Oddly enough, I just let go of my Corder 8x14 snare from 1979 last week and it had the SFT on it. I miss the drum already! Now I've got another Corder snare, this one a 6.5x14 though, ready to go with all the parts but the SFT 690 :(
Good luck on your searches as well, I'll be right next to you keeping an eye out!
Luke
Too bad Austin/Fibes wouldn't at least make the throw off available as a part. One assumes they still have the tooling or have a supplier that has it. It might not be feasible for them to go back into drum production at this time but I'd bet they could sell a fair number of those throws, even at a premium price point, if they made them available.
Guys!I am in need of a Fibes SFT 690 snare release/throw like shown in the pic/attachment. If you have, or possibly know of one, please get in touch ... and THANKS!!!Tommyp
I've got one but its sitting on my Chrome over Fiberglass. What happened to yours? Its doesn't seem very fragile.
I've got one but its sitting on my Chrome over Fiberglass. What happened to yours? Its doesn't seem very fragile.
Bos!
Well, the short answer is ... it's busted!
This is a restoration I just finished on a 1973 Fibes SFT 690/Black FiVel snare drum. I have owned/played Fibes since 1973 .. I currently have FOUR early Fibes snare drums .. and have NEVER busted an SFT 690 throw in my life, or any of the earlier prototype Fibes throws I have for that matter! .. but .. they CAN break. I have repaired three of them for guys on their drums over the years. You are correct, the SFT 690 is a simple and very well made "linear" throw, however, they CAN BE broken by the dreaded "over tensioning" of the snares, and that's what happened to this one. One of the main breakages is the handle amazingly! I don't know WHAT guys do to break those, but they do! Anyway ...
... I suspect this drum was owned by someone that didn't understand HOW these fiberglass drums are supposed to play/sound. This same thing used to happen with the Rogers Dynasonic too! We all know both these model snare drums are extremely articulate and quite sensitive, delivering pin point sound and accuracy with every stroke played. What some guys seem to do with BOTH though ... is keep crankin' up the snares as they are trying to make the drum sound like something completely different. Eventually, the SFT 690 throw actually SPLITS, with the handle portion separating from the body portion, and that is what happened here. To overcome that, the original owner then BENT the handle trying to increase wire tension as they were now quite loose ... and they were loose because he had already busted the throw! So ...
... after the main restoration, and this was a tough one as the drum was stored in a freaking barn without a case! ... I got busy on the throw. I was able to repair it and get it working, but ... it still "splits" from the body under light snare tension, and as you play, it continues to loosen, which decreases snare tension, etc. While it is playable, and the drum sounds GREAT!, it's gonna need another throw to be perfect. I want to add that quite a few guys look or are looking for these SFT 690's as I think this snare drum is not for everyone, and many try to make it into something it's not by WAY over tensioning the snares, thus breaking the throw.
I'll attach a BEFORE pic as I got the drum ... and an AFTER I finished with the restoration. I play/collect primarily Buddy Rich model sets/drums, but this one intrigued me! I really liked the Black FiVel, and haven't seen many in black either. Hope you ENJOY!
Tommyp
Sorry to disappoint you. I actually do have one but it's on a drum. I have a second Fibes snare that's missing its SFT though. I put a Ludwig on it but would prefer it to be original. The other problem is finding snares that will work. Puresound used to make a set for the SFT but I think it was discontinued. I had trouble finding a set but, eventually, did find one for my intact drum.As I recall Corder and Darwin did use the SFT design so must have had the tooling (or an ample supply of throw offs). Maybe the tooling still exists somewhere. Given the Buddy Rich connection I'd think there would be a market for the COF Fibes snare like Buddy favored if the parts could be repro-ed so it could be worth doing for someone.
The Pearl SO25 wires are a direct fit for the Fibes SFT strainer.
Dave
Dave!
True! .. and .. I have used these in the past with the Fibes SFT 690 throw/butt with GREAT results too! They are the exact length as Fibes OEM wires.
Tommyp
Did you try calling Tommys drums in Austin, to see if they might have one lying around?
Did you try calling Tommys drums in Austin, to see if they might have one lying around?
Bryan!
I didn't, because I guess some other guys have already done that, and Tommy has no parts left to sell. BUMMER! I swear there's enough interest to have this throw repro'ed ... you would think anyway!
Tommyp
Bos!Well, the short answer is ... it's busted!
This one will cost ya $300
https://austin.craigslist.org/msg/5938904367.html
Comes with a drum too !!
This one will cost ya $300 https://austin.craigslist.org/msg/5938904367.html Comes with a drum too !!
OB!
I know, right?! I have found more than a few that have drums attached to them! If one comes along in the right area price wise, I'd do it!
Tommyp
