Fidock Drums

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6 2010

NO LITTLE WONDER

In the November 2009 Newsletter, I flagged adding new native timbers to the range

We started with a clean shell (no re-rings) steambent Tasmanian Myrtle 14x6" (sold).

Supply is very tight on this scarce and precious resource.

However, in stave it's even more imposing. A truly noble timber/sound.

When available i will make 14x6.5" and Fatboys only (with matching hoops).

Unfortunately these will be 'Limited Editions'.

At left is the first Tasmanian Myrtle Fatboy. One of 3 from this batch of timber.

This snare has a 5mm shell wall, sculpted (discreet) re-rings, Fidock/Trick multi-step throwoff, Canopus 20 strand (wet) wires and Remo heads.

How does it sound? the timber is dense: a clear centered note with few overtones, bright and warm with a nice bottom end (... careful). Broad tuning range, 'ope'n at high tensions.

For those of you 'old' enough to remember... If Blackwood is Santana circa late 60s, Myrtle is tthe Modern Jazz Quartet. Both great, but very different. You dig?

Stay tuned for further news of additions to the range by clicking here

FHD at Freestroke 28 April 2010

On 28 April at 3.30pm. FHD in association with Freestroke Drum School (Firenze, Italy) will present a clinic with a maestro of odd timing with feel and swing, Shakir Ertek (click here).

From latin to hip-hop, Shakir will demonstrate how to play well outside of 4/4 with real groove and feel on a Fidock Blackwood bebop and a few of my latest snare drums.

For my part, I will talk about tone and timber.

This promises to be fun and instructive. For further details click here.

A huge thank you to Alessandro Casci for his support and assistance. For me this will be my homage to the late great Johnny Fiorillo at his place of work. I look forward to meeting his 'Moeller' students.

See you there.. CIAO!

FHD Eastern Europe May 2010

FHD drums will be on show at a Drum Festival in Cegled, Hungary on 15 May 2010. I am delighted that Julius Petrus (click here) will be conducting a workshop during the festival on a Blackwood bebop kit. A long way from home for that little baby.

This promises to be a beautiful way to end another European meet and greet.

Fatboys Breakout!

Good to see fatso getting the recognition this snare deserves. Even hard boppers now accept that even with such deep shell, you get a clean, articulate snare response. You would think a 13x9" would be what? tubby? too loose? not a bit of it. Fatboy as in round and FAT. But also crisp, fast, super sensitive and with a killer jab.

Here's 3 of them. Fiddleback Blackwood, straight grain Tasmanian Blackwood, and Tasmanian Myrtle. The straight grain is off to a drum museum in Hungary (click here). The Myrtle is for sale (click here).

Limited & Single Editions

Occasionally a timber comes my way that can't be resisted even if it means a one-off like the Blackwood Fiddleback Fatboy seen here. The timber is from a salvaged stump and unusually pale for Blackwood.

The subtle tones have been kept as close as possible to the original with a white shellak french polish. The shell was fine sanded inside and out through all grades from 320 to 2000 and the inside shell, as with all our drums, sealed with a home brewed solution which greatly enhances warmth, tone and volume. A unique piece that drives like a Ferrari... very fast and very classy. A fantastic journey awaits.

This drum recently sold to a Canadian client. So stay tuned for further Single & Limited Editions, which will most likely feature mainly solid timber figured Myrtle and Blackwood staves by clicking here.

FHD USA News

Harvey Sorgen does so much it's mind boggling. Apart from handling a ton of enquiries, making sales, arranging promo t-shirts, etc.. He plays the drums... a lot (Harvey's kit is a bebop with Fatboy as his main 'axe'). Have a listen to Harvs with the fabulous Karl Berger on vibes.

Take it away mate:

Harvey Sorgen here from beautiful downtown Woodstock NY.! Many great things have been happening for FHD and the drummers that play them. This has been a great year with new artists and the general drumming community finding out about these most amazing intsruments..

Enquiries are coming in every day and it is always a pleasure to speak about the unique quality and “soul” of these drums.!!

First, Mr Bernie Lyons is now the proud owner of the first “Single Edition” Blackwood “Fatboy” with Stephan Fidock’s incredible new French polish finish. This is a once in a lifetime piece and we are all glad that Bernie is now the proud owner. Congrats Bernie!!

Stephan Schnieder has recently purchased and is now playing a new Blackwood Bebop kit. 18-12-14 and a 6 ½ snare with all steam bent, blackwood hoops. This is an amazing kit and he is loving all these drums have to offer….

Rob Lauderdale of San Diego is also the proud new owner of a gorgeous 6 ½ Blackwood with wooden hoops. Enjoy!!

Chris Bowman of Stone Ridge, NY has been very active as of late. Running his own club, he is extremely busy playing with many of NY’s great musicians and his 6 ½ Blackwood is always there. Great news, Chris!

Many thanks Harvey... Have fun in Europe (Harvs never stops.. Austria and Hungary in May for concerts and sensational clinics. And keep your ears peeled for the upcoming release of a new record later this year with the MaMuGe 3 Trio which features the great John Lindberg on Bass, and Poland’s premier alto player Maciej Obara, on the Nottwo label).

And of course, another wonderful FHD artist, the irrepressible Dean Sharp, has been flat out in 2010. MAKE SURE you check out the incredible duo of d# and guitarist/songwriter Walter Parks.. setting NYC on its ear and likened to the amazing relationship between Daniel Lanois and Brian Blade, this is a must see. And so much more! For more details on where to hear this wonderful artist click here.

And to all of you listed above: Welcome to the Family. Happy Drumming!

Check the specs

When solid timber is the material, you got your work cut out for you... And finding ways to sharpen definition, tone and warmth varies with every shell.

Also true however is that tight specs make the drum. That's been the case with FHD snares from the word go.

I am still finding ways to enhance the qualities of the inside shell...the engine room of a serious snare drum.

The aim is to push the timber as far as we can. And provide you with something truly exceptional. So far, so good.

A word about Hoops

Let me say this... it seems self-evident, but rarely mentioned when discussing the sound of a drum... the hoop. When was the last time you read a review of what the hoop adds to the tone and/or feel of a drum?

Grab a steel hoop and hit it with a stick.

Which is why we came up with our unique steambent solid timber hoops. Made of the same tonall timber, FHD hoops dramatically enhance the capacities of the instrument and add something very special to the joy of playing a great drum.

And with the staved Myrtles, given the constraints on timber supply, we offer these snares with matched hoops only (why spoil the broth).

Until Next Time

Apart from the small matter of a volcano grinding a great deal of Europe to a halt. I still expect/hope that I will be heading off next week to: Italy, France, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Poland. I can't wait to see how the latest fatties and a new snare for me go with the drummers. That and sticking my head out the door for a change. Time for some music! and FOOD!

If you see me say hello. as the song goes. i'll be wearing a hat.

See you then some of you.

Keep well all. Cheers.

Back to Europe 2010

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