Not sure, but think Andy is always looking for and trying different vendors to make the glass. I have several GonGs ordered at different times over the past couple years. They are all a bit different, and some work a little better than others - fortunately no major issues or breakage of any. The aroma cup I ordered for a friend was good too, and has a pretty good handle on it (nub on end is out a little past nano wood when on). Hate to say it, but seems luck of the draw has a lot to do with it. Hopefully he will find someone solid and steady that will be long term. FWIW, JODA stuff can sometimes have some issues, too. Certainly not as many, and shouldn't for custom work and time and money involved. Been using my carbed Joda a lot more lately dry on a j-hook, but still stick with epic GonGs for bubblers 99% of the time. My finger automatically reaches to snag the silicone every time I clear a bubbler with the nano on it, whether it is there or not! So, easier to stick with what I'm used to.
Still not a big fan of the fixed disc/glass screen. I have a couple GonGs and pull one out every once in a while and drop a few very small nugs in. Nice change of pace sometimes, but greatly prefer adjustable screen. Haven't used the glass screened stem in forever. IME have to use nugs, and once you stir you'll usually get a little grit on your tongue if not very careful. A small screen "solo-style" will eliminate this, but IMO if you're putting an s/s screen in there anyway, why not just go with that by itself? Also find grinding and using screens allows for a bit more conservation, and not always easy to find great stuff in these parts. Not an issue with cost as much as availability - maybe even more of a reason to get all you can out of every gram. Spending a couple more bucks is one thing. Having to settle for schwag because that's all there is when you need to re-up is quite another!
I have a couple old-school s/s screened GonGs. These are pre adjust-a-bowl. There is a ledge inside the GonG that you put a flat screen on. Is fun to use like this for nostalgia, but so glad to have the basket screens instead! The flat ones sit in a fixed position (deeper than I like) and you have to be very careful stirring so you don't tip the screen and spill the load until it gets a little dirty and stays in place. What's pretty cool about these GonGs is that most basket screens rest on the ledge and are just about perfect height for me. So, they never slide down too deep.
Adjustability may be a gimmick to some, but I still like it and move things around enough that I am very glad to have it. Plus I don't think anything that has fixed depth is as close as I like to be, so if not adjustable my loads would have to be twice as big to have the surface at same distance from heater. That works, but never get the same flavor from the second half of a load like that. You could load same small amount as adjustable and just turn the heat up a bit. Seem to recall doing this before adjust-a-bowls, but haven't played with this in quite a while. Think flavor and conservation are best with smaller load closer and lower heat.
Welcome back
@EveryDayAmnesiac !!
Been missing you around here!
