Cabinet Covering Tutorial - Guitar Amp Tolex - Sizing, Cutting, Gluing, Corners. DIY

Covering amplifier cabinets with Tolex and adhesive. How to cutting, gluing, wrapping. Build amp cabinets like Leo Fender. Be sure to check out the other videos I've posted and see how to build cabinets for tube amps from scratch.
I use Tru Glue from Mojotone, a box cutter with a fresh razor blade, a heat gun, and tolex. This is my process and method for great results. Thanks for watching!
#tolex #leofender #guitaramp

[@deejackson5930]

I'll likely never cover an amp, yet I sat here and watched the whole video, just because of the craftsmanship. You do great work.

[@FreshOldSchool]

Thanks for watching! I wish my ability to make videos was 1/10 what my ability to build amps was. Haha!

[@brandonedward8874]

This is exactly the video I was looking for, thanks for putting this together! Can't wait to try it myself!

[@mikeroberts5724]

Love the stack of ampexs in the background ❤

[@tedmich]

Very nice seam technique! I think I'll use a single piece until I'm good enough to hide 4 seams!

[@brocurt8323]

Great job! This vid was concise and straight to the point. Very well done sir!

[@EnmandsBand1]

Thank you, great tutorial. It's so cool to watch you work, it's like the hands know how to do it by themselves, the sign of an experienced builder! I built a guitar cabinet and it went well, now I'm considering to make one more and build 2 amp head shells for a cool stereo setup and I need to learn to do those inside corners...

[@FreshOldSchool]

Thanks for watching! I need a camera crew. Then you'd really see some stuff!

[@linguafranca86]

You make it look easy.

[@bradleystereoguitaramplifi9616]

Nice work!

[@87mini]

Just finished my Deluxe-sized cab using this tutorial - it was very helpful, and it's very challenging to get the cuts right. Also, he doesn't include gluing the top and bottom pieces, which were the most challenging - contact cement-wise.

[@dg3432]

That's beautiful, thank you, thank you, thank you

[@FreshOldSchool]

Thanks for watching!

[@brentholladay3113]

That’s a beautiful cream colored Tolex. I overlap, then cut one 45 degree through both layers, peel back, pull out sliver (first layer), lay back down for a perfect seem. If you have a lot of time, I do not glue that part, fold over dry cut the seem. Peel the glued sliver, glue the Tolex you left dry, come back lay the seem down perfect. Wether it’s Wallpaper, linoleum, etc., anytime you cut through the overlap, both layers, your cut will match perfect. This guys way is as good, but like he said if you do not cut it exactly, you could be left with a gap. Hopefully if that happens, there is a plastic corner piece that will cover the mistake.

[@jz8805]

I'll be making a first attempt soon. Thanks for a very good tutorial ... with a box-cutter, no less.

[@chrisambrose8838]

Beautiful work! I’m looking to recover my Super Beatle this year and this should help ! Thanks! 👍🙋‍♂️🖖🏻

[@s.ri.1020]

Thank you for this video.

[@FreshOldSchool]

Thanks for watching!

[@in.der.welt.sein.]

A recommended tool which I find really helps me do re-tolexing jobs: a seem roller for for PVC / TPO / EPDM Roofing.

[@FreshOldSchool]

I should get one. I’ve got a rolling pin I use but a seam roller is muy bueno.

[@Joey.Darkwoods-Studio]

Awesome tutorial! very clean work!!

[@FreshOldSchool]

Thanks! I’m still struggling to film stuff while I’m working.

[@Joey.Darkwoods-Studio]

@@FreshOldSchoolUnderstandable... but still a great view of what's going on. I need to retolex an old Marshall 1960BX cab. So looking at how to's since they have those small pin stripes in it...

[@xquadra]

Great video and awesome skills. You made it look easy! also considering this is cream tolex, it might get messy really easy if your work table has any dust or gunk. Clean work.

[@sending2ormore45]

This is great! Thank you. For cutting the excess off the end pieces, I don't always line up a straight edge well visually, or hold it well while cutting. I like a piece of aluminum angle iron in 1-1/2" or 2" as a straight edge to cut against. It makes a perfect cut by wrapping the angle around the corner of the box. Using painter's masking tape around the edges and the inside of the metal angle protects the tolex, tweed, or fabric, from any markings, snags, or scratches.

