[goldwerger]

I read this post and was really moved. Thanks for sharing your story.

I lost my father 12 years ago and I still miss him dearly. The hole remains, but time does heal, slowly but surely. And memories are the best keepsake.

Now you get to combine them into your daily passion with this wonderful creation. I couldn't think of a better celebration to keep your father with you, in joy.

Wishing lots of happy listening

PS
I also have an African Blackwood VO with steel rods and, like you, love that design

PSS
Your wall of headphones.. I think I will now have to go every evening and look at YOUR photo

PSS
Zach is a mensch

 

[vsg28]

Wow who's cutting all these onions early in the morning? Thanks for sharing this beautiful and wholesome story, I hope you found some closure and kudos to everyone involved to make this happen.

 

[Toonartist]

Very moving...I lost both parents in my early twenties and appreciate the emotional connection you have with that piece of wood. I think it's an incredible project and the perfect way to honour your farther. The results are beyond stunning!! Something for you to treasure and bring back fond memories. Enjoy!!

 

[dleblanc343]

Truly incredible post, captivating and heartfelt story. You will cherish those headphones forever!

Zach is a true G in this industry

 

[TheMiddleSky]

Not even in my imagination I can think of something like your story about a "relationship" between a person and an audio business. It's truly a moving and personal story.

Also really love the result of Stabilize Wood design! (One of my most favorite Stabilize colour is Blue)

 

[F208Frank]

Skip ahead a few months.

Life was becoming busy, and I felt like I was in a bit of a rut. Many of my nights were spent trying to occupy my mind and not think about work, or what had been happening in my life. Not that I was self-pitying, just that it was a bit much, and I tend not to think of myself as often as I should. I imagine that is what most mean by self-care. I saw that there was a headphone show coming up, and I figured, what the hell? Time for a mini vacation? I hadn't been on one in years, so I was able to justify it to myself. On the other hand, convincing my Fiance to go to a “headphone show” was a bit of a task. But I have been in sales for many years so it didn't take that long (“just think of all the cool restaurants we can eat at baby!”)

My main reason for going was to demo the Caldera, and even possibly meet Zach, this random person I had seen in the forums and YouTube. Seemed like a cool guy, and it would give me a chance to nerd out with a fellow enthusiast, talk tube amps, etc. I grabbed some tickets, we packed up, hopped in the truck, and were on the way.



We get to the show, and it's epic. All of the gear that I had lusted after is here, everyone is excited, and the event has a buzz to it. I sit down at a few tables, try some very good gear, and then I see it. Over in the corner, the ZMF room. I walk by it a few times just because I am working up the courage to go in. At this point, I am a pretty big fan of their stuff, and own multiple sets, but don't want to come off like a fanboy.



I eventually get over myself, say screw it and go in. I instantly feel like one of those kids in the original Willy Wonka movie when he first opens the door to the mixing room and candy factory. So much cool gear, so many amps/dacs, all the ones you read about and see in the videos, and SO MANY cool headphones, all in different colors and woods. Oh yeah





After I dabbled about a bit, I finally got the nerve to go talk to the big guy himself. He and Bevin were over in the corner talking about something and I didn’t originally want to barge in. But I did have questions about a Caldera so….. Here I go. To be honest, I don't even remember what I said, but I can say that any perceived notion I had about meeting Zach was instantly washed away. He was so down to earth, calm, polite, cool, and almost seemed nervous that he wasn't sure if people would like the Caldera. I was like, is this the same guy who has no idea of all the people who absolutely love what he creates? That rave over the art, the sound, the dedication to improve, and the service? Who has entire threads about how great the product is and are so happy to show off what they bought and received? This guy?!



So anyway, we get to talking, and I ended up leaving with 2 Calderas, as I couldn’t put either of them down. As I was leaving, I remembered that he makes custom wood headphones and that I have this neat piece of wood that was my father's, and I have no idea what I should do with it. But wouldn't it be cool as a keepsake or memento since he wanted to make something cool out of it, but unfortunately never had the chance? He said yeah, it might be possible, and then we said goodbyes, and I went back home, Caldera (x2) in tow, happy as could be. It wasn't really thought of again for a while.

I was emailing Zach about another set and remembered our conversation that was had at the event. I sent him a few pictures of the piece, and asked what was possible. I’ll spare you the series of emails (it was a LOT!) and eventually I mailed him the piece of wood. Zach stated during this email exchange that he had been thinking of starting a custom program, but wasn't ready to do so yet. But that this could be a neat way to test the idea and the process.

