craigtone Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 I picked these up in a trade and they sound great but look terrible! The previous owner painted them flat black to hide them in the front of his home theater. When I got them they already had the Crites' upgraded crossover parts and tweeter diaphragms. Someone had also repaired a dustup on one woofer and replaced the surround on the other. Last night I replaced the midrange diaphragms to get rid of a harshness I had on one side. They now sound incredible so I want to invest a little effort into making them look as good as they sound! These are the oddballs with the flush baffle and no grilles. There does not appear to be any veneer on them as I can see the plywood edges under the paint. I read through the forums here and am thinking of using lacquer thinner to strip the paint and then just hit them with some tung oil. Does anyone know what these look like under this ugly black paint? (pics would be nice) Is it worth the effort or should I just sand and veneer? I am leery of the veneer as I do plan to sell them next year so I can upgrade to some Khorns and don't want to devalue them. Hence trying to find out what they should look like so I can restore them properly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjptkd Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 I had a pair at one point: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnr Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 That didn't take long to get pics of what they could look like. Please post progress pics along the way. Good luck with the refinishing or veneering! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budman Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 (edited) the rear label should look like this CD-BR or BB. stands for Cornwall Decorator - Birch Raw or Birch Black. lots of these were made in 76-77 with the letter P or R in the serial number Edited December 19, 2014 by Budman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivernuggets Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 (edited) These are the oddballs with the flush baffle and no grilles. Called 'Decorators'. It's possible to find Heresy, Cornwall, and Klipschorn in this style. I believe the wood underneath yours is Birch Plywood (no veneer). It will be hard getting all that black out of every pore and crevice. They sold a lot of them raw, meaning no finish. The first owner could put on whatever finish desired. Edited December 19, 2014 by Rivernuggets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivernuggets Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Budman beat me to it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigtone Posted December 19, 2014 Author Share Posted December 19, 2014 Thanks for the pics! Model number is CD-BR and yes, it has the R in the SN ... I am assuming that means 1977? I am hoping the paint is latex so it comes off cleanly. Worst case I can do a little sanding to get down to clear wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budman Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 (edited) do not sand to much you will sand thru the first layer of the birch ply without realizing it and then they will be ugly Edited December 19, 2014 by Budman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moray james Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 I picked these up in a trade and they sound great but look terrible! The previous owner painted them flat black to hide them in the front of his home theater. When I got them they already had the Crites' upgraded crossover parts and tweeter diaphragms. Someone had also repaired a dustup on one woofer and replaced the surround on the other. Last night I replaced the midrange diaphragms to get rid of a harshness I had on one side. They now sound incredible so I want to invest a little effort into making them look as good as they sound! These are the oddballs with the flush baffle and no grilles. There does not appear to be any veneer on them as I can see the plywood edges under the paint. I read through the forums here and am thinking of using lacquer thinner to strip the paint and then just hit them with some tung oil. Does anyone know what these look like under this ugly black paint? (pics would be nice) Is it worth the effort or should I just sand and veneer? I am leery of the veneer as I do plan to sell them next year so I can upgrade to some Khorns and don't want to devalue them. Hence trying to find out what they should look like so I can restore them properly. ugly??? I think that decorator CW even in black look stunning. Best regards Moray James. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budman Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 your right Moray, 2 new black woofers and be done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigtone Posted December 19, 2014 Author Share Posted December 19, 2014 ugly??? I think that decorator CW even in black look stunning. Best regards Moray James. Wanna buy them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjptkd Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Sometimes the effort is not worth it in terms of return. I guess it would depend on how much one would expect to gain versus time and materials you'd have to invest. The Raw Birch finish usually does not bring in top dollar as compared to the veneered w/ grill cover versions, from what I've seen anyway. If you're just looking to sell you might just be better off selling "as is" unless you have lots time on your hands or just want the experience. My .02, good luck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Would an easier fix be to apply something like a 1/4 inch hi-grade plywood covering over the original plywood? I know it would add weight and size, but much easier than all that sanding, and much cheaper than veneer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finallygotmyheresies Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 (edited) I'm with Moray, I like the looks of a black decorator very much. Here's a few decorator pics I've saved along the way. Oops, I guess #2 isn't a decorator but it gives you an idea of how clean they can look without a grill Edited December 19, 2014 by finallygotmyheresies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 No matter how ugly, there is no such thing as an Ugly Cornwall..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Except some of the ones I've gotten from Michael.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justinsweber Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Build a grill fame, get cloth from bob and call them done. And or vener the sides. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djk Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 http://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/panel-products/specialty-panels/hardwood-plywood/1-4-x-4-x-8-b4-red-oak-plywood-mdf-core/p-1714164-c-13334.htm http://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/panel-products/specialty-panels/hardwood-plywood/1-4-b-4-plain-sliced-red-oak-plywood-wood-veneer-core/p-1480809-c-13334.htm http://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/panel-products/specialty-panels/hardwood-plywood/1-4-x-4-x-8-uv-prefinished-oak-plywood/p-1696699-c-13334.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshnich Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 i have had a couple pairs of Decorator Cornwalls. In fact the one on the left in finallygotmyheresies post were originally mine. The last pair I had I finished in piano-black. Lots of coats of black laquer and clearcoat. BTW I sold them for top dollar. The looked somewhat lie the ones on the far right in th finallygoymyheresies post - only with a much better finish. If I were you, I would either do what Justin suggests - buid a frame and but some speaker cloth on the front, or do what i did and finish them properly in black. Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budman Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 (edited) the cherry finished one's have been cemented in my brain since i first joined here back in 04 Edited December 20, 2014 by Budman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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