Carnivore Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 The AR-LST Cover Letter for Technical Data Booklet found in the library indicates that the LST was available in soft black or oiled walnut.What exactly was "Soft Black"? Was it a wood stain finish, vinyl, paint? I assume it wasn't very common as I've never seen one, other than a picture of a restored set on this site which was painted, but it wasn't clear whether that was the same as the original finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ra.ra Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 I've never heard that particular term (soft black), but I think it was Steve F who wrote about his experience with a pair of LST's in black. My guess is that it was probably an aniline dye coloration with a clear topcoat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve F Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 I saw black LSTs once--at the AR soundroom on Brattle St. in Cambridge in 1972. They were wood-veneered, but black-colored. Many times, speaker companies, furniture makers, etc. would take their reject "regular" wood veneer products and use those to make their black variants. That way, they didn't have to scrap anything, because a blemish or discoloration that was clearly unacceptable on a regular walnut veneer piece was easily and nicely covered over in black.To my recollection, it was called "black," not "soft black."They looked quite nice in black, actually, and I always fantasized whether I would choose walnut or black if I should be so fortunate as to actually be able to afford a pair. Ah, the dreams of an 18 year-old!Steve F. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tysontom Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 The LST was available in what was termed a "soft" black, which was actually flat-black paint over the walnut wood finish. I think it was a satin or flat black lacquer finished over the un-oiled walnut cabinet. This was done originally for professional reasons; for example, Covent Garden, The Danish Royal Opera and La Scala all used LSTs, and some wanted the black, non-reflecting finish. These are fairly unusual, but I think our friend Klaus Mollgaard has a pair in black that was finished by AR for the Danish Royal Opera (I think). I've never seen a pair that was ordered from the factory in this black finish, other than the commercial-use versions.—Tom Tyson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carnivore Posted March 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 I figured the black ones were for stage/PA use.Yes I found the post from Klaus where he included a photo. It actually looks really sharp in black and could even fit into a modern theater room quite nicely:http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/index.php?showtopic=2201&p=63384Great explanation, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genek Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 a "soft" color is one that is not totally saturated. For black, that would be a charcoal tone, which is what matte black usually is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlspeak Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 There's a section around the woofer areas normally covered by small grilles on the AR-90's I'm working on that looks like the descriptions I've read above. It looks to me like black paint on veneer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KlausDK Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 Here is a picture of my AR-LST in soft black, in a more suitable size for viewingBRgds Klaus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ra.ra Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 IMHO, with fresh linen grilles, any of these classic AR's look really terrific in black. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 I have a very nice pair of factoryblack LST's for sale!You can find the ad at Marktplaats in the Netherlands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xmas111 Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 I have a very nice pair of factoryblack LST's for sale!You can find the ad at Marktplaats in the Netherlands.You wouldn't be coming to Boston anytime soon, would you???????..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 I'm afraid not! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 But i will ship them to the US! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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