Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum
Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: Saransk on May 31, 2018, 02:29:56 pm
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For whatever reason, Gibson must have used the cheapest chrome plating on its guitar amplifier control panels
I recently came across a complete GA-30RVT chassis at a yard sale and it followed me home.
While the electronic work can be tedious on these amps, I would like, once and for all, figure out a way to redo the rusty control panel which looks like a Scwinn bike fender that has been in the garage too long.
I've tried before on these amps to use pin-striping tape, decals, thin painted lines, etc. and nothing really looked right.
Without going crazy and having a shop redo the chassis and markings, I was wondering if anyone has restored one of this generation Gibson amp. I had two ideas - one photograph and measure all of the markings and make a set of "decals" for them, strip the chrome and rust off the face, repaint with one of the "buffing" metalizer paints, seal the paint, add the decal markings, and seal the whole thing.
Or have a thin metal faceplate created to cover the pitted original chassis & markings. This would be my first choice but I have yet to find a small run shop that will do one in thin metal - Mojotone only does it in "plastic" which would be too thick and some of the other vendors are no longer doing this work (If only Gibsons were as common as Fenders)
So I am open to suggestions
Thanks
Mike
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Talk to some people at a trophy shop. They can put most any image on a thin metal plate.
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I've used automotive spray cans of lacquer for a base coat and a clear coat over it for all the years I've been building amps. It has worked well for me & I will continue that practice. Never had problems with chipping or wearing off. I probably apply 5 or 6 clear coats over the base coat.
I simulated a restored DanElectro rusty chassis using spray lacquer and waterslide decals years ago & pinstripes. It did not look exactly original but at first glance looked very similar. I was happy with how that turned out. It was an expensive and reasonable solution for my purposes.
With respect, Tubenit