Discontinued Glass Symphony XLR

[Prolusio]

@Prolusio
Awesome review!! So happy another GS is in Canada!
We should meet up and put the two of them on a claisen adapter...

Thanks man, I'm down for that anytime! So much power will be hard to handle.. Might need some kind of hose adapter so we can rip at the same time hookah style.

Just some more info on the heater. I included a tape measure for better size reference.

I use the wooden support mostly because of my cats. My glass piece has a small base and little water so it gets knocked over easily. The GS is tall but it isn't very heavy, so if your glass has a wider base or more water I don't think you'll have too many issues with stability.

And then I made a quick video showing how I typically use my GS! I forgot to do so in the video but it is entirely possible to lift the GS off with one hand, especially if you use the included joint oils. Forgive the amateur quality I've never shot one before. It's harder than I thought! Props to all the FC members who take time to do this regularly.

 

[lazylathe]

@Prolusio

Awesome video!!
Hope everyone took note of how you grabbed the top of the bowl without getting burnt!!
I did that once with my Herborizer Ti and burnt the crap out of my fingers...

I also noticed that your beads seems to rattle around quite a lot and do not sit in an almost perfect circle close to the heater tip.
Did you use all the supplied beads?
If you did, please look down the joint and have a look at your heater core. Is it perfectly centered in the joint?
If not, empty the beads and gently twist it until centered and replace the beads.
My beads fill the tube that holds the handle all the way to the top.
Not that i think this is a big deal due to the mass, just my OCD...

It's also great to see that we use the same heat setting!!
950F all the way!

 

[Prolusio]

@lazylathe thanks!

Yea I used all the beads, but they aren't spaced ideally. Good eyes! The core should be straight like you say.

But I did not get enough beads to fill all the way to the handle. What you see I what I got!

I think they're currently uneven because I lay the GS down on the side so much, and have transportated it a few times. The beads kind of settle the same way each time I lay it down. Every good instrument needs an occasional tuning I guess!

I think if I used a stand or mason jar it wouldn't settle like that.. but I like the security of setting it on the tray.

I meant to straighten it out this weekend actually.. But every time I went to turn the GS off I somehow found myself taking another puff instead..

 

[jojo monkey]

@Prolusio I can no longer recommend using a jar. I am worried about the male joint on the 3-way hitting the flat bottom and causing pressure on the heater (glass whack-a-mole in a jar). A lab burner stand and a wood stand with a 7/8" hole would not put the same pressure on the glass.

I would not be too concerned with how the spheres sit. It is the sphere shape itself doing the work, the configuration is secondary (as far as I can tell... I've tested many sizes too).

Just be sure there is no pocket in the middle where the hot spot is. A gentle roll in and out of the handle can fix that.

Anyone try running 1/2 full?

 

[Zow237]

@jojo monkey half full pack or half full spheres?

 

[lazylathe]

@jojo monkey half full pack or half full spheres?

Spheres.
Removing spheres will lower the heat retention and alter how the vape works.

I am all for MAX heat retention for massive hits!

 

[Zow237]

Spheres.
Removing spheres will lower the heat retention and alter how the vape works.

I am all for MAX heat retention for massive hits!

I 2nd that!
Doing some work at 950
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXyUGQ5ACIt/

 

[StormyPinkness]

Payment sent. No idea how I resisted for so long.

 

[StormyPinkness]

Sorry for the double post, can't edit.

I already ordered the recommended lab stand but I've been checking out glass options to see if I find anything. I thought this one might work, the base is really wide. I just can't find a female version of it:
https://www.dhgate.com/product/stable-round-base-nectar-collector-stands/390249200.html

 

[Hogni]

Wouldn't risk it. Base isn't probably stable enough for the GS because of it's weight and heigh center of gravity.

 

[jojo monkey]

Payment sent. No idea how I resisted for so long.

Thanks!!!!! Have fun!!!!!!!

That's a neat glass stand. If it is 4" I'd say something like that will work. I'll ask around and see what could be done.

