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.

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.

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.

Also, I believe each coat is lightly sanded as well. Afaik, there is just the one fellow doing the finishing process on the cabinets.

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.

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.

Call Axiom and ask them.

Dude?!?

So, putting aside how long it took to get them, how do you like the speakers?

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??!

Nice to see you on the forums Steve.

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.

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.

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...

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

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!

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.

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.

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::

MMMhhhhh Orange Crush.

Your tripod is showing.

SHHH!!! You'll blow the whole thing!!

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

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

Pic Time!

snazzed

Amen.

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