VISTALITE DRUMS

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Roger Acree
The Whack-Blite Monster Kit

Martin Hoglund
Direct from Sweden Martin has a beautiful
Pattern "F"

Don has some new pix added

Scott's blue double bass

And John's clear double bass

While we wait for me to get my act together and get the new stuff on the site, here are a couple of pix from those crazy cat's Carl and Tom.
Now I know these are not Vistalite but they are COOL and we like 'em!!

Carl's groovy cool stainless in the ever popular Bonham config.

And Tom's "Octa-Transformer-Plus"

Tom Meadows

Tom has taken his drums on location just for us here at Vistalitedrums.com. He has put together some great photographs and has a bit to say too. Do take the time to check out Tom's article.

Larry's Vistalites

Larry simply sent in the picture with a short email of less than 10 words. I like that Larry so you are our featured drummer for December and I also like the VERY GROOVY black Vistas.
We don't see a lot of the opaque kits here and I think they have a bit of a mystique all there own. Don't you??

Carl has an extremely familiar looking kit wouldn't you say? Very nice Carl. Very nice indeed. Click the pic for more.

Above we have a nice pattern D from Jon and an amber Big Beat from Dan. Gotta love the Big Beats and I do!!

You've already met Louie's green kit and I need to put some links to the rest of his pix as well as the others we see here today.
To the right of Louie we see Marks kit again. Mark sent in some new pix and I never tire of seeing the "Sunrise".

Todd has a very groovy kit indeed and that color combo is one of the nicest ever produced in my humble opinion.
Last but not least Lars and his Quadra Plus with the cool tube toms in the Jelly colors is absolutely far out. .

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Well it's been one disaster after another here at Vistalitedrums.com.
I had some issues with my hosting service and a lot of files were lost. Fortunately most were recovered.

Please note there is a new email address and I think it better reflects the site as well as being a bit easier for me. KenV@vistalitedrums.com
For now we are back online and I'll be getting some new pix sent in over the last couple of months on in a few days. As for the reshoot of my collection, I need to repair the wall first :)

Let's start off with a couple of pix from Louie

Louie has a very groovy green kit and a veritable plethora of cymbals to boot. More pix of Louies kit to come later.

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A couple of pix from Dave and Steve.

Now if Evans would make some green and yellow maybe red and amber colored heads we'd all be set.

Thanks to Dave and Steve for sending in the photos.

Nice kits guys!!

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Here are some very nice kit's from three of our viewers in no particular order except that they were recieved this way :)

Thanks to Don, Mike and Scott for sending in the photos.

Don has a couple of virgins to share with us.
Click the pic to check out the virgins

Don didn't have a digital camera available and snail-mailed these pix to me. If you have the same problem just send me an email

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Mike's the original owner of this cool kit with a great history.
Click the pic to check it out

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Scott has a couple of fine looking jazz kits.
Click the pic to check them out

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And number four makes his appearance.
Charlie is in the news and ready to view.

Click the picture for the fullsize pix
and a little bit about the kit.

You've seen this kit before but Bob has sent in a new picture I thought I'd share with you

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Here is a very cool kit. I've always liked melodic tom toms and these are giant too.

Keith from Northeast, Maryland writes in. "I've enjoyed your web site and check in from time to time and look for new pic's. Here are some pic's of my 1974 vistalites. I picked up the set about two years ago and have been working on them. I put the set on display at a fundraiser for a local program called Drums not drugs. although the set still needs some work I play them everyday. Hope you can post these pic's on you web page. Thanks for your time and a wonderful website."

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Eric simply writes "Just thought I would send some pictures for the gallery"

And there ya go. Nice kit Eric.

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I have a couple of ambers for you this time around

AND

Click on the picture for the drummers page.

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Jemmo has a great piece of Rock 'N' Roll history and has been kind enough to send in a bit about it and some pictures to boot.
Check it out

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Mark Murray's very cool Vista kit.

