
The Fibes trademark was also purchased in December, thus reuniting the original name and product. In December of 1994 the factory was purchased and moved into a newly-designed facility in Austin, Texas. After eight months, an agreement was made. Tommy Robertson learned of the status of Darwin Drums, and began negotiations to purchase the factory from Darwin. The Fibes trademark was sold to another party, who had a business agreement with Martin to distribute Fibes drumsticks.Ĭorder sold the company in 1990 to Sammy Darwin, a radio programming consultant, who operated the company under the name Darwin until early 1994. With the onslaught of foreign competition, Martin sold the fixtures, machinery, inventory, and equipment to Jim Corder who renamed the business Corder Drums. The company thrived for about 10 years, but because Martins interest in drum manufacturing was a low priority, the company did not keep up with changes in the market place. Martin Organisation, makers of Martin Guitars. Eventually, Bob and John decided to sell the company to the C.F.
#History of fibes drums professional#
They came up with the name by combining the core sound of a drum-vibes, short for vibrations, and fiberglass, the material used in the original drum shells.įibes quickly became one of the foremost American manufacturers of professional quality percussion instruments. Here's a brief history about Darwin drums:įibes Drum Company was originally founded in 1966 by Bob Grauso, a professional drummer, and John Morena, a specialist in composite materials, and also a drummer. In 1895, Friedrich Gretsch died at the age of 39 and the already successful company was taken over by his son, Fred, who guided it into even greater profitability. Great drum I just have too many 5" snares. Excerpt: Gretsch was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a recent immigrant to the US from Germany who intended to manufacture banjos, tambourines, and drums. Great condition, one scratch in the finish which I'd describe as a translucent blue. This is a 6 ply Jasper m/g/m/g/g/m shell. Fibes has since stopped production of drums.For sale I have a beautiful Darwin 10 lug 5" x 14" snare drum. In December 1994, the factory was purchased and moved into a newly designed facility in Austin, Texas. Tommy Robertson, owner of Tommy's Drum Shop in Austin, TX., learned of the status of Darwin Drums, and began negotiations to purchase the factory from Darwin. Corder then sold the company in 1990 to Sammy Darwin, a radio programming consultant, who operated the company under the name "Darwin" until early 1994. Then Martin sold the Fibes inventory and equipment to Jim Corder, who renamed the business " Corder Drum Company", while the "Fibes" trademark was sold to another party, who had a business agreement with Martin to distribute Fibes drum sticks. Subsecquently, all Fibes stock and workforce were moved to the Martin factory in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, while Garuso retaining control of the company. The Fibes company was eventually sold to guitar manufacturer C. The original Fibes Drums Company was located in South Farmingdale, New York and drums produced in that era bear the rectangular badge. Billy Cobham was another drummer that played a Fibes double bass kit. Chrome plated Fibes snare drums have an appearance that closely matches that of conventional chrome plated metal snare drums made by other manufacturers.įibes drums, and particularly Fibes snare drums were used by Buddy Rich, who continued to use the Fibes snare even while an endorser of competing products. Fibes offered chrome plating on their fiberglass shells as well as a variety of other surface finishes. Fibes was a percussion instrument manufacturer notable for its pioneering use of fiberglass composites and transparent acrylic materials in the construction of drum shells. The company was founded in 1966 by Bob Grauso, a drummer, and John Morena, a drummer and composite materials professional. The "Fibes" name was sold to another party, remaining for a brief time as a drum stick brand, which use ceased in 1994. Martin in 1970 which it sold the Fibes assets to Jim Corder in 1979, who subsequently established his own company, Corder Drums.

Founded in 1966, it was acquired by guitar manufacturing company C.F. Fibes Drum Company was a US musical instrument manufacturing company that produced drum kits.