[@FreshOldSchool]

Thanks. I used to use guides but have done so many I just developed a way to eyeball it. Sometimes I will use painter’s tape to hold a corner tight together while the glue dries. That’s usually only if I’m having trouble keeping the perfect shape. I’ll use a few dabs of super glue gel and tape it tight.

[@utahprepper8925]

I do the same thing. Works great.

[@robertcoggin3366]

That looks fantastic. Side note: Fender is no longer cutting their corners at 45⁰. I have noticed this on many reissue combos. It is easier to see on cabinets that are not black or darker colored tolex.

[@FreshOldSchool]

Thanks! I could fill a book with things Fender is no longer doing. Haha.

[@garybrady9531]

Good solid information,don't know if it will apply to me I do have to replace the speaker grill cloth on my 92 model Fender after your video I will do it myself just need to get a staple gun,thanks

[@chokkan7]

Another great tutorial; I really appreciate your painstaking attention to detail. I learn something every time I tune in. If I might make an unsolicited suggestion: I'd like to see you keep more money in your pocket. I don't know how many cabs you tend to do in one run, but it's well worth the time to calculate the yardage you'll actually need for that run, roll out the tolex, and cut it into lengthwise strips prior to laying out the individual segments. I've found that making these segments about 3 -3 1/2" wider than the depth of the cab gives me plenty of working room, and the sides (you're calling them 'ends') can be cut about 4 - 4 1/2" taller than the cab height to give you the wraparound. Top and bottoms can be cut to width from the start. I think this approach could greatly reduce your tolex wastage and give you more efficient yield from a roll of fabric. I do have a question, if I'm not imposing: do you have any experience with Traynor amps? I've had a couple of them pass through my hands, and I was amazed at how solidly the cabs were put together. Also, they had an aluminum edge with a rubberized 'bumper' which wrapped completely around the edge of the cabinet sides: could you give me any insight into how that was done?

[@FreshOldSchool]

Thanks! I just watched a "How its Made" on the Discovery channel on Traynor amps. The video's probably on YT. I was closely watching. Haha. They use quality plywood vs the low quality MDF a lot of the "bigs" use. I've done a LOT of these builds but rarely build the same thing twice in a month. It's all over the place really. These videos are kind of geared toward someone wanting to jump in and do it themselves. For larger scale production runs my methodology is more efficient. Those type of projects don't really get filmed since shooting these is kind of distracting to production. Haha. I'm a one man band most of the time. Again, thanks for the time you've taken to watch and comment!

[@galactictravels224]

Your great at those corners I usually cover mine with metal covers lol great camera shots there I think I can pull that off.

[@FreshOldSchool]

You can do it!

[@camielkotte]

This is the best and most encouraging vid on tolex. Thx. Btw you went all the way with the background music too. Not my style, but cheers anyway 🎉

[@FreshOldSchool]

Thanks! That’s okay, I just grab random stuff to make it more bearable to watch as a DIY video. Whatever I find at the moment. These aren’t a reflection of my personal collection of tunes. Haha! Give me a genre and the next tolex video I do will include it!

[@KaraMarisa]

Thanks for making this vid, my dog just chewed my AC15.

[@dogger2186]

Initially cutting your tolex you should measure and cut templates out of 1/4 MDF and then pre cut them makes it easier and less chance for mistakes when doing a fender 4 piece wrap. On the sides of the Fender 4-Piece wrap it is actual 1-1/4" over the edge and no 45 degree cuts. They are horizontal cuts that require a certain cut patter for tolex and a differnt pattern for Tweed so the lines matchup. On larger 1 piece wraps cutting 4" longer than needed and 2" more in the width works.

[@guitarstevie2]

Very nice work and video production. What I'd like to know is what brand of nitrile gloves are you wearing? The gloves I use would have ripped to shreds the first time they stuck to the adhesive! Thanks

[@nathanmcauley121]

Awesome tutorial! I'm turning a Marshall combo into a head/cab and the tolex is the bit that has me worried! Great advice on letting the glue completely dry. I would have rushed it.

