It's Alive! It's ALIIIIIVE!!!

[Jarhead]

A few weeks ago I purchased a 1978-79 Vistalite Set (blue). Yesterday, I changed out my batter heads and this set literally came alive in front of my very eyes! The change in sound and resonance is incredible!

As soon as I changed out the head on my 16" floor tom I noticed that the drum had a whole new sound and life to it (my choice of head may have had something to do with that) but I noticed that as I was taking the head off of my 12" rack tom that the head was not very tight at all. Then the same for the 13' rack tom, so before I changed out the 13's head I tightened it to see if how the sound would improve. It was not as good as the toms with the new heads, but I could tell that what I had done improved the sound quite a bit.

Now I'm wondering why they were so loose to begin with? Is loosening your heads a common practice when preparing drums for longterm storage, or do you think the previous owner really played them that way?

Follow-on question: Is there any reason I should keep the heads I've taken off? Can you re-use heads later?

[Ray on the Drums]

I'd crack'em a little loose if they were gonna sit for very long.
Check and tune every drum is what'd I do. I would have before even sitting them up but I'm just weird like that!

[Jarhead]

I might have done that, if I'd known any better! LOL!

This is my first set, I'd never played before and I've never had a lesson. I just have this kit and just an itch to play. It's an itch I love to scratch!


Now if only I could find someone in my area to give me lessons...

[drummer]

Now I'm wondering why they were so loose to begin with?

Head most always loosen up over time. They stretch.

Is loosening your heads a common practice when preparing drums for longterm storage, or do you think the previous owner really played them that way?

It's hard to know what he did but they probably just loosened up on their own.

Is there any reason I should keep the heads I've taken off?

You could keep them for spares but if you don't break heads on the gig, you might want to just give them away.

Can you re-use heads later?

Absolutely but I usually don't. I'm very picky.

[SpazApproved]

I'd love a vistalite kit! Pics?

[Ray on the Drums]

Yeah a pic would be cool. I love the looks of them kits and blue is even better for sure!

Youtube has some great video on drum tuning and drum lessons. I'd check the thumbs up and down thingy and even read a few comments before you get in to deep though.

[Jarhead]

I'd love a vistalite kit! Pics?

Here are the only decent pics I have with clear heads.








The black heads look awesome! I'll take some pictures with the black heads next week, when I get to see the set again. Unfortunately this set is currently set up in what will be my new home, I am still living in a house an hour away.

[Jarhead]

Head most always loosen up over time. They stretch.


It's hard to know what he did but they probably just loosened up on their own.



You could keep them for spares but if you don't break heads on the gig, you might want to just give them away.




Absolutely but I usually don't. I'm very picky.

I wondered if head would stretch over time, but I don't know if he intentionally loosened them either. I really wish I could ask the previous owner of this set, but as it turns out he has passed. (Ouija board anyone?)

Since I don't gig, I don't break heads on a gig. I'll probably save the old ones for now, its not like they take up a lot of space! LOL!

Thanks for the great info!!

[Ray on the Drums]

Nice!

[RHD03]

Those are cool man, nice score!

[Jarhead]

Finally the pics. As you can see from the kick drum, putting the black heads on both sides makes a big difference in the depth of the blue. I am loving the way that kick looks!



I will post pics again after I get the last three heads (on the bottom of the toms) on, and after I get them cleaned up.



These pictures really do not do these drums justice. They look rough in these photos, but I assure you that is dust, not scratches. I'll clean 'em up and work on my lighting to try and show how awesome they really look!

[pastor_bob]

That's a gorgeous kit Jarhead!

[markthechuck]

lovely kit, check youtube for lessons.

[Northern Redneck]

Nice kit. Were are you located? Maybe somebody on here knows a good teacher in your area.

[8beat]

Nice looking drum kit.

[woodstockrocker]

looks great enjoy and beat away

[54bogger]

That'a a kit you can be proud of, gotta love Ludwig.

[Markadiddle]

Beautiful kit! It's the same one I had back in the early 80's. I fell on some hard times and had to sell mine. Man, I miss it!

BTW - They look really nice with some white lights around them.

[wolvie56]

Great kit. I think I like the clear heads better.

[501208]

great kit. I think i like the clear heads better.

+1

[Jarhead]

Nice kit. Were are you located? Maybe somebody on here knows a good teacher in your area.

Just moved to Clay Center, Kansas. Willing to travel some for lessons, the hard part is my schedule. I work a 48-on, 48-off schedule so there is not a whole lot of regularity to my days off.

Beautiful kit! It's the same one I had back in the early 80's. I fell on some hard times and had to sell mine. Man, I miss it!

BTW - They look really nice with some white lights around them.

White lights are definitely in the plans!

Great kit. I think I like the clear heads better.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion. The best part about being able to change the look of a set so dramatically with just some heads is I can always change them back.

[Ricardo]

Great kit. I think I like the clear heads better.

Since the Vistas project so well, you could even put those blue Evans Hydraulics on those shells...........

[slinky]

nice, even got the original hardware! Looks like that kit is pure Ludwig silver dots and all. Must sound nice with the new heads.

[gonefishin]

Very nice set.....play them proudly

[MDK]

Gorgeous kit, I would love one of those someday. I agree the black heads kind of kill the vibe a lil though, have you looked into hydraulic heads or remo PS3 or 4's?