Wouldn't risk it. Base isn't probably stable enough for the GS because of it's weight and heigh center of gravity.

Yeah, anything under 4" is not good. I made a few stands in different size to push it around. I liked 5-6" best.

The thing is any of these stands require a second hand. I still dig the white lab stand - no beads move and it is EZ to grab.


UPDATE:

So I've been tinkering with the auber rdk-200 this weekend and suggest one change:

Auber rdk-200 and rdk-300:

#code 166
P 17
I 0
D 3
oth 100
#code 155
psl 1.03

Adding 3 to the D will make the heater warm up in a more gentle way and not throw the balance out of whack when at the set temp. It still hovers 10 below to get around the overshoot protection. With the change the heater will get little rest periods during big jumps. Going from room temp to a high temp will be a bit slower but this will be closer to the actual heat soak time.

 

[Hogni]

I can recommend the heavy stainless base stand of Herborizer. Perhaps it should work safe with the GS too.
May be 60 mm of the base aren't wide enough? But for sure a base for construction of an own stnd?

 

[StormyPinkness]

Eta for my symphony is Monday, but I checked my mailbox on Saturday and the only thing in there was a key for the package locker. I couldn't think of anything else I had coming so I dared to hope it was my symphony.

It was the lab stand I ordered from ebay. Of course it was, I knew it would be, I ordered that, I remember, I'm totally fine, that's not a tear, it's sweat, it's hot out.

Now it's Monday and the usps tracking page is broken since 6am pacific time. How am I supposed to obsessively check it every 5 minutes until it says delivered and then hate every second I'm at work instead of at home playing with it?

Did the eclipse break usps?

 

[invertedisdead]

Deep!

 

[Alexis]

Eta for my symphony is Monday, but I checked my mailbox on Saturday and the only thing in there was a key for the package locker. I couldn't think of anything else I had coming so I dared to hope it was my symphony.

It was the lab stand I ordered from ebay. Of course it was, I knew it would be, I ordered that, I remember, I'm totally fine, that's not a tear, it's sweat, it's hot out.

Now it's Monday and the usps tracking page is broken since 6am pacific time. How am I supposed to obsessively check it every 5 minutes until it says delivered and then hate every second I'm at work instead of at home playing with it?

Did the eclipse break usps?

Cherish these moments, they will soon be lost in past and owning the amazing sounding Symphony will just be "normal" and regular!

It's amazing how quick we become accustomed to things, no matter how good they are we can't always help ourselves but take them for granted. And need it to break or be stolen to reset our appreciation of value.

Sorry, random shit! I know the angst well excitedly awaiting a new vape arrival, expectations and hopes miles high, also fears of disapointment or practical downsides etc.

But enjoy it nonetheless, you will very soon be in home comfort with a seemingly splendid, if not special vaporizer! Be it today, tommorrow... Enjoy!

 

[lazylathe]

It was a sad day today... I had to choose 3 vapes to keep on deck and pack everything else away!
Looking at selling and moving, so it has to be compact enough to hide quick!

3 vapes chosen were:
Glass Symphony
New Vape Flower Pot
Storz and Bickel Mighty

That's a fairly hefty line up if i say so myself!

Lowering the temp from 950 to 925 and still whitewalling away!
Gorilla Glue #4 again tonight, loving this strain!

 

[Alexis]

It was a sad day today... I had to choose 3 vapes to keep on deck and pack everything else away!
Looking at selling and moving, so it has to be compact enough to hide quick!

3 vapes chosen were:
Glass Symphony
New Vape Flower Pot
Storz and Bickel Mighty

That's a fairly hefty line up if i say so myself!

Lowering the temp from 950 to 925 and still whitewalling away!
Gorilla Glue #4 again tonight, loving this strain!

Oh well not forever eh! Best of luck with the move and hope you get settled in fast to begin a new happy chapter in life.

Interesting you didn't choose the Herbo Ti as one of three, when it will almost fit innyour back pocket unlike the GS! I'm not surprised though, I think the FP is preferred over the Ti for concentrates.