[@keithhulse8907]

The carpet covering is definitely harder to scratch or tear and much more durable and long lasting, only it doesn't look as nice .

[@keithhulse8907]

I prefer the tolex

[@williambock1821]

Covering cabs is a crappy job but the end result is very rewarding. I do corners differently but I’m going to try your method next time.You do a fantastic job!

[@FreshOldSchool]

Thanks for watching! I never learned from anyone I just started doing it around 2010 and this is the method I developed. It helps me to get consistently tight corners and I’ve done a gozillion at this point so it’s all auto-pilot.

[@hmtp177]

Top notch, all of it. From the skill, to the explanation, to the BGM. You just got a new subscriber, Any tips on "repairing" tolex considerably big tears. How to glue the pieces to hide the big tears?. Or how to remove the old tolex completely if that's even worth the trouble?

[@FreshOldSchool]

I've done some repair but the absolute best way is to start from clean. Use a heat gun to soften the tolex glue and that will help. Just make it clean before you reglue. Any dust or debris will show through. I clean up with mineral spirits.

[@subramaniamchandrasekar1397]

Good work. I am curious why you did not try to glue the Tolex in one piece instead of four. Regards.

[@dennisratcliffe5637]

Craftsman level 11!

[@FreshOldSchool]

Thanks! It’s a lot of practice and repetition. At this point I’m on auto pilot while doing tolex.

[@marcomagnoni7341]

Hi you are singer? You have the same voice of James Taylor!!!! the same!!! good job a real good tutorial!!

[@FreshOldSchool]

Haha! Sweet Baby James! Thanks for watching!

[@smurfinguitars]

Will automotuve spray adhesive like headliner adhesive spray work? I have some laying around id like to use up

[@davidjennings9253]

I appreciate that is the way Fender do Tolex but isn't it easier to wrap the Tolex round in one piece so there is only one join underneath. Thats how I do mine and it just looks neater. Great video though.

[@FreshOldSchool]

Yeah, these are meant to be as close as possible to factory. More work and more opportunities to screw it up. Haha! Thanks for watching!

[@SonicSoundofDoom]

@@FreshOldSchool they asked the same question as me :) my head is one continuous piece (from factory)

[@Riffs_and_Chill]

Wanting to do this with my Marshall JCM 900 cab the original tolex has seen better days lol

[@FreshOldSchool]

Use a heat gun and try and remove the tolex slowly before you start. I’ve got a video of recovering tips that cover the most important thinks to keep in mind.

[@dandaly8736]

Great work! Thanks so much for sharing! Getting ready to start my first ever attempt. What do you think, or have you tried Dap/Weldwood non flammable (water based) contact cement? It seems similar to tolex glue which I’ve heard is pretty much Wilsonart H20. It’s seems you want the contact cement to be able to reposition which solvent based does not (very easily).

[@FreshOldSchool]

Thanks for watching! I use tolex glue from Mojotone because I know exactly how to work with it every time and I also know how to clean it up with mineral spirits in a way that leaves the best possible cabinet results. Everything else I’ve tried has been fussy in one way or another. I’ve tried other suppliers and recipes and think the Mojo tolex is the best. Consistent results and ease of use/cleanup are way more important to me than discovering something that might work nearly as well. Haha.

[@dandaly8736]

@@FreshOldSchool Thanks so much for the info! I appreciate your channel, very helpful!

[@keithhulse8907]

I got that carpet covering on my halfstack

[@dogger2186]

foam roller works better than a brush, brush is only needed to get into cleat edges. Let the glue dry way to much and the rubber gloves are a hassle. Its a water based glue. I never have issues with glue on the hands covering cabs #BFGCABS

[@frankd.4528]

I have some tolex that was rolled up and then got flattened. What’s the best way to get it flat again?

[@dkerlee]

for a speaker cabinet, could you use a long skinny piece to center and square up on top, then pull down both sides and a bit under each corner? That would fewer corners, but harder to line up perhaps? I'm gonna go for it.