I also sent a few examples of what I wanted them to look like. Teal/torquoise was one of my father's favorite colors, and I wanted something that would be special but also artistic. I remember seeing a bunch of neat resin tables online, so I sent Zach these as an example:









Now, I know that this is the headphone guy, but I have to admit that I was a bit nervous. What is the wood turns out really ugly? What if the wood just explodes on the drill/lathe/CNC machine? What if it turns to dust when they try to machine it? A lot was going through my head, but eventually I calmed down and just had to trust the people I sent it to. After all, if anyone could make it right, it had to be ZMF. I am sure that my piece was not the worst they had ever worked with.

I’ll keep this short. Here is what I sent them, and here is what I received in return.



























In conclusion, this public testimonial serves as an expression of heartfelt gratitude for transforming a seemingly worthless, sentimental artifact into a living testament to my father's legacy.



I made this post as a way of publicly saying thank you to Zach, Bevin, and the ZMF team. This was such a wonderful experience, and it means the world to me that a company as successful and busy as ZMF would even take a moment to make something so special and dear to my heart.



Seriously, thank you. @zach915m

Just wow. Thanks for sharing and yes I always had positive vibes coming from Zach.

 

[whirlwind]

Very cool

 

[Inju]

Thank you for taking the time to write such a heartfelt tribute to both your father and the amazing team at ZMF. Just met Zach and Bevin last weekend at CanJam Dallas and they were every bit as nice and down to earth as you describe. In fact, your name came up while I was in the room, but I honestly don't remember the context - I think Zach was talking about a particular amp that you had something to do with. Those headphones made from your father's piece of wood look astounding. Zach goes above and beyond (again)!

I'm going to be honest this made me tear up. My father's getting much older and reading this has reminded me to spend more time with him. Thank you for sharing. I commend ZMF for doing this, bravo. You now have a heirloom pair of headphones that are absolutely beautiful.

 

[newToAudio100]

Great read. The niimbus amp is really awesome as well! Considering a Caldera.

 

[Plautus001]

@OnlySoMany

Thank you for sharing...

Your story hit me quite hard because many years ago, my dad made and gave me a burel table he made out of a tree trunk he cut down on his job site (he was a logger).

He had a friend draw a map of the Queen Charlotte Islands ((where he worked for 35 years) and he gave it to me for my 16th birthday (@ 40 years ago).

He passed away in late 1996 and I think of him everyday.

I now have the table in my media room and when I look at it, I think of him and everything my did for our family.

 

[DAPpower]

Great read. The niimbus amp is really awesome as well! Considering a Caldera.

Caldera probably won't WOW you at first listen but the more you listen the more you fall in love with it.

 

[Toonartist]

@OnlySoMany

Thank you for sharing...

Your story hit me quite hard because many years ago, my dad made and gave me a burel table he made out of a tree trunk he cut down on his job site (he was a logger).

He had a friend draw a map of the Queen Charlotte Islands ((where he worked for 35 years) and he gave it to me for my 16th birthday (@ 40 years ago).

He passed away in late 1996 and I think of him everyday.

I now have the table in my media room and when I look at it, I think of him and everything my did for our family.

That's an incredible table!!! Certainly something to treasure

 

[goldwerger]

@OnlySoMany

Thank you for sharing...

Your story hit me quite hard because many years ago, my dad made and gave me a burel table he made out of a tree trunk he cut down on his job site (he was a logger).

He had a friend draw a map of the Queen Charlotte Islands ((where he worked for 35 years) and he gave it to me for my 16th birthday (@ 40 years ago).

He passed away in late 1996 and I think of him everyday.

I now have the table in my media room and when I look at it, I think of him and everything my did for our family.

Another wonderful story of beautiful handcraft connecting our memories to our passion with love

 

[unfitstew]

Skip ahead a few months.

Life was becoming busy, and I felt like I was in a bit of a rut. Many of my nights were spent trying to occupy my mind and not think about work, or what had been happening in my life. Not that I was self-pitying, just that it was a bit much, and I tend not to think of myself as often as I should. I imagine that is what most mean by self-care. I saw that there was a headphone show coming up, and I figured, what the hell? Time for a mini vacation? I hadn't been on one in years, so I was able to justify it to myself. On the other hand, convincing my Fiance to go to a “headphone show” was a bit of a task. But I have been in sales for many years so it didn't take that long (“just think of all the cool restaurants we can eat at baby!”)

