Alex Van Halen coated the interior of his black and white stripe Vistalite shells with a spray foam material-an insulation, I think? He did this because David Lee Roth used to like to stand on the kick drums, during the live show. Well, they tried it with the first shells Ludwig sent him and it cracked and exploded when DLR stood on it. So they used the spray foam to strengthen the shells. Originally, they were going to just do the kick drums this way, but Alex liked the sound of the treated drums so much, he did the whole kit! Those drums are now on display in the window of the Guitar Centre in Hollywood.
15 years ago I made a full drum kit as a project out of 20 gallon Plastic buckets I just cut out the bottoms and rounded the edgings then put the Tama Heads on them and used all of the hardware from an old kit they sounded Amazing.
Always fascinated by acrylic shell drums, particularly Ludwig Vistalite. Finally satisfied my itch for acrylic drums by picking up a used 4-pc Vistalite kit in clear blue, from 1976 manufacture. They are in excellent shape no cracks just a few scuff marks here and there. Very happy with them they are 'open' and loud for sure. And they just look great.
It's very neat to see the process of making them! I got to see Jon Theodore play his red ones in a small venue when he was drumming for Mini Mansions. It was magical to see them catch the light!
Matthew Paluch I’ve notice Ludwigs not putting bearing edges on the stainless steel reissues, too... I’ve gotta late 70s thats got the fat bearing edges. Anyhoo.
My tequila sunrise kit from probably 1978 has sharp bearing edges. Ultimate love it or hate it color. Mine has the tivoli internal light system which just completely polarizes opinions. I love it nice and cheesy myself.
Go with a pearl or dw performance acrylic, hell even crush uses similar pearl hardware on theirs.. Better hardware and less expensive. Sound is what you make it.
I’m guessing the first half of the video (making of the shells) is done at the NJ factory and the second part (bearing edges, lugs and hardware attached etc.) is at the Ludwig factory in NC.
people are always complaining high end drums are too expensive. stop complaining and get a drum kit in the price bracket you can afford. there is plenty of low end and mid range kits available.
Right on. I've seen guys with a hand me down kit that they make sound like a million bucks. I rescue trashed kits and when I'm done with them, they sound as good as any kit. Careful heads selection, careful tuning does it.
I have a custom made snare built from an old concert tom. Solid black shell. Black tube lugs. Black hoops. Throw off, and butt plate are chrome. Sweet drum!! Loud and dry!!!
Is the first part of the video filmed in the Gold n Time factory in texas now named «percussion kus-tom »? I know that they used to make acrylics shells for ludwig in the early 2000s so…
Very nice but it must be a pain taking care of them. Also sure wish Ludwig would start doing options with coloured hardware. Imagine having black nickel hardware on a Ludwig kit. Would look extra badass!!!
why are these so expensive? i would think they would be some of the cheapest drums to buy since theyre just heat molded plexiglass. like because of the use of plexiglass, ludwug gets to skip a whole bunch of steps to make the shell. i would think that meant vistalites would be in the $1000 - $1750 range, but no theyre $3500USD.
This was exactly what I was wondering too. Doesn't look like enough heat to just stuff them in a mold and poof you have a good solid seam. I wonder if they go into a kiln and have an air bladder stuffed in there or what. 🤷🏻♂️
I wonder why the Vistalites are not seamless, and why aren't Double Toms mounted on Bass Drums? I wouldn't mind having a 20x14, 10x8, 12x8, 14x14, 16x16 with mounted Rack Toms and Floor Toms with legs of course...... Thanks!
That was awesome. Do you guys have any making of supraphonics or black beauty shells?? Have a 14x5 bb love it and a LM402 on order as soon as Sweetwater gets em from you. Can’t wait and keep those videos coming please
Tell me which one you prefer. I've had a hammered bronze, a black beauty and a 402. I prefer the LM402. To answer your question, I've only seen a video of Ludwig buffing and assembling the snare drums.