Check out the rest of Mark's photos HERE

I also would like to put in a plug for a very interesting website all about synthetic drums

www.synthetictubs.com has a lot of great information on a veritable plethora of drums and a lot of other cool stuff too. Check it out.

MICHAEL LEE THOMAS AND
"THE CHROME FOREST"

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Nice kit Mark!!

This is my very clean set of red vistas I picked up on eBay a couple of years ago as a Christmas present to ME. Sizes are 14x24,8x12, 13x14, and 15x16. the small tom that came with it is an 11x12, and all 3 are drilled for classic mounting brackets.(no leg holes). Obviously part of a big Power tom kit from later in production (also note the 1/2" spurs on the kick). I put RIMS on all, mounted them on a Pearl rack in the classic Bonham configuration & opted for the more traditional 8" deep small tom. Also on the kit is a 5.5x13 RCI Snare. I play them locally in Atlanta with the band "Riff Raff".

Thanks
Mark

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I received a simple email a few days back.
Gary asks, "Hello- nice site... can I send a pic or two of my vistalite set?"

Sure thing Gary!

I know you have a few guys with blue vistas.. I wish I had something different...maybe in time I can find the highly coveted tivolis or something exotic, but I appreciate the time you have invested in your website- please keep up the good work that you have done- it hasn't gone unnoticed
many thanks Gary

oh p.s. -- maybe you could include a shameless plug for my band... its www.coverupband.com for those in the NY area... I always love when fellow drummers comment on the vistas and talk Ludwig's in between sets....many , many thanks to you
all the best, Gary Pellegrino

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Rob has a nice blue vista he plays with "The Vindicators".
Watch out for the "Bloody Mary" Rob

Your listening to "The Vindicators"

You can send MP3's to the email address below. Do not use the griptoad email please.
Email MP3's etc. to vistalitemp3@yahoo.com
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Babyray plays this kit with his Temptation review group.

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Sean sends in this photo of a fine Jelly Octa.

Sean writes....

Hi,

I've been a fan and frequent visitor to your site over the years and have enjoyed your pix and info very, very much. the how to repair section and links have been especially valuable. I recently have had the good fortune to acquire and restore a matching, all original octa-plus jellybean kit. the serial numbers seem to place it at mid to late 1974 and the two point speed clips attached to each tom seem to confirm it. question: do you know how many of these kits were produced/sold? the reason is that when I set this kit up for the first time I noticed similarities between my kit and the photo on the cover of the "Ludwig '75" catalog as regards the badge placements. please examine the inserted photos and tell me what you think when you get a moment...

thank you in advance for your time,

Sean
To answer one of Sean's questions, if you have a Jelly of any kind, send in a photo and we'll put it up on the website.
As to the production years, the Jellies were offered in the '75 catalog and definitely sold in '74. For the most part they trailed off in a couple of years with the elimination of a couple of the colors (green being the first to go around '78 give or take).

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Well it's been a while since I've done anything here and I do apologize for that.

How about we start off Vistalitedrums.com's fourth year with some pattern "A" drums from Doug Jackson of Virginia.

Doug tells me He restored these drums himself using techniques right from this website. Now that makes it all worth while wouldn't you say?

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Vistalitedrums.com interviews Percussion Kus-toms

Read the article here
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Nice Jelly Double

Lance tells me this is a fully restored factory "Jelly Bean" with virgin bass drums. Very nice kit Lance. You can find this beauty on the auction block HERE!! He's got a green FT on there too that would go great with this kit.

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Performance Ludwigs
Expert Tivoli Restoration

Mr. Vistalites is an expert on the Tivoli lighting system for the Vistalite drums and has put together a very informative website on the same.

For those of you with Tivoli questions repairs and other needs, you can contact Mr. Vistalites at this email address or through his website Performance Ludwigs

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V-Twin Motorcycle Forum

The only place on the Internet where all V-twin bikes are welcome!