[@FreshOldSchool]

That method works. The downside (and probably why Fender did it this way) is that you need much longer sections of tolex whereas the Fender way lets you basically cut scraps off the roll without creating much waste. The lining up process isn't hard but I should do a video about it. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelallard2640]

At 24:17 you can see that to the left and right of the chassis the tolex doesn't reach to the top panel. Is there any way to have the tolex reach the top panel ?

[@SonicSoundofDoom]

Great video, 2 questions why didn’t you use just one piece vs 4 separate pieces. And, I normally pull the Tolex inside vs cutting along the edge. Over time it can start to peel up from use. I’m about to do the same head and want to know if you had a purpose for doing it this way. Thanks!

[@FreshOldSchool]

Thanks! In this video I’m doing it the old-school Fender way. But you are right that the single piece or two piece technique is also a great way to cover.

[@charleshubbell569]

Really great content! Would putting suede on be a similar process?

[@FreshOldSchool]

Thanks! I've not tried that. I'd be mostly concerned with keeping glue from getting on the suede.

[@hybridmusclegarage4590]

I did not see a email for you in your channel. Do you do this for customers? If so, How do I contact you? Great work! and content!

[@m.vincenzolapolla7684]

I'm a little confused about the overlaping Tolex. You don't top cut and seem it back together? Or wouldn't it make more sense to use one piece the length of all sides and only have one seem in a bottom corner that will be covered by a corner cap? Figures too, because I watched the video specifically just to see how to get a one seem top cut,... Lol

[@spivvo]

Tidy job!

[@terryg2160]

Doh! I was doing fine until your comment at 20:50 re: a Rhodes piano. Guess what I'm doing for the first time! 😲 I'm concerned about matching up the screw holes. Figure I can use an awl to poke out the through holes from the inside where they are, but that won't work for the latches and other surface mount hardware. Take good measurements, or just make new ones?

[@FreshOldSchool]

Haha! Yes, you'll be a black-belt after a Rhodes piano recover! I try and keep track of where the holes are (photo, measure) and then use something narrow with a blunt end to probe around like you're suggesting. Just try not to poke holes where you don't want them! Haha. I use a punch or the back end of a file (like a chainsaw blade file) to probe around. Then i use an x-acto knife to cut a little x over the spot. Hope that helps! Rhodes pianos are worth it!

[@terryg2160]

@@FreshOldSchool Awesome, thanks so much for the tips, appreciate it! I think this will be my first and last Tolex job!! 😂

[@livedearatz]

How did you clean the glue residue?

[@FreshOldSchool]

Mineral spirits.

[@tedcathey9553]

Question- can you wrap the main cab in 1 piece of tolex?

[@FreshOldSchool]

Absolutely! Fender style cabinets have an over-wrap on the center sections. But if you aren't doing a proper Fender build then you can cover it however you can make it look great.

[@jeffallen3382]

Is that how Fender covered their amps in so many different pieces? Wouldn't they have used just one continuous piece wrapped all the way around to minimize ends to peel up?

[@FreshOldSchool]

This is the original way that the early Fender stuff was tolexed. They later adopted the three sided top and sides with a second piece on the bottom. They also adopted staples at some point. A lot of people hide the seams under a set of corners. Thanks for watching!

[@jeffallen3382]

@@FreshOldSchool thank you.

[@yabramowski]

Don‘t you have fear for having a gap in the corners, when heating After cutting corners? Thanks dir Your Video and greetings from germany

[@FreshOldSchool]

Nah, if you screw it up you can always try again with a fresh piece of tolex. Thanks for watching!

[@caniswolf3394]

I have a 4x12 speaker cabinet I'm recovering in Nubtex soon. Any helpful suggestions?

[@LatinRhemaMusic15]

Any pictures?

[@caniswolf3394]

@@LatinRhemaMusic15 I'll try to post some pics on my own channel (I'll TRY !!). I have the back finished, but got stopped before I could get the rest of the cabinet completed, so that part is on hold for the moment.

[@ronaldkirby5888]

Why is tolex the standard for amp and cabinet coverings, when it is not that good looking and when it begins to wear with rips tears and gouges it looks even worse and it isn't easily repaired once it has lots of wear and tare?