D'yer Maker They probably don’t want to share any trade secrets. They’re more than likely spun on a lathe. There are videos on TH-cam of spun bowls. Same concept except the bearing edge is folded over on one side while the other is folded and cut.
Peter Lazos This MIGHT be the same factory. The acrylic shells more than likely are made in a separate room. It’s funny though, there wasn’t a wood shell in sight. I just got me a Tama SLP Acrylic snare and that bad boy is seamless. Took it apart to clean it and couldn’t detect a seam. Very impressed. It sounds amazing regardless of people saying that sealed acrylic shells sound better. I’m thinking the seamless have a lower fundamental where the seamed shells have a higher fundamental. I might make a few. I have all the tools and a 13 7/8” mold. Just have to figure a way to heat up the plastic evenly. Possibly a modified steam box?
Keiji Kiriya Really? Never took the time to look into acrylic drums. All I know is my Tama SLP is badass. It was a Limited Edition model for 2017 and it looks like Tama is bringing it back for 2019.
Ive always been told that ludwig got their acrylic shells from an outside source such as RCI. There was even speculation on the facebook Vistalite fans page that some shells came from CHINA at one point. I wonder if this video is made AT Rci
Finance it through credit or PayPal. Also amazing drum kits usually don’t come complete, still got to build it after you buy the base so just build slowly
Im thinking the same thing the key a good thermaform machine. Check out a Gruber solid surface thermaform heater to do long strips for bass drum pieces. Building molds and being able to remove the shells without scratching . I want to specialize in c-pattern.
Does LUDWIG actually make their own acrylic material? Or is it outsourced from another company. I heard they are RCI acrylic shells with LUDWIG badges put on them. Any truth to this?
@@freeflydawn Depends which company you're talking about. All my China made Tama drums are every bit as good as the Japan made drums. The quality of manufacturing is dependant on the people running the show.
@freeflydawn Why can't I be interested is what all drum companies do? It gives me pride knowing there are still some companies manufacturing in the US. But I lovr my Tama Starclassic drums. Love my Black Beauty also. And my SLP Acrylic snare can hang with it and any acrylic Ludwig drum. Quality drums are not better than other quality drums, they are just different.
freeflydawn Ask any Black Beauty owner how he would feel if there was a seam in the shell of that snare? I’m sure you would hear some expletives thrown your way. I never said CHINA made is better than US made. I implied that SOME things that China is manufacturing is better than what the US is making. Not a rod the board just certain things. Stop putting words in my mouth.
Sooo, why are these so goddamned expensive, again? This is FAR less labor and resource intense than crafting a wooden or metal drum. I'd love a set of these to gig with, but I'm not dropping $3000 on a 4-piece kit unless someone at least kisses me first.
*maybe* they tend to break a lot while being made so the cost is due to quality control? Never been huge on acrylic drums or Ludwig, but it's my best guess.
You should try to source the materials for costs. Acrylic sheets are expensive these days. Many factors go into the price. The labour cost is significant cause they are made in the usa. Cool factor also contributes as it makes demand higher than supply. Plus if they were too cheap it would cannibalize their wood drum sales too much in my opinion.
Clawforbycicle Do a search on Jason Bonham’s live sets and you’ll see a few videos of him behind an Amber Vistalite. I’m sure DW grabbed him right away to endorse, but before they did, Ludwig was smart to capitalize on a great name.
Did Ludwig factory install RIMS mounts? And all these people are, forgive me for not being PC, foreign nationals. Their clothing seem to be up to date and not 1970's. Would like to know when and where this really was. It sure isn't 1970's or 1980's (saw a rounded badge).
I don't care for catching hell for this, but Ludwig says American made I don't see a single white dude or woman working in the factory? If I did buy Ludwig it be from the Carolina Factory
Where and when is this footage from?? Haha, this looks like a bunch of immigrants moms making these drums. They seem to really be into it, lmao. It looks like its just a 9-5 for them haha. Ludwig US made???