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From RCI Starlite come a veritable plethora of colors and patterns.

Check out their website for more acrylics and information

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This is perhaps one of the funniest photos I've ever seen "Radar" on a clear vista.

It looks like it is from an album cover but I can't be sure as this is all that was sent to me. Clicky

Karen Carpenter on a smoke kit.

This banner depicts acrylic, stainless steel and wood.

These photos were sent to us by Mr. Vistalites of Performance Ludwigs

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Jeff Eberle has assembled a stunning Vista-kit. Red is one of my favorite colors and this kit is absolutely fantastic

Check out the rest of Jeff's photos.

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Hey Kenny, I love your site. Great to see so many drummers and so many excellent drumsets come together in one place. I am back playing for all the right reasons, got a new band, and my own record label. The Monas , This is the band's site, although its still under construction, we are adding videos, bios, pics and cool stuff, but you can check it out. I have been a vista-lover myself for a long time now. I've had blues, tequilas, yellows, clears; all in big rock sizes! They sound absolutely amazing, better than any other drumkit I tried. What a resonance, and what a sound!!! Finally, I gave it all up for an Amber reissue kit, WOW! Totally worth it. This "thing" sounds amazingly powerful! I wanted to share some pics with the rest of the vista community and you, keep rockin' pal!

JUAN

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Hi Guys,

Just found your website and I have to say that it's great!! I'm especially interested in the restoration pics. The picture of my kit (attached to this email) was taken during a recording session in 1999. My parents gave the kit to me as a high school graduation present in 1980.....Yes, I've had the kit for nearly 25 years!! It has logged probably thousands of gig hours and has stuck by me in thick and thin.

Hope you enjoy the pic as much as I have enjoyed playing on it.

Sincerely,

KEN

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"BONHAM REISSUE"

This fine example of the Bonham reissue (which I like very much) was sent in by Sebastien who tells me that the kit was purchased in Paris, France last November.

Thanks for sending in the pix Sebastien keep 'em shiny.

AND NOW.......

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THE ORIGINAL

As best I know this drum kit is the one and only kit used in the movie The Song Remains The Same. It is the amber vistalite kit mentiond in the book about Bonzo and was owned by the late Bill Townsend. At this time I am trying to find out what has happend to this kit and where it is or if there is any plans to sell it. I hope you all enjoy it!
Kurt~L~

Thanks for the pictures Kurt.

Here are the rest of the photos

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A note from Jack

Hello again Kenny,

I'm not sure if you will remember me, but maybe your note above will refresh you. My name is Jack, and I thought I would email you this update. I listed my snare on eBay with a $300 reserve, the highest bid I got was $255, so I decided to hang onto it, which I am glad I did as it is a joy to play and I added it to the kit as it is (you can't see it in any of the photos). I finally finished the restoration (if you can call it that, I guess modification would be more appropriate). Though I am using all different kinds of my favorite hardware, all of the drum components are stock Ludwig as it was. This is what used to be a white Vistalite Quadra-plus. It is now as you see it and has 2 separate electronics components installed. #1. Light the drums from within. This is sound activated or chase controlled and I use it mostly during a solo. I am including some sequence pictures taken in the daylight, so you can imagine what they look like for my drum solo in the dark. It's awesome. #2. Midi triggers in each drum that can trigger any midi sound source. So I can get a timpani sound on my floor tom, a orchestra chord on the snare, or change the tom tom's into a set of congas, etc. The possibilities are endless. I am proud to say that all these electronics are installed without effecting the sound of the drums, or drilling a single hole in the vistalite shell. I think I have achieved my ultimate drum set, a combination of vintage and state of the art and I love them dearly. I know this is not quite what you are used to on your web site, but I thought you might enjoy seeing the end result of my project as I truly enjoy your web site. Let me know what you think of the pictures I have attached.

