Wood veneer for CRS+'s - any wood suggestions?

nspindel
nspindel Posts: 5,343
edited April 2011 in Vintage Speakers
I am now the proud owner of a pair of SDA-CRS+'s. This is the second pair I have owned. My first was my 21st birthday present to myself, back in 1989. Those were with me until about 8 years ago, but I sold them when I bought a pair of SDA-2B's. I sold the 2B's when I bought a pair of SDA-1C's, which I still have. But I've always regretted selling the CRS+'s, they're such a great, versatile speaker given their compact size and awesome sound.

Now that I have another pair, I'm looking to do an absolutely complete rebuild on them. Sonicap caps, Mills resistors, TL-Upgrade, RDO-198's, Cardas binding posts, Solen inductors, Tony's boards, Larry's rings, Dynamat, Armacell/Mortite (we'll see which one...), Custom SDA connector, new grill cloth, and finally, a complete veneer job.

I don't trust myself doing a quality job with the woodwork, so I'm enlisting the help of my brother-in-law who's quite good with wood, and has an incredible shop in his basement. Good to know I've got someone competent to do the work, but....

I have no clue of what kind of wood to use. Sure, there are websites about wood veneering with little thumbnails of different woods, but does anyone have any links with some photos of good veneer work that's been done to these speakers? Not necessarily CRS+'s, but you get my drift, just looking to see some finished product photos to help me narrow in on a species and stain color.

I've tried searches, but I can't really seem to find anything. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks...
Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
Post edited by nspindel on

Comments

  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited April 2011
    One of the other members used this site. Very nice wood and veneers.http://www.cookwoods.com/Veneer.htm As far as wood type use what you like and put a nice polyurethane.Another site would be woodcraft.com . I bought most of the tools in my shop from them. Hope this helps.
  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited April 2011
    Yes and no. I've seen that site, but a lot of the pictures are quite raw looking, the Cocobolo for example. I know I've read that several people have done veneer jobs on their Polks, I was hoping to see some pics of the finished products.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited April 2011
    I forgot I had this one saved to my favorites.http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61901&highlight=veneering+monitor Hopefully others will chime in.If I recall I put in the search veneering. Dan
  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited April 2011
    Now we're getting somewhere!
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,033
    edited April 2011
    Look up Tyler Acoustics. All of his speakers are done with wood veneer. Personally, I prefer ribbon mahogany with Brazillian Cherry coming in a close second. Good luck!
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited April 2011
    Ooooooh, that ribbon mahogany does look nice!
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
  • drselect
    drselect Posts: 664
    edited April 2011
    If you are looking for a lighter color wood: Curly Maple

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106608
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,033
    edited April 2011
    nspindel wrote: »
    Ooooooh, that ribbon mahogany does look nice!
    That's what I have on my Tyler's. The real cool thing about it, is it looks better in person. There's the rich, red-brown tone to the wood and then bands have a kind of reflective yellow-gold grain that looks incredible in the sunlight.

    Definitely unique.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,567
    edited April 2011
    Sure, there are websites about wood veneering with little thumbnails of different woods, but does anyone have any links with some photos of good veneer work that's been done to these speakers?

    Just about every speaker on the market with a wood cabinet is done up with veneer and just about any wood type is available in veneer. Pick one that you will still like years from now. Whatever veneer you choose, a polyurethane clear coat should be your last choice.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,033
    edited April 2011
    Then contact the poster above ^^^ F1nut ^^^ to have them done for you. Free estimates.

    :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:












    *Runnin' like a **** outta church*............................:tongue:
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
  • drselect
    drselect Posts: 664
    edited April 2011
    I forgot to post that I got my veener from here:
    http://www.theveneerstore.com/default.aspx
  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited April 2011
    Carpathian elm burl, or go home!:biggrin:
  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited April 2011
    Guys, thanks so much. Several great suggestions, and loving the threads with the CRS+ veneer jobs. That's just what I was hoping to get a look at, and thanks for the advice as well.

    Fortunately, I've got my 1C's set up, so I am in absolutely no rush to get these CRS+'s completed. That means I can spend my time doing research and do the work slowly and carefully, without feeling like I can't wait to get them finished so I can listen to music!

    My wife and I are planning a downsizing of the house, but it's not happening for quite some time. The primary purpose for these CRS+'s will be to replace the 1C's once I'm living smaller scale, but until then I can take my sweet time and get these done just right.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited April 2011
    There are allot of wood choices pick something you and the wife like.Take your time, most of all enjoy your project! Dan
  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited April 2011
    Well you just hit the nail right on the head, huh? Pick something the wife likes!
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited April 2011
    Those of us who have been married for a long time know,If the wife isn't happy NOBODY'S happy.:biggrin:
  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited April 2011
    Don't the CRS + floor stands monopolize the same amount of floor space as 1Cs do ?:confused:
  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited April 2011
    Correct. It's all about the WAF, after all. That plus we're likely going to be starting out in an apartment, with a living room on the smallish side. The 1C's would completely overpower the environment, but CRS+'s would be just perfect.

    Plus, we'll likely be moving more than once. Moving 1C's from place to place would be painful. CRS+'s have serious advantage when it comes to portability.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.