Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 89
old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 89 |
I was wondering on what the average wait time was for those that ordered VaSSallo custom wood finishes in their speakers. Axiom states to expect 4 weeks for the custom finishes. I understand it taking longer to make the custom ones, but a whole month or more? From the day I ordered and was charged for my M60s in Cherry Chestnut, it took almost 7 weeks before I had them both. About a week of that however was caused by the wait it took to get the wood sample, and confirm with Axiom that was indeed what I wanted (though had I known they were going to do that I'd have just said skip the sample.)
Does constructing the box and applying stain/gloss really take this long? If there's only one person that makes them I guess that would explain it, being that they may be high in demand. I have my vp150 and pair of QS8s on order, and it will have been about a 5 week wait on the center, and possibly longer on the surrounds as I haven't asked for a shipment date yet.
They are worth the wait of course, and the particular finish I'm getting on all of my speakers is very impressive (wish I had them in full gloss now.) I'm just maybe complaining a bit here as to why it's taking over a month to get each speaker, when if I had ordered just the non-custom ones they would have been shipped immediately.
End of rant.
M60|VP150|2xQS8|PSA XS30+Epik Empire|Pioneer Kuro 6010FD|PS3|Denon AVR-X4000|Parasound 5250v.2|
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786 |
Part of the wait is probably getting the wood in house. Chestnut is not a common wood. How about some pictures? We're always up for more speaker porn around here.
Fred
------- Blujays1: Spending Fred's money one bottle at a time, no two... Oh crap!
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
The process involves (I think) something along the lines of 20 coats of finish and coating. Those layers have to dry in between. In addition, it's a custom order. Custom orders take longer--no matter who you're ordering them from.
Last edited by kcarlile; 10/18/09 03:45 PM.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,928
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,928 |
Also, I believe each coat is lightly sanded as well. Afaik, there is just the one fellow doing the finishing process on the cabinets.
Half of communication is listening. You can't listen with your mouth.
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786 |
The process involves (I think) something along the lines of 20 coats of finish and coating. Those layers have to dry in between. I was wondering about that. You can let stuff partially dry to a sticky finish between coats (a couple of hours) if you don't sand between, but I know nothing about producing a high gloss finish.
Fred
------- Blujays1: Spending Fred's money one bottle at a time, no two... Oh crap!
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 725
aficionado
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aficionado
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 725 |
I can understand wanting to get them quicker, but I would rather wait and receive a product that was skillfully built with pride.
If you only have your fronts now, get the others in HG and send back the towers for a HG finish.
High Gloss Cherry M60 VP150 QS8 Open for Auditions but please don't drool on the High Gloss
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,443
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,443 |
From the day I ordered and was charged for my M60s in Cherry Chestnut, it took almost 7 weeks before I had them both. About a week of that however was caused by the wait it took to get the wood sample, and confirm with Axiom that was indeed what I wanted (though had I known they were going to do that I'd have just said skip the sample.)
Does constructing the box and applying stain/gloss really take this long? If there's only one person that makes them I guess that would explain it, being that they may be high in demand. I have my vp150 and pair of QS8s on order, and it will have been about a 5 week wait on the center, and possibly longer on the surrounds as I haven't asked for a shipment date yet.
End of rant. Dude?!?
"A fanatic is someone who can't change his mind and won't change the subject" Churchill
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441 |
So, putting aside how long it took to get them, how do you like the speakers?
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 57
buff
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buff
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 57 |
I have had my VaSSalo speakers about 3 weeks now. A pair of M80's, VP150 center, a pair of QS8's and an EP500 subwoofer in custom oak butternut semigloss. It took right around 5 weeks give or take a day or two. The finish is flawless. I cannot find one flaw on any of the speakers. The sound paired with my Integra DTR 9.9 and Oppo BD-83 is spectacular! The help that people from this forum gave me was spot on (thanks sirquack)
In this world of underperforming companies how nice it is to have my expectations exceeded in every way. Oh did I say that I like my speakers??!
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
Nice to see you on the forums Steve.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,361
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,361 |
The process involves (I think) something along the lines of 20 coats of finish and coating. Those layers have to dry in between. I was wondering about that. You can let stuff partially dry to a sticky finish between coats (a couple of hours) if you don't sand between, but I know nothing about producing a high gloss finish. From my limited experience, I can say that I'm pretty sure super high grit sandings between each spray is critical to piano finishes. For satin, I think you still sand, just not as fine. I don't think they need 20 coats, but maybe they do. For musical instruments I don't think they use that many, and they should have more abuse.
