The No Hair Gel Thread - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

boomana · #1 (**permalink**) 04-20-2008, 11:09 PM

CanJam is only two weeks away and it's time to review common courtesies that can keep this meet fun for everyone or ruin it for in a minute if gear is damaged. I'm sure that most folks already know what I'm about to say, but reminders never hurt. Members and vendors alike will be bringing their prized possessions. As far as I know, most gear survived the meets in New York and San Jose, but I've both heard and read reports of dropped gear, damaged leather due to hair products, headphones yanked out of jacks, cables twisted, and volumes turned up way too loud on amps and left that way for the next listener. No no no no no no to any of that this year. Here are some basic suggestions. If anyone wants to add more, I'll cut and paste in the first post here.

DON'T BE STINKING. For gawd's sake, bathe before you come, and keep the stinking cologne, aftershave, and perfumy stuff at home. The last thing anyone wants is to smell you on their headphones after the meet is done.

NO HAIR GEL, NO HAIR SPRAY, NO HAIR MOUSSE ETC. This one is big for me. If looking good is more important than respecting the gear of members who brought it for you to hear, stay home. I'm serious. I suppose you could stick with iems, but you'd be missing out. I know of one pair of very expensive headphones that was damaged at the New York meet due to hair gel coloring the leather. I personally want to share a couple of my rarer, discontinued headphones with anyone who wants to listen, but if I see people walking around with gelled up hair, I'm taking them right back up to my room. It's not worth the risk.

CLEAN EARS. Hopefully, you're not that stupid. Just in case, q-tips will be provided at the door.

WASH HANDS. Per mrarroyo's suggestion below, people, wash your hands. He mentioned possible reasons for washing prior to the meet. I'm thinking more like during the meet and after you use the restroom. Egad. Think where your hands have been. Do you really want strangers' unwashedness on your headphones.

GEAR HANDLING: Be gentle. Pick headphones up gently and put them down gently. If a member has set out a towel to rest them on, use it. If there's a stand, use it. Keep headphone cables curled in a loose circle on the table, not all dangling or twisted. The volume knob on amps goes both ways. Before you plug in headphones, make sure it's down, and turn it back down before you're done. Also, don't just crank it because you like it that way. If excessive volume is your thing, fine and dandy, but ask the member whose gear you're using if they don't mind. The most common complaints I heard from members who brought gear to the first two international meets had to do with users disrespecting the volume knob. Don't do it. The other common complaints had to do with users being rough with headphones in general, yanking out the plugs or tossing them on the table. Again, don't do it, blah blah etc. You get the point.

WANDERING GEAR: Let's say you want to borrow my 650s and try them out with every amp in the place. I've got no problem with that, but ask me first. Same with portable gear and same with pretty much everything. Other members may not want their gear to leave their rigs, so don't make assumptions that it will be okay, even if only going to the next table. Ask.

Okay, that's all I can think of right now as those are the most important to me. If you're bringing a guest, make sure to tell him or her in advance (especially the hair thing) so they can prepare. Also, if you see another member disrespecting gear, please step in and say something (nicely). Since this meet should be all about great gear, great music, and even greater fun with friends, let's keep it that way.

Thanks, guys.

mrarroyo · #2 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 12:03 AM

Vicky, I know you already addressed the issue of general hygiene but car problems and the like do happen at the last minute. So please wash your hands prior to entering the meet room (s) if you had a car emergency on the way. BTW, if you go out for an snack/meal please wash your hands before entering the meet room (s), although I am sure the pizza or burger was great the oil/grease would not be so great on the gear.

Vicky are drinks going to be allowed in the meeting rooms. I ask because the last thing anyone wants is for a coke/water/beer to spill on top of an amp/dac/cdp/etc.

Since I seem to be on a roll

are toddlers and young children in general allowed in the meet rooms. If yes, and it is great to start them young in the hobby

I hope they are properly supervised.

boomana · #3 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 12:31 AM

No food or drinks will be allowed in the meet rooms. I don't think anyone will be bringing young children, though I'm hoping Melinda, the youngest Florida head-fier might make brief appearance, but there's no doubt that Gary and Xenia will have her well supervised if she shows up. The meet rooms are set around a very large atrium and lounge area in the hotel. If people want to eat, drink, gather etc., all they have to do is walk a few steps out the door.

As for the washing hands, glad you said that, and I'll add it to the above. Strange the things you have to think about that are, hopefully, common sense to others.

recstar24 · #4 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 01:55 AM

This is a great set of ground rules Vicky that you have laid out, and honestly, should be standard for any kind of meet. When I threw my 1st meet last summer, the ones I made sure to outline in the thread were handling gear and asking 1st before you take a piece of gear to another location. I realized that a lot of headfiers might be having their 1st meet experience and are simply not aware of proper meet etiquette. As veterans we can assume that it is common sense but as you can attest to, it is not. I was happy though for outlining some basic groundlines because everyone followed them and it created a more fun, enjoyable, less stressful atmosphere. I personally made myself aware of the no hair gel rule and this last weekend meet I made sure to come with my hair au natural, which was tough because as an asian dude I usually like to rock the gel.

crappyjones123 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 02:29 AM

2 questions -

1. who is this "gawd" for whose sake we are to do or not do certain things?

