At any other time over the years I could have said yes - but alas I am so happy with my latest that I doubt that I will ever be able to own up to a newby on the way again. Kinda miss that feeling though hey - nothing more exciting or nerve-wracking waiting on the arrival of a new stick

vanders1 said...


BB excuse my ignorance but what board are you riding now?

You know the ones that require a paddle,bloody sup'er BB

billboard said...

vanders1 said...

Yep I've ordered a 9'8 Astro, going down on Friday to watch it being shaped.

BB excuse my ignorance but what board are you riding now?

Takayama 9.3 In the pink.

Just priced one a couple of days ago, $1800.00 from the guys in Byron, bloke was pretty ordinary to talk too, I think I'd just buy a genuine one from the US.

vanders1 said...

billboard said...

vanders1 said...

Yep I've ordered a 9'8 Astro, going down on Friday to watch it being shaped.

BB excuse my ignorance but what board are you riding now?

Takayama 9.3 In the pink.

Just priced one a couple of days ago, $1800.00 from the guys in Byron, bloke was pretty ordinary to talk too, I think I'd just buy a genuine one from the US.

I actually have the tuflite and much prefer it to the poly ITP. Having said that though if I am able to save up enough to get to california next year I would certainly entertain the idea of trying to get DT to shape me one to bring home - now that would be special I reckon.

SMH, regarding previous post - spot on.
Even more Spot On is "a box in a Quad".

I know Bob still shapes, especially for himself. But I would suggest that for most of his stuff out of Byron, he just lays down the signature. BUT, he is "Test Pilot Numero Uno", and they are proven shapes.

Bob is still tinkering on things, toying around, don't worry about that!

Regarding an Oceanside Takayama.... if you really like his stuff, mentally you will always know you put in the effort for the real deal, and maybe some special colours or tints you like, and the board will have a story to tell.....

Calling Mac.... Mac..... Mac..... MAC... MAC... MAC... !!!!
Does this Redline (below) have a subtle purple tint, or spray at the tail, or is it a photography stuff up of some sort.... lighting.... Looks cool with the purple... I can't figure out how they did it, as it looks like a tint, with the rail lay-up... ???
http://boards.mctavish.com.au/boards.asp?modelid=6&storeid=1
Board "16705"

Sorry, I digressed....
The original question....
I have a Triple Stringer 7'10 shooter coming from Doug Rogers (from Bells - and if you sit really really deep in the Bowl, you can see his house....) 7'10 x 21"1/4 x 3. Probably go with a Rounded Diamond Tail, Quad + Box.

Simondo said...


I know Bob still shapes, especially for himself. But I would suggest that for most of his stuff out of Byron, he just lays down the signature. BUT, he is "Test Pilot Numero Uno", and they are proven shapes.





Calling Mac.... Mac..... Mac..... MAC... MAC... MAC... !!!!
Does this Redline (below) have a subtle purple tint, or spray at the tail, or is it a photography stuff up of some sort.... lighting.... Looks cool with the purple... I can't figure out how they did it, as it looks like a tint, with the rail lay-up... ???
http://boards.mctavish.com.au/boards.asp?modelid=6&storeid=1
Board "16705"

Simondo, my take is as yours,the signatures are exactly the same which say's stencil all over it.

On the tint colour ,I would say its just the snap shot quality and not the cool artwork you are referring to.

Oh the quiver is nearly back in tack.

New UFO replaced the Razar
New Redline replaced the horrible orange tint colour (only four weeks old )
New Fireball on its way replacing my love I so foolishly off loaded months ago.

smh said...

As far as gettting a p/u Takayama goes I really think it matters little wether you buy it in Oceanside California or Byron Bay because they're all machine shaped .
I'm not 100% sure wether Donald Takayama still even shapes. If he does it would be for a few. I'm pretty sure Bob McTavish doesn't shape most of his stock boards either. I know he shapes but the amount of boards that are pumped out of the McTavish factory and shipped all over the planet amounts to heaps and its hard to imagine that he lays his hands on every single one of them and the same goes for Donald Takayama.
It really matters little wether the shapers hands have touched it anyway because they are all proven shapes.
It is exiciting though waiting for a newie to arrive. I ordered a 7'6 quad egg off Grant Miller yesterday I got a box in it to ride it as a single as well. Stand by for pics.

Regardless - I would still like to be calling into the oceanside factory to pick up my custom ITP

haha Simondo,I reckon it should be donated to the flood relieve

So lets start a bidding war or everyone chip in,Souwester gets his money back and some little a taker gets a stick

That is an AMAZING board dotcom.

I do mean it mate

I am just waiting for a serve from the other guy's
for rubbing it in

dotcomdotau said...

62mac said...

I do mean it mate

I am just waiting for a serve from the other guy's
for rubbing it in

Same same mate
Really looking forward to it ...the board ...and the slagging

Not bad for a longboard I spose

nice allrounder,50/50 of getting it right.

If you tell me thats the only pic you took I will not be happy, more pics please!!!!!!!

Doggie, forgot to take my camera so only had the phone then it went flat......sorry mate not happy either.

It was really interesting talking with a shaper & getting the lowdown on all the little shaping techniques & what the effect of each decision they make when shaping the board results in performance wise. (I still can't ride for nuts though).

I can say for sure I sure don't have the patience to do it, my shaping would be more like giving a bad haircut, trying to get each side the same until the 9'8 becomes a 5'9 & a rough one at that.