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and yet ANOTHER set of La Scala in the queue


Matthews

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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.  :emotion-21:  :D  :emotion-21:

 

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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 ♪ ♫ ♪

 

 

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You sir are a glutton... Looks like an easier refurb.

Indeed :emotion-21:   -  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 :blink2:

 

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 by Matthews
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Solid score!  :emotion-21:

 

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?

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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

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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 ♪ ♫ ♪

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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

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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). 

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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

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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

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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 by MookieStl
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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   :emotion-21:

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