Limited Editions
TASMANIAN MYRTLE (Nothofagus cunninghamii)
Australian Myrtle grows in temperate rainforests in Tasmania and parts of Victoria. Not heat resistant and slow growing, commercial logging of this timber is subject to rigorous restrictions.
Amongst serious instrument makers, Tasmanian Myrtle is regarded as one of the most formidable tonal timbers for making elite acoustic instruments.
Seriously elegant with a superb even grain, this timber is exceptionally well suited to snare drums.
The quality of note and tone that Tasmanian Myrtle produces is truly something else... generous and warm with a beautiful balance across frequencies and plenty of capacity.
Combined with the round cut and clarity produced by our unique steambent myrtle hoops, the outcome is very musical and highly engaging.
In straight grain, the colour of Myrtle varies from a very pale and even salmon pink tone to darker, redder tones.
As with all our staves, the shells are turned out to our signature specifications.
Slightly rounded, double 45 degree bearing edges and shallow snare beds.
The inner shell is hand sanded through all grades to 2000 grit and finished with ‘Oganoil Danish Oil’. This is a clean, not sticky, pure mix of natural oils including Tung Nut, Linseed and Citrus oils. The polishing is completed with pure bees wax.
The outer shell finish is your choice of either Satin (oil and wax medium or high gloss) or French polish (white shellac).
These snares are fitted with multi-step Trick strainers, Remo heads (Ambassador coated top with Ambassador ‘Hazy’ snare side) and 20 strand wires (Canopus or Puresound*).
Available with solid myrtle steambent wood hoops (only).
POA (price on application).
Tasmanian Myrtle Stave Snare 14x6.5”
Arguably the most refined sounding snare from FHD.
Absolute purity of tone and note. Generous volume and projection. A devastating experience in feel and sound.
Wide tuning range, open voiced at high tensions, punchy and Fat tuned loose.
An extremely well balanced, versatile instrument suitable for all styles.
The specs are standard FHD.
As with all our staves, the shell is undersized and very thin (5-6mm) with discreet sculpted re-rings.
8 lugs, Trick multi-step throwoff, Puresound 20 strand wires and Remo heads (Ambassador, coated on top and ‘Hazy’ on snare side).
Available with solid myrtle steambent hoops only.
POA
Tasmanian Myrtle Stave Snare 13x9” (Fatboy)
Given the constraints on use of this timber, the decision to limit the range to 2 sizes was an easy one to make.
The Fatboy is proof positive that you can’t judge a book by its cover. Or a snare.
The deep shell and smaller diameter does not in any way limit the capacity of this drum in terms of response, tone or attack.
Increasingly this snare is finding its way where it belongs: as a primary snare on quality drum kits… even amongst the most die-hard jazzers.
And in Myrtle, balance of tone and note gets a further polish.
The deep shell adds full depth of voice and tone. Not flab…. FAT! And with cut and power further enhanced by our solid Myrtle steambent hoops, you’ve got a whole mess of fun and feel in front of you.
Wide tuning range with a fast, crisp and articulate snare response.
Inner shell specs as with all FHD staves.
8 lugs, Trick multi-step throwoff (Fidock monogram), *Canopus (wet) 20 strand wires and Remo heads (Ambassador, coated on top and ‘Hazy’ on snare side).
Available with solid myrtle steambent hoops only.
POA
SINGLE EDITIONS
Here is the first ‘Single Edition’ snare drum from FHD. A unique piece made from a very pale and very aged Blackwood Fiddleback from the Otway Ranges (Victoria, Australia). Sufficient timber for one snare and a pair of matching hoops (only) was drawn from a salvaged stump that had been seasoning for decades.
Further Models
All snare drums produced in Single Editions will be stave snares made using Australian native tonal timbers of extremely rare provenance and quality.
ONLY one offs in 14x6.5 and 13x9” (Fatboys) in this selection.
For further details and product shots please contact FHD directly.
