Drummer Cafe Community Forum

I've been putting together a clear Vistalite kit for a few years now(incomplete due to various mitigating factors).  It seems like the Achilles heel of these drums are the seams(I had one drum break apart in transit), and I'm wondering if the Fibes Crystalites are seamless or at least more quality made.  Should I just go for Fibes?
I'd really dig everyone's views on this.

Thanks!
Dan

I should clarify....I speak of 70's Ludwigs, not the reissues...sorry....


Dan

Howdy-I am well versed in 70s Ludwig Vistalites being the owner of a few kits.  The seams can be an issue, depending on when the drums were made.  Ludwig changed the way the seam was manufactured.  Some of the best seams were early production runs-some were later.  At any rate-here are a couple of pointers, for any mfgs. acrylic drums.

First, when someone buys any acrylic drum they should also buy a can of 3M Weld On 3 and a small applicator with the needle on the end.  Weld on 3 is a material that melts some of the acrylic to form a clear, virtually invisible seam.  I always use it during restoration, after disassembling the drum, polish the shell, run a small amount along the seam, fill any spiderwebs or cracks that are found.  You can buy Weld on 3 at Tap plastics or any plastics supply house.  DO NOT USE CYANOACRYLATE-IT WILL FOG AND F/UP THE DRUM!!!!!!!

Some people take clear bits of plastic and use weld on 3 to re-inforce the seam or crack-DONT DO THIS!!!!!!  It looks horrible.  Weld on 3 applied properly to a crack or seam is completely invisible.  I have repaired prob. 20 drums over the years using this stuff, and often Im hard pressed to find any evidence of a crack-let alone a repaired crack.

I dont believe the Fibes are seamless-but I could be wrong.  A place of great information is RCI Vistalite.  Do a Google search-Frankie V. will be happy to answer your questions and emails.

I has been my experience w/Vistas that they are surprisingly durable.  The Achilles heel with ANY acrylic drum is impacts from the sides or just being dropped or mishandled.  Acrylic by nature is very durable-to a point.  If you dont have them, get some durable-padded hard shell cases.  Dont use the flimsy bags, and NEVER transport the drums w/o being in cases.  

Lastly-enjoy those vistas brutha.  There are lots of members here on this site that have acrylic experience.......Felix, Joe (who won the Bonham/Ocheltree extravaganza!!!)