I've come to realize over the years of ordering custom shapes that certain shapers shape certain types of boards really well and other mediocre. (Some of you are probably saying obviously, Dumb a**). For example, you wouldn't go to Michel Junod and ask him to shape you a high performance short board.
So leading to my question. Wynn shapes lots of different board, but what is his forte? My assumption is short boards being that he shaped under stu kenson for a while, but i dunno.
When you deal with a craftsman, you submit to their timeline, not yours
I'm curious, who have you talked to in the area that left you uncertain? PM me if you don't want to call anyone out publicly. You can also go to Island Style in Sea Bright and talk to the owner Derf about what you need -0 although I am pretty sure the same guy Thom Eden (sp?) who actually shapes it is the same guy who shapes for Cosmic Bull.
I don't buy that and never did! If you are paying someone your money for a product they play by your rules. now obviously you need to negotiate a delivery date with them but when they miss it it their loss. You should NEVER pay full price up front for a custom from a local shaper. Typically half up front then the rest when the board is done. I get pricky too if he doesn't have a good excuse as to why its late and without money. He doesn't like that but i usually get my boards on time.
Hmmm.... pumpmaster, I understand... your money, your order, it should be completed when promised... but I have always waited for customs and never once had to remind or urge a shaper on. I pay & I wait. I have other boards to ride in the meantime, I never wait until last minute to order a replacement or new board so there is no need for me to create a sense of urgency with my shapers. I have a great relationship with my shapers and glassers and kinda also consider them friends. I've also come to appreciate their work and feel no need to rush an artist. The shaper is not putting together a bike, he is hand crafting a functional work of art for you to enjoy. Why would anybody want to rush that? As far as I'm concerned, the shaper can take their time and do it correctly with no rush from me. I would rather have it done perfectly and a little longer than to rush the job.
I have a board that I waited over seven months for. I never thought twice about it (although that's only happened once and it was when Grubby went out of business).
Oh, and bringing them a sixer of da kine beer on occasion also helps.
Oh don't get me wrong, I have a great relationship with Ashton but he (like most shapers) suck at business so I am very clear to set expectations before any money changes hands. I believe that 3 months is an acceptable timeframe to get a completed custom board and always give him a requested delivery date. if he has issues with that then we negotiate. You are also right in that you should never order a custom for an immediate need but I have so many boards that if one breaks I always have a backup. In only 3 times out of roughly 50 boards has he ever let me down.
Plus--I've been on hand to see most of my boards get built so I know how much labor goes into it and it ain't anywhere close to 3 months but I allow that to account for his other orders.
Hey guys If anyone needs to get a board done I've got just the guy. His name is Tommy Moore. He shaped for what some of you may know as WRV out of NC. Now he has relocated to CA and is shaping for LOST MAYHEM and is also shaping for his own label called Tommy Guns. Nobody knows better high performance east coast shapes better than him. I highly recommend this guy as well as many people would. Please send me a message through here and I can set you up to talk to him direct. I've got numerous people riding his new label and are loving the boards and are ready to grab a few more. Let me know! Peace.
Brian Wynn makes some of the very best boards out there. My 9'6 is awsome and it has to be one of my favorite boards ever ridden next to my Cooperfish Melo Yellow I use to have.
I've seen some very nice Wynn fish shapes - also seen where they delam or crack at the rail crease. Hague (DE) does a super nice job with EPS/epoxy and short boards (http://www.haguesurfboards.com/). Austin Saunders (VaB) specializes making classic long boards and other long shapes and his shaping and construction is first rate.
Originally Posted by rodndtube
This was a quote from one of my good buddies who rips. Seasoned guy who charges the La Jolla reefs harder than any guy I know "Before Brian moved back to Joisy about 1½ years ago(he grew up there) he'd been shaping, glassing, sanding, installin fins, airbrushin (a bit), and gettin trippy with his tints and swirls here in San Diego for a decade
I'd recommend one of his boards in a heatbeat
infact I've probably ordered 25 off of him myself - still yet to recieve a dog-" Not too bad.
Also, Stu Kenson has said nothing but good things about him over at swaylocks. JJR at LokBox also has said nothing but good things about him.
rodndtube, you know that Brian runs a major glassing operation and he glasses boards for quite a few shapers, right? What you were commenting about was a poor glassing job (which has ZERO to do with shaping) on a board.... yet he runs a first rate glassing operation. How does he do this? Or maybe a buddy of yours had a cracked or delamed rail from dinging it in his garage and he blames the shaper. Your comment lacked credibility when you make that comment about his glassing slamming him and then prop up your buddy... that kinda lacked class man. Wow. Everybody I know who knows of him has said nothing but great things and you make a comment like that. Bad day?
my new Ashton (3 WEEKS to build!!):
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