Non-Traditional Cab/Grill-Cloth Colors

[Thisismyname]

My friend and I are building a bigger cab for my recent Blues Jr. rebuild. Since we're using baltic birch plywood, we're going to cover it with tolex.

However, I don't want the colors to be any traditional Fender colors. I don't want a black amp either.

I'm thinking softer colors, reds, blues, tans, white, wheat etc. Nothing too bright or flashy, but nothing dull and boring. I would also consider something bright and flashy if it was exceptionally good.

Anybody have pics or recommendations that fit the these specs?

[acheld]

Oh boy, the sky's the limit with colors!  And it's really a matter of your taste . . .

I have recently covered some amps with faux suede, and really liked the result.   Alcantara is the nicest, but expensive.  Other faux suedes are less beefy, but similar in cost to Tolex.  The look is very cool.

I used 3M Super 77 adhesive for this, worked well. 

I've been afraid to try real leather or suede . . . 

Cast your net wide for coverings -- automotive and marine upholstery should work well for amps.

[Lectroid]

Also try  antique radio restoration sites; they have a lot of vintage cloth styles.

[RadioComm]

Another option are fabric stores. The bigger the better. In the US, there's a corporate chain called Jo Ann Fabrics that has a huge selection of fabrics including marine upholstery. And if you really want to get non-traditional, they have very thick and garish drapery cloth Louis XIV style. You know for that 'steam-punk' look 

In my mid teens (back in the seventies), I 're-upholstered' a small Supro with my good friend and his Sister. We had bought some dark turquoise velvet fabric, and since she was a sewing/sewing machine wiz, she measured the amp, and sewed the seams. So all my friend and I had to do was strip off that junky gray stuff that was on it (it was falling off on its own anyway), apply some contact glue, and slip that amp into its velvet glove. It looked great! She's such a talented person.

ttfn

[Electron Tornado]

Another option are fabric stores. The bigger the better. In the US, there's a corporate chain called Jo Ann Fabrics that has a huge selection of fabrics including marine upholstery. And if you really want to get non-traditional, they have very thick and garish drapery cloth Louis XIV style. You know for that 'steam-punk' look 

ttfn

+1 for fabric stores. If you're looking for grill cloth, try burlap. It's way less expensive than grill cloth from an amp or radio parts store. Depending on the cab size, you might even be able to use an old burlap potato sack if you can fit the advertising.

[owen]

I refuse to build an amp with black tolex for myself. using colors is great, and I've built some VERY brightly colored amps that I think look good, but if taken any further might be garish. sky blue, pink, surf green, yellow, white, etc... the key is holistic design including tolex, grill, and any faceplate/logos. a slightly garish design can even be completely made with the right logo plate. I've also used fabric I've custom designed and printed, then applied like tweed.

I typically go for the most acoustically transparent fabrics I can find from actual acoustic fabric. I've also used linen blends to get the sleek old early 60s bookshelf speaker look. cane from furniture supplies is also very nice.

I can't ever find tolex in the colors I want, so I've leaned on NOS auto upholstery for my latest creation.