Ludwig Reissue Stainless Steel vs Vistalites
I'm considering a new set of drums after playing on a Gretsch Renown for a decade. I've always liked the Renowns but have honestly never loved them. I've briefly played acrylic drums before and I've seen many bands at bigger venues all the way down to house shows playing Vistalites (or other acrylic shells) and I've always loved the way they sound from out in front in a live context. They project very well and have such great attack. I also love the sound (on records and live) of stainless steel drums. Vistalites are more of a tossup on recordings. Sometimes they sound really full, sometimes they come across more "plasticky" to my ears (but I have just as much critique with the sound of wood kits, so part of that is engineering). I'm considering picking up the Pro Beat reissue (24/13/16, same sizes I play now) of either one, but I haven't actually played a stainless kit before.
I have a 14x8 Ludwig Black Beauty and I absolutely love it. Great feel, great sound both behind the kit and out in front, and it records very well, so I'd like to stick with Ludwig. Can anyone compare Vistalites to SS? I'm curious about feel, projection, and any recording experiences. I'm able to swing a new kit at this point, so I'm not really interested in a used 70s model since this would be something I'd be touring, recording, and playing out with a fair amount and I don't have much time to do the extra care vintage gear sometimes requires.