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Wood Identification Pics   Shipping Info / Question & Answer   Home Page / Order Status

Contents of this page in order… Terms, Cable Care, FAQ, Wood Identification, COA Info, Modding History

  I create art… I don't provide demo's (sorry) anymore, rather basically either you like and want my art, or you don't :-)
     
      My art has a 1 year warranty against build defects I had control over (from time of shipping notice). Drivers, pads, parts that I don't make… you're on your own with those (though I may have a solution if you email). Proper care of art is required and gone over below.

     Any refunds requested/given within 3 days of time of purchase may (I think not) be charged a fee by PayPal. Refund is usually same day, but could take up to seven days. If refund is not requested within 3 days of purchase, a credit will go on file for you. This credit must be used within one year or it will become my property to do with what I wish. All sales are final, no returns, demos or exchanges.

Shipping / Order Confirmation

I will contact you within 24 hours of purchase and upon completion/shipping. If you don't hear from me within 24 hours of purchase, please email me. Occasionally PayPal does not notify me of a purchase, so I need to hear from you so I can manually look it up and get you your proper place in my build line.

I reserve the right to refuse or limit orders. Items are not packed for retail, nor usually with any package other than shipping box. Headphile is located in the Cascade Range Foothills NE of Seattle, Washington USA.

Use the add to cart below for USA and International Shipping. Drop down menu for cables/C-Pads, headphone stands & headphones. Some items may require different/additional postage. Italy EMS only (ask for price).

USA and International Shipping Payment $

If you invest in a quality cable, treat it as such for long life. Headphile cables should not be bundled, wrapped in a figure eight, wrapped around headphones, twisted over or kinked at right angles. Storage of cable should only be circular, no less than 3-4" circumference. When the cable is shipped to you, it will be in this natural position and should continue to be stored or transported in this way. You can kink a cable permanently the first moment you use it if you treat it like a lamp cord!
I've seen some cables not treated correctly, which could eventually lead to breakage of some sort... or the very least some nasty permanent kinking. This misuse of art can usually be repaired or replaced for a fee. Quality materials need common sense care and they can last a very long life while remaining looking good. Treat them with common sense :-)

FAQ Random Frequently Asked Questions / Terms of Purchase

Method of Payment... This website uses PayPal shopping cart system. They allow you to use MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express, Bank Account, Existing PayPal balance, E-Check and possibly other options. I also accept USPS Money Orders (purchased at US Post Office only) or US Cash (email info@headphile.com for those).

How Do I buy from your site… For a visual example on how to place an order, click here

Can I cancel an order…
Yes, but only if within 3 days of time of payment (for a full refund). After that, I will only issue a credit towards something else (headphone deals page items have their own rules), but absolutely no refund. I budget and buy materials, write a schedule, have kids, make a house payment and have bills just like you! Asking me to cancel after 3 days is like your boss cutting hours you were counting on. Thanks for understanding...

All Products are Art…
Most all of my art has an alternate function, but I consider all purchases that of art. Whether you use a product as art or function is solely up to you. Like any art, only time will tell if it's value rises or falls.

Can I buy just woodies or pads
... No, with exception to Sennheiser and K340 woodies, possibly deal page too. They can be purchased for self install and don't require cable purchase. Black headphile Beyer Velour pads are on AKG page.

How long will an order take to build... See home page, updated under red text Your Build & Order Status...

Mini plugs… I put on straight mini plugs as standard. Right angle plugs are additional, ask if they are feasible.

Cable length, is it exactly the length specified…
Cable length is determined by the length of Teflon sleeving used as the dielectric for the solid wire. So in essence, most all interconnects will be slightly longer than length stated. Headphone cables are the same way, though aprox 3" (or more) will be in the headphone itself. Headphone cables are NOT measured from the splitter, but rather from the soldered driver lugs (typically 3" inside cups) to plug contacts.

Do you recable K701, SA5000, AT, Ultrasone (along with some others)…
Not at this time.

