Tweed tolex questions

[Lindz]

Hi All

I'm in the middle of a 5f6a build and this weekend I built and wrapped a 4x10 Bassman style cabinet for it

I am really happy with how it turned out but I should have paid a little more attention to the tweed I bought as I did not notice it was vinyl "tweed pattern tolex" not actual tweed.

Any after mulling it over I was happy enough with how it looked that I decided to use it anyway - looks correct unless you are looking very closely at it from inches away

That said, I should have maybe given some more thought to using the vinyl as I had intended on lacquering it to give it an aged look afterward, but have been reading online about how people are doing this with shellac and lacquers and it seems that I may have issues because it is vinyl not actual tweed.

I would assume if I still can if I get good adhesion to the tolex that it would still be possible to coat it.. but I am not sure

Anyone try lacquering the fake stuff, and if so do you have any tips? I was thinking that if I scuff the vinyl a bit for adhesion, wipe and degrease with lacquer thinner or similar, and then spray some slightly tinted lacquer that it may work, but do not really know.

Q2 - For future reference - who sells actual tweed tolex for a decent price? What I got was from Speaker builders supply

[Structo]

I have a Carvin Belair that has that vinyl tweed covering on it.

I didn't even notice it wasn't fabric until I thought about lacquering it.

It takes a lot of patience to do real tweed and to get the pattern right.

Maybe Taylor will pop in and point you in the right direction.

If you want true aged tweed then you will have to strip that vinyl off and get some real tweed.

Here is one source.

http://www.tubesandmore.com/products/S-G305

[amplifiednation]

I do not like lacquering tweed!!

I don't think you are going to be able to stain the tolex. The whole reason tweed was lacquered was to seal the porous fabric. The lacquer seeps into the tweed. With the tolex the lacquer will probably just ride on top and just crust and fall off. If you are happy with the way it came out I would just leave it.

You might find some success stories on the Fender forum or the telecaster forum. Those guys spend weeks getting their tweed right!

[statorvane]

Yeah, I agree. I'd leave it alone. If you want the look of lacquered tweed, remove it and start over. The link above (Antique Electronics) is a good one. I have used their tweed. Really good robust fabric covers easier IMHO than tolex or vinyl.

I like to lacquer the tweed if just to protect it from accidental spills of a beverage, etc. Also makes it easier to remove accumulated lint, etc, without embedding it into the tweed fabric, discoloring it. It is easy to orange too with a little thinned red dye, if you like the look.

[Structo]

You can use the Bulls Eye Amber shellac but you need to cut it way down with denatured alcohol as it is too orange even if you cut it by half.

Also while shellac will adhere to almost anything, it is not alcohol proof and can be damaged by alcoholic beverages.

So you can stain the tweed with the shellac but it's a good idea to seal that with clear nitro lacquer.

[amplifiednation]

That amber bulls eye is good. Sealing the tweed is important! I got some amber tinted nitro aeresol lacquer a few years ago from stew mac. It was expensive but looked awesome on some tweed I did. Fool proof too.

[Lindz]

Thanks for all the input guys

The cab is pretty much perfect so I will probably just leave this one and try the lacquer next time on real tweed. Shame to strip it all off on this one after the work I put into getting it on

I like the idea of the tinted amber lacquer - I have a spray setup so could pretty easily spray it - seems like it would be easier to get the color consistent than brushing on shellac and it would be sealed already

Amplifiednation - Did you use satin finish when you used the Stew Mac lacquer?

[amplifiednation]

Here's what a mix of 40% Bulls Eye Amber shellac and 60% denatured Alchohol looks like...pretty dark... i did a few coats
[IMG768]http://i817.photobucket.com/albums/zz97/amplifiednation/tweedmusicmanshell_zps88c40657.jpg[/img]

Here's the Nitro spray I got from Stew Mac. I didn't put anything on this after...or before for that matter. I have a couple other projects I did, it was like 5 years ago...not sure about pics...but i did this Gibson amp.
[IMG877]http://i817.photobucket.com/albums/zz97/amplifiednation/Gibson%20Maestro/DSCN4330-1.jpg[/img]

[statorvane]

Just for comparison, here's the AES tweed sprayed with several coats of Parks lacquer.
[img768]http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u76/ ... 0_2135.jpg[/img]

[Baxtercat]

... but I should have paid a little more attention to the tweed I bought as I did not notice it was vinyl "tweed pattern tolex" not actual tweed.

Q2 - For future reference - who sells actual tweed tolex for a decent price? What I got was from Speaker builders supply

One tip: don't use the term Tolex when you look for the real tweed.
Tolex is the brand name for the vinyl amp covering.


I bet your idea of prepping/cleaning your fake tweed will allow the tinted spray to stick pretty good. However lacquer thinner will rub off at least the darker color in the 'tweed' print on that vinyl, maybe the yellow too.

[Structo]

Also there are differences in the tweed material itself.

I have a cheap Muscian's Friend tweed hardshell guitar case.
It leans towards being yellow.

I also have a G & G tweed hardshell that the tweed is much more authentic looking.
Darker, maybe a little browner.

My cousin has an old mint Tweed Bassman (1959 I think) combo that could almost pass as new.
I think it is lacquered from the factory.