Iteachstem Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 I decided to pick up a pair of KG4's that looked decent for a simple cabinet refinish to remove scratches and the typical water marks. However, upon arrival, they had the typical wife treatment with the water rings on the top, but they took it to the next level and let the water hit the seems, so there was more damage that seen in the online pics. Ugh! Anyway, this is what I did. I would like your thoughts on a finish at the end. The speakers upon purchase: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iteachstem Posted November 11, 2023 Author Share Posted November 11, 2023 The drivers were in decent condition: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iteachstem Posted November 11, 2023 Author Share Posted November 11, 2023 I started filling gaps and then sanding: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iteachstem Posted November 11, 2023 Author Share Posted November 11, 2023 Then I was eying some scrap wood that seemed like it wanted to be part of the restoration... and it did by becoming some internal bracing. I'm bit sure it needed it, but it was either put it in the speaker or put it in the burn pile, so I had a little fun with it. Glued and screwed to add a little beef behind the thin section between the horn and top driver! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iteachstem Posted November 11, 2023 Author Share Posted November 11, 2023 Next, I added a little piece between the two woofers and then a front to back brace on the top. And finally a side to side brace: With some laser engraving I did... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickyboy6100 Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 They’d be pretty unique if you kept them blonde. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iteachstem Posted November 11, 2023 Author Share Posted November 11, 2023 2 minutes ago, nickyboy6100 said: They’d be pretty unique if you kept them blonde. That was the original goal... sand them and just seal them... but they needed filling on some seams, and I thought that wouldn't look the best as it was on the top. Perhaps a dark stain will cover it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iteachstem Posted November 11, 2023 Author Share Posted November 11, 2023 Here are the finish options. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickyboy6100 Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 1 minute ago, Iteachstem said: That was the original goal... sand them and just seal them... but they needed filling on some seams, and I thought that wouldn't look the best as it was on the top. Perhaps a dark stain will cover it up. I thought that after I sent the reply. I’ll be curious to see what the sound improvements are when you are finished. I love Kg4’s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iteachstem Posted November 11, 2023 Author Share Posted November 11, 2023 7 minutes ago, nickyboy6100 said: I’ll be curious to see what the sound improvements are when you are finished. I've done bracing on several other Klipsch speakers and in my opinion, it's more of a tinkering thing and perhaps somewhat of a placebo effect. Just because I did something to the speaker, it must sound better, right? It does sound more solid when you tap the cabinet from top to bottom, but will that translate into positively transforming the sound for the better, and if so, can you really hear any difference in the audio, or just when you tap on the cabinet? In my past experience, I did an A/B comparison as I had two sets of Forte's, one modified and one stock. I honestly couldn't hear any difference. However, I don't have the golden ears like some people... you know, the ones that spend big $$$ on cable risers, speaker cables that cost as much as my car, etc. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickyboy6100 Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 52 minutes ago, Iteachstem said: I've done bracing on several other Klipsch speakers and in my opinion, it's more of a tinkering thing and perhaps somewhat of a placebo effect. Just because I did something to the speaker, it must sound better, right? It does sound more solid when you tap the cabinet from top to bottom, but will that translate into positively transforming the sound for the better, and if so, can you really hear any difference in the audio, or just when you tap on the cabinet? In my past experience, I did an A/B comparison as I had two sets of Forte's, one modified and one stock. I honestly couldn't hear any difference. However, I don't have the golden ears like some people... you know, the ones that spend big $$$ on cable risers, speaker cables that cost as much as my car, etc. Placebo effect goes a long way for me. Half the fun is tinkering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 2 hours ago, Iteachstem said: Here are the finish options. Thoughts? #1 It has a richer look to it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bacek Posted November 13, 2023 Share Posted November 13, 2023 On 11/12/2023 at 12:40 AM, Ceptorman said: #1 It has a richer look to it. My vote is #3. Danish oil can be applied in multiple coats. More coats more glossy and "richer" effect it will have. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iteachstem Posted November 20, 2023 Author Share Posted November 20, 2023 Finish is applied.... just need to pick up some matte poly, wash the grills and put everything back together. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iteachstem Posted November 21, 2023 Author Share Posted November 21, 2023 The grills are washed. Oh my, I never cease to be amazed by how much dirt builds up in these grills over 30+ years. Here's a before and after: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLStryker Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 On 11/19/2023 at 10:39 PM, Iteachstem said: Finish is applied.... just need to pick up some matte poly, wash the grills and put everything back together. Those look great! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iteachstem Posted November 26, 2023 Author Share Posted November 26, 2023 Getting there... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickyboy6100 Posted November 26, 2023 Share Posted November 26, 2023 Those are beautiful! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jhakobe Posted November 26, 2023 Share Posted November 26, 2023 Really nice, the color and sheen look great. Well done. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iteachstem Posted November 26, 2023 Author Share Posted November 26, 2023 58 minutes ago, Jhakobe said: the color and sheen look great Thanks. I don't really like the look of shiny wood when it comes to speaker finishes. There are some exceptions, of course, but I usually like the wood to look natural. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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