Tarting up my cab (or, What happens when it’s raining and I’m stuck in the house)

[Pea Turgh]

Ola peeps.

 I was initially attracted to Basschat by the excellent  build threads for cabs. I was planning to jump in with a build, but then decided to go Barefaced instead. Ended up with two One10’s and they were great. Then I caught a nasty case of skintitis and had to sell them. Fow shizz buying a Two10 next year when funds allow, but for now, I have an excellent old Peavey cab loaded with Beyma ‘s, assembled by our own @fleabag.

Today the sky, he cry. I got restless and was looking for something to mess with. I started tugging at the carpet covering on my cab after rehearsal and now i’m committing by posting this!

 I’m going to sand it down and if it looks half decent, I’ll put a dark stain on so it looks a little like my Peterson combo. If the wood ain’t that sharp, I’ll get some of that Tuff Cab in anything other than black.

[TheGreek]

A friend of mine does the same to his Marshall cabs. The ply they used in the 70s and 80s was nicely grained, finished in a satin finish they look more like a piece of furniture than musical equipment.

Peterson have the right idea. 

 

Edited August 18, 2018 by TheGreek

[Pea Turgh]

So Finally got the sander and 10 minutes to myself!

I had to drag my Peterson to rehearsal last night, and it reminded me why I need to get this one finished!  Also have a gig on Saturday- will I make it?

Lots of sanding to do, but I’m looking forward to the results.

[Pea Turgh]

Got almost an entire hour to myself today!  This sanding business is a hard slog!  Ruined the 40 grit paper, now moved on to the 80 (or was it 80 to 120?) but only have one sheet of each in the ‘My First Sander’ kit, so best be careful with it. Just the back panel to get the rough stuff off, then on to a final sand then finish can be applied!

[Norris]

4 hours ago, Pea Turgh said:

but only have one sheet of each

Give it a couple of flicks with your finger before it clogs up. That will help it to last longer. Obviously remove the paper from the sander/block first, or it won't half smart

Edited September 17, 2018 by Norris

[Pea Turgh]

Two coats on. Now we’re rockin’.

[Pea Turgh]

Just about done!  It’s a bit late, so I am losing the ability to put the right screw in the right place, but here we are so far...

[stewblack]

Nice !  And more than a little inspirational. Making my own cabs soon. May go down a similar route...

[SpondonBassed]

There's a serious seventies HiFi vibe off of that.

Well done!

Edited September 20, 2018 by SpondonBassed

[JohnDaBass]

Why don't you add a small hole in the top right hand corner large enough to take a broom handle and a length of string for the perfect backup in case of a power failure!!

 

 

[Pea Turgh]

25 minutes ago, SpondonBassed said:

There's a serious seventies HiFi vibe off of that.

Well done!

Exactly!  Unfortunately the grill I have will ruin the vibe. Will have to have a think about that...

[SpondonBassed]

25 minutes ago, Pea Turgh said:

Exactly!  Unfortunately the grill I have will ruin the vibe. Will have to have a think about that...

I'm sure you can whip up a corduroy grill cloth...

Heeheehee.

[TheGreek]

Why not add doors so it looks like a piece of furniture...

[Pea Turgh]

And a nice tapestry cushion to go on top!

I’ll have a chance to get it side by side with the Peterson on Saturday (left it down the rehearsal space).

[Norris]

On 20/09/2018 at 17:26, Pea Turgh said:

Exactly!  Unfortunately the grill I have will ruin the vibe. Will have to have a think about that...

Spray it a brass / antique gold colour?

[Pea Turgh]

Think I might go with matte black so it looks like cloth, and put some (off) white piping on.

[TheGreek]

We have a member here called "Matte Black" - I looked for his post...

[SpondonBassed]

Sorry for the poor quality but I clipped this from an old photo of our living room.

Our cats had ruined the grill cloth on my Heco Superiors.  Their back feet would hit the front during the flying leaps they'd make to reach their favourite perching point on top of either cab.  As they reached maturity, their claws were starting to leave witness marks on the front baffle behind the cloth.  I feared that the drivers would be punctured.  The cloth had to go.  To replace it, I bought a roll of galvanised wire mesh from one of the DIY suppliers locally and wrapped it around the grill frame.

The cats have passed on but the speakers have survived.

For a cab that is intended for gigging, I'd suggest a heavier grade of wire mesh than mine but if steam punk is your thing*, a similar plan may work for you.

*  I'd never heard the term steam punk when I did this twenty years ago and I disassociate myself totally from the term.

Edited September 22, 2018 by SpondonBassed

[Pea Turgh]

Down the rehearsal space/gig venue this morning - I swear the new finish makes it sound better!

The Marshall has decided it - white piping coming soon.

[TheGreek]

Nice work...watch how you become an inspiration to other copycat BCers...

[Vinny]

How long til you start sanding the Ampeg down?

 

[Pea Turgh]

Got the white piping done. Let’s see if this weeks weather let’s me spray the grill matt black!

Edited October 14, 2018 by Pea Turgh
Added a pic

[Pea Turgh]

Finished!

These pictures don’t really show the full effect, but a couple of coats of paint make the grill look so much better! Not bad for a £90 cab?!

[stewblack]

That is so cool. Seriously classy.

[rk7]

Nice work!