I hope the new year has started off well for my readers. I predict this year is going to be a great one for drum buying and selling. If you haven't purchased a wonderful collector or player set, then visit our Drumsellers .com and get started. If you don't already have one, I recommend you get a Vistalite set in one of the many colors or combination of colors. That is exactly how I got into collecting some 35 years ago. There was a classified ad in our local paper listing two Ludwig drum sets for sale. I found out one was a Ludwig Rocker set, but the other one was an early clear Vistalite set. I bought them both, cleaned them up, put on new heads and sold the Rocker set for the full amount I paid for both sets. I was now a hooked drum collector.
The set I am featuring from my drum room is a 1970s Amber Vistalite Pro Beat set from Ludwig. They are strikingly beautiful. The Pro Beat sets have a 24X14 bass drum, 18X16 floor tom, 14X10 and 13X9 mounted toms. Most Pro Beats set have a 16X16 floor tom as well. When I bought this set there was no 16X16 with it. I plan to purchase one to add to this set. I would have left the name "Bonham" out of this article, but I guess I can't since the bass drum sports a reminder that Brother John played Amber Vistalite drums for a while. When I saw Him play back in the day, he was playing the big 26" Amber bass drum. It had a great sound that can't be described. I often say, "Yeah, I'm old, but I got to see all the great bands live."