Ludwig Vistalite “Jelly Bean” and “Tequila Sunrise” Acrylic Drum Kits
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The restored Ludwig Vistalite “Jelly Bean” drum kit in the first picture is the rarest of the Vistalite Acrylic kits made in the ’60’s and ’70’s. The 2nd picture shows a beautiful Ludwig Vistalite “Tequila Sunrise” kit. I am personally a fan of acrylic drums because of their incredible projection and great tone. Acrylic snares have the crack of wood drums and even more projection than brass snares. I typically use a Pork Pie maple snare, but acrylic drums are perfect for louder playing situations with or without mics.
John Bonham made Ludwig Vistalite drums hugely popular when he used an orange double bass Vistalite kit on tour with Led Zeppelin. He combined acrylic shell bass and toms with a 6.5″ X 14″ Ludwig Supraphonic snare drum.
Original Black Beauty snares now cost an arm and a leg, but the Black Beauty is still the snare of choice for many touring and studio drummers. The Pork Pie BOB “Big Black Brass” snare drum is a much more reasonably priced alternative, and they are hand-built by master drum crafter Bill Detamore. Pork Pie drums also offers a nice line of clear and orange “Pig Lite” acrylic snares based on the original Ludwig Vistalites.
The last two pictures are of a restored clear Ludwig Vistalite site with Roland electronics (notice the Animal doll on the bass drum).
June 24, 2008 at 10:38 pm
have you any for sale this is important and how much and what country this is from new zealand.
May 26, 2009 at 9:18 am
i have a rare spiral ludwig. make a search and see it on google..
June 24, 2008 at 10:41 pm
would like to know if can buy thanks and how much.
July 6, 2009 at 6:22 am
yes u can buy my spiral .red green white.5000$ send email badran106
at gmail.com for more info….there are only 2 known red green white spirals .one owned by mat brenan second owned by me badran ghosn
July 3, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Bonham didn’t play a double bass kit. Or a Black Beauty for that matter.
Sorry
July 16, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Hi, i am currently wanting to sell a full Tequila sunrise set, two basses, two toms a floor tom, snare, two speed king pedals. good condition, un modified.
September 30, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Hi i really want to buy the full Tequila sunrise set plz email me at the.draminator@gmail.com
November 10, 2008 at 9:45 am
actualyl john bonham made the ludwig vistalites famous with his SINGLE bass amber kit. and used a ludwig speed king pedal.
December 8, 2008 at 10:44 am
Wow !!! Nice picture… I wonder what could be the price of this kit. I found other Ludwig Drumsets to try to figure out, but it’s kinda difficult for a dummy like me.
Any ideas?
January 18, 2009 at 5:18 pm
cam i get the sizes of the drums? and th price please? just send it to my email
June 18, 2009 at 1:05 pm
dude john bonham never used a double-bass amber vistalite kit on tour
July 9, 2009 at 11:07 am
Hi,
My name is John Klicker and I am a photographer/photo researcher for Knack Books, “Drums for Everyone”, written by Carmine Appice. Knack Books is an educational “how to” book series covering everything from cooking to fishing, home repair, etc. Drums for Everyone is our first entry into the music how to market. Being that Carmine Appice is a rock drumming legend, this book informs beginners to intermediate players on history, gear needed, maintenance of equipment, playing techniques and theory. The book is heavy on photography as it gives beginners a visual idea as well as clearly written information. Carmine has requested a few historical kits and famous kits be in the book. I came across your site while on the trail of the Ludwig Octaplus Drum set. The kits we are needing photo’s of are: Ludwig Octaplus, Keith Moon kit without a hi-hat and clearly showing the angle of his drums, John Bonham Kit detailing all the parts. Since it is very hard to locate the original photographer’s to get permission to use these photo’s, I would like to explore the possibility of getting photographs from collectors or owners of kits which are identical to the original kits? If there is any way you can help me locate such photographs I would greatly appreciate it. Thank You, John Klicker