Best Regards,

Jack

P.S. The photos are 1. Me and the kit 2. The kit 3. Lighted kit with sequenced light 4. Lights while playing (the camera just doesn't catch the effect) TAKE A LOOK

Well Jack, I must say I am impressed. Thanks for sharing your drums with us and keep rockin'.

Kenny

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PATTERN "A"

HERE'S SOMETHING THAT ONLY SHOWS UP ONCE IN A BLUE AND SMOKEY MOON ON EBAY
THANX FOR THE PIC MATT

THIS IS A STRANGE COLOR PLACEMENT FOR THIS KIT SENT IN BY LANCE. TYPICALLY YOU SEE THIS IN RED-AMBER-YELLOW
ALSO ON EBAY

THE PATTERN VISTALITES WERE INTRODUCED IN 1974 FOR THE �75 PRODUCTION YEAR. ORIGINALLY THERE WERE SIX PATTERNS AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC BUT THIS WAS REDUCED TO FOUR IN THE �80 CATALOG (PATERNS �D� AND �E� WERE DROPPED).

HERE IS A LIST OF THE PATTERN DESIGNS:

"A" - THREE BAND
"B" - FIVE BAND
"C" - SPIRAL
"D" - THREE BAND SWIRL
"E" - TWO BAND SWIRL
"F" - VERTICAL BAR

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SCOTT GETS HIS OCTAPLUS BACK

SCOTT HAS FINALLY FOUND THE PARTS HE NEEDED TO PUT HIS KIT BACK TO IT'S FULL STRENGTH. CLICK ON HIS ABOVE PICTURE TO CHECK IT OUT AND READ HIS STORY ABOUT THIS MONSTER KIT.

SCOTT ALSO MADE THE FRONT PAGE AT VISTALITES.COM CHECK IT OUT.

DEC. 19, 2004

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IN LOVING MEMORY OF UNCLE WARREN

JAN. 1, 2005

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DAN GETS HIS JAM ROOM

DEC. 31, 2004

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TONY D's BLUE VISTALITES

DEC. 25, 2004

BEAUTY EH!
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LAZ HAS A BEAUTY OF A BLACK AND CLEAR KIT AND YOU GOTTA LOVE THOSE DEEP TOMS

DEC. 15, 2004

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THE LIVE SHOTS ARE ALWAYS THE BEST

SCOTT JACOB SENT IN THESE LIVE PIX FROM LOUISIANA USA

DEC. 4, 2004

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SCOTT'S KIT

LET'S START OFF WITH A SHOT OF SCOTT SCHROEDER'S BUEATIFUL AMBER KIT.
SCOTT TELLS ME THIS IS A FIBES CUSTOM JOB WITH A BIG FAT 26x16 BASS WITH TOMS IN THE BONHAM STYLE AND MORE.

MORE TO COME AS I FIGURE OUT MY NEW COMPUTER.

NOV. 21, 2004

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LIVE AND LIT

MATT BRENNAN LIVE WITH HIS BAND FLING HAMMER

YOU CAN SEE MORE OF MATT'S KIT UNDER THE FEATURED DRUMS AND DRUMMERS SECTION.

NOV. 12, 2004

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WELL, AFTER ABOUT 20 HOURS AND SOME SEARCHING FOR AN 18" RIM IT'S FINALLY DONE. SEE WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE BEFORE.

YOU'LL NOTICE THAT THE MUFFLER PLATE SCREWS ARE MIXED UP. THAT WAS REMEDIED BEFORE THE DRUM WAS RETURNED TO THE OWNER. I SIMPLY MUST PAY MORE ATTENTION TO DETAIL.

I DID LEAVE ONE FACTORY FLAW

OCT. 21, 2004

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STARLITE

RCI STARLITE INTRODUCES THEIR FANTASTIC NEW LINE OF ACRYLIC DRUMS. VISIT THEIR SITE AT RCISTARLITE.COM

RCI International enters the Acrylic drum market with its � RCI Starlite� Super Duty� series acrylic drums. Known as being the most reputable acrylic drum restoration experts in the world RCI International has introduced its line of Starlite Super Duty acrylic drums. It has been our dream after years of restoration work to come out with these handcrafted gems. Many in the past have tried to come out with a version but suffer from some short comings such as sturdiness and consistency. Also a major factor is the cost to produce these items since they are all handmade.

