Oiled walnut question

[Guest]

This may sound stupid, but exactly what is meant by the term "oiled walnut" cabinets as they pertain to AR and Advent cabinets. Also, did AR ever offer a cabinet finish that was glossier than what is usually seen today when coming across the classic models? If so, how rare are they today?

[ninohernes]

Oiled just refers to the fact that it was rubbed with oil rather than finished to a gloss. Yes AR did have a glossy finish, my AR-2's are glossy finish, very glossy.

[tysontom]

>This may sound stupid, but exactly what is meant by the term

>"oiled walnut" cabinets as they pertain to AR and Advent

>cabinets. Also, did AR ever offer a cabinet finish that was

>glossier than what is usually seen today when coming across

>the classic models? If so, how rare are they today?

The earliest AR-1 speakers were available in either unfinished pine ("utility") with Birch trim, or in clear-lacquered-wood finishes such as lacquered Mahogany and later, lacquered Walnut. A finished-Birch cabinet was also available, as was a blond Korina-finish cabinet. By the late 1950s, AR had introduced several finishes, including flat-cut, clear-lacquered African Mahogany, sliced, natural-color Birch, clear-lacquered American Walnut, oil-finished American Walnut, sliced, cathedral-figure Cherry, oil-finished Teak, and finally the venerable "utility" cabinet in unfinished, Ponderosa Pine with Birch trim. This latter cabinet was suitable for painting or other opaque finishes, although thousands were stained with poor results.

The oil finish you ask about is either the oiled-Walnut finish or oiled-Teak finish. These finishes were done originally with boiled linseed oil and wax and a lot of 600-grit hand-sanding; later AR used a Watco oil finish. The shiny finshes are the lacquered cabinets, and are more rare today, especially those in original or fine condition, or both.

--Tom Tyson