Hendo's Absinthe

dartanion · Post by **dartanion** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:01 pm

Hey Guys,

Here's a photo of the Absinthe that I built for Mike Henderson. He's done a lot of graphic artwork for me, so this was a special build, including the custom cab that I put together for him.

Hope you all like it.

M Fowler · Post by **M Fowler** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:23 pm

dartanion

Very nice looking amp. I like the grain in the contrasting woods. I see you use the same kool green pilot lights I use. Face plate looks good and what is the idea behind the name? Absinthe!

Mark

drhulsey · Post by **drhulsey** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:08 pm

That amp just makes me want to weep, it's so gorgeous

I'm sure he'll be ecstatic

I guess you named it after Mike's favorite beverage

Good think he didn't prefer Budweiser

dartanion · Post by **dartanion** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:34 pm

The Absinthe is one of my production models and Mike got #001. I am having new logo plates made, so it's missing in the photo. It is a parallel SE take on an express, with some tweaks of course.

The cab shell is mahogany from one large piece with front panel being figured maple with a bubinga stripe. Sanded to 4000 grit, then waxed and lightly polished. It really looks better in person.

I delivered it to him in person, then hung out in the Portland area for the weekend. He definitely was digging it.

Noel Grassy · Post by **Noel Grassy** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:54 am

Dartanion,
What an elegant example you built for him, I bet he digs it too. I especially dig the look of waxed/buffed darker hued woods. I'm building a variable load device for a large buffing motor that I intend to mount
12" buffing wheels to.

Have you been a busy builder filling orders Dartanion?
I'm still antsy to hear your parallel/SE design.
Is Gelb going to be a distributor of your marque?
Showcase down my way mightbe worth a try.
I know brick & mortar shops seem so "de classe" in
this hyper paced existence the interweb's ethers have created.

There are actually three respected music huts currently in Santa Cruz
which seems ironic for such a wee community.

Best wishes for your continued growth,

Noel Grassy, a patient soul.

Kregg · Post by **Kregg** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 2:52 pm

Love it! Great name too. [img:49:19]http://www.thescubasite.com/smile/animated/anim_33.gif[/img]

dartanion · Post by **dartanion** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 4:38 pm

Hey Noel,

I am doing a run of amps right now for possible dealer prospects. The amp guy at Gelb knew who I was through my guitar tech, so he said to just bring some amps over to check out. I am also hitting up Griffon in Palo Alto. What shops in Santa Cruz do you recommend speaking with?

I will be building a couple more Absinthes, so you are very welcome to check it out sometime.

hendo · Post by **hendo** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:48 pm

I do want to say that this is one of the most amazing amps I have owned both in looks and the sound. It has been really inspiring my playing a lot lately. The les paul is being played a lot more these day as opposed to when I only had the D'lite 22/33. Props to darin for making me a piece of art in trade for some graphic art. Well worth the effort, and now I have an awesome amp and know a great builder and person.

hendo · Post by **hendo** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:58 pm

PS. Here are some clips. You will have to forgive my amateur playing and mixing abilities, but here are two clips.

Absinthe > 112 with Fane Medusa 150 > SM57 > Firestudio > Garageband with reverb

http://tonicamps.com/Mikes_files/MP3/Ab ... _Clean.mp3

Here is a youtube video: Absinthe > 2x12 with Medusa 150C (cast frames)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T3itawwRe0 This is Ken Coleman playing the amp at a little northwest amp get together ... (I still need to get the rest of the amps edited into little video snipits)

[img

1080]http://tonicamps.com/Mikes_files/Images ... e_Wood.jpg[/img]

[img

778]http://tonicamps.com/Mikes_files/Images ... utside.jpg[/img]

dartanion · Post by **dartanion** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 1:11 am

Glad you are enjoying the amp Mike and that it is inspiring your playing.

Make sure to rub down the cab with lemon oil and clean cotton diaper

Noel Grassy · Post by **Noel Grassy** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:59 am

Dart, I would recommend Union Grove Music as a possibility.
These folks are great too, Sylvan.Music.831-427-1917.
There's More Music {guitars@moremusic.com • 512 Front St., Santa Cruz, CA • (831) 458-2438}
This is a relatively new store catering to the high-end client, I don't know if it's a "brick & mortar" shop but here's the addy:http://www.tonegurus.com/

NG.

hendo · Post by **hendo** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 4:02 am

dartanion wrote:Glad you are enjoying the amp Mike and that it is inspiring your playing.

Make sure to rub down the cab with lemon oil and clean cotton diaper

I'll get on that ... got plenty of diapers around the house

dehughes · Post by **dehughes** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:04 pm

Very cool amp....

dartanion · Post by **dartanion** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 4:56 pm

dehughes wrote:Very cool amp....

Thanks David. It was a pleasure meeting you and listening to your fine amps as well. That Brown Deluxe/Concorde thing is pretty cool. I hope you get it all dialed in.

rawnster · Post by **rawnster** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 5:38 pm

I had a chance to play hendo's new toy. Great sounding amp. It's more refined than your typical express build, for sure. Yet, it blooms and blossoms with tone and grind, as you would expect from a quality express build.

Darin, it was great meeting you.

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