You might want to think things through before you criticize. The suspension mount puts less stress on the shell than would mounting an L arm off a 2 point bracket. This reduces the odds of that beautiful shell cracking and being reduced to ugly crap.
@@the6ig6adwolf To each his own. My opinion on those atlas mounts is that they make the drums look goofy. Having the l-rod mounted to a lug, basically, Makes the orientation of the drum on the stand look awkward. Its just my personal preference.. I don't like them. Also the stress put onto an acrylic shell by hanging it off of two screws on the shell, Whether they be a regular drilled mount or an atlas mount, Seems to not be so desirable in comparison to hanging the shell from a rims mount.
Ludwig drums are the best!
What an ignorant, childish statement.
Alex Van Halen coated the interior of his black and white stripe Vistalite shells with a spray foam material-an insulation, I think? He did this because David Lee Roth used to like to stand on the kick drums, during the live show. Well, they tried it with the first shells Ludwig sent him and it cracked and exploded when DLR stood on it. So they used the spray foam to strengthen the shells. Originally, they were going to just do the kick drums this way, but Alex liked the sound of the treated drums so much, he did the whole kit! Those drums are now on display in the window of the Guitar Centre in Hollywood.
15 years ago I made a full drum kit as a project out of 20 gallon Plastic buckets I just cut out the bottoms and rounded the edgings then put the Tama Heads on them and used all of the hardware from an old kit they sounded Amazing.
Always fascinated by acrylic shell drums, particularly Ludwig Vistalite. Finally satisfied my itch for acrylic drums by picking up a used 4-pc Vistalite kit in clear blue, from 1976 manufacture. They are in excellent shape no cracks just a few scuff marks here and there. Very happy with them they are 'open' and loud for sure. And they just look great.
I had my blue kit for 35 years & they were Super.
same here, blue kit from the 70's
The music is so cool!🎸
"Longlife" LUDWIG❤
Amazing!
It's very neat to see the process of making them! I got to see Jon Theodore play his red ones in a small venue when he was drumming for Mini Mansions. It was magical to see them catch the light!
Atleast this generation of
Vistalites have bearing edges!
Matthew Paluch I’ve notice Ludwigs not putting bearing edges on the stainless steel reissues, too... I’ve gotta late 70s thats got the fat bearing edges. Anyhoo.
My tequila sunrise kit from probably 1978 has sharp bearing edges. Ultimate love it or hate it color. Mine has the tivoli internal light system which just completely polarizes opinions. I love it nice and cheesy myself.
I love the fact that you put Jon Theodore and Randy Ebright.
They are so cool looking I’m a guitar player but watching this makes me want to take up drumming lol
Wonderful!!!! I love it.
Hard to believe they cost so much when it only takes 5 minutes to make them.
I was going to say the same thing, a 3-piece shell pack is 2400 bucks? wtf Ludwig.
The profits must be insane.
@@mikem.3308 I think LastActionJoe and Memestream recoginzed I was kidding.
Hahahaha 😂
Go with a pearl or dw performance acrylic, hell even crush uses similar pearl hardware on theirs.. Better hardware and less expensive. Sound is what you make it.
Dang...that was so cool!
Wow awesome
Awesome!!!!
I’m guessing the first half of the video (making of the shells) is done at the NJ factory and the second part (bearing edges, lugs and hardware attached etc.) is at the Ludwig factory in NC.
They would want you to think that haha
I am absolutely stealing that drum beat. Damn thats cool
people are always complaining high end drums are too expensive. stop complaining and get a drum kit in the price bracket you can afford. there is plenty of low end and mid range kits available.
Right on. I've seen guys with a hand me down kit that they make sound like a million bucks. I rescue trashed kits and when I'm done with them, they sound as good as any kit. Careful heads selection, careful tuning does it.
Plexiglass... Best sound ever!
Coooool
I just had to have the blue ones ! thanks Ludwig ...
I have a custom made snare built from an old concert tom. Solid black shell. Black tube lugs. Black hoops. Throw off, and butt plate are chrome. Sweet drum!! Loud and dry!!!
very cool !
