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Celebrate 50 Years of Vistalite





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Ever since Bonzo & Co. thundered onto the scene, the Ludwig Vistalite Series of drums has been at the forefront of music. Lo and behold, now these beloved drums have passed the half-century mark! To celebrate, Ludwig has released these gorgeous limited-edition finishes in minimal quantities of only 35 Fab kits and 15 Pro Beat kits (plus matching snares). Everything else is the same timeless quality and sound that you’d expect from these iconic drums. Their 6mm-thick acrylic shells have been handcrafted in the USA since 1972, with 45-degree bearing edges for a biting attack and rich sustain throughout their diverse tuning range. Own a piece of music history by ordering one of these limited-edition Ludwig Vistalite kits from your Sweetwater Sales Engineer today!





Related Videos: 50th-anniversary Vistalite Pro Beat 3-piece Shell Pack - Pattern "A" (Red Sparkle/Smoke/Red Sparkle)


See-through acrylic shells open up new sounds and stage appeal





The Ludwig Vistalite's characteristic fat, slappy, and open acrylic sound can be heard on classics such as Led Zeppelin's "When the Levee Breaks" and The Who's "Bell Boy." Its vintage color lends an authentic vibe to classic rock; it also adds interesting new textures to black metal, indie rock, and Motown mixes when other drums come across too sterile. And since the Vistalite's finished shells are transparent, your audience will have no trouble seeing your fancy footwork. Try mounting rope lights inside your shells for some added stage flair!





1970s-style hardware for an authentic Vistalite vibe





The 50th-anniversary Vistalite pays tribute to the original with Large Classic lugs, '70s badges, and vintage-styled Ludwig kick drumheads for Vistalite's unmistakable look and sound right out of the box. Upgrades like 45-degree bearing edges, more durable floor tom legs and kick drum spurs, and true Ludwig hoops provide superior convenience and subtle tonal improvements over the classic.





Vistalite: part of the Ludwig legacy





A favorite name here among Sweetwater drummers, Ludwig has enjoyed one of the proudest legacies in percussion since 1909. The world has experienced Ludwig's game-changing looks and sounds courtesy of Ringo Starr on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, onstage with Cream's Ginger Baker in the late '60s, and at Live Aid with Queen's Roger Taylor in 1985.





Ludwig Vistalite PRO BEAT 3-piece Shell Pack Features:


Very limited-edition Pattern “A” finishes


Only 35 Fab kits and 15 Pro Beat kits plus matching snares (sold separately) will be available worldwide!


Classic Vistalite bite and sustain plus iconic crystalline appearance


6mm-thick acrylic shells


45° bearing edge for remarkable cut and sustain across a wide tuning spectrum


Handcrafted in the USA since 1972