tolex/grille cloth seam?

[Luthierwnc]

Hi Guys,

I'm working on a little amp that will have tolex above the grille cloth on the front baffle (ala Vox, Bad Cat). Mojo stopped carrying the "T" style molding strips years ago and Antique only has them in 14.25" sizes.

Does anyone else carry them in longer sizes? Failing that, who has a great method of seaming the two components? I've considered press-in seam piping but in the past I've found that the grille cloth edges don't stay even enough not to make it look fuzzy. Even thought about screen door roll-in fasteners.

Thanks, as always, Skip

[martin manning]

I'm betting those are two separate panels with the coverings wrapped around in the usual way.

[Structo]

I agree two different panels.

As far as metal trim goes you might get lucky at hardware store.
It may not be a T style trim but there are other styles that may work in aluminum or brass.

[Luthierwnc]

Hi Gents, Been a while ...

The Vox's had one of these. They use pretty sturdy front baffles and you could just rip a 3/16" deep groove on the table saw. The tolex only needs to reach the dado but you have to stuff enough of the grille cloth in to hold it firm so you can stretch it from the bottom and get it taut. The flanges hide any slop. It looks a lot like big fret wire.

While I was scaring up this picture I noticed that the Tube Amp Doctor has them. There are some similar looking products available for dividing wall panels or edge-banding counter-tops but they are pretty flimsy. These T-moldings are pretty stiff and the grip fingers hold them down without adhesive. sh

[Structo]

Yeah, I forgot about VOX.
I have a 2 x 12 extension cab right here if I would have looked over my shoulder.

Sorry I'm not going to take it apart to check how it's done but I agree with Luther that it is one way to do it.