What's a CJC and Splitter… CJC (cable junction cover) is the wood piece that is optional between the cable identifier sleeving and the main run (see cable page). Splitter is an optional wood piece that is located where the cable "Y's", approx 15-18" below ears on your chest.

Is wood going to look the same in person…
Usually wood looks better in person. It is hard to capture both the color and especially something like figuring (moving grain) of the wood. Grain changes in light, color can too. Every board is somewhat different in some way, some lighter, some darker, some more grain, etc. I try to use the grain in the most artistic way I can (some wood I don't use at all). Occasionally wood will have a blemish, crack or flaw. I will make a judgment call and if I feel it's not acceptable, in the wood stove it will go. If I ship an order, I've found it to be acceptable art to me.

Got this cool wood, can I send it to you?!?…
Do you take food to a restaurant and ask them to cook it?… then expect a discount?... I'd guess not, so it's the same with sending wood to me… (in other words, no).

Are the pics of art products current…
Not always, sometimes art products change before I can change pics. Since most items are hand built, they may vary in look, style or what I feel is an improvement at anytime at my discretion.

Do you give discounts
… No, I don't discount. Quality of art would suffer, a natural response so I don't do discounts.

Sending headphones to headphile… I will give you my address if applicable, after payment by you. When sending headphones, DON'T send them in their original product box or foam (unless I'm buying them or Vixen). Wrap them with bubble wrap or similar instead (then put in a regular box). Modded headphones probably not fit back in it's original product box, so I will trash it, or you can pay separate shipping. You can "time" their arrival to actual approx build date, if you like.

Will you work with other brands of cable or fix stock headphones…
I will not modify, or use any cable other than headphile. I have no interest in fixing headphones unless modding, that's a job for the original manufacturer. There are some exceptions, Grado the most likely I will work with somewhat (I'll shorten a cable or termination). Minimum is $30 plus shipping. I won't mod a headphone that's been modded in most any way by someone other than me without prior consent.

Do you send take-off parts back to me…
No, unless it's arranged before hand to send certain parts back, I do not send back unused take-off parts (screens, cables, etc). Parts value, however slight or large, are expected to remain with me as part of a purchase with no compensation other than the final product that was purchased. A shipping or other charge may apply for any parts that are returned by approved request from me.

Do you sell parts, especially Grado… No in a nutshell. If I decide to sometime, they will go on headphone deals page. Please don't email asking me if I sell parts! I buy some parts, so if you have some I'll listen...

How do I order a custom cable
… Email me with what you're interested in getting and I'll give you your options and a quote if applicable. I don't build cables longer than 2.0 meter anymore.

What method of shipping do you use… USPS Priority and USPS Global Express. Usually arrives in 2-3 days in USA, 5-7 days rest of the world. (I can't ship FedEx, UPS or other, but they do deliver to me). I reserve the right to not ship to some countries at my sole discretion, Mexico and China are some I no longer ship to. I have delivery confirmation numbers on file here, but only given when truly needed. I will email EMS tracking numbers when shipping (if applicable).

Previously modded headphones… by someone other than myself will almost always be rejected. There are exceptions, which must be approved by me before hand and may cost additional. I really don't want to deal with other peeps screw ups, stripped screws, bad glue jobs and such, which seems to be the norm rather than the exception.

Can I get help building something similar… Sorry, I don't give DIY help anymore. I would ask politely that you don't copy or clone my products other than for your own personal use (but don't be posting details anywhere). Clones for sale or directions on how to build something I make isn't cool. Please respect this...

How do I care for wood… Products leave here with a coat of Carnauba wax as the final finish (Trewax or Meguiar's). You can use the same and buff as per directions. If you get scratches that won't wax out, you can use #0000 steel wool (and some common sense) over the area then wax and buff. Don't use or store wood products in sunlight as wood discoloration will result over time. Never use petroleum based products. Avoid cold to warm or hot temp changes, finish could craze or crack (some like this look actually). Don't store wood in a hot car, or in the sun (even through a window).

