Re-tolexing my Fender 2X12....Any advice?

[saltydogg]

Hey all,

Well, today I picked up a Fender Bandmaster 2x12 (1970ish) silverface style with the drip edge trim off of CL.

The cabinet is in pretty good shape as it is but has a few seams coming apart and a few rips/holes in the grille cloth.

I've never re-tolexed an amp before, but I'm confident I can accomplish this feat with a little help from my friends.

My first question is removing the existing tolex. Will a heat gun and putty knife be sufficient to get the tolex off? What is the best method?

Is there any detailed information available on-line to reference?

Here's a few pic's of the cab:






Can anyone identify these speakers? While was not expecting to get any worthwhile tones out of these speakers I have been pleasantly surprised so far. Chimey......yet they have some depth.

Thanks everybody!

[FuzzyAce]

Hey, cool cab. I think those are Utah brand speakers? Could be wrong though?

Sure you want to replace the tolex? It doesn't look bad...

But if you must...

Here's a decent tutorial on tolex removal and application. I'm sure there are plenty others, but this one was helpful to me.

http://jam4jmessageboard.websitetool...ost?id=2378719

[saltydogg]

Thanks for the informative link.

The tolex is in decent shape but I'd like to venture into a re-tolexing project and thought that this cab (despite it being relatively large) would be a good place to start. It's completely square with no angles and should be relatively easy if I take my time. I suspect my 4 year old daughter would like to help me as well.....I intend on using Fender black tolex and the Fender 'brown/beige' grille cloth and re-installing the Fender logo.

Thanks again for the info!

[straightblues]

My best advice is to buy the right glue. I bought the wrong glue and it never set up right and was a complete mess. Ask around here to find out what the right glue is.

[FuzzyAce]

Originally Posted by saltydogg

Thanks for the informative link.

The tolex is in decent shape but I'd like to venture into a re-tolexing project and thought that this cab (despite it being relatively large) would be a good place to start. It's completely square with no angles and should be relatively easy if I take my time. I suspect my 4 year old daughter would like to help me as well.....I intend on using Fender black tolex and the Fender 'brown/beige' grille cloth and re-installing the Fender logo.

Thanks again for the info!

No problem.

In that link the guy used hardwood floor adhesive, which will work but it sets up a lot slower. I've used it many times for floor installations and it can get messy and is hard to cleanup when dried.

I use contact cement for cabs, it sets up quick (which I prefer) but can be removed easier than wood glues once dried. You can roll it on with a sponge roller, and use a brush for the rest.

There are other options for sure that someone here can recommend, but the contact cement works great for me.

Have fun and good luck!

[davemccarthy707]

Those are CTS ceramic speakers.

[rmconner80]

I retolexed / regrilled my tremolux 2x10 cabinet. It is time consuming, but satisfying work. The Fender cabs are a cinch because the corner covers mask any imperfections, in really the only place imperfections can occur. The key for to cutting the new tolex is to remove the existing material each in one piece and use it as a pattern or template to cut the new material. Works like a charm. Also, you will want to really sand the wood smooth (i.e. removing all old material / glue) and fill any holes / dents with putty and sand those smooth.

Also, I recommend the mojo tolex glue. Water based, forgiving to work with, and has a great hold.

[Fishtale]

+1 They are CTS Ceramics

[saltydogg]

Originally Posted by davemccarthy707

Those are CTS ceramic speakers.

Are these speakers original to the cab? They look the same- but different?

[davemccarthy707]

Originally Posted by saltydogg

Are these speakers original to the cab? They look the same- but different?

I doubt they are original (however I may be wrong Fender did weird stuff).

I personally would not re-tolex that cab. I would clean it up and use it as-is. Has tons of mojo.

[saltydogg]

I understand that re-tolexing this very cool cab is regarded as taboo but, my thought was that, since the cab itself has little resale value (BTW- I paid $200 for the loaded cab- as is) I figured that this would be a good cab to try a re-tolexing job (my handyman carpentry-type skills are second to none....hehe).

The tolex is pretty banged up- I only have a couple pictures posted that are 'general photo's' and don't show all the tolex issues. And, unless for some unforeseen reason, I can't see me selling this cab....ever. So I might as well give it a facelift. I also think a Marshall amp (black and gold of course) would look killer sitting on top of the black and beige bandmaster. IMO.

This is also the 1st "oversized" 2x12 I've ever owned and I think it's incredible, in that, it sounds so much bigger than the other 2x12's that I've had and I love the fact that it's a vertical cab. The cab measures 39"x 29"x 11" and I originally thought "what a ridiculously big cabinet for 2 speakers"...........until I started playing through it! Big difference.

[saltydogg]

Hey guys,

Well, I decided to take the advice of some of you and NOT redo the tolex and grillecloth on my Bandmaster cab. Realizing that it was actually in 'decent' condition, I thought better of it.

However, I found another Bandmaster 2x12 cab for sale on CL. I went out to look at it and it was in BAD shape- much worse than the 1st cab. In other words, it was perfect for a makeover.

There was very little tolex remaining on the original cab- which made it easier to remove...original handles, grillecloth, dripedge, baffle and Fender logo. I dry fitted the dripedge on the new grillecloth but, decided I liked the look without the drip better.

Removing the 2,400 original staples in the baffle holding the grillecloth made me dizzy- my fingertips are still in the healing process.

I decided to re-install the handles and baffle. 5 of the 8 chrome corner covers were missing, so I decided to replace all of them for aesthetics. The Fender logo was re-installed in it's original location.

Anyway, here are some "before and after" pic's of my first speaker cab makeover.

[davemccarthy707]

Sweet! Hope you kept the dripedge, that stuff is Impossible to get!

[FuzzyAce]

Looks great!

Now, its ready for 30 more years of rock and roll!

[Fishtale]

Awsome Cab!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am looking forward to getting the old grill. I will put it to good use.

Thanks!!!