The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Isn't maybe the old part of the cabinet a little darkened? In the new veneer the grain is beautifully seen, but not in the old parts, which seem uniformly dark brown.

Does anyone know if stain mixes with shellac? Maybe I can mix a little walnut stain i have in with the shellac to brown the finish up a little.

David

An alcohol based aniline dye will. I've done it and found it best to mix up the dye first and add it to the stain. I have also used non-grain raising Behlen's dye mixed in shellac and lacquer.
Dave D

Finished up this project today. I cannot wait to have it gone
I tried my best to get the all the colors to match… but didn’t have much luck. It’s not even really noticeable when it’s under normal lighting. He’s happy with it so… so I am too.

Here’s some pics

David

dzavracky wrote: Wed Sep 29, 2021 10:40 pm Finished up this project today. I cannot wait to have it gone
I tried my best to get the all the colors to match… but didn’t have much luck. It’s not even really noticeable when it’s under normal lighting. He’s happy with it so… so I am too.

Here’s some pics

David

Honestly, I think it looks really good in it's own unique way. Already with the reproducer/tonearm (IMO the best available at all) it's a bit of an oddball, but the two-tone is pretty neat.

Looking back… I should’ve just stripped everything down to the bare wood… but I was successful in saving the original finish/stain. I should’ve used a brown mahogany dye instead of red it definitely would’ve matched the original color better. But it’s weird that the lid is the same color as the new veneer… which is what I was basing my color off of.

But from what I started with and what I ended with I’m not too upset. The veneer was a touch challenge for me… I’d never done veneer before

Cheers

David

Considering what you started with, I'd say your restoration approaches genuine magic. The owner should be pleased!

You've done an authentic labor of love and care. A real marvel... I wish I could accomplish that!

The new finish may well darken with time, too, coming to be a better match. In all events, well done!

I suggest some records to match the skills involved--

"The Old Black Magic" perhaps? "Voodoo Man?" How else do you raise the dead?

This is fantastic.