S391 Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 I know this is a bit of a large net to cast but I'm looking at a pair of La Scalas. I don't have the serial numbers yet but they were supposedly owned but the original owner for 50+ years. I'm assuming they might need some TLC (caps / crossovers / etc) but I was curious if there was anything that I should check / look out for? Any known issues to watch out for or avoid? Thank you in advance for your time and assistance. I'll edit the post as I get more info. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 Welcome! You can find out all the info about them here: : If the crossovers haven't been tinkered with, the capacitor most likely need replacing. You can get approved caps from JEM Performance Audio: https://jemperformanceaudio.com/ I believe Dean is still repaing them if you want to send them off. @Deang 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 5 hours ago, S391 said: I'll edit the post as I get more info. Cool... @S391 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip McDonald Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 Well, congratulations on your find, i’ve had the big heritage models or classic models for over 30 years not really a lot to look for as long as the cabinets are in halfway decent condition. That’s all I would be worried about all the drivers & CROSSOVERS if need be shoud be replaced for what I would call lunch money at todays cost , very inexpensive however, the case, thats the most important , crossovers,their are almost endless combinations. and if they are 25 or 30 years old, I would definitely without hesitation replace them give or ALK engineering. They’re all good. Depends what you’re trying to accomplish. They’re pretty good guys to deal with. I’ve tried them all what I’m using now would not be everybody’s favorite is an AB – 2 only due to the fact that I’ve been in bi amping them for probably 20 years, including active CROSSOVERS such as the Bryson, but keep in mind that’s after years and years of experimenting around with different combinations and different amplifiers. The speakers do seem to sing their best with tube amplifiers on the top and a good solid-state amplifier on the woofer cabinet, but good luck enjoy, you don’t need to get into all of they sound fine on a single amp try to get your hands on a good SET amp it’s definitely a different experience for me anyway just by humble opinion the better your sources naturally the better the sound enjoy good luck , NOTE the Biampping has to do with the way the speakers sound. I am not bi amping to get them to play louder. That’s not the idea. I like the older models better just my opinion , plus their current price is absolutely utterly ridiculous ….. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geezin' Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 Give 'em a listen before buying if you can. If not inspect for obvious damage and price accordingly. Don't worry about replacing anything that's not obviously bad. Leaking capacitors and damaged drivers if present should be accounted for in price. If that all works I would take them home set up and play some music. If there aren't any issues I'd listen for awhile before spending money. See what you like and don't care for before spending money so that when you do spend money it will be well spent. Good luck. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S391 Posted April 18 Author Share Posted April 18 I finally got some pics..... They appear to be unmolested 1974, black birch La Scalas.... Besides the dusty / dirty condition (and the paw prints), any red flags? Thank you in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geezin' Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 They're definitely "vintage." Everything looks sound....and old. Any way to demo them? I'd wanna hear them before knowing what I'd pay for them. That being said I'd love to find a pair like that. Oh I'd plan on recapping the crossovers after seeing them. What's the asking price? I'd move on these quick before someone else finds them. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S391 Posted April 18 Author Share Posted April 18 (edited) I'm working on a trade deal... my speakers and cash. At minimum I am looking at replacing the crossovers, a total cleaning, possibly new tweeter diaphragms and maybe new woofers (depending on their condition). At this point I'm trying to decide what they are worth given their condition. Edited April 18 by S391 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWOReilly Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 I would want to hear them before buying. Look for pealing/delaminating of plywood, dinged corners, water damage, etc. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S391 Posted April 18 Author Share Posted April 18 The seller is going to have them set up so I can listen to them before we complete the deal. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 4 minutes ago, S391 said: The seller is going to have them set up so I can listen to them before we complete the deal. Has anyone given you an idea of price once a buy is in the offing? Have a relaxed time and trade... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S391 Posted April 18 Author Share Posted April 18 (edited) 8 minutes ago, billybob said: Has anyone given you an idea of price once a buy is in the offing? Have a relaxed time and trade... Not yet. However, I've been watching online sales for a while so I have an idea when they are going for... I'm comfortable with the deal we have tentatively struck, I just wanted to be aware of any known issues... provided they are just good, solid, old La Scalas I should be in good shape. I'll update the post once I have a chance to see / listen to them in person. Edited April 18 by S391 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 If I got them, here's what I'd do: -Remove all drivers and the networks -Blow out/wipe out as much dust as possible. -Give the top, front, sides a very light sanding -Repaint with whatever gloss or matte level black paint you choose -Contact JEM Performance Audio or forum member DeanG for network rebuilding options -Reinstall everything -Enjoy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S391 Posted April 18 Author Share Posted April 18 6 minutes ago, wuzzzer said: If I got them, here's what I'd do: -Remove all drivers and the networks -Blow out/wipe out as much dust as possible. -Give the top, front, sides a very light sanding -Repaint with whatever gloss or matte level black paint you choose -Contact JEM Performance Audio or forum member DeanG for network rebuilding options -Reinstall everything -Enjoy Pretty much what I was thinking. I have an email into JEM performance asking about a crossover rebuild.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 Just now, S391 said: Pretty much what I was thinking. I have an email into JEM performance asking about a crossover rebuild.... I don't know if they offer the actual service of rebuilding but I ordered the capacitors for my Heresys from them and having never used a soldering iron before was able to replace the old oil cans really easily after watching a youtube video on basic soldering. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 2 minutes ago, S391 said: Pretty much what I was thinking. I have an email into JEM performance asking about a crossover rebuild.... Oh, and also whenever I buy older Klipsch that have the network board like that, I always loosen and tighten every screw on it. This will help create a better contact path and remove years of oxidation. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S391 Posted April 18 Author Share Posted April 18 1 minute ago, wuzzzer said: Oh, and also whenever I buy older Klipsch that have the network board like that, I always loosen and tighten every screw on it. This will help create a better contact path and remove years of oxidation. At a minimum I was planning on running new speaker wires and connectors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave MacKay Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 12 minutes ago, wuzzzer said: If I got them, here's what I'd do: -Remove all drivers and the networks -Blow out/wipe out as much dust as possible. -Give the top, front, sides a very light sanding -Repaint with whatever gloss or matte level black paint you choose -Contact JEM Performance Audio or forum member DeanG for network rebuilding options -Reinstall everything -Enjoy And lightly sand or DeOxit all the connections and connectors get new gaskets for the squawker inspect the wires from the network to the drivers and replace if dodgy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMeader Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 while you are in the woofer doghouse run a bead of glue along all seams and replace gasket material on the bottom piece of plywood, this insures a air tight seal of the doghouse 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S391 Posted April 18 Author Share Posted April 18 Great advice, everyone, thank you. Due to my total newbie status on the board I cannot "like" any more posts today.... however, please consider all advice "liked"!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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