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Post subject: Re tolexing silver face twin
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 12:19 pm
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Hello
Are there any members that can give me some advice, on how to properly re tolex the cabinet on my Twin. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
John


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Post subject: Re: Re tolexing silver face twin
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 4:13 pm
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How bad is the original? Ripped to shreds? Because unless you do a quality job (and this sounds like it maybe your first attempt)--- I'd let "sleeping dogs lie." The value to the unit could drop with a poor re-tolex job. Kinda like a poor re-upholstery job on a fine piece of furniture. Just my 2¢ worth.


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Post subject: Re: Re tolexing silver face twin
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 6:01 pm
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Hello
Thanks for the advice, yea the thing is shredded. I might look around and see if I can get someone to do it for me.

John


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Post subject: Re: Re tolexing silver face twin
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 9:18 pm
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Arjay here knows how to cover a cab with tolex,maybe he will have some tips,but you want it to look good when you're done like BMW said...you know if you think you have the skill to try it...I've never done it and don't know if I could without being shown by a good craftsman.


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Post subject: Re: Re tolexing silver face twin
Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 1:15 am
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I reckon I've Tolexed and re-Tolexed a few amps in my time.

:mrgreen:

I'll be Tolexing my latest new cab project sometime next month......

Image

It's not rocket surgery but it does require planning, patience, the correct materials, some specific hand tools, and experience working with fabrics and contact adhesives.

Here's a raggyass '65 Showman enclosure that I restored a couple of summers ago......

Image

Image

You'll need to strip your entire cabinet, including the upper and lower rear panels, then gently sand off all of the old cement.

If you're careful, each of the removed pieces will come off intact. These can be flattened and used as templates to cut your new pieces.

Buy the best grade of Tolex you can find -- I get mine from an Ebay vendor named "busmc". His is the thick Fender-spec stuff, with the correct backing substrate to help it adhere to the contours of the cab once the cement has been applied. Cut your pieces out, using a utility knife and a 24" steel framing square and make those cuts as straight and as neat as possible.

I use the red-label DAP contact cement and follow the product recommendations printed on the can. For a combo cab, you'll need about one quart. Buy several disposable 1-inch brushes to apply the stuff, plus some mild lacquer reducer or mineral spirits to clean excess adhesive off of the exterior of the Tolex.

I use a couple of wall-paper rollers to smooth out the Tolex once it's been glued down -- a 4-inch sponge rubber type for the large flat areas and the radiused edges, and a 1-inch hard plastic roller to fit into the recesses of the rear cleats and the front of the cab where the material wraps to where the speaker baffle is located.

The side panels are done first, then the top and bottom. There will be a 3/8" overlap where the sides pieces intersect with the top and bottom. You'll need your utility knife to make easing cuts in the Tolex at all four upper corners so it lays down properly when glued. Once the adhesive has cured, use an awl to punch out the holes for the screws that hold the steel corner pieces to the cab. Cut an "x" across each of these holes so the Tolex can pull itself into the counter-sunk holes when you re-install the corners. Use the awl as well to locate the holes for the tilt-back legs and their stops and punch them through too.

You should end up with something that resembles this......

Image

Image

Best of luck, HTH

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Re tolexing silver face twin
Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 5:18 am
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Arjay, that is a great explanation & re-tolex work on that "brownface." I've done headliners and interiors of old cars (like BMW 2002Ti's :lol: ), I know how hard it is to do it correctly. And how the right tools make ALL the difference. How many old Champ cabs did you try before perfecting the technique?

Just curious.


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Post subject: Re: Re tolexing silver face twin
Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 6:10 am
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I have said it before and I'll say it again..... if Retroverbial tolexed the phone book, I'd buy it.

My SF Vibro Champ was recovered by someone prior to my ownership. Its a solid job, but they missed the little details that make it perfect. Particularly the seams at side panel application. If you want to be correct, make sure you pay attention to those type of small details.


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Post subject: Re: Re tolexing silver face twin
Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 6:15 am
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Hello
Many thanks for the indepth explanation. I really appreciated the pictures, and info.If possible can you keep me informed when you start re tolexing any new projects.

John


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Post subject: Re: Re tolexing silver face twin
Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 9:13 am
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John -- if you wish, you can PM me via this board and I'll have some additional info for you.

I currently own two Twin Reverbs (one silverface, one re-issue) and I've restored several of these amps over the years.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Re tolexing silver face twin
Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 9:50 am
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Arjay,

Very nice job. Sorry, but I couldn't help noticing where that photos of the "brownfacing" was taken. I presume the "better-half" was out shopping? If there isn't a more sacred female place than the kitchen... :lol:


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Post subject: Re: Re tolexing silver face twin
Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 10:26 am
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Shopping or at work, I forget which.

The kitchen counter has doubled as a quasi "work bench" for many decades, whether for working on my amp projects or rebuilding the first sergeant's Kirby vacuum.

:mrgreen:

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Re tolexing silver face twin
Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 12:13 pm
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I should get my ancient KMD re-tolexed.

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Post subject: Re: Re tolexing silver face twin
Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 4:23 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Shopping or at work, I forget which.

The kitchen counter has doubled as a quasi "work bench" for many decades, whether for working on my amp projects or rebuilding the first sergeant's Kirby vacuum.

:mrgreen:

Arjay

See,there is a reward for working on something as mundane as a vacuum cleaner....workbench free from bitchin'in the kitchin. :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: Re tolexing silver face twin
Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 5:22 pm
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Rebelsoul wrote:
Retroverbial wrote:
See,there is a reward for working on something as mundane as a vacuum cleaner....workbench free from bitchin'in the kitchin.


I extract my "pound of flesh" at our mutual convenience.......Mrs. Retroverbial is quite adept in the boudoir.

:mrgreen:

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Re tolexing silver face twin
Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 8:29 pm
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I always like it when a friend stays young at heart,and that's a great way to do it!
:D


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