I'd take the Ludwigs. The hardware alone is worth more than a Swingstar kit!

I agree with Lingontega so long as the Tama kit isn't a workhorse gigging kit for you. There might be some hope of repairing the cracks and you might be able to salvage a few drums if not. That plus the hardware beats $150. If you have some gambling money and the know how to do the welds, I would say it's a moderate bet. There is a LOT of tedious work in making those feasible if that is even possible though.

I would do the trade.I have worked on repairing these vistalite shells for years.I would say the only bad drum would be the floor tom to repair but i can't tell how the crack is your photo is side ways.Anyway the bass drum would be the easyest to fix clean out the glue in the seam and re-glue it you may need to add a small piece of thin metal from lug to lug at the seam and used the screw holes and put screws in them.Same thing on the snare but dont used a piece of metal, the holes that someone drilled can be filled in.On the floor tom how many chrack are on it? Is it at the seam? What about the mounted toms? Oh on the seams on all the drums are they the "V" shape seams? or the ones that are flat butted together?...Mikey

The parts on that Vistalite kit are worth more than any Swingstar. I would trade and experiment on repairing them. If it doesn't work out, find some Vistalite or 3 ply shells shells, and there you go. Or sell off the parts... I for one would buy the lot from ya!!

Best,

Aaron

Oh boy, you sound like someone I need to consult once I get these in hand! The snare from the rest of the pics has only the one top to bottom crack. Rack toms are perfect. Kick has the Top to bottom seam split. And yes, the floor tom has a unnerving spiral looking crack. How do I fill in the holes? If it's like a glue or epoxy do you think I could experiment with some dye or food coloring to match? <---I know but I have tried some weird stuff with very good results :D

-Beau

Are we all look`n at the same drums here ??

Was wondering the same thing myself... Hurting

John

Even if you manage to repair these cracks, I reckon you will need to "nurse" those shells forever... And you'll always be waiting for the first "new" crack to appear.. IMO.. keep looking.

Cheers

... and sit on some particle board Swingstars? No thanks.

Picking these up, even if the shells are irreparable, will motivate you to make something else happen. And again... You can sell the spurs for more than your entire Tama kit.

Good Luck.

Aaron

If the rack toms are perfect, then the worst thing you would have is the beginning of a Vistalite jellybean kit. Nothing wrong with that.