All - I have been looking around for a shaper here in San Diego to shape a custom performance longboard for me. Tim Bessell is a name that keeps popping up as a potential candidate. Through some research he is obviously quite renown for making great boards and has been doing it forever but he is expensive ($700 min. for a no frills board). I’ve gone to his shop and I thought he was a nice guy and was willing to spend some time with me. Unfortunately, I have thought of some more questions that I either forgot to ask.
My question is: What is special about his boards vs. other shapers? For example, I have read he likes to shape his rails to be on the thick side compared to others.
Do you all have any other thoughts/examples/opinions?
I’ve had at least 12 Bessells from the early '80’s thru '87.
If the rails seem slightly boxier, the overall float is still the same as thinner boards. I like the outlines, the pointy noses, the harder sloped down rails, everything for a small wave shortboard.
Never had anything longer than 6’6" from him. For that, I’d go Eberly or Brewer. Meaning mini, semi, and full guns, not longboards.
Tim shaped me a 6’2" fish (Lis Style) last summer, and it goes SUPER well. He is a great cat and I’m very stoked on the board he made me. But, it is decidedly NOT a longboard…
Dude - Are you freak’in kidding me - you live in SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA!!! Most of the best shapers and shops are right in your backyard. Look into www.theshaperstree.com, click on ‘shapers branches’ then click on ‘San Diego’ and have at it! Forget Tim Bessell - he’s known for shortboards and guns only. What about Christiansen or Stu Kenson? Drive up the coast and look at Harbours, Hobies, G&S, Infinity etc. Get in touch with Jim Phillips and let him shape you a perf. LB. HELLO - Yellow Pages!!!
God forbid you lived on the East Coast like me where nice California LB’s are insanely expensive with little to no choice in size or options - shipping is expensive and the boards end up getting damaged.
Dude - Are you freak’in kidding me - you live in SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA!!! Most of the best shapers and shops are right in your backyard. Look into www.theshaperstree.com, click on ‘shapers branches’ then click on ‘San Diego’ and have at it! Forget Tim Bessell - he’s known for shortboards and guns only. What about Christiansen or Stu Kenson? Drive up the coast and look at Harbours, Hobies, G&S, Infinity etc. Get in touch with Jim Phillips and let him shape you a perf. LB. HELLO - Yellow Pages!!!
God forbid you lived on the East Coast like me where nice California LB’s are insanely expensive with little to no choice in size or options - shipping is expensive and the boards end up getting damaged.
Simmer down there killer! There is a reason “newbie” is attached to my name (and no it’s not just the default setting either). I’ve only been surfing for a year and so far I have been borrowing boards from my friends and I’ve bought a used 9’6" longboard. Since I’ve been able to surf three-four times a week I can finally say I am ready for my own custom.
I don’t know the shops, I don’t know the people, and unless I ask I never will. Hence why I posted to this site because I knew I would get some good information. And thanks, you’ve given me the best stuff so far!