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LUDWIG VISTALIGHT REVIEW
Overview
They were a pioneering line of acrylic drums, known for their translucent plastic shells and Vistalite drums gained fame through rock drummer John Bonham of Led Zeppelin.
Let us also point out they looked amazing and added a whole new element to a drummers look on stage.
Bill Zickos, an innovator, created the first acrylic drum set in 1959 and received a patent in 1970.
Vistalites featured a range of colours, with clear and blue being the most popular and offered an alternative to traditional wooden shells.
However, due to slow sales, some colours were dropped and after stealing the limelight for a while, they became more collectors’ items, representing a notable era in drum manufacturing.
Though the original Vistalite line was phased out in the late ’70s, they made a comeback in 2001 with improved features and Acrylic drums, including Vistalites, have been embraced by musicians for their unique sound characteristics.
They offer a wide tuning range, dry, punchy sound, and reduced overtones, making them distinct but somewhat polarizing in the music world………and did we mention they look kick ass too!!
Watch Bonzo Play a Ludwig Vistalite
LUDWIG VISTALIGHT
A Quick Rundown of Features:
- Eye Catching Designs and Finishes
- Big Attack, Big Sound
- Available in 3 Standard Configurations
- Generally More Expensive
- Looks So COOL!
” I”ve only had these for a week. Still getting tuning changed. Drums sound great! Quality is excellent. Bass and snare especially tick. Bass drum sounds like a “cannon”! “.
John Anderson (Sweetwater review)
Features In Depth
The standard configurations are:
FAB:
14×22 Kick Drum, 9×13 Rack Tom and 16×16 Floor Tom (Snare sold separately).
PRO BEAT:
14×24 Kick Drum, 9×13 Rack Tom and 16×16 Floor Tom (Snare sold separately).
ZEP:
14×26 Kick Drum, 10×14 Rack Tom, 16×16 & 16×18 Floor Toms and a 6.5×14 is included.
Common Colours are: Ludwig Vistalite Amber, Blue, Yellow, Black, Pink and Clear.
We’ve also seen Green, Red and Black, Black and Clear (as pictured) so have a good look around to find the colour that suits you.
Sound Quality
The overwhelming opinion when it comes to these drums are that they are built to be LOUD and pack a lot of punch!
If you are wanting a softer tone for lighter styles of music then these probably shouldn’t be your first choice of drum kit, good looking or not.
The words loud, fat and dry are often used to describe the Vistalite series and many producers have been critical of the ability to get a diverse tone out of them in some recordings.
The kick drums certainly packs a punch and with the addition of the right skins and baffling a warm more subtle tone is achievable.
The toms, both rack and floor, are again big sounding but can be hard to get the tuning right, but with the right skins and the right tinkering you’ll get a deep booming sound out of them.
So it seems to us that it maybe a case of, “you’ll love them or hate them”, with less options to find alternate tones like you can with wooden drum kits.
This is of course not saying you won’t love them be it can take time to find the sound you want and this kit is likely for a specific type of player and one that most likely loves John Bonham.
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Ludwig 50th-anniversary Vistalite Kits
And although some thought you’d be a short-lived phenomenon, these beloved drums have hit a major milestone – they’re over 50 years old now!
To celebrate this amazing feat, Ludwig has brought out some seriously cool limited-edition finishes.
There are only 35 Fab kits and 15 Pro Beat kits (and they come with matching snares), so they’re pretty rare.
But don’t worry, they still have that classic quality and sound that you’d expect from these iconic drums.
Plus, they’ve got those 45-degree bearing edges that give them a super sharp attack and a rich sustain.
You can tune them to sound awesome for whatever style you’re playing.
It’s a nod to the enduring legacy of the Ludwig Vistalite Series – a true milestone in music history
Pros and Cons of the Ludwig Vistalite Kits
PROS
- Big Booming Sound
- Projection
- Amazing Looks
- Distinctive Sound
- Durability
- Collector’s Dream
CONS
- Generally More Expensive
- Quite Heavy
- Limited Availability
- Easier to Scratch
- Limited Tuning Capabilities
Summary
However, it’s crucial to carefully weigh the drawbacks as well, including the cost, sound adaptability, and the weight of the drums.
Whether you’re new to the drums or a seasoned musician your drum kit should fit your personality, the music you play and what you can afford.
Is a Vistalite the best choice for a beginner starting out? I’d say no (you’d find a better bang for your buck), but are they good kits, hell yes.
Ludwig Vistalite drum kits stand as a testament to a great era in drumming but are also extremely useful and relevant in today’s world of drumming.
Aesthetically pleasing and offers a very distinct sound.
Q & A
Q. Where are Ludwig Vistalites made?
A. They are handcrafted in the United States, since 1972.
Q. What are Ludwig Vistalite drum kits made out of?
A. Vistalite drums are a line of acrylic drums made by Ludwig and made popular by John Bonham of Led Zeppelin.
Q. What is the history of Ludwig Vistalite drums?
A. In 1972, the Ludwig Drum company launched a range of acrylic drums known as Vistalite drums. The term ‘Vistalite’ derives from the transparent plastic used in crafting the drum shells. These acrylic drums provided a synthetic alternative to traditional wood shells and gained widespread recognition thanks in part to rock drummer John Bonham of Led Zeppelin. The classic Vistalite drums are highly sought after by collectors, considered a valuable and rare item. The pioneer of acrylic drums was Bill Zickos, who constructed the inaugural experimental set in 1959.
Q. Do Ludwig Vistalite drum kits sound good?
A. They can sound amazing but it does depend on what sound you’re after. They are well known for being boomy and big sounding.
Q. Can you put lights in Ludwig acrylic drums?
A. Yes. Many drummers who choose acrylic drums have this in mind when purchasing them and the results look amazing. They are sold separately and can most likely be found on amazon.
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If there is something we have forgotten to mention, please contact us so we can continue to help and serve the wider drumming community.