With the help from the top engineers in the country and a few original engineers at the Ludwig company during the Vistalite era of the 70s. With yesterdays and today s technology RCI International has contracted with the top manufactures and fabricators in the world to painstakingly produce these beautiful pattern Acrylic drum products of yesteryear. Still handcrafted in the same way as in the past each patterned designed drum is created to precise geometric specifications and hand fabricated for a one of a kind drum kit, snare etc. With today�s technology we are able to correct some of the mistakes associated with hand crafted products in the past. The end result yields a more consistent high quality drum product without the assistance of any automated machinery.

OCT. 10, 2004

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OCT. 2, 2004

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I KNOW YOU'VE SEEN IT BEFORE BUT..........

A COPPER PAINT JOB GIVES IT A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT LOOK. I'M SURE A COUPLE OF RIMSHOTS WILL CHIP IT AWAY A BIT BUT WHO CARES IT'S MEANT TO BE USED AND ABUSED.

SEP. 13, 2004

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Hi,
My name is J. Sims, I play drums for Foxy Shazam! out of Cincinnati, Ohio. I'm now a proud member of the ranks of Vistalite drummers. My kit is clear - 24/13/14/18 w/matching snare. I just started gigging with them recently and they look and sound tits. Enclosed is a pic. Also, our website is www.foxyshazam.com, if you could include it.
Thanks,
J.SIMS

AUG. 30, 2004

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DECLAN BAILEY SENT US THIS PHOTO OF A GROOVY GREEN KIT "FROM ALL THE WAY OVER IN NEW ZEALAND"

AUG. 2, 2004

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BOB HAS A VERY GROOVY R/Y/G PATTERN "A" TO SHARE WITH YOU. I LIKE THIS KIT SO MUCH I HAD TO PUT IT IN THE FEATURED DRUMS AND DRUMMERS SECTION. DO CHECK OUT THAT PART OF THE WEBSITE IF YOU WILL.

JULY 17, 2004

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A VISTALITE WELCOME TO
MICHEL GISIE AND DAN VACCARI

JULY 5, 2004

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VISTALITEDRUMS.COM IS ONE YEAR OLD TODAY!

TO HELP CELEBRATE THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF VISTALITEDRUMS.COM, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU AN ARTICLE WRITTEN BY NICHOLAS HUNT.

NICK IS A GREAT FRIEND OF VISTALITEDRUMS.COM AND HAS WRITTEN THIS FANTASTIC ARTICLE ON THE DRUMKITS USED BY JOHN BONHAM INCLUDING PHOTOS OF JB BEHIND HIS VISTALITE KIT TO BOOT.
THANK YOU NICK

NICK'S YELLOW VISTALITE KIT

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR ALL THE SUPPORT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT VISTA-YEAR AND KEEP THOSE VISTA-PHOTOS COMING.

KEN VERDUCCI

JUNE 14, 2004

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THE MASTER HAS WRITTEN A NICE PIECE ON THE JELLYBEAN KIT WITH A LOT OF INTERESTING INFORMATION INCLUDING A PARTS AND PRICE LIST FROM THE ERA.

ALSO CHECK OUT HIS SPOTLIGHT ON THE BICENTENNIAL LUDWIG VISTALITES.

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DEFINITELY NOT A COLLECTORS PIECE BUT YET VERY GROOVY. I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE BADGE. A COLOR COPIER AND A SPARE GROMMET CAN BE VERY HANDY.

