Presto Change-o

[SILVERGUN]

I wanted a 2x12 cab to go with my Bossman 100 head, and thought it would be cool if it matched.
Found this loaded Ampeg cab in the corner at a music store and picked it up for cheap. It had 2 old 70's "squareback" Eminence speakers in it and worked so I googled the dimensions of the Bassman 100 head and had the salesman measure the cab and sure enough it was a match made in South Jersey.
It is closed back but has a round port in the front, centered between the 2 speakers. I think it sounds OK, and is a pretty heavy duty cab in general.
 
Got some 'aged' Silverface cloth from Mojo and took a run at it. The original grill cloth backer board was a bit of a mess so I wound up cutting a new one out of 1/2" plywood.
I like the way it turned out and figured someone might enjoy this. It is part of my current setup and I replaced one of those squarebacks with a Celestion G12-65 and that's how it sits.
 

[SILVERGUN]

One more shot...

[sluckey]

Looks good.

[Willabe]

Very nice.   

[HommeMarrBuckley]

They match up really well. Nice work!
What you do with the Ampeg logo?  The "A" looks like it might have a hole/dent in the middle.  I always dug their logo.

[SILVERGUN]

Well, thank you gentlemen!
I have great respect for anyone who can consistently keep those lines straight...quite a challenge.
 
I still have that original logo on the old grill.
Here's a close up, it's scratched on the A.

[HommeMarrBuckley]

Maybe you could add this to the faceplate?
Died at 41???  man, that kind of bummed me out.

Nice shot of the logo.

[jojokeo]

I have great respect for anyone who can consistently keep those lines straight...quite a challenge.

Those lines being straight and fabric taught IS tough indeed. Super clean work SG.

[SILVERGUN]

Maybe you could add this to the faceplate?
Died at 41???  man, that kind of bummed me out.

I honestly didn't know about him until you pointed him out and I googled him...heart attack at 41, not good.
The name of the amp was a joke with my co-workers. After I Dumble'ized the amp I thought it needed a new name, and changing the A to an O was a simple fix...it stuck.

Those lines being straight and fabric taught IS tough indeed. Super clean work SG.

Thanks jojo..it's nice to have something come out right every once in a while.
Working that grill cloth on is like wrestling a pig and there was a point where I thought I was gonna lose.
Took a time out, put some cardboard on the floor, got on top of it, and took care of business.

[HommeMarrBuckley]

There's a lot of videos in regards to applying grill cloth.  Ed had linked to me a group of videos on youtube that were lengthy but thorough that really helped me.  I just spent the past half hour to find the link to only find out that the vids are private now.  Regardless, you're finished and came out with a really good result.

[zendragon63]

"I have great respect for anyone who can consistently keep those lines straight...quite a challenge."

Indeed; +1 on the grill work. After doing about a dozen of these, I can appreciate how quickly it go from first class intentions....only to end up with third world results. Nice work.  Regards

dennis

[SILVERGUN]

Thanks Dennis...
 
I realized that I should post more of 'the little stuff' cause some guys find it all entertaining.
And this place is like one big therapy session...it's good to know others struggle with the same things we do.
 
 
 

[Ed_Chambley]

Looks Great.  It is difficult to get it straight and still tight.  Also, that is a very nice cabinet.  I used to use ampeg cabs and like the old ones like you found.


There is definitely a trick to doing grill cloth.  Very similar to stretching canvas and using the pry tool.  What I have always done is concentrate on getting it straight and semi tight.  After I have it straight and all stapled I use a heat gun and start in the middle using s circular motion until it is as tight as I want.


If you start at an edge it will make it look wavey.

[SILVERGUN]

Looks Great.  It is difficult to get it straight and still tight.  Also, that is a very nice cabinet.  I used to use ampeg cabs and like the old ones like you found.


There is definitely a trick to doing grill cloth.  Very similar to stretching canvas and using the pry tool.  What I have always done is concentrate on getting it straight and semi tight.  After I have it straight and all stapled I use a heat gun and start in the middle using s circular motion until it is as tight as I want.


If you start at an edge it will make it look wavey.

Thank you sir...
I had heard of the heat gun method but was too afraid to try it.

That cab is from the VT-22 family. I think the port lends to the pleasant sound. Maybe a little fuller than a full closed back.

[Ed_Chambley]

Looks Great.  It is difficult to get it straight and still tight.  Also, that is a very nice cabinet.  I used to use ampeg cabs and like the old ones like you found.


There is definitely a trick to doing grill cloth.  Very similar to stretching canvas and using the pry tool.  What I have always done is concentrate on getting it straight and semi tight.  After I have it straight and all stapled I use a heat gun and start in the middle using s circular motion until it is as tight as I want.


If you start at an edge it will make it look wavey.

Thank you sir...
I had heard of the heat gun method but was too afraid to try it.

That cab is from the VT-22 family. I think the port lends to the pleasant sound. Maybe a little fuller than a full closed back.

You can tune that port as well.  The old amp stuff is great, but when St Louis cab began making them they actually made some with the Ampeg name on the out of 1/2 inch MDF and the back panel was 3/8 inch.


When you picked up on them they felt heavy, but after a short while they would fall apart.  Hurt the value of Ampeg cabs, but helped us that like them.

[super&plexi]

The 2x12" was my 2nd,   the tweed Gibson 1x12" & 1x10" was my 1st,   Carvin V16 1x12" my 3rd,  and finally 1x12" super 60 cab w/Bluezmiester. ..they're tighter & straighter in order of accent (is that the correct word) ...the more I do em da better dey git.

I add for us frugal types, & the just plain ol broke, of which catagories Im equally at ease raising my hand in attendance, all the 'grille cloth' is actually indoor/outdoor patio furniture covering bought around the corner at a furniture / bbq outdoor patio place...for about the cost of 1 basketweave 4x12" fabric I did all these, in different patterns, w/enough to do a couple more 4x12" or at least 1 2x12",   & 1 4x12"   And I compared it to salt n pepper Marshall cloth, & it is extremely similar...rolls off highs pleasingly...def not transparent, but remarkably similar in comparison to silverface 'cloth' feel...thats what gave me the idea...that 'plasticky' nylon like feel/appearance of silver face cloth...$40 clams for all + big remnants...  and I love that I don't see it on other people's cabinets. I love those vintage Marshall cloths but they're just out of my range

[super&plexi]

Oops here's the Gibson

[super&plexi]

And if we're talking damn near perfection that would pass military muster and hit you with the quarter that you threw at it then look no further than Leo and Company... and of course yours also SG ... I couldn't find a butt kissing emoticon