FLEX PAD CHESS BOARDS (thin type)

Thanks Shelby! I was thinking of the boards mimicing the Dreuke linen board color scheme. -Bill

Bill,

If you need some of those I can do customs no problem.  As for the stock items, I have been hesitant to do them because the demand just is not there.

thanks

Shelby

I thought Tundra Mike's board in first post is a beauty. Copy that one. Mat colours, no notation, and I like the borders. All we are doing is copying the look of an old wooden board,,, i.e.  Heaven. I believe there is a strong market for reproduction vintage look but nobody seems to do it. There's definitely a gap for that line of goods here in london. I go into the chess shop in Baker street every few weeks, I want to spend, but there is definite lack of vintage repro stuff ( e.g. Ajax travel set ).   I should add that the Baker street shop is amazing, good value, and very well run.

Alterego8,

I actually know the guys over at the London shop.  They do their best with the limited amount of space they have.  You would not believe the volume that works through that shop...They are MASTERS at what they do.  Malcolm and Tao run a ight ship over there and they have some amazing workers that have been there for AGES!

As for vintage reproduction stuff you have to understand that is a very limited market.  Those of you in it know what you want and are willing to pay for it, but most chess noobs would look at the same thing and only wonder "why?"  

That is why you need to come to a smaller guy like me who can create the market for some of these items.  Only then will the big guys realize what they are missing and either buy it from me or just copy it.  There is nothing better for me than to have some mega company chase after my new products.  Funny thing is the ideas flow from the customers...all they have to do is listen and take customer feedback.  That's how I get a ton of my ideas.

thanks

Shelby lohrman

American Chess Equipment

Wood Expressions

www.amchesseq.com 

Wow, I have one in pristine condition. Had no idea I could get $100 for it. I hope my wife doesn't read this forum. 

I actually almost pulled the trigger as I wanted one before. I decided against it because I probably wouldn't use it very much. I am sure there are many more out there that would pay up for this item, so you better not let you wife see this.

Thanks Shelby.  Id love to see repro vintage. Ajax travel sets in a roll tube. Brilliant for travel, pub, train etc 

So much nicer on the eye than modern plastic look. The round disc pieces with the 19th century figurine stamp would look fab. Imagine the board squares in a dirty cream with dark squares in wine (like the old leather boards )

See what all your expert friends and customers think. Perhaps I'm seeing a market that didn't exist ?????

IF he gets that deep Hunter Green right and the Off-White (?) of the traditional Folding Linen board -- not that BRIGHT Green and BRIGHT WHITE but in Flex Pad count me in... Though it would be great if he made it in a 22" w/ 2-3/8" square size in addition to the 2-1/4" size, but I can make do w/ 2-1/4". My HoS 3.75" Plastic Marshal Set could use the little extra space because of my Parkinson's Disease and my tremors are getting slightly ever worse. But given I play only skittles games now aday it really does not matter, though I do get razed by the guys that my pieces are frequently "Straddling" the squares. 

I'm going to continue to follow this thread. Put me down as an "Also.. Maybe" Please post some finished pictures of the board.

Thanks

If I can get a repro of the colors in Shelby's new thin flex/vinyl board I will be buying it. I am a definite.

Hey Everyone,

took the boards over to the guys at CoffeeChess from YouTube.  Check out their Videos here:  Coffee Chess - YouTube

They loved the boards and I sold 3 of them this weekend to them.  You will see not only our Ultimates V.2 & V.3 there but also a couple of the Ultimate Tournament Chess Boards there!

As for me making new colors...that has to wait till I sell thru about 1/2 of these.  After that I will need to wait 5-6 weeks for production.  The shop is that busy right now!  I have 1 more wood grain to do and I will be doing these in a Buff/Green combo too!

thanks

Shelby Lohrman

American Chess Equipment

Hi Shelby, WIll there ever be a print your own board in this vinyl/thin flex mousepad board on your website. You pick your own colors and get one made, no refunds on special orders. You pick your own colors you take your chances.  I would love to order one in the original Drueke Folded Linen Board colors.  One of the best color combos, in my opinion, ever. 

TundraMike,

That is a VERY good question.  The answer is yes...eventually.  The product needs to show traction and prove to be a winner.  After that (assuming March) I will lay in a stock of these boards to print off as customs.  I might have them do a couple of blanks for me on the next run...just so I can have some samples to print off for myself and my friends.

thanks

Shelby Lohrman

American Chess Equipment

Wood Expressions

Glad to hear this! As soon as my ultimate tournament board arrives (today!) I was going to ask when the green & buff was coming. I'd also like to see a vertical grain on the next "wood" board, if possible.