Do questions bother you… Not typically. but sometimes! If they are about cloning, selling parts, DIY, something that could have been easily on read this site (or forum) or in extreme amounts. Subjective questions about how xxx sounds compared to stock or xxx simply can't be answered with any substance, so I don't. We all hear, describe and give different terminology (so best to sort that out in a forum). Please capitalize and sign your name on at least your first email… It will be my first impression of you! I'm a nice guy (really), easy going personality too… but over time you can only take so much and keep your sanity intact, thus my bit of a rant here.

Who designs and builds headphile products… Me (Larry). Be original, don't copy my art please...

Can I phone you up… As much as I enjoy chatting, I just don't have the time… plain and simple. I will accept no calls unless I arrange them. No pick ups, meet ups or drop ins will be accepted, unless I invite you personally.

Can I take advantage of you…  No, I won't honor a website mistake in pricing. I'm human so please allow me to make an occasional mistake in pricing and fix it before you attempt to put the screws in me :-) If you have "scripting" turned off on your browser, PayPal shopping cart won't work properly. Prices will default at their lowest and won't change with different, more expensive lengths etc. If an order like this comes in, I will cancel it along with an explanation of how to properly order. As stated elsewhere on the site, I reserve the right to cancel any order for any reason.

Something is wrong with my headphile art, should I take it apart… NOOOOOooo! Email me for figuring a solution, otherwise you're on very possibly on your own if you decide to tackle something yourself. Don't do it...


Thanks for reading FAQ…
and for your support of my artistry and design :-) Cheers, Larry

Wood Identification Pics

     Wondering which wood is which? Click on thumbnail pics below. In person, wood in general looks much nicer and can change color or have figuring that moves in the light. It is hard to capture the beauty of wood in a picture. Also hard to capture color, as this pic shows same wood angled differently in light.

     Each board is usually different to some degree... grain changes, figuring, coloring, and whatever nature decides. I try and use the natural beauty of each piece in the best way possible for any given artwork. A couple of examples of raw boards…. Bloodwood is pretty consistent from board to board by the time finish is applied. Cocobolo can vary in grain and color as these 10 different boards of mine show.

     I generally finish wood in a three step old school process, the final being Carnauba based wax. You can buff the wood with a cotton or micro-fiber cloth. Some further care instruction in FAQ. I also use the only finishes that don't mess with natural resonate quality of the wood, unlike Poly finishes that most everyone else uses.
     
      Private Stock woods are not shown here, since I only use them for Deals page customs (which are not typically for direct ordering).

Click on thumbnail for a larger general representation pic...

        ^^  Bloodwood        ^^  Bubinga           ^^    Cherry          ^^    Cocobolo       ^^  Royal Mahogany  ^^

             ^^ Gaboon Ebony           ^^  Jatoba                    ^^     Maple                      ^^   Birdseye  ^^

              ^^ Morado                  ^^ Leopardwood                 ^^  Lyptus                     ^^     Koa   ^^

                ^^  Korina                   ^^    Oak                        ^^  Pine/Fir                    ^^  Paduak  ^^

              ^^ Purple Heart           ^^ Black Walnut                    ^^ Wenge                    ^^ Zebra ^^

Certificate of Authenticity (COA)

     Beginning late August of 2008, I have began offering COA's with most wood artistry. It's no secret I despise cloners, and after I received one in person that someone thought was my product (and it really sucked), I decided these are the way to go for both of us. I can relax a bit, and you can solidly prove what you own. I've posted a list of my designs below...

     While these aren't totally foolproof, I have taken steps to make them hard to copy. The placement of the foil for through paper embossment (see pic below) is beyond the normal reach of embossers. I've also placed a unique font code on one area, plus signed and dated them. They are on heavy certificate paper, with blue wavy lines in the background.

     I could have done the normal gold only foil, but decided using colors could have some meaning for the various things I do. I've outlined that below left and will post any changes I may make someday.

