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70's Ludwig Vistalite restoration

Posts: 473 Threads: 64

Hello. I created a thread a while ago when I bought a Vistalite kit. (Here: http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?p=362394#post362394)

Now it's time to restore it. The kit is a 70's Ludwig Vistalite, with pattern C finish in red/clear (blue/olive badges). I have a 24" bass drum and 13"/14" toms only. It should had a 16" and 18" floor toms but they are missing. (Please contact me of you have any)

I bought it in rough shape. The bass drum shell is cracked on spur bracket zone, one bass drum hoop is bent and broken, bottom rims and tension rods are missing, one spur missing, a lot of deep scratches, and so on...

I will do my best (as always) to give this kit some life and make it playable.

The bass drum is already being repaired by an acrylic professional, recommended by a drummer friend of mine.

Keep tuned to get fresh updates. Cheers.

Posted on 7 years ago
#1
Posts: 473 Threads: 64

Bass drum crack in the first picture.

Someone thought the red stripe was ugly. The hoop was all covered by black electrical tape. What a mess... The black paint came off while removing the tape.

Posted on 7 years ago
#2
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

You'll need to replace at least one of those BD hoops for sure. Save the wrap strip, buy a new one and you're good to go. Best of luck with the repairs. I'll look in to see how it comes along. I hope you can find a 16 for the kit to complete it although you could gig the kit as is with the two rack toms without the floor tom. Tune the 12" up high and the 13" way down low and you won't miss the floor tom. Nice 'save-worthy' drum kit.

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 7 years ago
#3
Posts: 473 Threads: 64

Hi there. I've been busy lately so I didn't share with you the restoration process before.

Now it is almost complete, I will share with you the final result.

I took a lot of pictures during the process but, unfortunately, I deleted almost them all by accident and cannot recover them.

Enjoy.

Posted on 5 years ago
#4
Posts: 473 Threads: 64

After sanding process

Posted on 5 years ago
#5
Posts: 473 Threads: 64

Final result. I still have the bass drum bracket. The guy who zinc plated the hardware lost one of their bolts and the other 3 have their threads screwed up. I will fix that later.

The dampeners have to be rechromed.

Posted on 5 years ago
#6
Posts: 473 Threads: 64

More pictures

Posted on 5 years ago
#7
Posts: 473 Threads: 64

Bass drum crack

Posted on 5 years ago
#8
Posts: 77 Threads: 23

Really nice job. As someone who has spent countless hours sanding vistalite kits I know just how time consuming it is, and how sometimes it seems like you’ll never get done. Congratulations!

Posted on 5 years ago
#9
Posts: 268 Threads: 44

Looks really great - enjoy it!

thejohnlec
Ohio Valley
Posted on 5 years ago
#10
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