Does anyone else prefer Rat Fur over Tolex?

[Pep]

I voted tolex, but my absolute favorite for looks and durability is tweed. Unfortunately, there are not alot of options for real tweed covered bass cabs these days.

Isn't tweed just a different pattern of tolex?

 

[fclefgeoff]

Isn't tweed just a different pattern of tolex?

No. I mean real tweed textile fabric, not the tolex with tweed print. There is a huge difference between the two.

 

[Pep]

No. I mean real tweed textile fabric, not the tolex with tweed print. There is a huge difference between the two.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Didn't vote as I have one of each and no preference. For the rat fur, I have lint rollers, fabric shaver, and a shop vac. The tolex on my Hartke HyDrive is looking particularly nasty and needs some TLC including glue-down of the margins and touch-ups with either a Sharpie or brush-on vinyl.

Riis

 

[InhumanResource]

Now, I think MOST people would prefer the aesthetics of Tolex over the gray rat fur on many cabs and heads. But some (like my Trace V6) also have colored rat fur, so that can be done. My biggest issue with Tolex is that it is WAY less durable than Rat fur. It rips really easy when you gig constantly and after a few years gets looking really beat up. I have rat fur cabs that have probably 100 gigs on them and look pretty new.

Now, if I was not gigging and had my gear in a nice safe environment all the time, I would probably go for some nice custom Tolex. More likely a nice finished hardwood cab. But for my gigging gear, I'm a rat fur guy all day every day.

What say you? Also please indicate if you gig.....

I like the rat fur but it became a cat fur cabinet really fast and that is just gross.

 

[Jugghaid]

I like the rat fur but it became a cat fur cabinet really fast and that is just gross.

Another reason I don't have cats.

 

[InhumanResource]

Another reason I don't have cats.

I like your system better lol

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Have you checked into the Automatic Watches thread?

Auto correct strikes again…LOL

 

[Jason Hollar]

I own and gig both. Strongly prefer the durable / tolex style that GK uses over rat fur - which yes, excels at picking up every dang thang.

I've found the trick is having nice covers for transport.

I absolutely destroyed several carpeted SWR cabs over decades of shows, so live & learn.

 

[SJan3]

View attachment 7378419
I own and gig both. Strongly prefer the durable / tolex style that GK uses over rat fur - which yes, excels at picking up every dang thang.

I've found the trick is having nice covers for transport.

I absolutely destroyed several carpeted SWR cabs over decades of shows, so live & learn.

Jason, off topic but since you have both GK and MarkBass combo stacks, which I am really considering, can you share some likes/dislikes of both rigs?
Perhaps better in a new post out of respect for the OP. Or you can PM me if you like.

 

[Lo-E]

I gig regularly and have owned both rat fur and tolex covered cabs.

Both can look pretty shabby after some years of gigging. Rat fur is uglier than tolex when it's new and it's exponentially uglier than tolex when each is worn and tired. I voted tolex.

In terms of durability and cosmetics I think truck bed liner is probably the overall winner.

 

[Lo-E]

And no...... the bass is NOT heavier! Kramers get a bad rap for being really heavy.

I think yours must be an outlier. I had the same model for several years and mine weighed about 2,700 pounds. My back started to tighten up just looking at the picture of yours!

 

[ClassicJazz]

I think yours must be an outlier. I had the same model for several years and mine weighed about 2,700 pounds. My back started to tighten up just looking at the picture of yours!

I actually have two of them and neither are too heavy.

 

[Passinwind]

Duratex or other similar but more robust products for gigging, natural finish at home. Never Tolex unless it's a vintage Fender guitar amp.

 

[Lo-E]

I actually have two of them and neither are too heavy.

View attachment 7378620

Mine was a DMZ4000 just like yours on the left but the body was solid maple. It might as well have been plutonium.

Sorry for the thread derail….

 

[Jefenator]

I'll deal with a slip cover for a Tolex cab if I really have to. I'd hate to imagine how my lightweight 2x10 would look by now if I hadn't.
That said, it's pretty sweet when you don't have to; I already have plenty of bags & cases, gumming up the work flow.
Therefore I vote in favor of the rat fur.

 

[Clipped]

I prefer the look of Tolex. That said, I have a practice amp (MarkBass 808) that gets carried (and dropped, and banged up, and what not). Happy to have a bit of rat fur to protect that little guy.

 

[JimChjones]

Can't help thinking that a requirement for protective covers to protect the protective covering on one's cabs is a slightly bizarre concept. I guess it suggests that unlike truck liner or maybe even rat fur, Tolex is at least partially a cosmetic covering. Nothing wrong with that of course, but its kinda ironic that the decorative finish is largely invisible to the paying public.

 

[beans-on-toast]

A source for Ozite (aka rat fur).

grahamfabrics.com

McBride GOZ-72 - 72" Wide Grey Ozite

The same heavy duty carpet covering that the Pro Sound industry uses. Tough and durable like nothing else. 72" gray Ozite carpet covering. Sold by the running yard. *This is an Oversized Item. Extra shipping charges will apply.*

qcomponents.ca

I'm waiting for the EU to ban vinyl "tolex" covered amps for flammability reasons.

Years ago, some amps and cases were covered with tweed fabric. Not just Fender. It was common for people to apply coats of lacquer to protect the tweed. I've done that and it looks cool. Must be very flammable.