Coming Soon! New Hardwood Headshell's in Progress!

[SpongeRob]

Hi to all Boogie Friends,

for my European customers i'm building some new Hardwood Headshells. At the moment all Short Head Versions for Mark Series as followed:

1x Pomelle Sapele
1x Figured Bubinga
5x Flame Maple

I just cut them into the right dimensions and get them ready for the dovetail joints. Will keep you updated with the progress. I just made some pics of the wood grain. Enjoy. If someone's interested, just shoot me mail.

Pomelle Sapele:

Figured Bubinga:

Flame Maple:

 

[zodiac272]

they all look great... hard to pick which one I would want... look forward to see more pics!.
scott

 

[DaveP]

They look like great guitar tops. I like the 1st and 3rd. Please post the final product pictures. Shipping to the US available?

 

[SpongeRob]

Thanks Scott and Dave!

It wasn't easy to find these kind woods with this grain. The best effect will be, after they're finished. So i'll keep the forum updated with pics!
I wanted to keep those shells to Mesa specifications. So the Top and sides are cut from one board!

Dave, shipping to the US is also possible. But honestly the End Price won't be cheap, as the woods are imported, which means they're expensive because of the shipping+customs+duty i have to pay. So in some cases a US supplier would be cheaper. I respect the work of gts and trickyrick and don't want to start a fight about customers! EU Customer would safe the extra money on shipping and customs, that's my little extra point.
Anyway, if someone is interested i will try my best to serve their wishes. So everyone from everywhere is welcome!

I'll keep you updated with the progress.

Regards

Rob

 

[SpongeRob]

Hi Boogie Friends,

just uploaded the progress pics. Yesterdays i found some time to cut the Dovetail Joints. Today i cut the shells into the right form and round the corners. They're not glued. The Front plate will be glued into the Shell. So i have to make the slots on the inner side (tomorrow). After that, i will glue the shells and sand everything to perfection to get the finish on it. Oh just forgot to mention that the Hole for the Reverb Tank has to be route and all the holes (Handle, Reverb, Chassis. Will post pics after i have them ready for the finish.

Enjoy!

Best Regards

Robert

Pics of two headshell's (Maple & Bubinga). Second pic is showing the Dovetails.

 

[SonicProvocateur]

MAN, those are looking so good! Can't wait to see the finished product! :shock:

 

[zodiac272]

That's pretty awesome. The bubinga looks great!
Scott

 

[SpongeRob]

Thanks Sonic, thanks Scott.

Didn't find the time to make the shells today. But hopefully i will have three of them ready for finishing tomorrow. I will upload some pics tomorrow.

Scott, yes the Bubinga came out very nice. After i cut the wood and made the shell it came out pretty well. It's still a very hard wood and takes a lot of time to craft.

Regards!

 

[SpongeRob]

Welcome back!

I promised new pics.

Today i route all Reverb Tank Holes and speed a bit up with the Bubinga Headshell because it will get a new home pretty soon. Sanding this beast is really hard. For all Sapele friends i have bad news. I got an order for a Mark V Head in Sapele. So i don't even start th project yet but will upload pics after starting the project.
I made a pic of the parts before i glues it together. Next time i will finish sanding the Bubinga Headshell and get the first coat of oil on it.

ENJOY THE PICS!

After putting everything together it looks like this. Please notice, i didn't start to sand it yet. So i looks a bit horrible :roll:
The front plate will get a red color to match the Bubinga.

Those are the rest Maple Shells. Those need some work to match my imagination of a perfect looking Headshell. :wink:

 

[SpongeRob]

Thanks gts,

Actually it's an optical illusion. The Hardwood Shell's are heavier than the Standard ones. So i try to reduce the weight the best i can. The Shell's are made out of 7/8" Hardwood. Just took the measure. Maybe it's just the small radius i took for routing the corners. It's really suprising how much this can change. :wink:
But a really good question.

 

[Facelift]

May I suggest not gluing the front panel in? Not that Im buying one but it would seem to be for better access to the preamp tubes through the front if it were removable with velcro or something rather than taking the chassis out or trying to squeeze a hand through the back to change a tube.

 

[SpongeRob]

Hi Facelift,

Sorry! My fault. The Front Panel will be screwed (if someone wants this vintage style) or removeable with velcro as used in newer shell's like my old Mark IV Head (really a great idea). The Panel you see in this pic was cut for better preamp tube access and is glued into the Shell. It's easier to make and looks a lot better. The Front Panel on the Bubinga will be covered with black grill cloth and screwed as wished from the customer. Will upload some pics after finishing the Headshell. :wink:

 

[dodger916]

Nice SpongeRob.
Did you go thicker on the wood (1" / 25.4mm)?
Looks like it's thicker but that could be an optical illusion.

So George, when can we expect your prototypes?

 

[jaquetapus]

So George, when can we expect your prototypes?

If I had a joiner I'd have been making them two years ago.
Maybe my buddy will let me use his shop.
I actually prefer to work with hardwoods.....

When you start, count me in!

-dave