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can fliptops do this?

origami

origami

Jun 26, 2005
653
4
Big D TEXAS
www.myspace.com
#1
i love the looks of ampegs (old and new) and old fenders (silverface, blackface and tweed), and i have never liked that metal or chrome grill look so many companies use. i was wondering if fliptops or a similar company could do something like this:

i was thinking of making a custom speaker grill for my GK cabs resembling a 70s fender or vintage ampeg, or even the modern ampeg to put on my GK neo 2x12s. i love the sound of the GK neo 2x12s, but really dislike the look of that flashy chrome grill, plus ampeg or fender does not make a quality lightweight 2x12 bass cab and I don't want to sell my gear and go aguilar, so i am sticking with the GK.

call it weird. my guitarist plays with a fender combo and the other with a vox combo, and i feel my rig just sticks out visually in a bad way. they've never said anything, and i doubt they even care, but i personally favor something with a more vintage look. the neos sound killer, but don't have that look.

do companies like fliptops do stuff like that? anyone made a home project like this (retro look on a modern cab).

please show and say...
thanks
 
#3
FWIW A cheap alternative is to make a cloth grill for yourself using whatever grill cloth you want. I actually did this to my Road ready Boogie 2x15. a friend of mine made the frame and covered it with Ampeg blue sparkle cloth. It looks like a sick custom cab now. I'm considering doing this to my tolex avatar cab too. Maybe you could buy some grill cloth from these guys http://www.lopoline.com and have a go at building a frame?
 
#4
+1 to basslinejam's suggestion.
It is far easier to make a grill cloth - heck, to re-cover your GK cab too, if you want, than to build a whole new cab for the sake of the covering and grill.
 
#6
I was thinking 1"x1" trim glued and screwed in butt joints and maybe some really thin ply triangles at the corners? I haven't gotten to the actual "doing it" part:) I would paint it black before stapling the fabric to it...

The frame my friend built for my boogie was MUCH more complicated and large. He is a furniture maker so I can't explain all the little steps he took. It is way overbuilt for what it is...

You do it and tell US what to do! ;)

cheers
 
#7
I've actually made grill frames by electrical taping the S**t out of the corners.

It was actually suprisingly sturdy, and it doesn't really have to be all that sturdy, since it is held in place by velcro/magnets most of the time.

Not the best way, but defintely quick and quite functional.

Just if you do it that way be very generous with the electrical tape. :)
 
#9
You can get some luan plywood (it's very thin) and cut it in 1" or 1.5" strips. Then square up the corners to each other and cut a small triangular piece to glue on each corner to hold it together (use a good epoxy). Then probably one or two strips across the middle and attached in the same fashion (except not triangular) for some structural integrity. Then staple the cloth on and it should work.
 
#10
that website was cool.

if i ever decided to buy a 15" driver and put it into a cab that would be an idea for sure. that look is more or less what i am talking about.

i pretty much don't want to junk the GK cab.

i need to look closer on how to secure a new frame/grill/cloth to the front of the GK cab. ampeg uses a block of wood and velcro for some cabs. thier frames are pieces of thin wood and small nails or staples i think.
 

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