Do you work for yourself or a shop? Name of it?
I own and am employed by Handcrafted Car Audio
Did you go to an installer school or are you self taught?
I am mostly self taught in the way of mobile electronics installation and basic fabrication. I went to the Mobile Solutions Extreme Fabrication and OEM Integration classes almost four years ago where I learned techniques that I feel really brought my fab skills and integration knowledge to a completely different level.
Who is your biggest influence in your work?
I can’t really say that I have any one person that I strive to be like. I mean there is always Gary Biggs, Chris Yato, Bryan Schmitt and the like, whose opinions of my work weigh very heavily on my mind and I’ll think to myself “how would ___________ do this?” or “would ____________ approve of this?” My biggest inspiration is to be seen as a valuable contribution to this industry, by those that are in it and those who strive to be.
What got you interested in fabrication work?
One time I rigged up an oil funnel that hung from the house just above the front door. This oil funnel was plugged with a rubber stopper and filled with water. A string was tied to the stopper and then fastened to the door itself. Seems pretty lame and elementary? Well, it was, until I yelled for my sister to come home for dinner and watched as she was drenched by my little creation!
I was the kid who took apart things just to see how they worked. I was also the kid who was playing with electronics and building random non-sense things like the water funnel while others were playing sports. That kind of mentality, along with a love of music, got me into car audio almost 16 years ago. As my skills in car audio developed and my natural desire to take it to the next level kept pushing me, I came to a point (as I think most car audio guys do) where fabrication was not only the logical next step, but was required to achieve the current goal.
How long have you been working with fiberglass/metal/wood?
Wood – 10 years, Fiberglass – 5 years, Metal – 3 years.
Does your interest stem from hobby or profession?
Both, ain’t I lucky?
First job using fiberglass?
Two little pyramid style boxes housing Rockford P3’s that fit into the corners of a custom trunk in a VW Beetle, say 2003 I think.
What was your best use of fiberglass in an installation?
Hell I don’t know, maybe the center sub/amp trim piece in my wife’s tc. I really like intricate and complicated things, so I guess the way that one had to go together and the way the mold worked to secure all the pieces together was pretty cool. Oh hell no, this is the best. I made a fiberglass mouse one time for an Engineering class at ASU. The project was to build a robot that could navigate an obstacle course. I made a skeleton that vaguely resembled a mouse, took a glass mold of it, painted it silver with some crazy eyes that lit up and all the electronics to make it go sat on a platform that snapped up into the mold. It was awesome, but it’s not an installation.
What was your worst use of fiberglass?
I tried to make a spoiler for my Jetta that I used to have. I pulled a mold from the trunk lid, used foam to get it to the right shape and then when I laid glass on top of the foam, it warped. That’s when I learned the valuable lesson of supporting your piece while glassing.
In what area would you like to see your work improve?
Probably upholstery. I’m not the best at wrapping things.
Best use/innovation with fiberglass?
The mouse!
If there's one thing you would do different what would it be and why?
No regrets, that’s my motto. That…and…everybody wang chung tonight! Seriously though, I guess I would have taken my college career more seriously earlier in life. I have absolutely no regrets about my chosen career path, but I would have been cool to get that degree and finish up the EE program.
If you were to be remembered by only one job, which would it be? Why?
The one I haven’t built yet because I am of the mind that the next great thing is always just around the corner. By my nature, I am very critical of myself and the way that I am perceived. So I will always remember the little imperfection in that “awesome” build I did, even if you guys can’t see it. Therefore, I don’t really know that I will ever build something that I think deserves to be remembered, but I’ll always try!
Any words of advice to those just starting out in custom fabrication?
Buy the right tools, read the books, follow the forums and get all the advice you can before starting a project. I’ll be up all night for days before a project just thinking out different ways to do it. You can never be too prepared. Most importantly though, just do it ya know? Build what’s in your mind, try out that crazy shit that nobody would do and when you get that little devil on your shoulder saying “hey this would be cool” in the middle of the build, go for it! My favorite build have been the ones where, in the middle of it, I honestly didn’t know if my plan would work.
Besides fab work or installing, what do you like to do to unwind?
Go to shows, watch movies and good tv, play video games, hang out with my wife and my friends, snowboard, longboard and have a few drinks!
What do you drive? and whats your dream car?
2007 GMC Sierra. I don’t really have a dream car, but if I had to say something I’d probably go late 60’s American muscle. I’m not really into cars, as weird as that is, I would do home audio if there was enough of a challenge to it and I could get as custom. I just like electronics, music and challenges and getting the first two to work in cars is always the last one!
The bit about the oil funnel is pretty funny. I have always liked how your 'simple' builds as you call them are anything but simple. integrating car audio isn't an easy task, but ya make it look like it is.
I am the same way with minuscule imperfections in my work standing out to myself, and I always look at fit and finish in other peoples work to improve my own.
Also let me congratulate you again on your being a me-mag finalist!
Well deserved write up and congrats again on me-mag finalist....
I have a few question for ya.
Everyone and my self included, always wonder, what is the insperation behind the build.
When you look at a job, what do you see?
What are you looking for?
What are your thoughts?
I know myself I get stuck sometimes looking at a job.
What do you do to get around that?
It's just raining kudos for you, Jon!!! I can't think of a more deserving mofo (no offense intended)!! Congrats!!
Hey, no offense, I am now a MOFO...officially!
Quote:
Originally Posted by B@D @PPLE
congrats homie..much deserved spotlight
Thanks man!
Quote:
Originally Posted by rosado
Well deserved write up and congrats again on me-mag finalist....
I have a few question for ya.
Everyone and my self included, always wonder, what is the insperation behind the build.
When you look at a job, what do you see?
What are you looking for?
What are your thoughts?
I know myself I get stuck sometimes looking at a job.
What do you do to get around that?
Thank you man, lets see if I can make myself sound intelligent...
I guess my inspiration behind a build is to try to outdo myself, satisfy the customer and satisfy you guys. I get bored pretty easily so I like to try to push the boundaries to keep myself interested. I want to satisfy the customer for obvious reasons but also because it is so cool to see them just blown away because of their modest expectations. I want to satisfy you guys because, as I'm sure you know, it sucks to post up pics of your work only to have nobody reply!
When i look at a job, I try to visualize the whole project and all aspects of it. I mean, i want to know how they use the car, how they use the system I will install, what my limitations are as well as where I have free reign. I strive to build systems that: maintain functionality and usefulness of the vehicle, exhibit a big improvement over the previous setup and appear as though I have done nothing or atleast look as if it could have been a factory option.
I try to take design cues for custom jobs from the car itself, such as their angles, shapes and lines as well as color and material schemes. I look for any areas I can find that will allow me to streamline the installation either in material cost, component requirements or time spent.
I try to keep in the forefront of my mind that this customer is trusting me with their #2 investment and that I absolutely have to be better than the guy down the street.
When i get stuck on a design problem or technical problem, I always bring in a fresh set of eyes. It helps every time. It amazes me sometimes how I blow things out of proportion like I am some kind of artist and somebody who knows nothing about what we do can set me straight on a path I didn't even see before!
One of the biggest pieces of advice I can give is to stay humble. Don't ever think you are above the help or insight of somebody else, regardless of their "experience".
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