THANKS fto all for the feedback to date!
All your points are valid, as usual. There lies my problem in making a decision.
SUPER B: You are correct. I did recently purchase a Ludwig Blue Vistalite kit without the matching snare. However, most people that I've spoken with feel that because the "blue" is quite common, as you've stated, it shouldn't be much of a problem to find the matching snare drum "down the road" at a decent price.
The only issue that I've got with the Rogers Holiday snare drum is that I really can't get a good read on the cosmetic condition of the finish since the pictures I've seen are all "too bright", as if the flash on the camera was placed too close to the drum. Unfortunately, the current owner doesn't live in the area so I can't get a close-up look of this one. I was considering it to go with a WMP Rogers Floor Tom and Rack Tom that I've got from the same era with the orginal B&B lugs, as what's on the snare drum being offered.
I don't have anything in the Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl and thought the snare would be a nice addition to my collection. However, I'm not sure if it's worth spending $300.00 on a 6-lug snare drum, regardless of the finish. Would I get my money back when it comes time to sell it, or would I take a loss at this price?
In summary, I don't really "need" a matching vistalite for my kit, since I've got two Supraphonics that would look just fine with it. I also don't "need" a matching Rogers WMP Holiday snare, since I've got a COB Dyna-Sonic that would work well with the two pieces I've already got. But, in reality, do we really "need" any of this great stuff? We all know the answer to that question! The Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl interests me SOLELY because of the wrap itself.
Confused, as usual!Hmmmm