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 Fifes for Drum Corps and Reenacting

Enfield Model

This Fife Kicks Butt!
Enfield Military Fife
Enfield Fife, 15-5/8" (400mm) overall (Click for Detail)

Enfield Model Fife in Bb

The new Enfield Model is our flagship of drum corps fifes.  With classic conical bore, the projection and intonation are superb.  Undercut fingerholes and a precision-cut blowhole mean smooth, fast and clear playing, on the parade route or in concert.  The stainless-steel tuning barrel has a long tuning slide; this slides into the head’s brass receiver for years of free action.  A high-performance fife at a competitive price, designed by fifer Walt Sweet.  
More Info about our Enfield Model

  Fife Fingering Chart

Enfield, Dissasembled for Storage
Enfield Fife, Properly Disassembled for Storage. Keeping the barrel with the head relaxes the cork and ensures continued protection of the the tuning slide
Enfield Fife showing Blowhole Cutaway and Metal Tuning Barrel.
Enfield Fife showing Blowhole Cutaway and Metal Tuning Barrel. 
Note the brass receiver in the head (Click for detail)
Enfield, Dissasembled for Storage
The upper view shows holes that are drilled straight in as on a simple fife.
 The lower view shows Enfield's toneholes, shaped with a profile cutter for the best tone and response, as on the finest instruments. (click for detail)
Sound Samples
Professional Pennywhistle Sound Sample Enfield Fife Some notes from the scale
Professional Pennywhistle Sound Sample Enfield Fife Corn Cob Clog played by Walt Sweet
Professional Pennywhistle Sample Enfield Fife Mountain Dew, played by Bill Hart (6-hole) and Rachel Sexton (10-hole).
Professional Pennywhistle Sound Sample Enfield Fife Ragtime Annie, both parts played by Walt Sweet.
Professional Pennywhistle Sound Sample Enfield Fife Brandywine Quickstep played by Walt, Rachel and Bill.

Padded 2pc Fife case

Padded Case

Heavily padded case for all 2-piece fifes.  Flap has Velcro.  Two belt loops in back.  5" x 11-1/2" high.   

Padded Case for 2pc - $35

 


French Fife

French Fife in D

Folk Fifes

Especially for French re-enactment groups,  the design for our new French model fife was taken from measurements of a Napoleonic Era fife in a private collection in Paris,  then slightly "tweaked"  for the 20th century ear.   This fife is ideal for a late 18th/early 19th century European impression.  Key of D with the intent of playing in the 2nd and 3rd registers,  as were all historic fifes.  Blackwood with brass ferrules.  



Metal Fifes

Metal Fife in Bb

Folk Fifes

Still being used by a few fife & drum corps,   fifes made from metal tubing are extremely easy to play in the 2nd and especially the 3rd octave,  with a clear,  pure tone quality.  Our copper fifes are from measurements taken from the Patrick Caccavale fife,  and are designed for the "low budget" player. I f you are interested in the more traditional Caccavale version, check out Ron Peeler's reproduction at  www.peelerfifes.com/fifes/metal/


Fife & Drum Colonial style Military Fifes

   

Colonial Fife in "C"

Based on a Klemm fife at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts; holes sized and spaced for accurate intonation. An authentic Revolutionary period fife, with brass ferrules and high, bright, tone.
Note: this was the most common pitch at that period. However, today, fifes in Bb are the most common.

Colonial Fife in "Bb"

Same revolutionary period styling as above, but in Bb, the most popular key today in reenactments, Fife & Drum Corps, etc.

 

"Cloos" Reproduction in Bb

Our most popular fife, with nickel-silver ferrules and especially easy 3rd register.  This is the most traditional drum-corps fife, authentic for the Civil War period.

 

M-1 Model Fife

Good low register, easy 3rd register to high "B" or even D4! Good for Fife & Drum corps, Irish, and Contra Dance music. NIckel-plated brass rings. Two piece, tuneable.

 

M-2 Model Fife

Same basic design as the M-1 model, but larger bore to get even stronger low register for harmony parts. Great for fiddle tunes in Bb or Eb. Will reach high B in 3rd octave

 

Plastic Bb Fife

(Not Shown)
Made for Sweetheart Flute Co. and suggested for Beginners

 

 

Colonial Military Fife
Colonial Fife
Cloos model Military Fife
Cloos model Fife

Military Fife
Model M-1 Fife, Rosewood
Military Fife
Model M-1 Fife, Blackwood
Military Fife
Model M-2 Fife


 

Our military fifes play easily up to high B in the third register (even up to the D beyond that) and are authentic for Civil War or Revolutionary War re-enactments.  The Cloos model was the most popular fife from Civil War times until mid 20th century, and the Colonial model is inspired by several fifes from that period in our collection.

Fife & Drum Information:  Click on Bob Castillo's website for complete world-wide information on Fife and Drum Corps, contacts, events, instrument makers, etc.

Sound Samples
Cloos Fife Sound Sample Cloos Model fife for Drum Corps "The Girl I Left Behind Me," played by Walt Sweet
M-1 Fife Sound Sample M-1 Model fife for Drum Corps "Old Saybrook," played by Walt Sweet
M-1 Fife Sound Sample Suffield model fife for Drum Corps "Turkey in the Straw," played by Walt Sweet
Drumcorp Sound Sample Drum Corps Fife Sample from "Complete Music for Fife & Drum" CD by Walter D. Sweet.

 

Padded Fife Cases

Padded 2pc Fife case

2 Piece Padded Case

Heavily padded case for all 2-piece fifes.  Flap has Velcro.  Two belt loops in back.  5" x 11-1/2" high.   

Padded Case for 2pc - $35
Padded 2pc Fife case

1 Piece Padded Case

Heavily padded case for all 1-piece fifes.  Flap has Velcro.  Belt loop in back.  2-1/2" x 18" high. 
Padded Case for 1pc - $25