The Symphony is just so good it comes even if you have to take the seat out or leave the luggage behind!
For once Lazy Im not envious of your top herb since I have some bafflingly lovely herbs myself now. I say that because the UK weather turned to manmade shit 4 + weeks ago. Cold, damp, rain...

Yet we still somehow got 100% trichome coverage, glistening and sticky. And the best weed I have had for years. The first time for over a decade I actually have more than enough herb I can tolerate and use, and really high quality stuff too! Somehow!
I'm trying to get my lung infections down quickly because it is KILLING me being so ill due to infections, and having to suffer so bad to vape and eat etc.

When respiratory infections are much lower, I can really enjoy and tolerate my weed in a different world all round. I've never had more incentive though, so much lovely weed to enjoy for the first time ever!
Don't get me wrong, I've been a high kite for several weeks now, too damn hatd to resist, I just have to suffer due to the infections.

But hopeful though honestly, Im using an electricity treatment to knock down lung infections fast. Each treatment brings a new level of relief, after some intense aggravation first from die off. Always worth it though when the rain clears.

That sense of wonder as the oppressive storm clouds suddenly sweep away to leave pristine clear skies with the purest breeze- think and Im sure you have felt that experience- it is entirely analagous!

 

[StormyPinkness]

Symphony came! I was using it until the auber did it's safety shut off, so apparently an hour. Hopefully it's not too annoying to use a gif to give my impression so far:

(I forget the fc member who has this in their signature, sorry not tagging them.)

 

[jojo monkey]

@StormyPinkness That had me cracking up!

The rdk-300 has some extra stuff under code 166. One setting is "APO". This is the shutoff limit. You can go as high as 999 (16.6 hours). Set this to what you want.

http://www.auberins.com/images/Manual/RDK-300_supplementary.pdf

 

[StormyPinkness]

Symphony came! I was using it until the auber did it's safety shut off, so apparently an hour. Hopefully it's not too annoying to use a gif to give my impression so far:

(I forget the fc member who has this in their signature, sorry not tagging them.)

Oops, I meant to say "sorry for not tagging them", not "sorry not tagging them." Typo made it sound a little snotty.

This isn't a review or anything, just talking about my first impression and doing some rambling.

So last night I probably did it in the least optimal way. Hand tear, no-tamping, and shaking the bowl to stir. First hit was really tasty and light. Then I got about 2-3 tasty medium clouds to finish it off. I did one extra hit just in case that was totally unnecessary like I usually do for some stupid reason. I didn't get that amazing shrinking then growing green to brown show in one hit, but it got about halfway there in the first one. It could be the strain I'm using, but I really felt air-headed. It didn't hit me like a train, just nice and airy and tasty. I sat there and kept using it until the shut off happened and I realized it'd been an hour. I *think* I did 4-ish bowls. I messed around with the temp on the first 2 but settled in at 899. When I try to go above that the temp my auber fluctuates up and down a lot and it starts clicking.

Hand tearing smaller pieces and squishing them helped get bigger clouds and extract a bit quicker, same with hand crushing some of the bigger chunks. I love just shaking the bowl to stir, easy and quick. I was putting equal amounts in the whole time so I'm not sure how that will change it, I'll have to mess around with that next. Also want to try it with a really heavy sticky indica, my stuff right now is really dry and fluffy. I need to go back and see if anyone posted about doing concentrates yet, I can't rememeber off the top of my head.

Oh and the majority of my time assembling it was spent wondering how to make the beads not fall out the bottom of the 3-way adapter. I mean... there's a big hole in the bottom. Eventually I put in the heater and after staring at it for awhile I guessed maybe the beads were too big to fall through with it in. Dumped 1 or 2 in and saw that's how it worked and felt silly. It might be good to put something in the instructions about that for people like me. The instructions are totally clear, I just saw and worried about it. Otherwise assembly was easy and changing the settings on my auber was easy too. Nice bomb-proof packing job too. Inside was a bubble wrapped box full of individually bubble/foam pieces in their own bags.

