The answer is no, if you take care of your vistalites. I think the cracking problems on some 70's Vistalites are from the tom mounts on the bass drum and negligece by the owner. Transporting Vistalites without cases, then, yeah, you will get scratches and cracks. Keep them in your car and expose your drums to different weather conditions will also lead to cracks. The reissue Vistalites have a reinforcement strip on the seam, this will reduce the chances of cracks. The reissues also do not put tom mounts on the bass drum, less stress on the shell. Look on Ebay, there are a great deal of Vistalites for sale from the 70's.

Yes, I've seen quite a few on ebay, and they usually have a crack, hence the question.

Really? I have not found that to be true, but, I'm not looking to buy any, I just check out the cool drums. Ok, I just did a quick vistalite search on ebay. 21 entries, and only one auction had a drum with a crack. Interesting, I will keep my eyes peeled. I have owned an older vistalite and a reissue and I never had any cracking problems. I look on ebay everyday at vistalites and I have not noticed a huge problem with cracks, considering most of those drums are from the 70's and made out of hard plastic.

I was thinking about this the other day... Ludwig was making a ton of these drums compared to everyone else..

So there are going to be more broken.....

Also, drop any brass drum or wood drum on the strainer, you will have some type of damage...

Look at other drums of the 70's, finishes fading, peeling at the seams, ply seperation and other standard problems...

So overall, I think the vistalites can take normal road wear, and any drum not handled correctly will have issues...

Unfortunately they do crack and that gives them the bad wrap over the years...

David

Interesting .. thanks.

The ones I've seen on ebay have been in the UK and most/all seem to mention cracks, although stress that it doesn't affect the performance.

Thanks again.

I'll be attempting a repair on a clear 16x16 floor tom w/ a 9" crack from the top through the muffler knob, any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

"Unfortunately they do crack and that gives them the bad wrap over the years..."

Hey David.........pun intended ??

Yes! pun intended.....

If the cashola was out there, my green set needs to go....

Love the drums, but also need the cash!

You can sit behind them and test them in your dreams here.....

David

can't get that link open...........small box with a x in the upper left corner