Source for Tolex?

[Decko]

Hi All,

I was looking online for Tolex. Seems a bit pricey.

Anyone have a good source?

Regards,
Danny

[Ken Moon]

I guess it depends on what you're looking for, and what you consider pricey.

Main-line retailers of common tolex types are

http://www.guitar-parts.com/content/est ... g+Material

http://tubesandmore.com/

http://www.mojotone.com/amp-parts/Tolex ... 8Ta38Nc310

...and there are a few others, they all have similar prices.

If you want "plain black" tolex, speaker sites like mcmelectronics, partsexpress and usspeaker may have cheaper prices on generic stuff.

Radio sites like radiodaze and fairradio have old-style coverings for antique radios and such.

Beware the ebay suppliers - of course YMMV - but I got defective tolex from 2 different ebay sellers whose prices were unfortunately too good to be true.

[gearhead]

Another alternative with lots of options is Marine Vinyl. What they use to cover seats in open top boats:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0311625333

Usual disclaimer; I have no connection to this seller.

[malt]

Hi, bought some from this guy: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-FENDER-BLACK-TO ... 563cd5c4b8

[Phil_S]

Sometimes you can find sale prices on Tolex-like material at fabric shops like Jo-Ann Fabric. You might also find some decent scrap or even someone willing to sell some off a roll at a furniture or auto (seat repair) upholstery shop.

[dehughes]

Another alternative with lots of options is Marine Vinyl. What they use to cover seats in open top boats:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0311625333

Usual disclaimer; I have no connection to this seller.

I used this same type of stuff on my first amp (head/cabinet), and it IS cool, and IS durable, but it doesn't stick nearly as well as proper tolex. Jeff Swanson warned me about using it, but I liked the color and wasn't be discouraged. Should have listened to him....it is peeling off in places...nearly every non-joint (parts on the back and inside of the cabinets) has to be re-adhered to the cabinet with either super glue or gorilla glue.

My two cents...stick with conventional amp tolex, unless you're going to be using your amp on a boat.

As well, Phil...those GE 12AU7s are great. Thanks man.

[Phil_S]

Glad you like those tubes, Dehughes.

[PlinytheWelder]

Here's another alternative.
http://www.garysupholstery.com/products.html

[Decko]

Thanks Gents!

I will be checking out those links.

Any tips on how to make those corners seamless and flush?

Regards,
Danny

[Rich M]

Hi, bought some from this guy: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-FENDER-BLACK-TO ... 563cd5c4b8

Is that Zeppelin Music? I think i bought some from him a few years ago. Good to deal with.

[passfan]

Thanks Gents!

I will be checking out those links.

Any tips on how to make those corners seamless and flush?

Regards,
Danny

Use black . I just did a head in cream and no matter how fine a job I did in the corners it shows. The black is fine the cream is not. I guess I'll have to cap it. I'm not sure what you consider pricey , I paid 12.00 a yard for black and 14.00 for cream at AES. I'll wait for the thread you start when you see how much grillcloth is

[Gibsonman63]

"Any tips on how to make those corners seamless and flush? "

Make sure your prep work is good. Little imperfections will show through. Work slow. Use a heat gun on low setting to soften the tolex slightly. Not too much heat or it will smooth out the grain of the tolex. Do the bottom corners first to practice. Use new razor blades for easy and more precise cutting. The backing is white, so I use a sharpie to cover up anything that shows on an edge of a cut. I have been using rubber cement to apply it. The only issue is that if you don't put it on square and have to peel it back off, you need to clean the cabinet and tolex very thoroughly before reapplying or you will get little bumps underneath.

Play on dark stages for intoxicated people and use lots of strobe.

I have recovered three Fenders with good result. The first one took five hours, so plan on spending some time.

[Andy Le Blanc]

the stuff comes on these huge rolls, I found one once at an industrial liquidator.
I could get them to put it in the truck with a fork lift but had no way to get it out back home.

Who makes It?

[Ken Moon]

Yeah, a full roll is usually 50 yards by 54 inches wide.

That's why it makes sense to go through a retailer or distributor, unless you build a bunch of amps with the same color tolex.

A lot of the tolex on popular amps and sold online is made in Trenton NJ:

http://www.kayline.com/

http://www.kayline.com/KOVERIT.html

[Phil_S]

Any tips on how to make those corners seamless and flush?

Check youtube for video tutorials. Be persistent and eventually you'll find one that shows you what you need to know.