January Birthdays 
I recently bought a 1965 Bandmaster as a project, mostly because I enjoy doing this type of work.
Below is how it looked when I got it - it had been re-done sometime in the late 70's I'm guessing in lacquer to look more like a Mesa Boogie of the period. All the hardware was painted black, but it was in excellent mechanical condition, and even had the original speakers.
I put new electrolytic caps in it, re-tubed it, and added a 3 prong cord. All 3 transformers were the originals, and worked just fine.
Next came the exterior - since it was already stripped of tolex, it was easy to get it ready for new tolex, just a bit of sanding to give the glue something to stick to.
I don't know if I install tolex the right way, but I'll show pictures of how I do it. It looks right in the end, and seems to work for me. I hope the following pictures help someone else learn how to do it.
On the last few I've done, I've used Weldwood water based contact cement - low odor, and I actually like the way it sticks better than the regular stinky stuff.
I like to do the speaker cabinet first, because the corners are covered with a metal corner, and it gives me a chance to make sure my technique for the corners is good.
I cut the tolex pieces for the sides - I measure the side, and add 7-8" for overlap, and trimming. So, my 22"x12" cabinet side gets a 29"x19" piece. I also cut the pieces for the top and bottom, and make sure to cut the length exact, as I won't trim it, and it has to be exact to fit right. I do cut the depth 7" long. So, on the 32"x12" top piece, I cut a piece that is 30.25" x 19"
Then I spread glue on all 4 pieces of tolex, and the two cabinet sides. The glue on the cabinet sets up much quicker than the glue on the tolex. Then, while the glue dries, I wait, and wait and wait.......
About 45 minutes later, when the glue has set up to a clear look, and feels dry, I'm ready to install some tolex!
First, I put the tolex on the side, and center it it up so I have enough overlap on the sides. Smooth it out from the center, working outward. it will pull off if you need to re-position it.
Next comes the corners, and is really the only part that is tricky. This took me a while to figure out, but with the help of some others here, I got it. Pictures work better than words here.....
I use a pair of really good scissors to cut the flap off, and a plastic bike tire removal tool to push the tolex corner down.
Then, trimming, and finish wrapping the tolex around the edges, and trim the excess off.
That's it for the sides. The top and bottom are much easier. I was running out of daylight the day i did this one, so I don't have pics. Spread glue on the top and side, and wait for it to dry, then install the top tolex. Since it's cut to the exact dimension, just position it front to back, wrap it around and trim.
The head cabinet is done the same way.
Tolexing the back panels are pretty straight forward. I had to make a back panel for the amp head. It turned out pretty well.
I won't bother going into grill cloth, mostly because I'm not 100% happy with my abilities. So, just staple that stuff on, and reassemble the amp.
I used a mix of new, and old hardware on this one. New handles and corners, the rest I stripped the black paint from.
And, here's how it turned out. It sounds great, and I really like the look of the smooth blond/gold grill transitional Blackface amps.
And, just for fun, a couple of period guitars along with it.
"You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"
Last edited: Oct 19, 2011 11:43:21