     It's fairly common for artists to give these certificates for future value. While I haven't oil painted in more than ten years, I did have a good following and sales above the cost of many of my headphones. While I can't say whether my current offerings will rise (or fall) in value, I know some have gone up quite significantly.

      I hope you enjoy my artistry and design and many thanks for your support!


Red…

The best! Only what I deem an item Elite  will have my rarest color foil.


Blue…

Custom creations will get blue, typically headphone deals page items.


Gold…

BlackGold, BlackTop or BlackCrystal cabled headphones.



Copper…

BlackMax, BlackCopper cabled headphones and Classic stands.


Silver…

BlackSilver cabled

       ^^^ Shown for size and suitable for framing ^^^
_________________________________________________

     Certificates are embossed through the paper, so the reverse side will show backwards writing. Stands will have an embossed sticker on the underside, copper on Classic shown.

Short History of Headphone Mods...

In 2002, I recabled my SR225's with a DIY monstrosity I'd braided (was meant for IC's) and I liked what I heard. After much more research in theory and construction, development of designs and plain trial and error, I had a unique line of cables to offer. One was an adapter for headphones to go directly off of speaker terminals of full size amps, another a long splitter cable and other more normal offerings...   

In 2003 I started modding headphones. To my knowledge and ample research, there was no one offering recables, nor making woody modifications to headphones… Just a few mod tips on a forum (none on head-fi at the time). Ideas were coming like daylight in the morning, so I began to put them to the test and eventually for sale :-)

Thinking back on that SR225 sound improvement, I recabled my personal CD3000's. Not long after, I built my first pair of woodies for them (then another ten pairs experimenting). Shortly after I built woodies for my SR225's (and new recable).

While I thought both my modded headphones were cool, I was amazed out how much attention they were getting in forums. I ended up eventually offering both recable and woodies first for CD3000's, then Grado's. From there I expanded to other headphones, on my own choosing (Senn was next I think). Others began nearly begging for me to mod any and all headphones... Which I pretty much did for awhile. I added more to my normal line, and dropped or passed on others.

Eventually I didn't have enough time to do everything, so I honed in on what I (mostly) enjoyed doing. Below is a list of designs I've come up with, and still coming up with :-)

Headphile List of Firsts (AFAIK) in Design from 2003 and beyond

CD3000 woodies of all sorts
Headphone recables
Soft yet sturdy, non-microphonic sleeving for after market headphone cables
Grado after market woodies and recables
Grado internal tweaks
Grado C-Pads
Grado wide tops
Grado domed screens
Grado lambskin bands
Grado wood end tips
Grado rod locks
Grado Vixen
Wood splitters
Wood cable junctions
Stealth Screening
Senn woodies, open and closed
Deep and normal depth woodies
K340 recable and mods
K340 wood sides
Senn 590 cable
Darth Beyers
Luke SkyBeyers
Terminator ((( V4 )))
Black Beyer Pads
Darth Denon DD2 & DD5
Stax woodies
HP3000 custom
K3000 custom
PS3000 custom
X-1, SRX-Omega, A900 woodies and other customs and proto's
Multiple headphone stand designs
Multiple cable designs
Adjustable open/closed headphones
Probably forgetting something :-)
More to come…

Please don't copy any of my creations for profit. I ask that you please show some respect for the one that basically blazed the trail of headphone modding. Building something similar for your own use is fine, but please don't give directions or pictures of the process. Create something unique you can be proud of, there are many things I don't do that you could using some imagination.


Thanks for your support of headphile over the years, Larry


All of this website ©2003-2010 by headphile.com™

AKG Mods   Archive Pics   Beyer Mods   Cable Series IC's etc   COA Info   Grado Mods   Headphone Deals

Headphone Stands   Jack Cover / DIY Knob   Sennheiser Mods   Terminator ((( V4 )))   The Vixen

Wood Identification Pics   Shipping Info / Question & Answer   Home Page / Order Status