Thinking of getting a black annodized Newface. Anyone care to comment on the finish - annodized and machined?

I got the polished face and its just beautiful. It's good work from Tim. I would imagine that the polished one would show up manufacturing issues more than the rest.

I've got a black anodized on order that should show up pretty soon - I'll get back with a report when it arrives.

/Michael

In reply to:

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I've got a black anodized on order that should show up pretty soon - I'll get back with a report when it arrives.

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Same here....
But it looks like "303" is on holiday or something, I'm getting no response :-(

Greetings, Robert

I have an order pending with him also. He sent out an email saying that he was working for a few weeks in Spain, and would not be arriving back at his place until (extrapolating from his projection and the date of the email) early February.

In reply to:

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He sent out an email saying that he was working for a few weeks in Spain

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That explains a lot...
Maybe he tried to send me a message also but my mailserver (and backup) did catch some kinda flu ;-((

Greetings, Robert

But it looks like "303" is on holiday or something, I'm getting no response :-(

So, in other words, you're saying that 303 is 404?

*groan*

- Trevor

Philip

I would definitely reccomend Tim's NewFace. Very professional looking. I posted some pictures of my install. Check it out here

Sometimes things that are meant to be black come out brown, so I'm just checking And how well it matches the handle.

in other words, you're saying that 303 is 404?
I thought I was 404...

Just checking... did you get your Anoface yet?

I received confirmation that it was shipped out. International mail, though, will take a little time. More info as soon as I get them.

No, same as Paul - received shipping confirmation this Thursday. Should be here Monday or Tuesday unless the postal service screws up. Will post pictures ASAP!

/Michael

His stuff is excellent - I can only recommend it. See attached - this will go into our MG TF in spring.

Greets S.

OK, got it in the mail today!

Nicely packaged in a Jiffy bag. Fascia wrapped in soft "paper-cloth" - often used in car detailing, 3 small bags with 4 new screws (slightly shorter than the original ones), knob and 4 transparent buttons.

Surface finish is smoother than the handle and more a brushed effect then the handles "sand paper" texture. Color is actually blacker than the handle (which compared to the fascia is more dark grey), so no worries on it being brownish. Overall finish is very nice.
I asked for a special thing on the knob - instead of smooth with holes, I asked for plunge milling along the circumference, centered between the holes, for even better grip.
Very nicely done!

Fit on the back is also very good (the lens fits into a recession on the back of the fascia) , just like on the original fascia.

The only thing I'm not all that happy with is the holes in the knob - I think they could be a somewhat larger diameter. The small diameter in combination with the fact that the knob is fairly "deep" means there's not very much light escaping...
It would also have been soooooooo nice if button cutouts had allowed for the original shape buttons.

Tim, if you ever try for a fascia that fits the original shape buttons - you've got a customer here! Most likely also if you manage to manufacture a handle that matches in color and finish.

Unless Paul also gets his today you'll have to hold off for decent quality pictures until tomorrow. My itty-bitty digital camera is only really useful in daylight and has no flash. I've tried adding up interior lights, but the quality still swallows. Attaching one that's as good as it gets...

Hopefully I'll be able to get some shots in daylight (and in the car) tomorrow. Maybe even borrow a good camera from work.

/Michael

"The only thing I'm not all that happy with is the holes in the knob - I think they could be a somewhat larger diameter. The small diameter in combination with the fact that the knob is fairly "deep" means there's not very much light escaping..."



i hope it is enough.



"Tim, if you ever try for a fascia that fits the original shape buttons - you've got a customer here! Most likely also if you manage to manufacture a handle that matches in color and finish."



i don´t like the design and it does not fit my design of the NewFace! my point of view!!!



i really hope that you are not disapointed, if so let me know and we find an arangement!!!

Greetings!

Just checked my mail. Not yet. But then, package delivery can be at random times, so there is still hope for today. I will keep you posted.

