12 2010
 The year in review
2010
The year is ending as it started: with a rush of orders. Stocks are now low and all is ready to break into some fantastic Blackwood... next year.
I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been involved with FHD this year. Special mention to Harvey Sorgen (the busiest man on earth), Shakir Ertek (journey down the odd timing path), Julius Petrus (what a storm!), Claude Ragone (cases), Fathom Creative and Osvaldo (website), Stephen Wood (product shots), Modern Drummer and Batteur Magazine, Alessandro Casci (freestroke drum school Firenze), my wife Ros, Stephane Missri et famille, Stephane Royer, Famoudou Don Moye, Lachlan, Scott McCullough, Charlie Sandford,.. Murray, Peter Kidman, the workshop crew, all the suppliers (Kay, Matt, Ray, Murray (again), Chris), and so many others. Thank you all
Besides Sanding...
I concentrated on the shells this year. More particularly, the material.
I spent a lot of time looking at and talking about timber. And did a hell of a lot of driving .
And yes.. a lot of sanding and polishing shells.
I can't resist this.. I sand so much... My main timber supplier rang me and said: "what's that noise?" "are you sanding again?" i said yes.. He said "is that 400 (grit)?" True story. He heard the grade...
Which left me little time for promo work. I spent most of the year with my head in a shell.
Just one trip overseas... A 3 week promo trip across Europe (Italy, Germany, Hungary, Denmark, France). Met with clients and contacts. Clinics, interviews etc.. It was hectic... plus we had 'the cloud' to contend with.
I aim to get out and about a lot more next year.
STARTING WITH NAMM 2011. SEE YOU THERE. THEN.
back to top
The Drums
We made a lot of drums and steambent a lot of hoops throughout the year.
Back to back bebops, fatboys, a one-off batch of Australian Myrtle snare drums .
The limited and single editions in particular attracted a lot of attention and sold quickly.
We made 13x6" snares and used the last of the myrtle on one of them. ON show at NAMM 2011.
"Out there'" the reception from clients and critics was fantastic:
FHD drums got great reviews in Modern Drummer (click here) and Batteur Magazine (click here).
We added a shop to our small list of retailers: Drum Centre of Portsmouth is good news for drummers. A pro shop run by a guy with real passion and commitment, a top bloke (click here). Thanks Shane. Thanks Harvs.
The great Famoudou Done Moye came onboard.
All is well.
back to top
News from FHD(USA)
FHDUSA would like to wish all a very happy and healthy holiday time and New Year. 2010 has been a great year for us! With our new `Limited Editions` really taking off and finding some great drummers that are now proud owners of these one of a kind instruments. We are also very honored to welcome Shane at Drum Center of Portsmouth as a new stocking dealer of FHD. This is a great shop to go along with our other U.S. dealer, Todd, at Robbs Boulder Music.
The Word is Out! Modern Drummer really fell for the new Blackwood Bebop kit in their Oct issue (not to mention the great story on yours truly in the Dec issue).
Stephan Fidock has some amazing new drums coming out for 2011. This is the year where North America is in for a treat!
Speaking of the U.S., FHD will once again be showing some truly unique drums at the 2011 NAMM show, Jan 13th-16th in Anaheim, Ca. Stephan and I will be there in all our glory showing and playing these new instruments. If you can, this is a must visit!!
There will be quite a few beautiful pieces available from our NAMM exhibit. Don't forget to contact one of our dealers, or FHDUSA direct at fidockusa@gmail.com.
The best to all and watch out....2011 will see Fidock Handcrafted Drums taken to extraordinary heights!!!
Best,
Harvey
back to top
NAMM 2011 HALL D / Booth 2478
Between 13 and 16 January 2011, FHD will be at NAMM 2011. Make sure you make it over to Hall D, booth 2478.
On show will be a figured Tasmanian Blackwood Bebop (same tree toms) and a range of snare drums including some limited & single editions.
Harvey Sorgen and I look forward to seeing you there.
back to top
Looking ahead
If you have never seen AAA fiddleback blackwood cut like this, you are not alone. Few of us have. This is the first 160mm section of the tree. Compression timber. A couple of tree sections are now drying outdoors near the Victorian Alps.
To produce this stuff, you need someone who can read a tree and fall it well. No rips up the trunk. Quarter cut. A fanatic. He's with me now.
And you need patience... you do not kiln timber of this quality , it has to be air dried.
FHD will release solid timber same tree bebops and snares later next year. The wood as you can see is colour coded. We will be reassembling the tree section. Mastergrade fiddleback blackwood drums. Something to look forward to.
I also managed to get hold of some Phebalium squameum (see above: that's it in my left hand). The drums will be released next year as single editions.
And with that...
Cheers all. My very best to you and yours and Happy New Year.
back to top
|
