Of course, my loudspeakers are completely vegan, and apart from Ollis dog Tessa, no animals will ever enter my workshop! Once again we're talking about the excellent MAKAKO loudspeaker, which in turn is a replica of John Devore's ever-popular UrangUtan. Monkey skin means the metaphorical name for the veneer that gives the speaker its unique appearance.
A customer from outside the German speaking area asked me to look for something special for his MAKAKOS. Unfortunately the veneer on the original O96 is not always as exciting as in the brochure. This was my chance, so I set off on a long journey to the north of Germany to look for unique veneers.
Johann Sebastian Bach once made the long journey north on foot to learn the art of the contrapunctus from Dieterich Buxtehude himself. As a fellow Thuringian, but blessed with a car, I was able to see and experience the treasures of the world of trees in a huge warehouse near Hamburg.
Mathias from Designholz.com has a big stock of rare and crazy veneers. Just the thing for my customer.
Even 300 years after Bach's journey, personal contact is essential and I am grateful for the insight into Mathias' treasure chest.
Just as there are no mouse with cow-skin, because they would just be black or white animals, not every veneer will fit the baffle of a loudspeaker. The proportions have to be right for the wood structure to really come into its own. This left me with the following veneers, which I selected according to the customer's wishes.
These are three saraifo, which is once more vegan, and one white ebony or king's ebony. Another customer had told me about this particular wood and I desperately searched the internet for it. Of course, Mathias told me that he had some in his Designholz.com warehouse, but hadn't got around to putting it in the shop yet.
For about 400 euros I secured the package with the most ingenious grain pattern I have ever seen. You can only find it locally: Exotic skins for exotic animals!
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Johann Sebastian Bach's educational journey actually took him to Lübeck, and I've been there too. It was about further development of the MAKAKOS or O96. A few listening sessions have shown that you can get even more out of these excellent speakers.
What I was allowed to hear so far was impressive, so may the monkeys come down from the trees soon. The evolution of wide loudspeaker goes on!
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