DUBBED THE CHALLENGER PARADE SNARE, THIS DRUM SPORTS THE P-87 SNARE STRAINER, P-33 BUTT WITH GUT SNARES AND HIGH TENSION LUGS. THE DRUM IS VENTED ON EITHER SIDE AND THE STRAINER, BADGE AND MUFFLER CONTROL SHARE THE SAME PANEL MAKING THIS A UNIQUE VISTA SPECIMEN.

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THE FLORIDA DUDE !!

THE FLORIDA DUDE HAS A BEAUTY OF A KIT AND A NICE COLLECTION TO BOOT. CHECK OUT HIS ENTIRE SITE AT FLORIDADUDE.COM.

MAR. 27, 2004

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LET US NOT FORGET OR FIBERGLASS FRIENDS.

AS YOU KNOW THIS SITE FAVORS ACRYLIC DRUMS BUT STEVE HAS SENT US A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF NORTH DRUMS AND I COULDN'T RESIST SHARING THEM WITH YOU.

ROGER NORTH WAS GRANTED A PATENT FOR HIS UNUSUAL DESIGN IN 1971 AND BEGAN A SMALL SCALE PRODUCTION THE FOLLOWING YEAR. FULL SCALE PRODUCTION BEGAN IN 1976 THROUGH AN AGREEMENT WITH MTI (MUSIC TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED) BUT THE PRODUCTION OF THESE GROOVY DRUMS SEEM TO HAVE FADED AWAY SHORTLY THEREAFTER. NORTH'S IDEA WAS TO PRODUCE A BETTER DRUM FOR LIVE PERFORMANCES. LIKE THE VISTALITES THEY ALSO HAVE SOME ADVANTAGES IN THE STUDIO ESPECIALLY DO TO THEIR TONAL CONSISTANCY AND AURAL PROJECTION. SOME NOTABLE PERSONALITIES THAT HAVE USED THESE OUTRAGEOUS PERCUSSIVE DEVICES INCLUDE:
BILLY COBHAM, DOUG CLIFFORD, JERRY BROWN AND RICHIE ALBRIGHT.

MAR. 17, 2004

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Here are a few pics of my drums. I bought the new shells from gold-n-times and had LAWTON DRUM CO. drill them for me. They look and sound great. Great quality. Thanks for adding GOLD-N-TIMES DRUMS to your site. Jerry L'enfant drummer of the RELATIVE UNKNOWNS.
CHECK IT OUT

MAR. 11, 2004

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WAS BORN THE TRANSKIT

FEB. 29, 2004

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"DAVES KIT"

DAVE FENDER SHOWS A LOT OF CYMBALISM.

DAVE CREATED THE NEW WEBSITE FOR GOLD-N-TIMES AND AS IT TURNS OUT IS A VISTALITE DRUMMER

FEB. 19, 2004

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"SPIRAL"

MATT SURE DOES HAVE A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THIS KIT. CLICK THE LINK ABOVE TO VIEW HIS PHOTO LAYOUT AND READ ON.

MAKE SURE TO VISIT VISTALITES.COM FOR MORE ON MATT'S KIT AND OTHER PATTERN ODDITIES AS WELL AS A BUNCH MORE GROOVY VISTALITE STUFF. DON'T FORGET TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE RARITIES

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GOLD-N-TIMES ACRYLIC DRUM SHELLS

CHECK OUT THE LINKS 'N' CREDITS PAGE FOR OUR LATEST ADDITION GOLD-N-TIMES DRUMS DISTRIBUTOR OF FINE ACRYLIC SHELLS. I'VE USED THESE SHELLS AND THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC.

GOLD-N-TIMES STOCKS A PLETHORA OF COLORS AND PATTERNS FROM GLITTER AND TRANSPARENT TO PEARL AND ALABASTER. NOW THE TIME IS GOLDEN TO PUT TOGETHER THOSE OCTOBANS YOU'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT OR BUILD THE BONHAM KIT OF YOUR DREAMS.