Panny 3000 PJ, 118" Carada, Denon 3300, PS3, Axiom QS8, PSB 5T, B&W sub, levitating speaker wire
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
That number was pulled out of my ear. I know it's a high number, but I don't know how many it is.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,361
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,361 |
That number was pulled out of my ear. I know it's a high number, but I don't know how many it is. When I did the finish on my towers, I read the how to, and for nice guitars I think they did 6 to 12 layers. But you have to dry half a day and sand between each. Piano finish turned out much harder to do than the instructions implied. Big fan of satin now. Probably why Axiom adds a 25% up fee for Piano over satin - sanding is tedious job of perfection. Hell, maybe they do go up to 20 layers. That would explain a long lead time.
Panny 3000 PJ, 118" Carada, Denon 3300, PS3, Axiom QS8, PSB 5T, B&W sub, levitating speaker wire
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
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I remember that when the Audiobytes came out, Amie was talking in the ol' shout box about how they were doing gloss blue and gloss orange ones for magazines. She said they didn't plan to actually produce them because they took so long to do and had x many coats. Of course, they're producing them now...
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,270
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,270 |
Hi kcarlile and all,
For the high-gloss finishes it's between nine and twelve coats, with the sanding and polishing between each coat. And yes, one guy at a time does the custom work ("Chunk") or Mike. When I visit the plant, I go in the back, and one of them will be there sanding and polishing--it seems endless--but I'm dazzled by the workmanship.
We tell customers that custom orders will take six weeks or less--it's usually less, but it depends on the time of year.
Regards, Alan
Alan Lofft, Axiom Resident Expert (Retired)
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,361
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,361 |
They have to know exactly how much to sand: rub too far and you get an obvious hole in that layer and must respray; don't go deep enough and it does not shine.
I respect their work, amazing finish from what I have seen. But, on purchase page, Axiom should show a picture of the piano finish. You see the 25% charge but the pic does not show what you get for that up-charge.
Just my two cents!
Panny 3000 PJ, 118" Carada, Denon 3300, PS3, Axiom QS8, PSB 5T, B&W sub, levitating speaker wire
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Apr 2003
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Completely agree. When it comes to product pics, I don't think there's such a thing as too much information. Well, yes, there is.
Fot the high cost finishes, I think a 360° rotating and interactive pic/movie would be killer. Only then can you truly see how the light plays off the surface.
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1 |
That and I wish they would show the finish on the actual speaker you are buying. I'd like to see how the grain pattern looks on a floorstanding speaker, not just the M22.
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458 |
You guys just want them to build photo samples of every speaker in every finish so they start showing up cheap in the user's club!
You guys are awful!
::sneaks away, quietly hoping for gloss orange M80s::
::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955 |
MMMhhhhh Orange Crush.
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458 |
::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1 |
You guys just want them to build photo samples of every speaker in every finish so they start showing up cheap in the user's club!
You guys are awful!
::sneaks away, quietly hoping for gloss orange M80s:: SHHH!!! You'll blow the whole thing!!
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 44
buff
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buff
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 44 |
The wait for the VaSSallo series was agonizing but it was worth it. I ordered a couple of samples first and each time it took 2 days from the "order receipt" email until the "order shipped" email. Then I ordered a VP150 in oak buttercup satin. The VP150 took only 14 days from "order receipt" until "order shipped" email. Then I ordered a pair of M80s and it took 38 days (5+ weeks) before I got the "shipped" email.
The cabinet work is flawless and the finish looks great. While waiting for the M80s, I kept reminding myself that I would rather have the work done right rather than quickly.
-Dave
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,898
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,898 |
I've got an order in now for real wood custom matched M3s and am only to the step of sending in the wood match. I'm trying to prepare myself mentally for a long and "well-worth it" wait even though I'm already impatient to get them back.
My first experience with the M3s was when I picked up the Algonquins for outdoor use. I ran them inside for a couple of weeks and really enjoyed the sound. Ever since I've put them outside I've missed them in my game room and now finally that wait is almost over. Since I've already waited about a year, hopefully the next 5-6 weeks won't seem so bad.
Jason
Epic 80-800: HG Cherry
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 212
local
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local
Joined: Sep 2009
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The wait for the VaSSallo series was agonizing but it was worth it. Pic Time! snazzed
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,443
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
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The cabinet work is flawless and the finish looks great. While waiting for the M80s, I kept reminding myself that I would rather have the work done right rather than quickly.
-Dave Amen.
"A fanatic is someone who can't change his mind and won't change the subject" Churchill
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Re: Wait on VaSSallos
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 670
aficionado
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aficionado
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I must add, the label on the back of the speaker with your name on it is a super classy addition to the custom speakers
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