Opinions wanted

[marcoloco961]

Here is a project I have been working on for a while now. It is a new design for a tube bass amp. I am getting the sound close to were I want it to be, but I am still doing a Brett Favre waffle on the cover material. I am thinking either plain black tolex, or possibly the red/black snakeskin. I just can't decide if the snakeskin would be too much. Here are a couple of pics of my ideas so far. What do you think would look best for tolex color?

[Ken Moon]

Here's a link to the biggest manufacturer of tolex, Kayline in Trenton, this is where most everybody gets their tolex:

http://www.kayline.com/ASC.html

I think something like the Wine Taurus or Bruno Marvelon might look nice on this amp.

Here's the bruno marvelon on an amp:

[img:820:1000]http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l4/Oc ... C_6346.jpg[/img]

...and the wine taurus:

[img:346:326]http://www.peavey.com/products/custom/amps/1.jpg[/img]

[marcoloco961]

Thanks for the input. I think the wine color would look nice, I just can't decide whether I am up for that much purple..LOL The Bruno might go nice. Couldn't find any prices listed, are they fairly reasonable?

[Ken Moon]

Kayline is just a manufacturer - they only sell to resellers, in 500-yard rolls. I linked to their color chart because it was handy.

If you look at the tubesandmore or mojotone or partsisparts websites (among others), they sell most of these colors at around $15 to $20 per yard (54 inches wide) to the retail consumer.

The bruno marvelon is kind of hard to find, but most can special order it if it's not in stock.

The wine taurus does have a purplish hue to it when in sunlight, that can be a bit freaky-looking. I took one of my amps outside for the first time and it looked a whole different (not in a good way) color

I'm having trouble picturing what the snakeskin would look like with that gold and wood front panels - it sure is hard to choose these things, isn't it

[Ken Moon]

Here's a pic showing the purple hue of the wine taurus tolex in sunlight:

[IMG761]http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t346 ... binga3.jpg[/img]

and here's the back of the same amp head with the sunlight blocked off:

[IMG761]http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t346 ... binga4.jpg[/img]

Freaky, huh? Thought this might be helpful to those thinking about using the wine tolex.

[marcoloco961]

Kayline is just a manufacturer - they only sell to resellers, in 500-yard rolls. I linked to their color chart because it was handy.

If you look at the tubesandmore or mojotone or partsisparts websites (among others), they sell most of these colors at around $15 to $20 per yard (54 inches wide) to the retail consumer.

The bruno marvelon is kind of hard to find, but most can special order it if it's not in stock.

The wine taurus does have a purplish hue to it when in sunlight, that can be a bit freaky-looking. I took one of my amps outside for the first time and it looked a whole different (not in a good way) color

I'm having trouble picturing what the snakeskin would look like with that gold and wood front panels - it sure is hard to choose these things, isn't it

Yes, It's hard to decide with so many options. I have trouble picturing these things. I do like the looks of that wine on your amp, and it looks like it would go well with this one also.

[daydreamer]

I think, because you have 2 rich colors already (gold and wood grain) that something more neutral would go well, how do you feel about cream?

[marcoloco961]

I think, because you have 2 rich colors already (gold and wood grain) that something more neutral would go well, how do you feel about cream?

Now that you mention it.................this is where I have my biggest problems. Narrowing the decision down to one color. The wine would help the purpleheart wood stand out, but the cream would be nice smooth lines, and offset the gaudy wood colors well. If the snakeskin didn't have too much red in it, I think it might go well, but I was afraid that would be too much weird shit.

[daydreamer]

you are definitely on the right track, how about putting the snake skin over the top (12in wide centred strip) and then cream for the rest? the reds can be complimenting each other but not dominating. I also think a satin finish on the wood would help if the snake skin is shiny. A good contrast of texture and color.

[Ken Moon]

Now I'm thinking cream might be very nice, too.

That Dr Z has what's called Fender Rough Blonde tolex (Kayline calls it Vanilla Nubtex).

Another very nice, and possibly more classy option on your amp, would be the Fender Smooth Blonde, which Kayline calls Vintage Vanilla Bronco, or even the Vintage Vanilla Taurus (may be harder to find) for that leather look.

Different colors on the top and side are cool, but it's hard to make the transition look nice - the usual way is to cut a small groove, make the two colors meet at the groove, and cover the seam with "amp string". But I don't think this can be done right on the corners, you'd have to go in an inch or two on each side.

It would look awesome, though, if you could pull it off

[daydreamer]

yeah, not on the corners, back along the top couple of inches at least. If you wanted to go right over the top, you could create the 'v' feature you have cut into the wood in the snakeskin on the top! Or just continue the theme by angling the joins to look like the tail end of an arrow that has started on the wood and continued over the top in snakeskin..

It's a flash looking amp, no point in slowing up now!

[marcoloco961]

Thanks for all the replies and good ideas. I like the idea of the two tone deal, but this being my first attempt at tolex, I had probably keep it simple. I will surely keep it in mind down the road a way, after I get a little more practice in.

I like the wine color and the cream idea. Most people I have asked like the idea of the cream, so I will probably go with the majority vote. Thank you again for your help.

Does anyone know of a good "how to" site for applying tolex? Maybe some fancy tricks for a smoother finished product? I have seen some great looking amps made by many of the members here. TIA

[Colossal]

Does anyone know of a good "how to" site for applying tolex? Maybe some fancy tricks for a smoother finished product? I have seen some great looking amps made by many of the members here. TIA

Check out this pictorial by R. Silva. Most of the cabinet stuff is down the page a bit.
http://www.silvatone.bravepages.com/18% ... /Build.htm

Very detailed high quality photos though that highlight the set up for each step.

[marcoloco961]

Does anyone know of a good "how to" site for applying tolex? Maybe some fancy tricks for a smoother finished product? I have seen some great looking amps made by many of the members here. TIA

Check out this pictorial by R. Silva. Most of the cabinet stuff is down the page a bit.
http://www.silvatone.bravepages.com/18% ... /Build.htm

Very detailed high quality photos though that highlight the set up for each step.

Thank you Colossal. That was very helpful. I Figured they probably overlapped the corners and did a double cut to get those but I was lost on the other overlaps, amp string techniques, etc. What color tolex did you think would look best?

[marcoloco961]

Here's a pic showing the purple hue of the wine taurus tolex in sunlight:

[IMG761]http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t346 ... binga3.jpg[/img]

and here's the back of the same amp head with the sunlight blocked off:

[IMG761]http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t346 ... binga4.jpg[/img]

Freaky, huh? Thought this might be helpful to those thinking about using the wine tolex.

The more I look at your amp Ken, the more I like the Wine color. That is a sharp looking amp. I really like the looks of it.