Woof, this went long. Man I wish work was over.

 

[jojo monkey]

@StormyPinkness Glad your up and running.

Thanks for the info. I'll add more to the instructions.

I'd pop out the screen in one bowl and try the eq baskets if you want to use whole chucks. You might get better results. I never intended the bowl to be used w/ whole nugs. A much more narrow tube would be better for that.

I hope you try a fine grind. That big screen wants a flat load. For best results tamp flat. You have control over the temp so you can get the exact cook you want. Because it is super flat it should cook very evenly and slow the air more than other shapes. Taking fast hits can also help.

The ticking is prob. the relay firing. At a high temp the heater will need to fire very often. I do not hear the relay in any of my controllers including the rdk-200.. I'd send auber a note. If they do nothing I have controllers and can sell one at a discount.

edit: oh, solved the prob with the 900 temp drop/click. There is a setting in the rdk-300 that the 200 does not have: "HL" is the cut off temp. The default is 900.

Please use:
RDK-300
#Code 155
PSL 1.03
HL 999
#Code 166
P 17
I 0
D 3
OTH 100

I'm sure there are a lot of folks who would prefer this solution cause they think the same like me regarding the current height of the setup. A shorter heater shouldn't be a problem, I think?
Something like this with an additional joint at the bottom should be also an off the shelf part?
I would order one at once if it works.

I hear yah and hope to have something in the future for you. I think about a smaller iteration all the time. (i also think about a bigger one).

The shape of this vape is centered around the heater glass. The reason is that the part is readily available. When i change that part this vape becomes a very custom thing. I am ok with that, but my first aim was to make one that was very repairable. I once owned a glass whip vape from a company that went under. When the complex part broke the vape was useless. I did not want that with this design. The price of being future proof is being a little big.

What's about something like that for regulating the air intake?

Yeah, that would work. This vape likes a fast air flow though.

 

[StormyPinkness]

I was trying to remember if the temp dipped during a hit or not and I realized I had been laser focused on the bowl every single hit.

@StormyPinkness Glad your up and running.

Thanks for the info. I'll add more to the instructions.

I'd pop out the screen in one bowl and try the eq baskets if you want to use whole chucks. You might get better results. I never intended the bowl to be used w/ whole nugs. A much more narrow tube would be better for that.

I hope you try a fine grind. That big screen wants a flat load. For best results tamp flat. You have control over the temp so you can get the exact cook you want. Because it is super flat it should cook very evenly and slow the air more than other shapes. Taking fast hits can also help.

The ticking is prob. the relay firing. At a high temp the heater will need to fire very often. I do not hear the relay in any of my controllers including the rdk-200.. I'd send auber a note. If they do nothing I have controllers and can sell one at a discount.


I hear yah and hope to have something in the future for you. I think about a smaller iteration all the time. (i also think about a bigger one).

The shape of this vape is centered around the heater glass. The reason is that the part is readily available. When i change that part this vape becomes a very custom thing. I am ok with that, but my first aim was to make one that was very repairable. I once owned a glass whip vape from a company that went under. When the complex part broke the vape was useless. I did not want that with this design. The price of being future proof is being a little big.



Yeah, that would work. This vape likes a fast air flow though.

I'm 90% sure I don't own a grinder. I bought a really nice 3 piece aluminum one with my first portable a couple of years ago, but I only used it once and I'm pretty sure I've given it away. I'll have to see if my rimmed screens fit in there, I have some 18mm and 14mm ones I could try.

The symphony actually worked really well hand tearing and using the big bowl, it just took and extra hit or 2.

Also thank you for helping me figure out why it was stopping at 900, can't wait to try 950 tonight. Above and beyond figuring out my own controller for me.

So you think a basket screen in a 14mm would work better for hand tearing? Does this one look good?
https://www.ctechglass.com/ctech-1420-to-2440-enlarging-connecting-lab-glass-adapter-p-87.html

 

[jojo monkey]

I'm 90% sure I don't own a grinder.

