So I'm re-doing the front face of my Mesa DR.

[Loren Littlejohn]

Because that diamond plate shit can suck a cock. Painting it black can as well

Here is the idea:

Tear that shit off:

I'll post more pics tomorrow, but the idea is basically to have it look more like a road king, only I'm using mesa tolex instead of speaker/grill cloth and I don't know where to get that piping that goes around the perimeter so that's being omitted as well (although I think white or gold would look slick). Also since the face of the DR is flush with the chassis there isn't a bevel at the bottom, but you get the idea.:

This required cutting out a new piece of wood in order to set the vent and logo down in. I ordered some tolex and cut the piece yesterday. I don't have pics of that process, but I will post the piece of wood to show what I mean.

... Anyhow, hopefully this doesn't turn ugly .


More pics tomorrow. :Spin:

 

[Metaltastic]

How come you're using tolex dude? I never liked the look of tolex front panels on amps, just looks painfully bland and boring to me - I much prefer the jute grille with steel centerplate pictured above!

 

[GarethSE]

wanted to mod my 5150 aesthetically for a long, long time
make it a bit more vintage like, but i cant find any of that colour grille cloth that framus use online anywhere.

keep this thread updated
want pix!

 

[Loren Littlejohn]

How come you're using tolex dude? I never liked the look of tolex front panels on amps, just looks painfully bland and boring to me - I much prefer the jute grille with steel centerplate pictured above!

Meh if it looks stupid, I'll gank it back off and try again.

Seriously, anything is better than diamond plate, what a fucking stupid looking thing to do to an amp.

 

[006]

Loren: That piping around the face can be found at Home Depot (or Lowe's, w/e), go to the millworks section (doors and windows) and look for the lining they use on window screens. It's the same vinyl-ish material and same size diameter, can only be had in black IIRC, that'll do the trick

 

[STINNETT]

I've been thinking of replacing the diamond plate on mine with figured maple!

 

[AudioPhile777]

I've been thinking of replacing the diamond plate on mine with figured maple!

this.

 

[JeffTD]

Any place that sells tolex will sell the piping - I regrilled/piped an old Rivera cabinet I had.

http://www.vibroworld.com/parts/tech10.html#piping

http://store.amplifiercovers.com/piping.html

http://www.mojotone.com/products.asp?id=44998

http://www.banzaieffects.com/Grill-Cloth-Piping-c-604.html

 

[KeithTidd]

I've been thinking of replacing the diamond plate on mine with figured maple!

that would be sweet

 

[P-E]

I've been thinking of replacing the diamond plate on mine with figured maple!

Amen to that, would be killer.

 

[Loren Littlejohn]

Yeah I thought of leaving it all natural, but once I got it done and pictured everything in my head I didn't care for it.

Anyhow more pics as promised. I don't think I will have it done till tomorrow though.

Front (pine):

Rear:

First attempt at gluing tolex, very large fail. I used PVC contact cement. Horrible idea, melted the tolex. Also didn't stick, peeled it off learned my lesson and got some contact cement meant for attaching Formica to counter tops (well I guess it isn't mainly for that).

Anyhow the second try with the new stuff was successful.

Gluing the side and pressing the face down some more since there was a spot that bubbled a little:

 

[Loren Littlejohn]

Anyhow, the next pic will be of it being done.

 

[Damian B]

Keep em coming! I love DIY shit!

 

[JBroll]

If you don't somehow incorporate zebra fur into this design, you are dead to all of us.

Jeff

 

[fade_2_black]

If you don't somehow incorporate zebra fur into this design, you are dead to all of us.

Jeff

I have an old strat replica that I covered in Zebra fur. Good for my old death metal band.
I also have a pink fluffy strap.

But, on a more serious note, cant wait to see the pics bro, interested in how it goes!!

 

[Loren Littlejohn]

Well, I glued the sides this morning (tolex), and then I went to put the mesa logo back in and...

It's just a smidge to tight, so I have to address that before I can post it finished. <sigh>

Anyhow, now I'm to the point where "hopefully" I can post a finished pic today. I have to work at 3 so we will see I guess.

 

[MetalJonesy]

lookin forward to the finished thing dude! its always very satisfying redoing tolex etc on amps

 

[Loren Littlejohn]

Well this gives the idea, the center logo and vent are not attached all the way, that is why you can see a white ring around it (the wood). I'm painting the back black just to make sure everything is cool. Also didn't realise how bad I chewed up the sides pounding the old face out .

But anyhow I'm glad I did this, when it's all put in correctly I think it will be an improvement to the old diamond plate crap.

 

[STINNETT]

Just curious, did you just pull off the diamond plate (which I believe is just held on with adhesive), or did you remove the wooden panel that the plate is attached to as well?

I ask because I want to start disassembling mine, but I don't see an immediately obvious way to remove that whole panel.

 

[Loren Littlejohn]

Yes the wood had to come off as well because of the way the diamond plate and vent are attached to the original. I had to make that piece of wood because the old one has the vent sitting on top of the face, and mine has the face pressed up to the front from behind (see pics).

There is no obvious way...

The wood is attached by finishing nails and glue, I definitely left some damage in the process . It doesn't come out easy AT ALL. I don't really have any tips other that try to be careful

If it's just the diamond plate and vent you want off (for painting) then just shove a screwdriver between the 2 pieces and pry, it's sticky stuff but it will come off with some patience and determination.