I corrected it. It had ties holding the wires on. I’m not sure if that’s originally how it came, I’ve been doing a little research and it seems that they were all like that. I haven’t cleaned up the snare anyway. I’ve left it on the side for now.
The first two pictures are from when I first cleaned it up. I had it just as a 3 piece. I replaced all the heads with new Aquarian performance 2 and a super kick 2 on the bass. The snare here is my uncles vintage pearl chrome over brass.
So the next picture attached is just a random set up I did last week. I found a late 70s 18x18 floor tom. I paid $400 on an ebay auction. No cracks or blemishes. Came in the original Ludwig case. One leg is bent but I’m planning on replacing with ones that match my 16 which are shorter. And I’ve yet to replace the heads cause I have to order them and I’m lazy. Haha. The only thing is it looks like it’s lighter in color. It’s been driving me nuts I’m just so ocd. I’m wondering if I can polish it enough to bring it back to life because it was covered in smoke. But anyway the snare set up there is a Tama sound lab. Not sure the size but it’s giant.
Hopefully the images uploaded correctly. Let me know what you think and thanks for checking them out!
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