Ha! I am 100% sure I will STFU about grinding.

The eq baskets that I have want to be in a 19/22. I'd worry it would not sit in the smaller inside diameter glass. Are there smaller baskets out there?


Is 14/20 your prefered size?

The price ain't bad if shipping isn't more than $5-10.

 

[StormyPinkness]

Spent another hour in front of the symphony last night. I'm very thankful for the shut-off timer on the auber, it's like a bartender kicking me out after having too much. I should make it shorter...

I actually popped out the screen on the second bowl (which led me to a question I'll ask below) and put in one of the 18mm basket screens I have. I squished it a little so it fit snug in the bottom. It worked really well, the only awkward thing is dealing with it being so low in the bowl. I actually used one of these extended to pretty easily stir and tamp:

Definitely bigger clouds and extracted quicker. The big negative for me is not being able to see it as well as I do in the bigger bowl. I really enjoy watching the bowl as I inhale, it's become such a part of the vape to me. Also to stir the big bowl I literally just shake it a little, so easy.

So after 2 bowls through with the basket screens I tried the big bowl again and definitely prefer it. Honestly I just need an extra hit or 2 and it extracts about the same. Maybe if I didn't tear the chunks small enough I'll dump it out and hand crush a little, but I've only done that once or twice.

Also I started inhaling much quicker and prefer that over a slow draw. Really seemed to perform better, way more movement and color changing in the bowl. I tried raising the temp up to 950 too for the first 3 bowls, tried the 4th back down at 900 and I think that's my sweet spot. I was getting darker abv than I liked at 950, 900 seems to always give me nice light brown at the end. That actually reminds me I should try the basket screens at 900 instead of 950.

I actually did a video killing off a big hand torn bowl in around 4 hits, but when I re-watched it I saw how dirty my glass was and couldn't bring myself to post it. I'm the worst at keeping my glass clean, I'll clean it this weekend and try it again.

@jojo monkey how the hell did you get the screens in there so absolutely perfectly? I totally bent it up just getting out, I can't imagine trying to put it back in and get it looking anywhere near as *pristine* as you did.

Woof, my posts in here are really long for some reason

Ha! I am 100% sure I will STFU about grinding.

The eq baskets that I have want to be in a 19/22. I'd worry it would not sit in the smaller inside diameter glass. Are there smaller baskets out there?


Is 14/20 your prefered size?

The price ain't bad if shipping isn't more than $5-10.

I'm going to keep my eyes out for bowls I might like to use, but after trying 18mm basket screens in there I really enjoy the big bowl the most. Considering I'm using the symphony in the least efficient way possible I am seriously impressed with how much I'm loving it.

 

[jojo monkey]

I really enjoy watching the bowl as I inhale, it's become such a part of the vape to me. Also to stir the big bowl I literally just shake it a little, so easy.

Very cool. I am glad you like this aspect. I imagine with the whole pieces you are seeing a nice melty show.

how the hell did you get the screens in there so absolutely perfectly?

I'll make a video, but some tips:

You need something long like a wood skewer. A knitting board tool is excellent.

If it is fucked up from being removed put it on some scrap wood or marble and flatten it out. I use the back of a screw driver.

Pre-bend the screen a little. I put a little bend 0.5mm around the edge. I also bend the whole screen a bit to work it into a dome.

Slide the screen down the glass and just before you get to where it should be in position, use the long stick to go through the 19/22 and push/hold the screen into the lip. I use my thumb or index on the other end pushing it into place.

Abort any pushing if the screen starts to taco or make a hard "V" shape. In some cases you can push these out, but I find it is better to start over. Smoosh again if needed.

Once it is in place I separately push on the bottom and top to flatten it down and lock it in. I then use my finger and the stick to level out any bumps.

I'm going to keep my eyes out for bowls I might like to use,

I'll have something soon for 14/20 and 19/22.