Matthews Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 Picked up a pair of '75 model LS-BB this morning. The seller had them advertised in StL at $1200. I explained that to him that they were just not worth that much. He accepted an offer of $600, sight unseen (barring any major component failures). An hour and a half drive. These things were crazy looking but solid. My ohm meter told me everything checked out good except 1 tweeter. I told the seller the cost of a new tweeter as well as the cost of a pair from Crites. Also mentioned to him that the badges were missing and those were quite hard to come by these days. Walked away with these babies for $550. Have not fully decided what to do to them. With some influence from Ol' Mookie, I am thinking Gloss Piano Black with the 3 part per each, cane grills. Scrappy had also mentioned to me that he thinks black with the cane is awesome. Hmmm? We will see... Matt ♪ ♫ ♪ 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 Good score Matt, now get to sanding! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungkiman Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 You sir are a glutton... Looks like an easier refurb. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthews Posted April 16, 2016 Author Share Posted April 16, 2016 (edited) You sir are a glutton... Looks like an easier refurb. Indeed - Since the dog houses will have a grill on each side, no need to get back there in those corners to make em' shinny. Much easier!!! However, fabing up 6 cane grill frames is brutal on the fingertips. Just have to keep thinking of how good they are going to look Need some pointers on gloss black paint. I prefer to brush on for a nice luxurious finish. Gloss lacquer or enamel? Spray or brush? Also there are little tiny holes all the way around the entire perimeter. Will need to fill those. I have some filler but it seems awfully rough and course for such small holes. It is difficult to apply to such small spots. Any input much appreciated... Matt ♪ ♫ ♪ Edited April 16, 2016 by Matthews Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvu80 Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Solid score! I'm not sure what I'm looking at. Are those industrial Scala's with the aluminum trim? I thought Scala's were more of a flat black but those are shiny, with a cloth covering in the back. Are those stock or modded? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsoncookie Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 To achieve the gloss black piano finish, if you really mean that, is way more material and labor intensive than you are aware of. ( after reading your subsequent questions). First off, spray application is mandatory, as is flawless surface prep. Realize the glossier something is, the more it will show ((particularly in reflection) any imperfection of surface and of paint application. As far as I know, any time you see that super deep high build glossy on a piano, guitar, some gunstocks , at least 20 yrs ago when I used it, is a catalyzed Polyester system using about 4 components, requiring alot of wet sanding, and buffing with at least two finer and finer compounds. It could be a two part epoxy, little less fussy to use, but still requiring all the labor. Google it. Not quite as dramatic, but a body shop with a GOOD painter (think "show car") can do it with a nice clearcoat., but it won't come cheap, I would guess at least $1500.with YOU still doing the rough prep. With previous experience you could do a spray can finish that may be acceptable to you, but no where near "piano" Maybe I'm being cynical, others chime in. There's alot of ways to make speakers look cool, WAY WAY easier/cheaper. Lars 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsoncookie Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Re - "filler" Any good catalized auto body "bondo". Apply with a bendy credit card. Lars 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthews Posted April 17, 2016 Author Share Posted April 17, 2016 I'm not sure what I'm looking at. Are those industrial Scala's with the aluminum trim? I thought Scala's were more of a flat black but those are shiny, with a cloth covering in the back. Are those stock or modded? They were painted "shiny" over 20 years ago by the original owner. The aluminum (gold ano) trim is DIY at the same time as the paint. He said they were moved around from time to time and wanted to protect the corners. Glad he did, the corners are nearly flawless with the exception of the screw holes. The cloth covering was actually on the fronts. It was hideous! After getting all of that stuff off, I am pretty impressed with the actual condition. Good corners, solid all the way through. One tweeter and a x-over recap, SCORE!!! It could be a two part epoxy, little less fussy to use, but still requiring all the labor. Google it. Awesome, Lars! I had not thought about the 2 part epoxy. That stuff is incredible! I use it on my swimming pools. One coat and DONE - google, here I come. I need some black epoxy paint stuff... Matt ♪ ♫ ♪ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsoncookie Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 So after some Googling, I see there's other systems becoming more used since I dabbled with this, but they're all still multipart of course requiring spray equipment, and still most or all labor as above. And an education in itself. Lars 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsoncookie Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 I mean I don't want to be a "downer", but I am pretty sure a painted pool is not going to show imperfections like speakers in your home. One thing you have going for you is the planning of doghouse grills, eliminating the hassle of working in a constricted area. Lars 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsoncookie Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 It is definately "doable", but only if you want to undertake the project, not a "weekend" job. Lars 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthews Posted April 17, 2016 Author Share Posted April 17, 2016 and still most or all labor as above. The good part is I already have all the necessary tools to get these babies ready for finish. Since I am not taking them all the way down to wood, it will be a piece of cake. I learned some nice short cuts on the previous 4 LS restorations. I could have them ready in one afternoon (after filling the holes, of course). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsoncookie Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Speaking of cheaper and WAY easier, did you know you can get the Duratex roll on paint from Parts Express and Tint it ANY color, just like wall paint?? Too many think "it only comes in black" Minimal surface prep, covers a lot of sins. Just an Idea. EASY to do, ANY color, cheap pretty much as you can get. Lars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsoncookie Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 and still most or all labor as above. The good part is I already have all the necessary tools to get these babies ready for finish. Since I am not taking them all the way down to wood, it will be a piece of cake. I learned some nice short cuts on the previous 4 LS restorations. I could have them ready in one afternoon (after filling the holes, of course). I was speaking about the wetsanding w progressive grits, and then the buffing. Lars 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MookieStl Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 (edited) If only you knew someone with a paint booth that sprays a two part epoxy urethane finish 6 days a week! Hmmmmm Also, don't use the gritty wood filler they sell in hardware stores. Do you have any left of the tube I gave you back when you picked up your Chorus I's? Nice and smooth, no grit, bonds extremely well to wood. Edited April 17, 2016 by MookieStl 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthews Posted April 17, 2016 Author Share Posted April 17, 2016 Do you have any left of the tube I gave you Believe I do. Picking up another LS pair in the a.m. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The History Kid Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Think you need another pair of KV-1's to sit atop the new ones, my friend. I have one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvu80 Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Picking up another LS pair in the a.m. "Ho hum, another day, picking up another pair of La Scala's." How many people have ever uttered those words??? You're livin' the dream, man. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthews Posted April 17, 2016 Author Share Posted April 17, 2016 Think you need another pair of KV-1's to sit atop the new ones, my friend. I have one. Those KV-1's are for TV and morning radio programming. Powered by a 15 wpc mini Onkyo receiver. Paired with the little SW8II, pretty impressive for what it is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The History Kid Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 See? You could have matching LCR then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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