Vistalite Collections - Michael Lee Thomas

Every now and then, something very special turns up. I'll let Michael explain....

"I tried to treat the photo session with the drums in mind. All very casual and not like a clinical publicity shoot. Originally I intended to put new heads on all the drums, but I did not want the kit to appear as a "Custom Show Car" that is never driven. In other words, this kit is ready for action and is primed to rock. Not a static display in any way. I played the hell out of 'em during the shoot and cannot tell you how good they sounded and how wonderful it felt to let go on them. We really put some prep time in the photo session and I believe it was well worth it. The pictures, taken in August 2003, were designed and shot by Dustin Downing, who is based in Austin, Texas."

"The kit was manufactured in Summer 1974, and were purchased in October 1974 in Amarillo, Texas from a store called Billy's Band Aid. Officially it is a Ludwig Octa-Plus in Clear Vistalite with 24" Bass Drums. I am the original and sole owner."

• All the stands and hardware are vintage. The original stands were replaced in 1981 with upgraded modular.
• The Cymbals are all 1977-1979 Zildjian & Paiste. In 1991 I added two new Paste 18" Crash Cymbals.
• In Spring 1979, I purchased an additional 16"x18" Clear Vistalite Floor Tom, the Eight piece Clear TAMA Octoban set and I added a rare Ludwig Stainless Steel Super Sensitive, 6.5"x14" Snare Drum. I still own the 5" x 14" Clear Visalite snare that came with the kit originally.
• In 1979, I also purchased two Ludwig Ghost Pedals and a Rogers Heavy Duty Hi-Hat stand with clutch. These are still on the Kit at this time and still working flawlessly.
• The entire kit is housed in Anvil ATA Flight Cases, purchased in Fall 1978. I use Remo Pinstripe on the toms, Ludwig Silver Dot Clear on the Snare, Remo Powerstroke 3 on the Kicks and Remo Black Dots on the Octobans."

"Since the early nineties my main recording operations have been in Keyboard/Synth production, in the fields of New Age and Jazz. So yes I am a serious professional Keyboard player, but Drums and drumming are in my soul. I am at my best as a Drummer. I have owned them over thirty-years now. Just another clear set to some, but I promise you they mean more to me than you could imagine."

Michael is a prolific musician...you should check out:

• www.darksilver.com
• www.soundclick.com/michaelleethomas
• www.soundclick.com/thrillelement

You can see more of Michael's pictures - and larger versions of these - in the gallery.

Updated Feb 2005