My main reason for going was to demo the Caldera, and even possibly meet Zach, this random person I had seen in the forums and YouTube. Seemed like a cool guy, and it would give me a chance to nerd out with a fellow enthusiast, talk tube amps, etc. I grabbed some tickets, we packed up, hopped in the truck, and were on the way.



We get to the show, and it's epic. All of the gear that I had lusted after is here, everyone is excited, and the event has a buzz to it. I sit down at a few tables, try some very good gear, and then I see it. Over in the corner, the ZMF room. I walk by it a few times just because I am working up the courage to go in. At this point, I am a pretty big fan of their stuff, and own multiple sets, but don't want to come off like a fanboy.



I eventually get over myself, say screw it and go in. I instantly feel like one of those kids in the original Willy Wonka movie when he first opens the door to the mixing room and candy factory. So much cool gear, so many amps/dacs, all the ones you read about and see in the videos, and SO MANY cool headphones, all in different colors and woods. Oh yeah





After I dabbled about a bit, I finally got the nerve to go talk to the big guy himself. He and Bevin were over in the corner talking about something and I didn’t originally want to barge in. But I did have questions about a Caldera so….. Here I go. To be honest, I don't even remember what I said, but I can say that any perceived notion I had about meeting Zach was instantly washed away. He was so down to earth, calm, polite, cool, and almost seemed nervous that he wasn't sure if people would like the Caldera. I was like, is this the same guy who has no idea of all the people who absolutely love what he creates? That rave over the art, the sound, the dedication to improve, and the service? Who has entire threads about how great the product is and are so happy to show off what they bought and received? This guy?!



So anyway, we get to talking, and I ended up leaving with 2 Calderas, as I couldn’t put either of them down. As I was leaving, I remembered that he makes custom wood headphones and that I have this neat piece of wood that was my father's, and I have no idea what I should do with it. But wouldn't it be cool as a keepsake or memento since he wanted to make something cool out of it, but unfortunately never had the chance? He said yeah, it might be possible, and then we said goodbyes, and I went back home, Caldera (x2) in tow, happy as could be. It wasn't really thought of again for a while.

I was emailing Zach about another set and remembered our conversation that was had at the event. I sent him a few pictures of the piece, and asked what was possible. I’ll spare you the series of emails (it was a LOT!) and eventually I mailed him the piece of wood. Zach stated during this email exchange that he had been thinking of starting a custom program, but wasn't ready to do so yet. But that this could be a neat way to test the idea and the process.

I also sent a few examples of what I wanted them to look like. Teal/torquoise was one of my father's favorite colors, and I wanted something that would be special but also artistic. I remember seeing a bunch of neat resin tables online, so I sent Zach these as an example:









Now, I know that this is the headphone guy, but I have to admit that I was a bit nervous. What is the wood turns out really ugly? What if the wood just explodes on the drill/lathe/CNC machine? What if it turns to dust when they try to machine it? A lot was going through my head, but eventually I calmed down and just had to trust the people I sent it to. After all, if anyone could make it right, it had to be ZMF. I am sure that my piece was not the worst they had ever worked with.

I’ll keep this short. Here is what I sent them, and here is what I received in return.



























In conclusion, this public testimonial serves as an expression of heartfelt gratitude for transforming a seemingly worthless, sentimental artifact into a living testament to my father's legacy.



I made this post as a way of publicly saying thank you to Zach, Bevin, and the ZMF team. This was such a wonderful experience, and it means the world to me that a company as successful and busy as ZMF would even take a moment to make something so special and dear to my heart.



Seriously, thank you. @zach915m

This is an amazing story and I am glad ZMF helped to make it happen.

Cherish it with all of your heart!

 

[zach915m]

When I heard of what @OnlySoMany wanted to do I felt the need to really honor his wishes, but it also made me a nervous wreck to embark on something that we needed to really get right. On a personal level I'm so pleased, and relieved that this turned out so well, and I also didn't know all the details posted here so this just makes it all the more satisfying. It's the core reason why I like making things for people, we as people are basically what we leave behind whether it be physical, emotional, existential etc etc. This kind of thing ties a lot of who we are as a species together where everyone shares and receives something. Thank you for the opportunity @OnlySoMany - it's an honor.

Anyways - from a production standpoint, this is the type of project we are looking to do in the future more of, and are working on a custom shop schematic so we can make more personalized headphones more often. Pricing it out and doing it a couple times is the only way to figure that out. So hopefully this is the first of a number of great projects like that, and int he coming year we will have more announcements as to how this might work, how much it will cost and all the like.