Value of a Vistalite clear

[mcdrummer]

I'm thinking about buying a clear vistalite from an acquaintance of mine. It has a 12,13,16, and 22, and includes a chrome snare. It was probably from mid to late 70's according to his estimates. Some of the hardware has been replaced, the floor tom legs and leg mounts aren't original, they're ddrum or gibralter or something, also there is a crack in the 12' tom. They have the usual scuffs and nicks but nothing out out of the ordinary. Also two of the tom hoops have been replaced because of excessive pitting. There is a little pitting on some of the other chrome as well.

I'll try to get pictures. I've seen them range anywhere from 400 to about 1400 but Im not sure what this kit should be worth. Any help from the experts would be greatly appreciated. Would 600 be too much, too little, or just right?

[LudwigLover]

buddy of mine just sold a similar kit for $700.

with a crack..i would say that $600 was too high.

try for $500.

[mcdrummer]

Just bought this kit and wondering if there is any to tell the exact age. Also was the hardware always the same or were there any variations during the years which the original vistalites were made?
For example did they always have mufflers or was that discontinued on the later 70's drums? Also, did they bass drum spurs change or were they always the curved "hiding" type?

[vintagemore2000]

can you post pics of yours?, but yes to all your questions, except to they had mufflers in them.

[rcjames]

Just bought this kit and wondering if there is any to tell the exact age. Also was the hardware always the same or were there any variations during the years which the original vistalites were made?
For example did they always have mufflers or was that discontinued on the later 70's drums? Also, did they bass drum spurs change or were they always the curved "hiding" type?

Have you ever found out about the age? I want to find out what age is the vistalite i sold to my brother, i want to get it back from him.

[Pounder]

Serials provide a ballpark, also the placement of the mufflers in the shells can be an indicator, there are some websites and disccusion groups specializing in vistalite drums out there, look on google and try to find them. The seams can also provide a hint, they changed how they were glued together during the times.. They all would have the arced spurs that recess into the bass shells, and they would all have internal mufflers except for the concert toms (single headed toms) and the bass drums. In general Ludwig offered the same drums in vistalite as they did in any of their wrapped wood colors.

[mcdrummer]

well I've been out of contact for a while but here's a pic and I am going to post more. I'm wondering if these chrome bd hoops are original?
I still haven't figured the age.

[LudwigLover]

metal hoops aren't original.

prob mid to late 70's.