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Fifes for Drum Corps and Reenacting
Enfield Model
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
(click here to close)
- Bore is conical for superb intonation with sweet-blending harmonies, as on classical instruments.
- Blowhole is precision-cut with CNC for maximum projection and speed of response.
- Bow Tie cutaway (in front of blowhole) for easier highs (standard).
- True Dynamic Range: Can be played gently or with hurricane strength, but always with clarity and sweetness.
- Free-acting, long Tuning Slide. Protects itself when the fife is disassembled. The Bimetal Design eliminates galling and stuck slides.
- The Tuning Barrel (slide adaptor) is field-replaceable. Its Knurled Ring makes an easy grip with a smart look. Lined with synthetic cork for durability.
- Three Ferrules are Stainless Steel, buffed to a tough shine that lasts for years. These match the Tuning Barrel in material and finish.
- Head and Body are African Blackwood, seasoned under a controlled process for lasting integrity. Tung oiled.
- Fine Laser Engraving and Serial Numbers.
- Fingerholes are undercut for clean articulation, smooth transitions, resonance, and a quality sound.
- A-hole is offset for a comfortable reach.
- C-natural is stable.
- Ds are aligned.
- A Bold Claim: Of any fife ever made, the Enfield Model is the Best-In-Tune, across three octaves.
- Standard Drumcorps Pitch in B-flat.
- Crown Cap is high-impact polymer. No more chipped crowns!
- Endstopper (the bore ‘cork’) is hardfaced for a full sound.
- Six-Hole and Ten-Hole versions available (with swapable head). Engineered in-house for identical intonation.
- Sweetheart Craftsmanship and Customer Service. We stand behind our work.
- Priced competitively.
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.
Note the brass receiver in the head (Click for detail)
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 |
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Enfield Fife |
Some notes from the scale |
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Enfield Fife |
Corn Cob Clog played by Walt Sweet |
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Enfield Fife |
Mountain Dew, played by Bill Hart (6-hole) and Rachel Sexton (10-hole). |
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Enfield Fife |
Ragtime Annie, both parts played by Walt Sweet. |
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Enfield Fife |
Brandywine Quickstep played by Walt, Rachel and Bill. |
Padded Case
Heavily padded case for all 2-piece fifes. Flap
has Velcro. Two belt loops in back. 5" x 11-1/2" high.
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French Fife
French Fife in D
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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.
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Metal Fifes |
Metal Fife in Bb
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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/
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Fife & Drum Colonial style Military
Fifes |
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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.
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Padded Fife Cases
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.
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.
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