Wow, Andrew. What a story. He sounds like a really great person. Good advice, too.



Takin' a Ride. I believe he did. He retired a few times, to varying degrees IIRC - remember when I started to sell his technique? I seem to remember that - as an earlier post said - and I could be wrong, that all the work with the paint really hurt him. Same for Al, I think. Somebody correct me, if I am off.

Wow. I never had any contact with him but I have seen his work and it is amazing. Truly great.

Any of you who have any of his work- you have a part of his mastery for yourself. Take care of it and cherish it because it is the very last, and it's a part of life now that has become limited even more. Think of it more as a part of the artist, because you really only share it with them.

I don't know why but this bothered me, I didn't even know him but still. Anything like someone passing away no matter who it is just gets me.

My sincere condolances to his family. Herc was a great person and extremely nice. I have 3 of his pieces and they are all fantastic. I feel honored to have them. Rest in peace my friend...

Yeah Sebastian said that, but I don't know if that was speculation or if he'd actually heard that from Herc? I believe he was in contact with him from time to time.

I know AI had basically hung it up as well but I didn't know that was possibly why. I can see the temptation to not use proper respiration equipment when working with paint, since it seems like you're only exposed to it for a few minutes at a time.

He did some work for me about 16 years ago and we talked on the phone here and there.
We also Emailed on and off over the years.

I don't know if it was related to his death, but the paint and the clear for sure, hurt his health a lot.

Wow, sad news indeed, I just found out last night. I have a pink vine VSK neck on a black, pink and green swirl that Herc did. I had found a VSK body and was trying to effect a trade, when the guy told me about Herc. I'm now thinking I will not restore the VSK to original, but rather keep the VSK neck on Herc's swirl, sort of as a tribute and respect for his artistry, craftsmanship and ingenuity. God Speed Herc Fede....

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If Herc really has passed, this is possibly one of the last swirls he did. I just got this back in early June. He had an auction on Ebay for a swirl job. This is an 89 RG570 that I cut the Monkey Grip into. I gave him free reign on what he wanted to do with it and this is what I got. Guitar is beautiful. He'll be sorely missed in our community.
Bilbo

Sadly, Herc has passed bilbo.......there is no doubt of this.

Herc's obit: http://www.hollingerfuneralhome.com/....php?id=481357

@Andrew- PLEASE follow Herc's advice to you. You have an incredible vision and a style that's all your own. There will soon be a day that you will share in the fame that Herc, Darren, and Al have known. Keep yourself safe at all times though...... it would be a tragedy to see you go the same route as other swirlers have healthwise.

I am from Taiwan and I am new to this community.

Herc is such a kind man that he tried to offer me his best swirled work a couple years ago. He is a true artist undoubtedly, and he has influenced so many others to follow his steps to swirl art. His swirl artwork has made me so happy since the first day I received my swirled JEM DNA body, and I know there are so many people around the world who are happy as well because of Herc's work. We really should post Herc's wonderful artwork somewhere to honor this great artist.

Thanks Herc for making this world colorful!! You will be so missed!!

Tony

A Great friend an artist passed away.We will remember you Herc.Thank you.

Incredibly talented guy.
So young.

This is truly sad. Unfortunately I never owned a Herc Fede swirl, but just being on this forum over the years I could see why everyone admired his work. I remember seeing the JEM DNA in person for the first time.....gorgeous. Prayers go out to his family and friends.

Hi everyone.i just opened a thread so that we can all post pictures of our beloved herc fede swirls and make his art work available for everyone to admire.herc fede tribute and legacy.Herc you will be in our hearts.thank you
http://www.jemsite.com/forums/f19/he...es-132573.html

I don't know how I missed this very sad news. I too have a Herc swirl that he did for me about 6 years ago. I have all of the parts for a wonderful guitar but haven't gotten around to assembling it or having it done.

I saw some of Herc's work on the forums and reached out to him to get a guitar done. He was swamped and backlogged but he took it on anyways. After about a month he let me know that he was having health problems and that my guitar would be delayed. I wasn't in a rush so I said no problem, get to it when you can. His health got worse from there and the weeks turned into months. Herc emailed me about every 3 weeks to let me know that he still is trying to get to it, and I always let him know I was in no hurry. During these months he would tell me that he had people constantly hounding him to finish their guitars or give them refunds and his illness was not their concern. I couldn't imagine ever treating someone like this. Over the months that I dealt with Herc he was always kind to me and appreciated my patience in return. The guitar body and neck took 17 months to get finished, but in the end I had an awesome 1 of a kind swirl that I really need to build and I considered myself fortunate to have gotten work done by such a great artist and gentleman.

This is terrible news, it hit me really hard when I was told, I remember feeling warm all over, I was shocked when a Jemsite member told me over the phone. I though to myself, "that can't be right!". Sadly as we all know now it was right.

It's a sad loss. I have read many comments for a tribute page or thread with as many pics of Herc's varied work as possible, that to me seems fitting as I would guess lots of his work went to members of this forum, it seems fitting. I found as many pictures of Herc work as I could and put them on 2 of the sites I have access to along with news of his passing..

I would have commented earlier but I was locked out, hence the name change on this forum and others.

My thought are for Herc's family especially his children,

Herc brought brightness to the guitar world and put smiles on lots of faces, he also kept swirling alive and influenced and lot of painters out there, including myself.

RIP Herc Fede Swirl Guru.

Alan (X - Out Of This Swirled).