Vistalite Collections - Chris Sandoval

Here are some pictures of my kit. It was purchased for me by my father back in the Fall of 1976. I still have the original receipt of purchase. He bought it used, but luckily it came with cases which have really preserved the condition of the pieces. I was 14 years old when I received the kit and I am 41 now. I have had the kit for quite a long time (CHUCKLE).

Back then it was cool to have all of the bottom rims and heads off of the drums. After reading your web-site though, I have learned that this is not a good thing, especially for the bass drum, structure wise. I think that I still have all of the removed pieces, so I will definitely correct this problem ASAP.

This kit was played regularly by me from 1976 - 1981. In 1981 I went away to college, purchased a house, got married, got divorced, sold the house and all that time my kit has been with me quietly sitting in storage. Recently this past November 2002, I got an opportunity to perform in a band once again at my church and I unpacked the vistalites. They still look great and I still get a fair amount of questions about them from time to time.

All of the drum shells are in excellent condition. The only one that has the most visible wear is the bass drum and the wear is only in the form of a few light scratches. You have to look close to see them. When I received the kit, it was the only drum that did not come with a case. I purchased one for it after becomming the owner. Incidentally the scratches were a result of the previous owner. As far as I can remember, I have never put a scratch on them myself. I have always treasured them and tried to take good care of them.

There are no cracks or separations in any of the shell seams. The piece of hardware on the bass drum, that holds the center support for the riding toms, is stripped and needs to be replaced. The bolt tightening connections for the riding toms are showing wear too (chrome is worn off), but still function fine. I never understood why Ludwig put bolt fasteners on the riding toms instead of wing nuts, it just doesn't make sense functionally or asethetically.

For the type of instrument that it is, one that receives hard physical contact to be played and one that requires a lot of setting up and tearing down, it has survived quite well over the years. I imagine that a small investment in replacing worn parts and buffing out the finish on the bass drum will restore the pieces close to their former glory. A clear snare would just be icing on the cake! I plan to restore my vistalite kit and then play it occasionally. I will probably purchase a new kit to subject to the rigors of the stage.

Chris Sandoval
February 2003