How To DIY Recover / Tolex a Guitar Amp Cabinet Complete Guide w/ Peavey 5150

[ImageRiver]

Great job on the whole thing but that seam was perfect!

[killersoundz]

@ImageRiver Thank you, after carpeting/tolexing nearly 1000 cabinets it gets easy lol

[ImageRiver]

@killersoundz Yes, yes that would do it. :)

I'm going to try doing a Champion 600 but there are no corners and the seams will need to be perfect (which will be a challenge for me). Thx again.

[bluberization]

Awesome thanks a lot, are they still selling the 5150? If yes, please specify where. Thanks again

[TheXXXDB]

GREAT JOB.....i learned alot!!!!

[remurdereht]

nice job! I've heard its bad to touch tubes with your bare hands because the oil on your skin can actually make them fry and explode, but you touch them with just your hands. Is it not true?

[killersoundz]

@remurdereht Not true. You're thinking about halogen light bulbs, tubes on the other hand are not vulnerable to this.

[remurdereht]

@killersoundz thanks for clarifying.

[ibanezcollector]

awesome job would love to see you do one where the corners arent covered by the covers

[timtheflyguy]

Love the white with black hardware! Awesome job Bro! Would like to do my boogie head white with tan wicker!

[JaredDevour]

This is an awesome video. I must say at certain points I was thinking "What the hell this dude has no idea what he's doing" but the thing turned out AWESOME. Great work, keep making videos!

[manthorne]

Dude. You rock! Killer job, and thanks for the video. This gives me some confidence as I'm getting ready to recover an Epiphone Valve Jr. cab. Keep up the killer work!

[MartyCannava]

Looks like an EVH III ... So fucking better than black!!

[WarrPigg1969]

Good vid.... thanks

[tom113324]

how many yards of tolex would you recommend i need for a 4x12 cab?

[jbocheltree]

Well done bro! It was very helpful. Thx!

I especially love the disco music in the back ground. Nice!

[motorgruve]

nice job man, dont listen to those jealous fags who can't even use a screw driver,way to go man! cheers

[JustSomeRandomNewb]

Is there any reason amps are tolexed (don't know how else to call it) except for looks? Cause I was thinking of taking my 6505 and removing the wood and tolex and all, and simply make a nice rosewood or oak case which I will varnish and polish so you get a clean wood look. Do you think it will look cool, and whether or not its a good idea.

[killersoundz]

@JustSomeRandomNewb Well the 'tolex' is mostly for aesthetics. If the cabinet is made out of plywood there isn't any reason you can't just strip it down and stain it. However be aware that a large majority of enclosures are made out of MDF, Particle board or OSB today, which are not able to get finished very nicely bare. Even though these older 5150's were 'decent' 7-ply plywood, I think that the 6505's are MDF cases. Which would need to be sealed and painted.

[JustSomeRandomNewb]

@killersoundz

I was going to use completely new planks, no plywood or anything, just real, massive, unedited wood, make a case, sand it a little, and give it a nice layer of varnish so it shines, no more, so it would have the color of a rosewood fretboard

[killersoundz]

@JustSomeRandomNewb Yeah that's cool. Watch your joinery on solid wood though. For amp head cases it should be fine but I actually don't recommend solid wood for speaker cabinets. I get people asking me to build them a solid wood speaker cab sometimes and I tell them I just won't do it....you have expansion/contraction issues to deal with solid wood and the way I construct them the speaker cab is one entire glued up shell, solid wood is no good for that

[JustSomeRandomNewb]

@killersoundz Ok, thanks =d

[jamesrdoe]

@JustSomeRandomNewb Tolex is robust. It doesn't scratch easily, and keeps water off the ply/mdf. I doubt it is done for looks. Oak or Rosewood would be nice but for a gigging musician it means more care.

[JustSomeRandomNewb]

@jamesrdoe Ah ok, thanks! I don't gig a lot, so it isn't a real issue for me, but i can see how it would form problems for a guitarist who does gig a lot

[heritage80elite]

Nice job man. Looks great!



