Vistalite age and value question - from web site

[Webmaster]

Dear Sir: I Purchased A 5 Piece Set Of Ludwig Drums About 10 Years Ago.(vista Lites) I Read Your Article On How To Estimate The Age Of The Drums. I Do Know That They Were Built After Oct. 1969 Because They Have The Blue/olive Parallelogram Badge.the Id #\'s Are As Follow:
12" Tom Tom 1584961
13" Tom Tom 1584967
16" Floor Tom Tom 1584964
24" Bass No # To Be Found ( However The Bass Matches The Rest Of The Set
14\" Chrome Snare N/a
These Drums Are In Very Good Condition And Has No Stress Cracks To Be Found. Please Estimate The Age And A Hi/low Value For Me.

[Webmaster]

The color of the shell is very important when putting a value on Vistalites.

Based on your serial numbers I guess late 70's.

Most 4 piece Vistalites range from $300 up to as much as $2500 depending on the color and sizes. The higher end is usually the Tivoli lighted sets and Green and yellow Vistalites. I would gather your set being $300 - $500. The snare can be sold seperatly and condition is a big factor.

This is all speculation without seeing the drums and the actual condition.

Thanks

David

[davidroy]

thank you for the reply on the question (" what age and value of my vista lites?) as for the color, they are dark smoke color. and i paid $500.00 for the complete set, encluding all 5 sets of cymbals and stands. do they depreciate any? thx david

[Webmaster]

You did well then, depending on the cymbals and if it is Ludwig hardware

Some of the stands sell for a good amount depending on what they are.

I think overall depending on the model and condition of the snare, the type of cymbals and hardware you did really good.

Yes, they will continue to appreciate in value. I once heard that the smoke colored Vistalites were Ludwigs answer to black drums of the late 70's and are not as popular then the other colors. Either way I like them and you have a nice set

David