FEB. 16, 2004

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THAT'S SUPER MAN!! RICHARD SINCLAIR SENT US THIS PHOTO OF HIS 5X14 SUPERSENSITIVE. YOU ONLY CATCH SIGHT OF A VISTA SUPERSENSITIVE ONCE IN A GREAT WHILE EVEN LESS IN GREEN. IT'S SAID FEWER THAN FIFTY GREEN KITS WERE PRODUCED BY LUDWIG DURING THE VISTALITE HAY-DAY. I GUESS THERE JUST WASN'T MUCH OF A CALL FOR THE COLOR BACK IN THE 70's. TODAY THIS SINGLE COLOR MAY BE THE MOST DESIRABLE AND SOUGHT AFTER OF ALL.

THANKS RICHARD

JAN. 30, 2004

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I'VE FINALLY FINISHED THE SIDE SNARE. THIS DRUM SHELL DOES NOT HAVE ONE SINGLE HOLE DRILLED INTO IT. ALL THE HARDWARE HAS BEEN ATTACHED TO THE RIMS AND THE LUGS ARE FREE FLOATING. THIS THING SOUNDS AND LOOKS ABSOLUTELY AWESOME.

JAN. 24, 2004

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DUSTIN'S EXCELLENT JELLY FIBES

AS YOU CAN SEE, LUDWIG IS NOT THE ONLY MANUFACTURER TO GIVE IS A JELLY BEAN KIT. DUSTIN HAS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THE FIBES VERSION AND IT LOOKS FANTASTIC.

JAN. 17, 2004

"THE JELLY BEAN"

�THE JELLY BEAN� PERHAPS ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER KITS IN THE VISTALITE LINE. THE JELLY IS MADE UP OF VARIOUS COLOR DRUMS TYPICALLY AT LEAST ONE IN EVERY COLOR AVAILABLE (at the time). CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, ANY KIT MANUFACTURED WITH THE VISTALITE ACRYLIC SHELLS COULD BE ORDERED IN THE JELLY BEAN SCHEME WITH ANY COLOR ON ANY DRUM AS SPECIFIED BY THE ORDERING PARTY ALTHOUGH MOST SEEM TO HAVE BEEN ORDERED IN THE SCHEME SHOWN IN THE CATALOG.

JAN. 12, 2004
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WITH ALL THE PARADES ON THE TUBE TODAY IT GOT ME TO THINKING ABOUT THE VISTALITE LINE OF PARADE DRUMS. DEFINITELY A DIFFERENT LOOK FROM THE KITS WITH THE HIGH TENSION LUG CASINGS AND THE P-87 STRAINER ALONG WITH THE MUFFLER CONTROL LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE. YOU MY ALSO NOTICE THE MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR THE DUO AND TRIO, USING A DOUBLE CLIP MOUNT FOR ADDED STRENGTH. FINALLY THAT SHORT FAT 18" TOM TOM. WHAT A SPECTACULAR LOOK TO HAVE A MARCHING BAND'S DRUM LINE ALL IN VISTAS.

JAN. 1, 2004

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I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MICHAEL LEE THOMAS FOR SENDING ME SOME OF HIS DRUMS FOR REPAIR. TWO HAVE BEEN RETURNED TO HIM AND HE TELLS ME HE IS PLEASED WITH THE WORKMANSHIP.

HERE ARE THE BEFORE AND AFTER PIX OF A 12" MELODIC POWER TOM MICHAEL HAS RESCUED FROM A LAWN SHED IN NEW JERSEY. I HAVE PHOTO DOCUMENTED THE PROCEDURE IN THE RESTORATION DEPARTMENT UNDER CRACK REPAIR.
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

DEC. 7, 2003

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ALLOW ME TO PRESENT JEREMY WITH HIS BIG FAT 14"x10" 12 LUG VISTALITE SNARE.
JEREMY HAS BEEN KIND ENOUGH TO HELP ME LOCATE SOME DIFFICULT TO FIND HARDWARE FOR A SNARE PROJECT THAT YOU WILL SOON SEE HERE SO STAY TUNED.

