I'm no vista expert but I've owned alotta kits.
Take the deal if the hardware is excellent to mint.
Swingstars AIN't Artstars.
Vistas are very collectable.
Here's a suggestion if you can float the bill.
Make the trade and get yourself a nice set of Keller shells. Transfer the hardware and play those.
Vistas don't sound all that great to me any way IMHO.
Store the vista shells(maybe get a pro to repair em in time.)
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
Beau, You say the mounted toms are in great condition i would do the deal the two mounted toms sell for 200.00+ each.Even if the floor tom and bass for some reason can not be re-paired the snare can be thats a easy crack to fix.You could always get new shells from RCI shells and change out the hardwear. You can full in the holes with a clear epoxy and mix in alittle green paint or food coloering to match the green....Mikey
Just in parts on the Luddies......you are looking at $600-700.......so.......do the trade!
While waiting for things to sell,..dealing with negotiateing price,..pay off your bay fees, and find what you want with what you have left for cash,...I`d say you`ll be up and play`n again in about a year !!
I think we're all talking at cross-purposes here. I was under the impression the trade was so he could have a main set of drums to play. Others are treating the question like pure economics; part-out and sell. Which is it?
If the trade is for parts, that's one thing. If he wants to play and gig with these, then I wouldn't do the swap. He'd have to treat the vista's like a carton of eggs.
I'm confused here as to what he wants to do with the vista's. Keep or sell? Different 'right answer' depending on what he plans to do.
John
I was basing my opinion on his present list of drumkits and the idea that the Tamas are expendable.
I'd love to have them to play. As a touring drummer (and vintage drum enthusiast) I would never in my right mind attempt to tour on a vintage vistalite kit. I would love to own one to play in my basement and maybe a special occasion gig. But yeah at the end of the day, I'd still rather give it a shot. If I lose out then I'll sell the pieces that I don't use and move on. But as most have said, my Tama kit is worth less than the whole or pieces of that vista. I started this thread more as a "what are my chances of actually saving these and playing them?" sort of idea.
Now I did say "should I bother?" "Will they sound good" So I do apologize for the confusion. I guess I just got excited Jump For Joy
-Beau
Is there a reason he wants your junk for his treasure ?
Based on our conversations, he really wants a drum set that doesn't need any work that he can be hard on and will sound good. We talked about there maybe being some $$ difference but with all the issues and me having to drive, I feel like an even trade is my best option. He gets a 7 piece drum kit with some hardware ready to go, and I get a winter project while my fiance is in Singapore :D
Also, while there not worth a ton of money, those Tama's actually sound good with some decent heads. I understand that if you put some 2-ply heads on just about any drum set they sound at least decent, but I recorded my first record with the exact same drum kit (which I still have ;) )and they did fine.
-Beau
