Grado modders go Magnum

[joeq70]

  Hey,anybody using these aluminum gimbals?  
http://www.ebay.com/itm/322220921728?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

Funny you should ask! I just ordered those and they came in yesterday. If you read the description carefully, you will notice that the seller mentions that there are aesthetic imperfections which are allowed to make the gimbals more affordable. They indeed look kinda rough in some places when they show up. However, all you have to do is go buy a green scotch brite pad, wet the pad with water, and brush the aluminum on all sides and these gimbals really turn out looking nice. I'll take some pics when I get home so you can see what I mean. I personally would not recommend using these gimbals unless you are willing to use a little elbow grease to get them looking nice. 

 

[KeithG]

Funny you should ask! I just ordered those and they came in yesterday. If you read the description carefully, you will notice that the seller mentions that there are aesthetic imperfections which are allowed to make the gimbals more affordable. They indeed look kinda rough in some places when they show up. However, all you have to do is go buy a green scotch brite pad, wet the pad with water, and brush the aluminum on all sides and these gimbals really turn out looking nice. I'll take some pics when I get home so you can see what I mean. I personally would not recommend using these gimbals unless you are willing to use a little elbow grease to get them looking nice. 

Can't wait to see the pictures - they do seem a bit of a bargain. How well do they fit?

 

[joeq70]

I don't have an actual before pic, so here is a picture from the seller's listing that allows me to explain how they were when the showed up.

 
Now for the after pictures:



 
You may notice that they still don't look absolutely perfect but they look plenty good enough at this point for me. The scuffed up edges that face the grill and the pads, I didn't go overboard with, since you won't be able to see them at all when my headphones are completely assembled.
 

 

[cjc]

 

Wow!...... Those look fantastic
I think I they are a HUGE improvement over the stock cheap plastic.

 

[i-am-iron-man]

The problem with these gimbals [and the Rholupat ones] is their width. They limit the amount of movement the cups have, so the pads can't sit properly on your ears. 
You have to get around it by bending the headband inwards ... I stopped using my Rholupat ones in the end for that reason.
 
Would kill for another set of Martin's blocks and gimbals. 
Or even some more stock Grado gimbals. And some steel headband inserts. And rod blocks. 
 
Can anyone sell me some spares! 

 

[joeq70]

  The problem with these gimbals [and the Rholupat ones] is their width. They limit the amount of movement the cups have, so the pads can't sit properly on your ears. 
You have to get around it by bending the headband inwards ... I stopped using my Rholupat ones in the end for that reason.
 
Would kill for another set of Martin's blocks and gimbals. 
Or even some more stock Grado gimbals. And some steel headband inserts. And rod blocks. 
 
Can anyone sell me some spares! 

Yes you make a good point! I noticed the lack of movement after installation, but I wasn't sure how it would affect fit and comfort until I finished my build and tried them out. I'll have to see how much of a problem it is for me.

 

[KeithG]

They look great. I'm going to order a pair to be put away for a planned project.

 

[i-am-iron-man]

I found I couldn't make up for the lack of movement by bending the headband - you just end up with the pads no longer pressing against your ears - in the end I went back to stock Grado ones. Martin's ones were perfect.

 

[fleasbaby]

 

 
Nice cups . Hope you enjoy them!

 

[Arty McGhee]

these are rholupat's,
with some careful bending and filing to round the edges
they fit nice and allow full movement
different cup style though
i think he makes them ti fit the cups he sells
 
 

 

[joeq70]

Nice cups . Hope you enjoy them!

These cups are siiick. Can't wait til the build is done!

 

[i-am-iron-man]

  these are rholupat's ... i think he makes them ti fit the cups he sells

 
Yeah, that's what I found. They were awful with GS-style cups I bought from Elleven and Yew Woodworks, but work fine with Rholupat's Vibro / RS-style cups. 

 

[retox]

 

joeq70
 
I want to thank you for your review and let you know that I am the person that is fabricating these gimbals. You are correct that the finish is less than perfect and I am investigating a couple of options to improve on the process to remove the saw cuts and tooling marks on the exterior.  I am also looking into new methods of polishing to improve on the finish.  Are you interested in a brushed or polished finish, difference being brushed would be a little dull with a directional grain and polish would be more like chrome?  I also plan to reduce the width by .050 so they will pivot more freely with custom cups such as yours.
 
Since you took the time to do such a detailed review I would like to send you a new pair (free) after I complete my REV 2 gimbals for your opinion and updated review. 
 
Let me know if you are interested.
 
-retox

 

[joeq70]

joeq70

I want to thank you for your review and let you know that I am the person that is fabricating these gimbals. You are correct that the finish is less than perfect and I am investigating a couple of options to improve on the process to remove the saw cuts and tooling marks on the exterior.  I am also looking into new methods of polishing to improve on the finish.  Are you interested in a brushed or polished finish, difference being brushed would be a little dull with a directional grain and polish would be more like chrome?  I also plan to reduce the width by .050 so they will pivot more freely with custom cups such as yours.

Since you took the time to do such a detailed review I would like to send you a new pair (free) after I complete my REV 2 gimbals for your opinion and updated review. 

Let me know if you are interested.

-retox

Awesome! It was my pleasure. I'd love to review v2. IMO a dull, brushed finished looks waaay better than a shiny chrome finish.

 

[retox]

I may offer both...thanks for he input...