McIntosh Cabinet Repair SF Bay Area
- Thread starter catama
- Start date
I agree. Carl is doing an amazing job for me. Not sure how I’m going to handle the tech. Still deciding.
Well, honesty is always the best policy, and deceit should not be an acceptable option. It would have been one thing had they called to say that there was an accident...
but instead you're told "the cabinet came apart". The fact of the matter is a valuable cabinet was destroyed with no attempt to accept responsibility, at least from this perspective. The fact that this was done at a repair shop leads me to believe that they value their reputation (or should). The power of social media should not be overlooked, even if just used to encourage someone to do the right thing. In other words, you should be financially compensated.
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Thank you for your thoughts on this issue. The tech in question has repaired a number of items for me in the past with outstanding results: an AR XA TT, a MC240 amp, a C32 preamp, the MA 5100 that was in the dropped case, and an MX110 preamp. He is a sole proprietor and local for me. We have a very limited number of electronic repair shops in the Bay Area that can tackle vintage equipment, so I am hesitant to write him off. That being said, he should have been honest with me, a long time customer and I am still angry about that.
cwh,
My heart swells in awe and appreciation in your craft and willingness to get the job done for a fellow audio junkie when they were in need. You took a nasty situation with the possibility of two people not doing business together, and gave one the option to forgive and move on. Today, you get to wear The Crown of Awesomeness. These can be made of aluminum foil, adhesive and the leavenings from your shop floor.
Biggles
My heart swells in awe and appreciation in your craft and willingness to get the job done for a fellow audio junkie when they were in need. You took a nasty situation with the possibility of two people not doing business together, and gave one the option to forgive and move on. Today, you get to wear The Crown of Awesomeness. These can be made of aluminum foil, adhesive and the leavenings from your shop floor.
Biggles
That really looks beautiful, nice work. What oil did you apply? It looks like you were able to apply right over the existing finish without the need to strip, is that correct?
If you don't mind me asking, what prep did you have to do after the repairs? I'd love to spruce up all of my L-12 cabinets without having to go through the process of stripping the finish off of each?
cwh
33
In order of questions.
I used Watco Dark Walnut however I prefer non toxic oils like Tried and True Linseed or Amazon Products Tung Oil/Golden Teak.
It depends on finish and circumstance. These older walnut veneered cases and speakers typically are finished with a Linseed Oil-solvent blend and stain. If the veneer is just dry looking then very little prep is needed before re-oiling. I’ve had success with just a wipe down using the Tung Oil. I can go deeper if you’ve got more questions.
In this case after initial planing of veneer patches and application of filler I wiped down with mineral spirits and hand sanded with 220. As minimally invasive as I could be. I also opted to not raise the scratches and dents.
Here are the non toxic oils I use. No gloves needed, no stink.
Attachments
Yup, and you know what? It’s for your equipment, this is gonna be in your listening room. Congratulations!
Biggles
Thank you! I am thrilled!
I want to close this thread by showing all of you the magnificent job Carl did on my broken case. My MA5100 is safely and beautifully ensconced in its new home and I have been listening to and staring at it since I got it home. I swear it sounds better with the restored case. Carl, true gentleman that he is, wouldn’t take any money even though I offered to pay him. I hope I can do something for him down the road. Please join me in acknowledging Carl for his selflessness and wish him the best. The world is a much better place with people like him and I, for one, will be eternally grateful for his kindness.