Sorry if I left the impression of being unhappy with it - that I am most definately not! After all, I did know about the buttons in advance, just that seeing it right in front of me really made me think it would be nice with the stock buttons.

Oh well on the buttons... Just need to get creative with the filter sample book to get some blue in there.

How 'bout the handle though?

/Michael

phew, thank god.
the hande is still in developing process!

thx for that quick resonse and hope to see you in Amersfoort!!!

hope to see you in Amersfoort!!!

Count on it!

/Michael

word!!!

wow... that knob rocks. Are you able to do that again... and does it cost extra??

I completely agree with loren.
I'd take that knob too. Is that a special option?

Z~

Hi. I'd definatley be interested in the black handle too. How long before thats ready? I too am interested in the knob design he has, can you give pricing?

And thanks for the review. Think I may wait for the handle to be ready, and see if i can get the same knob design.

Thanks

That's the newknob they all come with isn't it ?


http://www.by-photos.de/NewFace.html

Uhhh.... I haven't been around for a few days so I haven't been able to lend my positive words about the NewFace!

But I could not agree more - the NewFace is definitely worth it! I remember when I got my shipping confirmation, I think about a week before Christmas - then opening a package from Germany on Christmas eve (I reside in the USA). I was very surprised and happy with how quickly it arrived.

But the look of the New face is very clean and portrays a solid image - that the Empeg means power. I like the unique look, there is nothing out there like it.

Tim - I haven't forgotten about sending you measurements for a shorter knob. I have been very busy with my new job - hence I have not been on the BBS much lately and I haven't had time to fiddle with the measurements. I think I'm going to try to find some silly putty, remove the knob, put empeg in car, and smush the silly putty behind the TT door then measure the thickness. I have to find some silly putty though.

I hope to make it to the Amersfoort meet - but the ticket prices are looking a little more than I'm willing to spend

That's the newknob they all come with isn't it ?

The original design is smooth along the circumference (as seen on the pics on Tims site), it just has the through-holes. On the one I got there is milling between each hole for better grip.

/Michael

Yeah, the one thing i'm hesitant about is the amount that the knob sticks out. Are there plans for a short knob? I'll probably order it anyway as soon as the handle is done, but i'd LOVE to have a shorter version with the newer drilled design... or is that one already shorter than the original.

No, it's (AFAIK) the same length as the "ordinary ones", ie fairly long

/Michael

Is there any reason for it to be that long? was it made that long just so it was graspable? could it be shorter with the newer knob? =]

I suspect the length is due to "graspabiliy" issues with the originall design, and yes I do think it could be made shorter without loss of manouverability...

/Michael

OK, daylight today was utterly laughable - dark grey overcast all day...

But I did manage to borrow a somewhat better camera for a few seconds to get some quick in-car shots.

Here's the first...

/Michael

and the second...

/Michael

and a third.

/Michael

Michael, that looks nice!
That's exactly the fascia I would buy if I had an empeg. You know, I've got the same dashboard, I've got a Lupo; is yours a Polo or a Lupo?
BTW, did you put 2 red leds in order to illuminate the "drawer"? Looks nice!

Hi, it's a Polo.

Yes, two red LEDs in the pocket, two by each mid speaker in the doors and 2 blue LEDs in the door pockets - see attached pic. The door LEDs follow the dash lighting level and I'll redo the pocket LEDs to do the same.

/Michael

Thumbs up!
Where did you connect them? directly to the dimmer? I want to put a red LED in the back of the door handle, so that you can see the handle when it's dark; I think that could look nice.

I have power windows, and the illumination in those switches is also controlled by the dash lighting. I just hooked up the LEDs (with serial resistance) in parallell to the proper pins in that plug. No new wires into the door (which would have been a pain...).

Edit: So doing door handle LED should be easy if you have illuminated switches in the door already. IIRC you'd have to drill a small hole and secure the LED with glue (mine are hotglued - through-hole in the centre/door pockets, glue only for the speaker LEDs)
I used 5mm high intensity LEDs, but for the door handle I'd probably go with standard LEDs and 3mm size.

/Michael

Followup.

I received my fascia today. Very nice!!! Unfortunately, the photos do not do it justice. This is a composite of four shots - off with / without flash and on / illuminated with / without flash in ambient room light. Sorry about the quality. I never said I was good with a camera...

There are a lot of black fascia photos already, so I thought I would post a polished NewFace with a polished knob, clear lens and illuminated button hack. The combination is quite striking. All it really needs is a polished handle, and it would look really slick. Granted, it clashes horribly in my car, but this was for my home unit, so it is perfectly at home sitting above my computer (Shuttle case in silver with blue front).

Some notes:

I was warned in advance that polished would show fingerprints. It does. But the buttons and screws are nearly flush with the surface, so it is easy to clean. It makes the buttons a bit less friendly to use, though, because they are so flush to the fascia.

This particular combination kicks back a lot of light from the illuminated buttons and knob. It will light up the electronics on the display board quite well. That was actually my goal with the combination (kind of a crystal / "visible empeg"). I strongly recommend the combination, although it is probably not for everyone's tastes. I think the new neon blue might do well here, but I haven't seen it in action yet.

I am actually surprised how little light seems to get through the knob. Perhaps it is because of the contrasting brightness of the LEDs being reflected back into the player. I can probably adjust the illumination level to make it fit a bit better.

All in all, I am extremely happy with my purchases! Excellent work!!!

Yes, the fascia are excellent. Here's a polished fascia with chrome handle and black buttons/knob.



It's a great empeg mod.

How well does the original handle match the black annodized fascia? Does it stand out? I don't know whether or not to buy now, or wait to see if 303 will offer handles anytime soon.

thats about it!!!

Its looks GREAT there, but its hard to get an idea of textures etc from a photo

how are the buttons? I heard the buttons are too flush with the fascia and hard to hit? Not a huge deal to me though because I use the remote 90% of the time.

the buttons are not hard to hit. it is just flush for the PolFace, you will get fingerprints!

must admit that placing the polface on and getting the buttons through was the worst part of fitting it. It is a very *snug* fit. That said it does look wonderful and how often are you going to take if off (although I did recently and now the buttons were correctly seated I was careful and didn't disturb them).

http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/skibum/pub/empegs1.jpg
http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/skibum/pub/empegs2.jpg

It's hard with photos, you'd need to get the exposure just so... This is probably the best of mine for the texture, while this one better describes the colors - though actually somewhat exaggerated...

My handle is definately dark dark grey compared to the fascias true black - at least that's they way they appear to me... Might have something to do with the light and textures also...

The texture of the fascia is sort of brushed (horizontally) beneath the anodization while the handle is sort of rough "fine grit" sandpaper (well, or how you'd like to describe it)

In the dash the handle blends pretty good with the surrounding dash so it's not really an issue - though I'll probably get a handle from Tim anyway, if he decides to produce them.

/Michael

My black Anoface arrived this week and I've just fitted it. See attachment for photo.

The quality of the face is superb and with the black buttons and knob I think it looks totally right in my VW dash.

I need to do a bit of tweaking yet because the handle rubs slightly on the new face. If Tim ever does a handle without the notches and with the same finish as the anoface I will definitely get one as the Anoface matches my dash better than the handle does.

Geoff

How about the possibility of a short (VERY short) knob soon? I mean as short as possible while still sticking out enough to turn it. I barely ever use the knob, so if it stuck out no more than 5mm from the newface, I'd be extremely happy. My handle is already brushed looking, including having filled in the big notch on the left, so the knob is my big hold-out here.

Bruno

>>How about the possibility of a short (VERY short) knob soon?

That could be seen as a threat...if uttered by a psycho dwarf with a knife...in a naturist camp