Sourcing Leather Handle For Head Shell

Jtaylor

I have recently acquired an AC30 which sounds amazing but is incredibly large and heavy so I am going to get it converted to a head and cab. I have decided to get AF custom cabinets to make the head shell as they offer the finish I am after (suede) and the price seems relatively reasonable too. 

AF custom cabinets have sent me a link to where they get there handles from so that I can choose the handle for the headshell and whilst the supplier has one in the style I like, it is made from imitation leather: 

https://www.tube-town.net/ttstore/en/case-handle-dogbone-style-imitation-leather-black.html

I would much rather a real leather handle but after a google search can't seem to find any that are this style that are made from real leather. Does anyone know of any good places to source a real leather equivalent (same style etc)? 

Thanks! 

RiftAmps

Real leather handles are mega expensive now - https://www.ukhandcraft.co.uk/replacement-leather-amp-handle-1699-p.asp

digitalkettle

I got Heistercamp to make me a replacement when my 5e3 handle got chewed up...was better quality than the original and well priced.

ICBM

Unless you do have it handmade by a leather specialist I wouldn’t bother - my experience of the modern mass-produced leather ones is that they fall apart just as fast as the imitation ones.

Jtaylor

Thanks for the help guys, please see responses below: 

@riftamps I did find that one when I looked but I didn't like the fittings and as you pointed out is quite expensive!

@digitalkettle I hadn't thought of asking Heistercamp to make me one, is a great idea! Do you mind me asking roughly how much they charged? Feel free to DM me if you'd rather not comment publicly

@ICBM that's good to know. I am definitely wanting something that will last and am not against getting it handmade by a leather specialist if that is what is required to get a good quality product. Have you used any leather specialists yourself? 

digitalkettle

No worries...was a few years ago...I sent them the old one to copy and it came back nice and fast.

I was buying a strap at the time so that saved some P&P...would have to come to around £30 on its own.

Bear in mind the 5e3 handle is quite a simple thing.

ICBM

Jtaylor said:

@ICBM that's good to know. I am definitely wanting something that will last and am not against getting it handmade by a leather specialist if that is what is required to get a good quality product. Have you used any leather specialists yourself? 

Not for amp handles! I've got a couple of nice belts bought directly from craftsmen. The difference in durability compared to the shop-bought ones I had before is incredible.

digitalkettle

ICBM said:

Jtaylor said:

@ICBM that's good to know. I am definitely wanting something that will last and am not against getting it handmade by a leather specialist if that is what is required to get a good quality product. Have you used any leather specialists yourself? 

Not for amp handles! I've got a couple of nice belts bought directly from craftsmen. The difference in durability compared to the shop-bought ones I had before is incredible.

Heistercamp do excellent belts...particularly fond of their 'buckleless' line

Jtaylor

Thanks both, is really helpful. I've popped Heistercamp an email, will see what they say! 

fretfinder

Brookwood Leather in the US make superb looking amp handles in real leather, Bartel use them so they must be good! They’re quite reasonably priced, apart from shipping and any tax...

Jtaylor

They look amazing @fretfinder, thanks for the recommendation! I will see if Heistercamp can do one similar, if not I may need to look at importing one from Brookwood. 

Zoolooter

I’ve had a few from the guy that makes them for Carr amps. Superb quality and ok on price.
https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/87518/new-amp-handle-day#latest

fretfinder

Zoolooter said:

I’ve had a few from the guy that makes them for Carr amps. Superb quality and ok on price.
https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/87518/new-amp-handle-day#latest

Sadly that maker has closed down apparently. 

Jtaylor

Thanks for the recommendation @Zoolooter they look great, just a shame that they are closed down as @fretfinder pointed out

CarbonCopy

https://www.thomann.de/gb/adam_hall_3415_handle.htm

PrecisionGuided

There's a couple on Ebay at the mo'  - search for leather dogbone handle

rsvmark

Have you tried @Strangefan - he is doing really well and might fancy it?

Strangefan

rsvmark said:

Have you tried @Strangefan - he is doing really well and might fancy it?

If there's one I could copy that might be a fun lil project 

Jtaylor

Thanks all! @Strangefan I don't have one for you to copy unfortunately. Would you be able to make it from a photo? 

Strangefan

Jtaylor said:

Thanks all! @Strangefan I don't have one for you to copy unfortunately. Would you be able to make it from a photo?




Would you want the hardware as well? Of could you get the seperate ly?

Jtaylor

@Strangefan If you could source the hardware, that would be really helpful. If not, I'm sure I could pick it up somewhere.