[rickytrix]

Awesome

[robbwylde2002]

That amp looks WAY better; you did a great job.

[wbegg1]

Heat gun dude .... Heat Gun.

[killersoundz]

@wbegg1 Heat gun for what? I highly DO NOT recommend a heat gun for anything to do with tolex.

[ronantonacci]

@wbegg1 don't touch the tubes for they will break.use gloves

[killersoundz]

@ronantonacci Still, I don't know where you guys learn/hear this stuff, tubes are again physically pretty durable, very thick glass, it's not a halogen light bulb where if you touch it, it burns out quicker.

[rohanbyrt]

@ronantonacci Maybe, if you're a ham-fisted idiot.

[grannysrevenge]

good video, thinking about retolexing a Hiwatt 50 head that I'm getting (retolex to the Green Amp tolex, ow yeah) just found out that Hiwatt rolls classy style and don't cover up their corners. Do you have a video of such a tolex job where the corners won't be covered up by metal/plastic?

[killersoundz]

@grannysrevenge I might make one in the future, but simply it makes the job considerably more difficult. The key point is to use contact cement which will have a better bond than the spray adhesive I used here. That way you get your cuts as good as possible and you can work it into place to make a nearly invisible seam from there and it will hold, while this spray adhesive will let it move and screw it up. It's definitely not easy to get perfect though. I wish you a lot of luck with it!

[tompwah]

I have a '68 Gretsch Rogue I'm looking to put new Tolex and Grill Cloth on. Length :19" Height: 42" Depth 11". I've seen on Mojo Musical Supply that they give 54" W of tolex. How many do you think I need?

[killersoundz]

@tompwah Unfortunately You'll need 4 yards to go all the way around the cab, and you'll have a TON left over. A way to do it with like 2 years of tolex you could just cut more seams around the cabinet, I personally wouldn't do that but if you have to...

[tompwah]

@killersoundz That's how much I was thinking when I was shopping on Mojo Music Supply. Thanks a lot man! Yeah, I'd rather pay a bit more for the tolex and have a easier time with it. Thanks again.

[tothetop777]

you did a good job, even i want to try. have you thought of doing this as a business?

[killersoundz]

@tothetop777 Thanks, I already kind of do, this was for a customer...

[bigeddie38]

That's awesome. I'm just gonna cover everything with tolex now!!!!

[XicedreamsX]

AMAZING VIDEO!!! Just what i needed! Gonna re-do my Bugera 6262 in white =D x

[djgeeclef]

great work, I am definitely inspired to custom cover some of my cases now!

[iluvs2sk8]

definitely worth 20 minutes of my time

[poly800rock]

awesome video, thanks

[mad4mtl]

Dude - This is one of the best DIY videos I have ever seen - regardless of the topic! Excellent job!

[killersoundz]

@mad4mtl Thank you I appreciate that! I would make more about building speakers but I'm afraid I would start giving away all the knowledge and experience I've spent so long teaching myself!

[KinetiK138]

@mad4mtl I concur. I'm now subscribed purely on the strength of this video, simply fantastic!

And the Kerry King sucks video is hilarious too.

[Blacksadback]

thanks for the vid, was REALLY helpful ! =D

[smicas]

Amazing!

This is priceless for people who wants to learn how to tolex (like me).

I'm starting my first head cab build soon and this will surely be helpful.

Thanks!

[killersoundz]

@smicas You're welcome!



[tommyw68]

Very nicely done! I was way to lazy to film my video and used stills instead. You did a great job!

[killersoundz]

@tommyw68 Thank you!!

[zevonion]

thanks for sharing your gift and skill, will try to do a Crate 100w stealth head & cab in white tolex

[killersoundz]

@zevonion Good luck with it, let me know how it goes!

[wombat9897]

great tutorial. finished product looks pro.

this video has given me enough confidence to try this project myself, thanks!

[killersoundz]

@wombat9897 Thanks!

[killersoundz]

@wombat9897 Glad it helped you!