[@FreshOldSchool]

One word: tradition! Haha. Early amps were covered in the same fabric as luggage of the day. Once they invented fabric backed vinyl that became the standard. It’s basically marine upholstery. “Tolex” is basically a made up word that means the small selection of fabric backed vinyl that’s used on amps.

[@keithhulse8907]

I have that fuzzy carpet type covering on mine , it's not nearly as popular but it's way harder to scratch or tear long lasting and you just vacuum it.

[@kenl2861]

That’s a GREAT question!!! I imagine you could also use leather …

[@bobbyburke4594]

What glue is that?

[@FreshOldSchool]

I’ve tried a bunch of different types and brands and my favorite is the Mojotone Tru-Glue.

[@jimcatanzaro7808]

Can I Tolex over steel or alum

[@FreshOldSchool]

Absolutely. In my truck I covered the door panels with tweed! It’s a 49’ ford with steel panels. I also made an aluminum frame to hold my audio recorder and covered it. Worked great.

[@jimcatanzaro7808]

@@FreshOldSchool thanks I got a old ww2 amplifier with a 6.5” speaker in a metal cab I built a f51 fender circuit and swapped the speaker and sounds great just looking at options to cover the box the paint is kinda cheap looking for this

[@cshibley7491]

@@jimcatanzaro7808 I’ve used surplus army canvas. Google “The Anvil” guitar amplifier. You’ll see it. Works great.

[@scottarnold6528]

Why 4 piece & 2 Seams, Instead of 1 Wrap around & 1 Seam on the bottom?

[@cshibley7491]

This is a blonde bassman cabinet so this is how those were covered in the 60s. If you’ve got your own thing there are other ways to do it for sure! I guess I should have specified in the title what I was covering.

[@FreshOldSchool]

I did a one off recover of a handwired ac30 a few weeks ago and it was a single wrap but took several yards of material. Since it was a one-off I’ve got a long skinny scrap piece left that’s pretty much useless. Not big enough for another and after doing the back panels not really even wide enough to do anything down the road.

[@scottarnold6528]

@@cshibley7491 Just because someone did something slappy in the past doesn't mean that it should be repeated if there's a better way. They could of cared less if their product started pelling in 8 different locations after a few years of mass production. But, everyday artist & builders should want the cleanest finished product they can produce.

[@cshibley7491]

The well over 100 vintage Fender and Music Man amps I’ve serviced in the last decade suggest that may be overstatement. Haha. While I have reglued a few seams it’s not a fender style specific thing. Happens to tolex sometimes no matter the style.

[@cshibley7491]

And who knows… now that we’ve been through a whole season of high-dollar custom shop “relic’ed” guitars being the fashion maybe the next big thing will be “relic’ed” amps. Everyone will want one and then you’ll be wishing you had more seams to “distress”. Haha.

[@stihlsavvy666]

Why wouldn't you do it in 1 Piece?

[@blackdotpatrick]

You are a Master. Now I know I do not want to try this.

[@FreshOldSchool]

Haha! "Know thyself" I know you aren't referring to "making videos" because in that domain I'm struggling! As far as amp building it is just a combination of doing it for a long time, doing it a lot, and being a bit OCD. Thanks for watching!

[@blackdotpatrick]

@@FreshOldSchool Talking about the tolex covering! I think I will just use hardwood and stain/paint. That's more my ability.

[@dogger2186]

Dont cut seams into the angles! Ohhhhhh. If you work from the bottom up you can stretch it and have a seam less angle #BFGCABS

[@embalmyou5200]

I think if you wasn't in a big ass hurry your wrapping would of came out perfect.

[@FreshOldSchool]

Haha! Time is money!

[@sasadanko8999]

That back side on the left is horrible...

[@miltonfriedman9673]

The outside 22ish degree can be done without slitting the edge face. Lap your corners ans then do 1 cut for perfect seams. Respectfully, change or ditch the gloves after glueup. That was painful and awkward to watch.

[@JordanAnastasio]

If I may ask, what is the reason you wouldnt just use one long piece to cover the whole box??