Is the first part of the video filmed in the Gold n Time factory in texas now named «percussion kus-tom »? I know that they used to make acrylics shells for ludwig in the early 2000s so…
Siempre he soñado con tener una 10x8 , 14x 14 y 18x16 ! bueno soñar no cuesta nada jeje.. Ludwig forever...
Looks so easy, wish they’d actually make them readily available
Very nice but it must be a pain taking care of them. Also sure wish Ludwig would start doing options with coloured hardware. Imagine having black nickel hardware on a Ludwig kit. Would look extra badass!!!
I remember Cerone's drum kit, all different colors toms/ kick in the 70's :)
Please tell me if it is not a secret. What kind of coating inside the form in which you molded acrylic. Heated acrylic, as if sticking to it?
How did they connect the two ends at the seam?
how do the two colored ones work? do they just glue them?
Dude cutting those bearing edges without a mask/goggles and just absolutely eating acrylic trimmings for lunch.
why are these so expensive? i would think they would be some of the cheapest drums to buy since theyre just heat molded plexiglass. like because of the use of plexiglass, ludwug gets to skip a whole bunch of steps to make the shell. i would think that meant vistalites would be in the $1000 - $1750 range, but no theyre $3500USD.
Eric Bourne.... Cool factor. They charge for "cool" because they can. But you'r right regarding the pricing....
Petroleum products are just expensive
Because they don't grow on trees like the wooden ones do.
they have the word bonham attached to them
Buy whd acrylic drums, £499.99 for a 4 piece shell pack.
nice video, no palmer footage with his blue one....., he is your best player.....
🤘🏻🥁🇺🇸!
Gold'n'Times shells.
For the love of god someone please tell me where I can buy some
Dose the heat from the oven melt the edges together or do you glue them together...
they are taped on the inside
This was exactly what I was wondering too. Doesn't look like enough heat to just stuff them in a mold and poof you have a good solid seam. I wonder if they go into a kiln and have an air bladder stuffed in there or what. 🤷🏻♂️
All i ever wanted after playing for 25 years all over the world was a vistalite! Still dont av one!
And my middle name IS John Bonham
Ok I missed something! How is the seam connected on the cut ends?
Probably a secret.
I would think while it is hot and put into the moulds that the seams naturally join up or are pressed into one another while it's malleable.
@@mattfenner9457 That is my guess as well.
I wish pearl crystal beat would put out a video like this.
🏆
I wonder why the Vistalites are not seamless, and why aren't Double Toms mounted on Bass Drums? I wouldn't mind having a 20x14, 10x8, 12x8, 14x14, 16x16 with mounted Rack Toms and Floor Toms with legs of course...... Thanks!
Extruded shells are much more expensive, because the weight causes the bass drum to crack.
@2:40 Woof!!
Blue/olive badge, how olde is the video?
ALL Vistalites get a blue/olive badge
@@bradanderson1442 square or rounded edges, or both?
@@mikestang679 Rounded
That was awesome. Do you guys have any making of supraphonics or black beauty shells?? Have a 14x5 bb love it and a LM402 on order as soon as Sweetwater gets em from you. Can’t wait and keep those videos coming please
Tell me which one you prefer. I've had a hammered bronze, a black beauty and a 402. I prefer the LM402. To answer your question, I've only seen a video of Ludwig buffing and assembling the snare drums.
D'yer Maker They probably don’t want to share any trade secrets. They’re more than likely spun on a lathe. There are videos on TH-cam of spun bowls. Same concept except the bearing edge is folded over on one side while the other is folded and cut.
@@Assimilator702 I've seen a video of someone making the seamless aluminum shell. It might be an Oriollo video. They start with a flat sheet of metal.
Didn't know they were still makin them..
What's the model of the oven?
I would love to have a set of Ludwig "Vistalite" set in a 5pc in similar of John Bonham style but not the color and the same size his drums.
So how would it have anything to do with john bonhams style, if it was a different color and different sizes?