THANKS JEREMY
DEC. 5, 2003

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YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THESE BEAUTIFUL YELLOW VISTALITES IN THE COLLECTIONS PAGE OF VISTALITES.COM.
NICHOLAS HUNT WAS KIND ENOUGH TO SEND THESE PIX TO US AT NO CHARGE. YELLOW KITS COMPLETE LIKE THIS ONE (ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE LOGO HEAD AND HARDWARE) ARE BECOMING QUITE RARE AND THE RAIL MOUNT IS YET ANOTHER SELDOM SEEN PIECE OF HARDWARE ALTHOUGH OF LATE (WITH THE BONHAM CRAZE AT A FRENZY) WE ARE SEEING A LOT MORE BECOMING AVAILABLE.
   THANKS NICK
P.S. NICK IS LOOKING FOR A YELLOW 18" FLOOR TOM TO COMPLETE HIS KIT. IF YOU CAN HELP, LET ME KNOW AND I'LL PASS IT ON. K.

NOV. 29, 2003

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    WE HIT THE 10,000 MARK

SINCE OUR LAUNCH IN JUNE, 2003 VISTALITEDRUMS.COM HAS HAD OVER 10,000 HITS. MAYBE THAT'S NOT A BIG DEAL WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE 25,000 HIT A DAY SITES BUT WHEN I STARTED THIS UP I THOUGHT WELL MAYBE A COUPLE OF FRIENDS AND FELLOW MUSICIANS MIGHT VISIT HERE AND THERE BUT IN THE 5 MONTHS SINCE THE LAUNCH WOW .
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT HAS MADE THIS POSSIBLE ESPECIALLY THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE COME BACK TO VISIT THE SITE AGAIN, SENT IN MATERIAL, COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS AND THOSE THAT HAVE LINKED THE SITE TO THEIR'S. IT'S BEEN FUN AND I'LL TRY TO KEEP IT FRESH.

THANK YOU
KENNY V.

NOV. 13,2003
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FROM FRANCE, DRUMMER ALAIN POLIDORI AND HIS COLLECTION OF AMBER AND BLUE VISTALITES. IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY AT THE BLUE BASS YOU CAN SEE YOUR HOST'S FAVORITE PEDAL THE "SPEED KING". ALAIN TELLS ME HE HAS FOUR OF THESE PEDALS. I GUESS I'M NOT THE ONLY SK FANATIC OUT THERE.
THANKS ALAIN.

NOV. 8,2003

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IT WAS MY TURN TO HOST THE MONTHLY JAM SESSION AND, OF COURSE, I HAD TO SET UP MY LATEST ADDITION. THE RED KIT HERE IS WHAT I CALL A TRANSITION ERA. THAT SHORT PERIOD WHERE LUDWIG FIRST MOVED THE BADGE AND MUFFLER AROUND IN THE MID 70's.I THINK IT ONLY LASTED A FEW MONTHS AND YOU DON'T SEE MANY OF THESE AROUND. THE POWER TOM IS A RARE ITEM IN VISTALITE ALSO AND WORKS QUITE WELL WITH THIS KIT.

NOV.2,2003

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HERE AT VISTALITEDRUMS WE HAVE A GALLERY FOR YOU THE VISITORS TO SHARE YOUR DRUMS WITH EVERYONE.WELL, BELIVE IT OR NOT WE ARE NOW GETTING PHOTOS OF HARDWARE. THIS SPEED KING WAS SENT IN BY EDWARD AND AS MANY OF YOU MAY KNOW IS MY PERSONAL FAVORITE. ALTHOUGH AROUND HERE THEY ARE KNOWN AS SQUEAK KINGS. EDWARD HAS FIXED AN ACRYLIC PLATE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PEDAL TO STABILIZE IT AND DUBBED IT THE
"VISTA-KING"

OCT.25,2003

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