The instruments which help create the Hardrive sound...
Nick Dear's Fiddle
Nick Dear plays a fiddle finished in his own factory, with a loud, full tone bluegrass sound. In his expert hands, the full sound of a five-piece bluegrass outfit is highly enhanced by the unusually full timbre of this instrument.
Orders can be placed for fiddles by emailing Nick at dears@tpg.com.au
Lachlan Dear's Guitar
Made by Joe Gallacher, luthier.
This guitar is a Gallacher which was handed from father and Hardrive fiddle player Nick Dear to his son, Hardrive guitarist Lachlan Dear, on his 18th birthday. Crafted by Joe Gallacher of Albury, New South Wales, Australia, the guitar's mellow overtones give Hardrive a rounded, full sound. Guitar breaks on this instrument reveal the quality Joe Gallacher has developed and refined over the years. Joe takes orders for new instruments, and constructs a range of guitars, from small-bodied to dreadnought.
Contact Joe Gallacher
Australian made, Australian owned
Peter Scholtz's Banjo
Gibson.
Peter Scholtz plays an Arch Top Gibson RB 11. These Banjos were build in 1935 -1937 by Gibson, who covered them in a nice Plastic and painted them dark Blue. For the obvious Reason, not many were produced! Peter picked his one up whilst travelling through North Carolina. After having been asked to play his Banjo in a Diner there, someone came up and said those ‘Magic Words': I have an old Banjo at Home and I think it is a Gibson!!!! True enough, it was a very dilapidated RB11. After stripping the Banjo down himself, Peter entrusted this old Gem to Roger Buckmaster in Melbourne, who did a beautiful job in not only making it playable but also a delight to look at. The Banjo has a Tone Ring, which may or may not be original. It now produces a sound ranging from the ‘crackling' Style of a Ralph Stanley to the more mellow Tones of those, which Earl Scruggs produced.
Matt Ryan's bass
Family heirloom.
Matt Ryan returns to the Hardrive Bluegrass Band line-up, playing a selection of double basses. He often chooses to play Lachlan Dear's instrument - the old Hardrive favourite - recognised by it's blonde colour and flat back - the bass gives a thumping sound to the rhythm of the band. This bass emigrated to Australia with Nick Dear. It spent a short time playing jazz, and even appeared for a while in the Melbourne Youth Orchestra with Nick propping it up. The instrument is definitely a family friend. Nick, Janet, Lachlan and Oliver, and now Uncle Matty, all play this instrument at every available opportunity.
Made by someone about 100 years ago in Europe of maple and spruce.
Oliver Dear's mandolin
Made by Paul Duff.
Just as well known for his role as mandolin player for Australian band Bluegrass Parkway, Paul just has not got enough to do in life between working as a teacher and playing in Bluegrass Parkway. His other craft is making remarkable mandolins, such as the one played by Oliver Dear of Hardrive. Custom made for Oliver's unique left handed style and beautifully crafted.
Australian made, Australian owned.