Cornwall Refurbishing

[dolphyisgod]

I inherited a pair of Cornwalls, vintage 1978. They came with the house I bought a few months ago. Too big for the previous owner to move out I guess - and I ain't complaining... I'm going to start refurbishing them soon - new crossovers, new fabric for the fronts. The drivers, gloriously, are in very good condition.

The cabinets are in good shape, but they definitely want to be cleaned up. Any advice for how to re-finish them? I'm almost positive that they're birch colored. (They're type "C-BR" which I assume means birch.) Is there a particular kind of stain (brand and/or tone) that's preferable? Also, if I wanted to shine them up with a coat of polyurethane, would that effect the sound in any way?

I've never refinished speakers, so any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. This is my 1st post on audiokarma. Thanks!

 

[Jenkster]

I inherited a pair of Cornwalls, vintage 1978. They came with the house I bought a few months ago. Too big for the previous owner to move out I guess - and I ain't complaining... I'm going to start refurbishing them soon - new crossovers, new fabric for the fronts. The drivers, gloriously, are in very good condition.

The cabinets are in good shape, but they definitely want to be cleaned up. Any advice for how to re-finish them? I'm almost positive that they're birch colored. (They're type "C-BR" which I assume means birch.) Is there a particular kind of stain (brand and/or tone) that's preferable? Also, if I wanted to shine them up with a coat of polyurethane, would that effect the sound in any way?

I've never refinished speakers, so any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. This is my 1st post on audiokarma. Thanks!

Congrats on getting a nice pair of Cornwalls! The "BR" stands for Birch Raw which means they originally came unfinshed. It was very common for owners to apply a stain or other type of finish to them. If still unfinished, which I think is cool, they would be a very blond color with nice grain. Any chance of posting some pics? I have had success refurbishing the existing finish with Howard's Restor-A-Finish. It comes in different wood finishes and is best to use OOOO steel wool. I'm not sure what would be your best option if they are still the raw birch. Many Klipsch fans, including myself, like the unfinshed birch look but that would certainly be your choice. Putting on a polyurethane should'nt have any effect on the sound, new caps in the crossovers certainly would.:thmbsp:

 

[billy joe]

You mean he just left them there. You is one lucky dude.:yes:

 

[sssmokin99]

If they left a pair of Cornwalls, imagine what they TOOK!

 

[Descartridge]

For the exterior refinishing, you might want to take a look at this thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=310123

Though the subject is refinishing Belle Klipsches, the same approach will apply to Cornwalls.
If you need to remove scratches and stains, just be very careful with the 50 grit sandpaper. You do not want to abrade through the top veneer layer.
And polyurethane will not have any effect on the sound.
Good luck!

 

[dolphyisgod]

Thanks for all the replies. This is a huge help. These speakers look like they were indeed finished - ie. not left in unfinished birch. I'm attaching some photos. As you can see, right now they've been left next to a fireplace, but they'll be moved to another room once they're ready, away from the heat. They're not in terrible cosmetic shape (other than the fronts/fabric). There are some scuffs on the sides, but these don't run too deep and should sand right out. There are also what look like burn marks on the top of the right; maybe some cigarettes were left there?!?

Yeah, the previous dude left them - but full disclosure he asked me first if I wanted them. (I tried to keep a pokerface when he said that, but I could barely contain.) He had also tried to hook speakers throughout the house up to a single receiver (a low/mid-level Sony) in the entryway. Which means these things were driven at a distance of 30 ft or so (!!) from the source. The other speakers in that "system" were crap, not worth keeping. No idea what these Cornwalls sound like when properly driven... at least not yet!

If you see anything I should know about in these pics, be sure to let me know. Thanks again, it's great to be on this forum.

 

[dolphyisgod]

Hopefully the attachments will come through this time...

 

[tensleep]

Oh man, you are in for a treat! Have you ever heard a pair of big Klipsch?

 

[LAB3]

I have the same year Cornwalls as you .Bob Crites has everything you need to make them like new. Do recapp the crossover so they don't go out and leak oil. I have a new set of Bob's crossovers and found a extra pair of horns and tweeters for the next 30 years. Doubt I will need them as they still sing to me.
My late Dad purchased mine new in late 1978. I have them turned in the corners of the living room for my front L&R surround system speakers.
Awsome sound...so "Musical" horns for 2 channel music.. I just gave my son my old(near mint) Cerwin Vega AT-15 400/600 watt speakers to make room for these. Added a pair of used Subs and WOW movies are Great.

Lucky.......... price Cornwalls new. Enjoy you will never sell them.

Louis

 

[dolphyisgod]

Thanks Louis. I'm ordering new crossovers from Bob Crites in the next day or so. I just assumed that those just came with new caps -- wouldn't that be right? Anyway, I'm hoping that the drivers are still working fine. They look like they're in great shape, and yes, hoping that they last out the next couple of decades...

 

[rmeade]

When it comes to refinishing veneer on speakers I have had bad experience with sanding and good experience with chemical strippers (with steel wool).

Veneer can be very thin and one can be over-zealous in sanding. edges and corners are at risk for sanding through the veneer ... down to the paper backing.

In general the chemical strippers will cause the previous finish to liquefy. Scrape the first application of stripper (and resultant goo) off; use steel wool on the second application and finer steel wool on the third application of stripper.

Many woods do not accept the application of stain well. your birch might look better just finished - without stain. My experience is that tung oil provides a fine finish and I prefer Watco brand (Teak oil I think they call it).

So use chemical stripper (never the water after wash version) apply three coats, use steel wool, let dry for 24 hours and then apply the Watco teak oil ... three coats.

I have a lot of experience with this approach and it yields good results.

Good Luck!

 

[LAB3]

Thanks Louis. I'm ordering new crossovers from Bob Crites in the next day or so. I just assumed that those just came with new caps -- wouldn't that be right? Anyway, I'm hoping that the drivers are still working fine. They look like they're in great shape, and yes, hoping that they last out the next couple of decades...

Yes Bob's new cross over boards have new caps. He sells a re cap kit but I just replaced both new boards. He also sends new seals for the drivers that screw on the mid range horns. Use a ohmn meter on the drivers and check them(tweeters too). Bob has all the specs. Mine were fine too, but Dad was easy on them, no Bluray special effects . Turning the Corns in a corner sure made them sound better. No room for your wall as they just did fit. Enjoy
Louis