![billy cobham playing clear fibes drums billy cobham playing clear fibes drums](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e3/0b/4c/e30b4c191b96f7d901a77e847958fea7.jpg)
Other noted endorses included Alan Dawson and Billy Cobham.ĭespite their notoriety and favour with certain artists, other drum companies (namely Ludwig) soon jumped on the acrylic drum game and Fibes’ days were numbered. Fibes made Buddy a chrome wrapped set in 1966 which was used for approximately a year, but Buddy used his Fibes snare alongside many of his later endorsements. The company manufacture acrylic shells in varying colours and finishes, and even offered chrome laminated acrylic.Īmongst the artists who used Fibes was Buddy Rich. The tonal response of each shells (size for size) was reputedly identical and the internal vibratory response was superior, achieving a far greater sound than traditional materials. The Fibes drum company, conceived form the words ‘fiberglass’ and ‘vibes’ unveiled a product they deemed to be stronger than steel and lighter than wood.
![billy cobham playing clear fibes drums billy cobham playing clear fibes drums](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/df/6e/89/df6e89d6e94e801e66ce6e582cc0e26b.jpg)
Although not the first to patent acrylic drums shells – Zickos did this in the late 1950’s – Bob and John were the first to successfully market acrylic snares and kits. Partnering with John Morena, an aspiring chemical engineer and former drummer, Grauso founded the Fibes Drum Company in 1965, and began producing fiberglass drums. among the more notable Crystalite players were Alan Dawson, Billy Cobham. At the suggestion of legendary drummer and educator Sonny Igoe, Grauso made a fiberglass shell snare drum, and found that it produced a very brilliant, crisp sound. In the early 70s, Fibes Crystalite sets were the first acrylic drums to win.
![billy cobham playing clear fibes drums billy cobham playing clear fibes drums](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-ppw1AP1Scc/maxresdefault.jpg)
Looking back at our discussion of Vistalite kits a couple of months ago, I touched on one of the lesser know American drum manufacturers, Fibes.īob Grauso was the drummer for Connie Francis, a top-selling female pop artists, and when he wasn’t on the bandstand, Grauso would experiment with new shell materials to try to make a better sounding snare drum.