Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: rv_bass on March 29, 2016, 04:05:27 AM

Title: Grill Covers
Post by: rv_bass on March 29, 2016, 04:05:27 AM

I recently bought some nice batik fabric that I would like to use to cover the grills of my speaker cabs.  I was just wondering if anyone has done this with their cabs and if you have any suggestions for constructing frames or the best way to attach the fabric.  I would like to keep the metal grills underneath the fabric covers.  Thanks!

Title: Grill Covers
Post by: keith_h on March 29, 2016, 06:16:03 AM

When I've built speaker cabinets I made wooden frames, painted them and then wrapped the grill cloth around the frame and stapled it on the backside. To keep them in place I used a bit of Velcro on the corners.  
 
If your metal grills are the diamond shaped type screwed to small wooden blocks on the baffle you might try attaching a wooden frame on the back of the grill and use that to staple the cloth to. You could then use the frame to attach the grill to the baffle.  
 
Keith

Title: Grill Covers
Post by: edwardofhuncote on March 29, 2016, 06:44:58 AM

+1 on wood and staples... I re-grilled both my old Mesa Scout cabs with tweed. It's not as hard as it looks. Batiking (sp.?) would be a pretty cool look.

Title: Grill Covers
Post by: rv_bass on March 29, 2016, 05:27:19 PM

Thanks for the ideas.  I like the wooden frame with Velcro, I'll try that out first.  I'll post some pics if it turns out okay.

Title: Grill Covers
Post by: edwin on March 29, 2016, 09:28:26 PM

I did it to my Sunn 200S cab and it was just a question of unstapling all the ratty old fabric and stapling the new stuff on. The challenge is getting it taut, which fabric rarely wants to do. It does flap, but oh well, it looks cool.
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/227351.jpg)

Title: Grill Covers
Post by: keith_h on March 30, 2016, 11:51:32 AM

If you use the Velcro don't over do it or you will have a real bear of a time removing the grill. I would also add a pull tab near one corner. Something like a bit of leather stapled to the back and allowed to stick out the front.  
 
Keith

Title: Grill Covers
Post by: lbpesq on March 30, 2016, 01:16:19 PM

Here's my fabric covered cabs.  I had the material installed when the cabs were built.
 
Bill, tgo
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/227418.jpg)

Title: Grill Covers
Post by: rv_bass on March 30, 2016, 03:31:12 PM

Very nice cabs guys; and Keith, the corner tab is a great idea. Thanks!
Rob

Title: Grill Covers
Post by: rv_bass on April 02, 2016, 01:55:47 PM

Well,  I took Keith's advice and went with velcro, but decided I didn't need to build a frame.  Instead I lined the fabric edge with Velcro (photo 1) and then the edge of the cab metal grill with the other side of the velcro.  I then just attached the fabric, stretching it into place.  It works great and was easy!  Rob  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/227625.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/227626.jpg)

Title: Grill Covers
Post by: edwin on April 02, 2016, 04:37:29 PM

Looks great!

Title: Grill Covers
Post by: rv_bass on April 02, 2016, 07:10:22 PM

Thanks!

Title: Grill Covers
Post by: keith_h on April 03, 2016, 06:57:39 AM

Nice job. Good idea on just using the Velcro to attach the cloth to the existing grill.  
 
Keith

Title: Grill Covers
Post by: lbpesq on April 03, 2016, 12:29:11 PM

Here's my 1966 Bandmaster.  It had the paisley covers when I bought it.  I was told they were put on in the 60's - sure looks it.  They appear to have been mounted right over the stock grill material.
 
Bill, tgo
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/227707.jpg)

Title: Grill Covers
Post by: edwin on April 03, 2016, 02:53:18 PM

I wish you could still get paisley like that.

Title: Grill Covers
Post by: lbpesq on April 03, 2016, 03:02:23 PM

You can - you just have to find the right sugar cube.
 
Bill, tgo

Title: Grill Covers
Post by: rv_bass on April 03, 2016, 04:20:29 PM

I love the paisley, I gotta believe a biologist came up with that pattern!

Title: Grill Covers
Post by: edwin on April 03, 2016, 05:43:36 PM

Or a mathematician. Paisley is quite fractal like.

Title: Grill Covers
Post by: edwardofhuncote on April 04, 2016, 03:33:42 AM

Looks great Rob. I might try something like that to dress up my Avatar cabs. (they just have the wire mesh grills too)

Title: Re: Grill Covers
Post by: rv_bass on August 14, 2016, 01:43:39 PM

Did the remaining cab for a full set.

Title: Re: Grill Covers
Post by: peoplechipper on August 15, 2016, 07:35:08 PM

with my GK 4x10 cab I just covered up the logo and put 'front towards enemy'; that way the audience is warned, and my drummer...

Title: Re: Grill Covers
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on August 15, 2016, 08:23:43 PM

My grill cover is black vinyl; says "Weber" in big white letters........

Peter (who finds Bill's & Edwin's to be most groovacious)