Where is B. Cobham and his clear double bass kit....
C-QQ-L video!!!
You can only grease them down with John Bonham's mustache wax.
Also put Evans hydraulic red on the kit.
Wish they made a purple vista lite
Your wish has been granted
Hey now they do 4 years later. Cool.
Where do you guys source the sheets of acrylic from?
rerebah You can get acrylic sheets from any plastic supply house.
The shells are actually made by Sterling Products. The first half of the video is shot at the Sterling factory, not Ludwig.
Is this a separate factory from wood drums and is it a Ludwig owned factory?
Peter Lazos This MIGHT be the same factory. The acrylic shells more than likely are made in a separate room. It’s funny though, there wasn’t a wood shell in sight. I just got me a Tama SLP Acrylic snare and that bad boy is seamless. Took it apart to clean it and couldn’t detect a seam. Very impressed. It sounds amazing regardless of people saying that sealed acrylic shells sound better. I’m thinking the seamless have a lower fundamental where the seamed shells have a higher fundamental. I might make a few. I have all the tools and a 13 7/8” mold. Just have to figure a way to heat up the plastic evenly. Possibly a modified steam box?
@@Assimilator702 Seamless acrylic drums don't sound as good as tabbed ones.
Keiji Kiriya Really? Never took the time to look into acrylic drums. All I know is my Tama SLP is badass. It was a Limited Edition model for 2017 and it looks like Tama is bringing it back for 2019.
Ive always been told that ludwig got their acrylic shells from an outside source such as RCI. There was even speculation on the facebook Vistalite fans page that some shells came from CHINA at one point. I wonder if this video is made AT Rci
I made a twelve acrylic at home. Used a 13 shell as mold. Turned out ok. Wish I had a big oven.
The way she took it out of the oven. No confidence. Thanks marketing.
Yeah exactly haha wtf??
I must buy these. I want, but expensive tho.
*Sad broke noises*
Finance it through credit or PayPal. Also amazing drum kits usually don’t come complete, still got to build it after you buy the base so just build slowly
These baby’s are the best
Reading all the comments i thought of starting my own acrylic drums manufacturing unit and sell it around 5 to 600 dollars for a 5 piece
Im thinking the same thing the key a good thermaform machine. Check out a Gruber solid surface thermaform heater to do long strips for bass drum pieces. Building molds and being able to remove the shells without scratching . I want to specialize in c-pattern.
What is this music? Rocks ass!
Does LUDWIG actually make their own acrylic material? Or is it outsourced from another company. I heard they are RCI acrylic shells with LUDWIG badges put on them. Any truth to this?
Nope! No relation to RCI in any way
Los que arman deberían usar guantes de tela, porque limpian y luego con la otra mano vuelven a dejar huellas!
They forgot Marty Beller in the player spotlight
this video would have to be made in Taiwan now 🙂
I need make friends with the badge guy
How do you seal the seam when curing?
Brad Connell Probably some sort of ultra sonic weld. I’d prefer to see a seamless shell like my Tama SLP Acrylic snare.
@@freeflydawn Looks like China is outdoing us in most areas of manufacturing. Is that a roto casting machine that makes the acrylic shells?
@@freeflydawn Depends which company you're talking about. All my China made Tama drums are every bit as good as the Japan made drums. The quality of manufacturing is dependant on the people running the show.
@freeflydawn Why can't I be interested is what all drum companies do? It gives me pride knowing there are still some companies manufacturing in the US. But I lovr my Tama Starclassic drums. Love my Black Beauty also. And my SLP Acrylic snare can hang with it and any acrylic Ludwig drum. Quality drums are not better than other quality drums, they are just different.
freeflydawn Ask any Black Beauty owner how he would feel if there was a seam in the shell of that snare? I’m sure you would hear some expletives thrown your way. I never said CHINA made is better than US made. I implied that SOME things that China is manufacturing is better than what the US is making. Not a rod the board just certain things. Stop putting words in my mouth.
Sooo, why are these so goddamned expensive, again?