2. "Let's say you want to borrow my 650s and try them out with every amp in the place. I've got no problem with that, but ask me first."

i can do that? if that was not a typo, you queen boomana are about to be promoted to my favorite person in the whole wide world! songs shall be written in your fame. dances shall be dedicated to your benevolence. sacrifices of 40 head of cattle (you can pick any kind you like) shall be made in your honor. oh and you will be my favorite person in the whole wide world.

boomana · #6 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by crappyjones123

2 questions -

1. who is this "gawd" for whose sake we are to do or not do certain things?

Feel free to choose your own.

2. "Let's say you want to borrow my 650s and try them out with every amp in the place. I've got no problem with that, but ask me first."

i can do that? if that was not a typo, you queen boomana are about to be promoted to my favorite person in the whole wide world! songs shall be written in your fame. dances shall be dedicated to your benevolence. sacrifices of 40 head of cattle (you can pick any kind you like) shall be made in your honor. oh and you will be my favorite person in the whole wide world.

Well, first of all, sacrificing cattle really isn't my thing, so lose that idea. Other than that, a good song and dance routine is always appreciated, however unnecessary. The deal is that you have to actual show up to CanJam. The rest is pretty simple. Just find me and ask.

crappyjones123 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by boomana

Feel free to choose your own.

The deal is that you have to actual show up to CanJam.

...and then crappy was yanked out of his beautiful dreamland back to the dark dreary deserts of dead habit they call earth...slowly made to realise that his mind alone wasnt powerful enough to experience the awesomeness of can jam, and that his mortal vessel of being - his body, had to be there as well...

ugh! being human sucks!

is cologne/after shave a strict no no or is just poor smelling cologne prohibited?

HighLife · #8 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 09:19 PM

No laying ass bombs in the meet room either...if you have to float a air biscuit take it outside...Im serious too...no playing Gas chamber in the meeting room.

I always wear a hat when i test other peoples gear...hell, i even do it with my gear cause im OCD like that.

I do carry a drink with me, however its a closed lid drink like a plastic bottle with a screw cap. I dont carry on my person, but its normally kept in one of my bags. If i do eat, ill take my ass outside and sit at a table or if they have a nice lobby area to snack down.

Also, learn how to touch stuff...like tubes and what not if you planning on using that stuff. I know its normally ok to touch glass on tubes however, personally I NEVER TOUCH GLASS on tubes.

Never open up anyones CDP without asking...never use a persons amp with your headphones without asking...or vice versa.

Respect everyones gear as if it were your own. Most of us bringing a few thousand dollars in equipment just for people to listen to..be very careful and treat everything as it were CRYSTAL!

Also, most important....make sure you do have any BO (BODY ODOR)...if you went for a run prior to the meet, take your ass home and SHOWER!!

NightWoundsTime · #9 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 11:29 PM

Worst feeling I've ever had was when I'd lugged in my gear for a meet, set it all up, and Mikhail handed me a set of Qualias. Put them on and felt an instant dread when I realized I was sweating. Hadn't even noticed before (I tend to sweat a lot), but I quickly set into cleaning the pads on that thing.

GlendaleViper · #10 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 11:55 PM

Actually, that's another good point. Perhaps a towel or handkerchief is a wise piece of gear to bring along as well... I've heard Florida gets just the slightest bit balmy.

Uncle Erik · #11 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 12:01 AM

Note to self:

1. Shave head.

2. Pick up cleanroom jumpsuit at the industrial supply place.

HighLife · #12 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 12:10 AM

I demand that anyone that listens to my 650s be boiled prior to wearing them.

tyrion · #13 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 01:11 AM

Originally Posted by GlendaleViper

Actually, that's another good point. Perhaps a towel or handkerchief is a wise piece of gear to bring along as well... I've heard Florida gets just the slightest bit balmy.

No kidding, my a/c in the house died after 15 years and the new one isn't being installed until Wednesday. At least it's a little cooler tonight.

HighLife · #14 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 02:50 AM

Oouch man, that sucks ass =( its going to be hot during the day though.

This is why i bought a seperate air condition for my PC room...this is where i spend most of my time anyway.

crappyjones123 · #15 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 03:04 AM

quick fix would be to run to walmart, get a window a/c for your room and return it when your a/c gets fixed. i dont know how far removed a lawyers ethics are from a starving college students (we dont really have any). being a lawyer it probably wont sit well with you but you dont HAVE to return it, my dad has to go on inspections of oil tankers and cruise ships 7 to 8 times a month (2-3 day trips) and 9 times out of 10, at dry docks they turn off the central air conditioning so he has a small 3000 btu window a/c that he keeps in the car permanently and just takes out when need be.

dont know if that helps you but its a possible fix. that or a standing fan =/