• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Lascala Re-Veneering Question

Edriz

Edriz

AK Member
Actually, maybe it's not re-veneering I want to do but make the cabs 1" thick.

I have a pair of Lascalas I bought new in 1981. The cabinets are 3/4" black birch. I'd like to add 1/4" to them making the cabs 1". I've read that the new Lascalas are 1" and that helps cut out the resonating. If I was to add 1/4" plywood or is what Im thinking called Laminate?

Anyway, what would be the best way to add on? I would think that the entire surface of the plywood/laminate would have to be glued? If I used any type of screw, it would seem vibration would acure between the screws. Anyone else try this? What could be the best solution?

Thanks Klipschanites for any suggestions. Oh yeah, I suck at woodworking!!
 
Register to hide this ad
h8snow said:
IMO leave them alone.
Click to expand...

+1 Plywood is glued together under pressure that is very even across the surface area. It would be tough to simply add to it. I think you are asking for problems. I have Fortes so I am not real familiar with LaScala construction but if I could not brace them a bit or use a coating to deaden the panels, I'd likely leave them alone.
 
Last edited:
When I rebuilt my La Scalas I added bracing in the bass bin. There are many that think that doing so improves bass output. To be honest I didin't think it made that much difference.

Prior to installing the bracing I was involved in a long thread at the Klipsch forum about placement of the braces. Many just put them in the middle. After a lot of discussion I went with "non symetrical" spacing on the braces.

Here's my build thread at the Klipsch forum:

http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/p/125734/1270880.aspx#1270880

The only tried and true way to get noticeably more bass out of a La Scala is the port mod. Either by way of placing a box with ports underneath or enclosing the top and porting out the back.

I tried the port mod on my LSs and did not like how they sounded. Yes they put out more bass but they also lost some of their punch. Not sure how to describe what it did but I ended up going back to the non ported version.

Want more bass out of your La Scalas? Easy fix. Buy a good subwoofer. :)
 
Yup, I did the ported risers a while back. My risers are actually 1" smaller then the overall size of the bin and 2" shorter. To me, it seemed to tighten the bass up just a bit. Maybe that has more to do with the smaller riser biox? I also filled them with foam insulation from JoAnn Fabrics. I made some foam plugs for the ports also so I can close them on music that didnt need the added bass.

My concern with adding an extra 1/4" or adding the bracing was to help eliminate any resonating from the long sides of the bass bin. One nice thing about adding 1/4" was to be able to finish them differently. Mine were the Black Birch, which at the time was the best option. The thought of maybe making them more with a wood finish was to blend in with other furniture, or maybe giving them more of a conventional look. After seriously thinking about that, the Black suites me better.

Oh yeah, I built a sub, from kit form, a while back also. Nice addition but I havent decided if I like the Lascala/Sub combination or not. Might take a couple more years to decide. For 29 years I ran the Lascalas stock, then added B&K Crossovers with the Crites CT-125 tweeters. Recently, I replaced the original mid drivers with a pair of Atlas drivers. All in all, I love the Scalas more then ever.

jhoak, Im checking your link now. I think thats the option I may take. Are the braces glued and screwed in?
 
Glued and nailed with an air nailer and 1.25" 18Ga brads. I knew that I was going to be covering the sides with veneer so I didn't worry about the nail holes.

There's actiall enough room inside the doghouse to use a brad-nailer. Double check your measurments though. If you miss the brace with the nail it is a B!&$# to get the nail back out without screwing something up. Yea... Ask me how I know that :(
 
I've got a beater box that is banged up. I'm looking to toy with it.

I was thinking of the following:

1. To kill the resonant sides you'll need mass and/or braces, so I was going to try to fabricate the wedgie for the mouth.

2. I was then going to add a 3/4" panel to the sides AND top AND front motorboard (because I'm swapping out the top horns for the Klipsch K510 making it a killer 2-way, JubeScala)

3. I was going to add some 1/2 round that would then cover the front double edge giving the whole thing.... well.... probably a crappy look. BUT!!! (there is always a but!)

The sides won't resonate and I'll have reformatted the front motorboard so the K510 can mount on it.

(and I don't mind something looking less than perfect as long as the sound is where it can be)

This is but one good reason why I'm not a professional wood worker.
 
sssmokin99 said:
Agree, unless you just want a different look and re-veneer them. But good veneer isn't cheap and I would start with something cheaper your first time out....
Click to expand...

Nope, not really looking to change the apearance, just want to stiffin up the side walls of the bass bin.
 
At some point this project is going to get a layer of 1/2 inch MDF laminated to the sides for a total of 1 1/4 thickness, and finish the veneer. They are still in my main system with bare MDF on the outside.

If you decide to veneer be aware that veneering a set of LaScalas is not an inexpensive operation, by the time this project is finished I could have just bought a pair of finished speakers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom