Amp recovering

jolynyk · From: Prince Albert Sask. Canada

I have a Fender bass amp (2 piece), & over the years it got dirty, plus a cigarrette burn on top, not right through but discolored.. Should this amp be recovered, or just cleaned to maintain it's original stste. I bought it new around 1960,with a Fender Jazz bass. Thanks

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

The "purists" will say just clean it and I tend to agree as the cigarette burn gives it "character".

If the covering was totally trashed and you were restoring it that would be a different issue.

Many would not consider it as worth the same as it is now with new covering material. But that's your decision.

Jerry Roller · From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA

Battle scars are beautiful!!

Jerry

jolynyk · From: Prince Albert Sask. Canada

Thanks Jack & Jerry, my intention was to leave it as is, & just clean it.. Sure would hate to destroy it's value by redoing it. Can anyone suggest a good cleaner for Tolex.. I played bass up until the late 80's, but then fiddle & steel took over, & the bass retired.. I hadn't had the bass out for a couple of years, & when I took it out of the case, it was still in tune.. The gigarrette burn happened on a gig when it fell out of the ash tray sitting on top of the amp.. I caught it in time but it did leave a black & dark brown mark where it was smoldering.. Thanks again for your input, a cleaning job is what it will be...
John

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I've used "409" on covered amps, speakers, etc and it seems to do a good job. There are probably many different cleaners but your wife may already have 409 or something similar and I'd give that a try first.

Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

Tim Harr · From: Dunlap, Illinois

Use a product called "Simple Green".

This works especially well in cleaning the cigarette smoke from your grill cloth.

It is like magic and will bring back the "sparkle" you forgot was there.

Tim

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

John, don't recover that tolex - I assume you have a white tolex circa 1960 Bassman head and cab? Those are wonderful amps, and it will be worth significantly less if you recover it. Trust me, don't do it. You can always recover it later if you want, but once you take the original covering off, that's it. Anytime you think about recovering, just remember that.

I just use an Armor-All type product to clean it up, but first you might want to just use a rag with some light soap and water to get some dirt off, if it's really dirty. Don't soak it heavily, since the glue may come off - but a wipe-down is OK. Then Armor-All, Simple Green, or something like that to shine 'er up.

Hey, cigarette burns are expected on a 40-50 year old Fender - as Jack says, they add character.

BTW, the Zum is humming along nicely. I'm definitely spoiled.

jolynyk · From: Prince Albert Sask. Canada

Thanks for all your suggestions.. Went & got a bottle of Simple Green, & will start on it on Mon.I'll post at a later date & let you know how it looks.
Lee I'm not quite sure what my wife uses. I try to stay away from her cleaning supplies as far as possible, for fear she may talk me into learning how to use it. ha.
Dave thanks for your input also. I will not recover it as everyone suiggested, but I'll put all the elbow grease into it that this old body can muster..I knew you'd love that Zum, I do miss it.. BUT.. I got that Williams, it's 25 lbs. & that's great for me.. I like it a lot, I'm not a recording artist, & most people think I'm playing some sort of keyboard anyway, they don't know if it's a Zum or Williams..so now instead of play Zumthing, I play my wee Willy. ha. Incidentally, I haven't broken a string since I got it in Dec. & I got about 80 hrs. on it.. They need changing, but I want to see how long they'll go. But I may be forced to change if they go much longer.
John

jolynyk · From: Prince Albert Sask. Canada

Tim, for grill cloth do I just brush it on & wipe it off?
I notice a tiny hole in the grill cloth near a corner.
John

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

Lee, "409" is a household cleaner.

Lefty · From: Grayson, Ga.

I would leave the grill cloth alone unless it has noticable stains, An aged look is not a bad thing ( I tell my wife that).
Simple green on the tolex, wipe off with damp cloth and Armor all. Thats a great amp, recovering would be a mistake IMO.
Lefty

Ken Fox · From: Nashville GA USA

Both mentioned cleaners will work well. I have cleaned hundreds of amps with great results I use 409, Fantastic and even Westley's Tire Bleach with great results. Just get a pan of clear water and a nylon bristle scrub brush. Spray the amp and dip the brush in water and scrub away. Clean off the dirty residue with a dampened terry clothe towel. Keep the brush rinsed in the pan of water as you go along . The towel really helps lift the loosened soil out of the amp's Tolex.

Armor-All and it will look great. I repair any loose Tolex with either a hot glue gun or a product called Fabric Tac. Is is a fast acting glue that is found in fabric stores. I always keep a bottle in my shop
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/fabritac.html

[This message was edited by Ken Fox on 16 April 2006 at 08:13 AM.]

Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

I know, Jack! I was poking fun at you. You implied that the cleansers in the house belonged to the wife. That cleaning business is woman's work, not for us manly men!

Lee

jolynyk · From: Prince Albert Sask. Canada

Thanks to all for your suggestions.. I will start on it Mon. Today being Easter, got to dig into that big ham..
John

Tim Harr · From: Dunlap, Illinois

First Remove the speaker grill from the amp cabinet...then remove the logo.

I SATURATED the front and back of the grill cloth with the SIMPLE GREEN spray.

Then I used the shower (or hose) to rinse.

You wouldn't believe the YUCK that rinsed out of that cloth!!

I never knew that soiled grill cloth could really sparkle!!!!!

[This message was edited by Tim Harr on 19 April 2006 at 12:01 PM.]

Larry Strawn · From: Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.

I like Scrubbing Bubbles with a brush, then the Simple Green.. Rinse with clean water and polish...............................
But they seem to only get that about once a year! lol.

Larry

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"Fessy" S/D 12, 8/6 Hilton Pedal, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

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