puri
5 posts
Jan 02, 2013
6:41 PM
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I'm in the process of making a cabinet right now, it's going to be the 4th one that I've built and the first 3 was absolutely fine and looked pretty good. Anyway, during the process of making this one I was a bit rush and overconfidence so I made a couple of mistakes which were fixable and the amp still in good shape but I'm gonna have to cover it up rather than leave it bare like the first three. I'm asian so buying a proper Tolex or Tweed over here is not the choice because ther're either too expensive or I couldn't find them at all and buying those just a few yards online wouldn't worth it so I went google for a substitute for Tolex and the comments that I've found online just driving me crazy - those guys are nuts!
I've read lots of people talking about Tolex is not just vinyl but they thicker, more durable, easier to work with and affect the sound of the amp somehow in a good way and you're not getting that from vinyl that you buy from fabric store..
Has anybody ever done this - using fabric store vinyl to cover the amp? Did you find it difficult to work with?
Also does anybody own the amp(s) that covered with something else beside Tolex and Tweed - do you have any pros/cons compare to Tolex/Tweed to share?
I'm pretty sure (looking from picture) that Meteor amps are covered by either natural fabric or vinyl, can any Meteor owner confirm this? If yes, does it has any downside to it or it work just fine?
I know that was quite a lot of questions, just answer anyone you like : ) Thanks guys!
Puri
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fred_gomez
25 posts
Jan 02, 2013
6:46 PM
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i was thinkin of coverin my cabinet with some old almost gray black jeans and spray glue. then just poly over it. i was thinkin some kinda tan colored jeans would look nice too with a brown handle.
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HawkeyeKane
1339 posts
Jan 02, 2013
6:47 PM
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Corduroy might also work.
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Hawkeye Kane
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puri
6 posts
Jan 02, 2013
6:57 PM
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Hmm, jeans, corduroy, I take it that you guys don't mind about not using Tweed or Tolex right?
@Hawkeye, corduroy will look awesome with brown leather handle but imagine after a couple of years when the corners start to go it'll look like an old dog skin! Although that might give it a great bluesy feeling ;)
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JD Hoskins
389 posts
Jan 02, 2013
7:07 PM
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I've worked with custom commercial upholsterers thoughout my 45 year career as a cabinet/furniture maker. I've covered lots of cabinets with many different remnants. Some were durable, some were not, some easier to work with than others.
BTW Tweed was originally just a typical luggage linen of the day and tolex was just a heavy duty marine upolstery fabric, I don't believe either of these were intentionally made with tonal qualities.
Last Edited by on Jan 02, 2013 7:21 PM
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puri
7 posts
Jan 02, 2013
7:26 PM
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Hey, thanks JD, that was quite a relief so now I can go with whatever I like. Do you have any tips on picking vinyl that's easy to work with/apply to the cabinet? I've read that the back side could be different some take adhesives well and some don't and also some might shrink and curl up, right now I'm leaning towards pu/pvc fake leather will this be ok? Thanks.
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JD Hoskins
390 posts
Jan 02, 2013
8:20 PM
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I've had the best results with fabric backed slightly stretchy vinyls. Stretching it just slightly as you wrap curves and corners will keep thing tight and tidy. I have been using non solvent based contact cement mostly. Some old school guys use hide glue, I would only do that with tweed or some similar fabrics. There is a 3M product here in the US that will hold immediately but allow you to peel it up and re-stick it, then sets up permantly after an hour or so. It's called 3M Repositionable 75 Spray Adhesive, if you can get a similar product it will be more forgiving. Where contact cement will stick one time only so you need to be right. There are some tricks to doing the corners, I'm sure there are youtube vids showing how. I know of a step by step pictorial I'll look for it and post it if I can turn it up. It's like many things, you will learn a few things the first time that will make the second time go much smoother.
Here's a link to the thread that gives the link to the pictorial and the password to view it. Good luck with your project.
http://www.tedsforums.com/forum/index.php?topic=2184.msg20199#msg20199
After looking at the pictorial I wanted to add that I don't do the corners that way. I cut the pieces so that the two sides overlap when you fold around the corner. Then take a razor knife making one cut through both pieces from the outside point in toward the grille area so that you are cutting both at the same time. This will give you a perfect joint every time. If you are using protective corners of course it won't make any difference the joints will be covered.
Last Edited by on Jan 02, 2013 8:53 PM
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puri
8 posts
Jan 02, 2013
9:42 PM
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Thanks again JD, I also have a step by step tutorials for both tweed and tolex saved somewhere in my computer, now I have to go find it.
I'm sure your tip for choosing and applying vinyl's gonna be useful and the tip for the corner is just brilliant, I've been thinking about how to make it neat but never thought about that. Thanks.
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