This is FAR less labor and resource intense than crafting a wooden or metal drum. I'd love a set of these to gig with, but I'm not dropping $3000 on a 4-piece kit unless someone at least kisses me first.
*maybe* they tend to break a lot while being made so the cost is due to quality control? Never been huge on acrylic drums or Ludwig, but it's my best guess.
You should try to source the materials for costs. Acrylic sheets are expensive these days. Many factors go into the price. The labour cost is significant cause they are made in the usa. Cool factor also contributes as it makes demand higher than supply. Plus if they were too cheap it would cannibalize their wood drum sales too much in my opinion.
3:49 .... Drumhead needs to be put on with pressure.
Sign of shell thats too big
An actual scene that shouldn't be taken for an advertisement
Every one of those workers should be wearing breathing protection for their own safety!!
Bonzo was cured in that oven
Jason Bonham of Bonham plays them too.
He actually plays DW Drums
Clawforbycicle Do a search on Jason Bonham’s live sets and you’ll see a few videos of him behind an Amber Vistalite.
I’m sure DW grabbed him right away to endorse, but before they did, Ludwig was smart to capitalize on a great name.
True, but he played Ludwig Vistalites on the first BCC album and tour. ))
Pretty bad everyone is now seamless shells and Ludwig still does the seam joint. Man even cheap Donnor has seamless shells.
hiiii i play drums and im bretty good can u send me these i just love them thanks cheeeers bye !! xoxo
Neutral Life did they send you any
@@mirror1001 heell naw deeze bitches scared
Yes that's how this works
Hahaha
Some believe they are made China! (The reissues anyway)
Too expensive...and how are the seams sealed. I dont trust that
Did Ludwig factory install RIMS mounts? And all these people are, forgive me for not being PC, foreign nationals. Their clothing seem to be up to date and not 1970's. Would like to know when and where this really was. It sure isn't 1970's or 1980's (saw a rounded badge).
MIKE SCHUMACHER This is new footage. More than likely within the last 5 years TOPS.
This was shot this year in America. You typically wouldn't wear nice clothes working at a factory either.
Why wasn't John Bonham on the end of this video????? Fuk !!!!
I don't care for catching hell for this, but Ludwig says American made I don't see a single white dude or woman working in the factory?
If I did buy Ludwig it be from the Carolina Factory
Ur paying for the materials. Plastic is fantastic, but very expenseeve...
Where and when is this footage from??
Haha, this looks like a bunch of immigrants moms making these drums. They seem to really be into it, lmao. It looks like its just a 9-5 for them haha.
Ludwig US made???
Minimum wage is what the staff get paid.
These are not vistalites. They are modern junk.b
Hope this isn’t in china
Lol them exploiting all of those mexicans
Americans dont want to get up an go to work lolol
A beautiful drum reduced to ugly crap by a rims mount. Smh
You might want to think things through before you criticize. The suspension mount puts less stress on the shell than would mounting an L arm off a 2 point bracket. This reduces the odds of that beautiful shell cracking and being reduced to ugly crap.
@@Riddim4 I'm all for suspension mounts, I simply don't care for the RIMS style/brand of mount. Even the Ludwig atlas mount is better imo.
@@the6ig6adwolf To each his own. My opinion on those atlas mounts is that they make the drums look goofy. Having the l-rod mounted to a lug, basically, Makes the orientation of the drum on the stand look awkward. Its just my personal preference.. I don't like them. Also the stress put onto an acrylic shell by hanging it off of two screws on the shell, Whether they be a regular drilled mount or an atlas mount, Seems to not be so desirable in comparison to hanging the shell from a rims mount.
Cool vid but not so good musical accompaniment.
The music is perfect. These are rock drums!
Music is a bit annoying
Lovely drums. Bloody awful music!
Why this horrible music ?
I see Ludwig hires illegals
I don’t play. I wish I could play drums cause I would get some clear blue ones and pretend I was Tim Dow. He is fuckkking amazing !