This vistalite kit i am working on restoring looks to be an early one based on the manufacturing clues. It has the flat seams (no V) and the early muffler style. Mini lugs on the 12. Badges NOT opposite the muffler (the badges face the audience). Seams to the rear of the badges and on the bottom of the bass drum. The thing I can't figure out is the serial numbers. They are in the 1,2xx,xxx range. By all the serial number charts that seems to put it into 1975/76...but by then the seams would have been in a V shape. So what the heck?
Adam,
I don't have any documented facts but I can tell you what I'm seeing based on the 2 Vistalite kits that we have (7 rack toms, 4 floor toms and 2 bass drums between the 2 kits). Most of the drums are in the 1,3xx,xxx range and were purchased together as part of the original kits but I have a low of 1,215,391 and a high of 1,860,370. One kit is in the 1,336,4xx range and the second is in the 1,361,5xx range
First, all of the badges are on the same side as the mufflers except for the 4 floors toms where they are roughly opposite and based on your drums I would say that was done earlier than 1,2xx,xxx. I do have one 12 inch tom with flat seam where it's opposite but unfortunately that one came without a badge.
Second, it looks like the mufflers changed from the single screw to the two screw version somewhere between 1,336,640 and 1,361,531.
Third, seams appear to have changed from flat to v between 1,215,391 and 1,336,428 so later than it sounds like you are expecting.
Fourth, both of my 12 inch toms have mini lugs so I think that was standard.
Scott
