Makeshift Amp Covers

[whatever4]

Has anyone made their own amp cover rather than spending money on a custom-made amp cover? Looking for ideas on makeshift amp covers (nothing fancy) to protect the amp to and from gigs.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Yes, it turns out to be a lot of work if you want it fitted well. I use cloth backed vinyl from a fabric store. You need a sewing machine and a lot of patients.

You can cut corners: lay a piece, back outward, over the front, top, and back. Sew on left and right sides. Trim the edges, reinforce he bottom seams. Turn it inside out. Trim the length or fold it over and hem it for a more finished look.

 

[whatever4]

Yes, it turns out to be a lot of work if you want it fitted well. I use cloth backed vinyl from a fabric store. You need a sewing machine and a lot of patients.

You can cut corners: lay a piece, back outward, over the front, top, and back. Sew on left and right sides. Trim the edges, reinforce he bottom seams. Turn it inside out. Trim the length or fold it over and hem it for a more finished look.

Thanks, but I was thinking more along the lines of getting a large vinyl shopping bag, cutting off the handles, pulling it upside down over the amp, and cutting a hole for the handle. I'm no seamstress and don't really care what it looks like as long as it does the job.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Thanks, but I was thinking more along the lines of getting a large vinyl shopping bag, cutting off the handles, pulling it upside down over the amp, and cutting a hole for the handle. I'm no seamstress and don't really care what it looks like as long as it does the job.

In that case, hardware stores sell plastic tarps that can be cut down to size.

There are larger sized bags made out of heavier waterproof materials. For instance tire storage bags like this:

Tire Storage Bag - Dustproof Protective Cover - Holds 4 tires up to 32" Diameter | eBay

 

[Diamond_Dave]

This is what you do--go to the local mom and pop printing shop, the kind of place that will print yard signs for political campaigns. Have them sell you five sheets of corrugated plastic (the stuff they print signs on) in dimensions big enough to cut pieces that fit the front, sides, back and top of your amp. Get them in black if possible; if not, pick up a can of black spray paint. Also, buy some black duct tape.

Then cut pieces out of the plastic about 1/4 inch bigger than the dimensions of your amp. Use good scissors or a blade. Duct tape them together. Be sure to measure and cut a slot for the handle. Really, an elementary school kid can do this.

Works like a charm. I made a cover for my guitar amp this way and am about to make one for my new bass combo. The corrugated plastic not only keeps dust off, but it's spill proof and the corrugations provide cushion from sharp corners, car trunks, etc.

 

[whatever4]

In that case, hardware stores sell plastic tarps that can be cut down to size.

There are larger sized bags made out of heavier waterproof materials. For instance tire storage bags like this:

Tire Storage Bag - Dustproof Protective Cover - Holds 4 tires up to 32" Diameter | eBay

That's a possibility. It's for a used Ampeg BA115 that I picked up for $150. I just want to keep it dry, keep dust out of the electronics, and keep the tolex in good shape.

 

[whatever4]

View attachment 1196453 This is what you do--go to the local mom and pop printing shop, the kind of place that will print yard signs for political campaigns. Have them sell you five sheets of corrugated plastic (the stuff they print signs on) in dimensions big enough to cut pieces that fit the front, sides, back and top of your amp. Get them in black if possible; if not, pick up a can of black spray paint. Also, buy some black duct tape.

Then cut pieces out of the plastic about 1/4 inch bigger than the dimensions of your amp. Use good scissors or a blade. Duct tape them together. Be sure to measure and cut a slot for the handle. Really, an elementary school kid can do this.

Works like a charm. I made a cover for my guitar amp this way and am about to make one for my new bass combo. The corrugated plastic not only keeps dust off, but it's spill proof and the corrugations provide cushion from sharp corners, car trunks, etc.

Nice job. Looks good.

 

[basscooker]

Fantastic. I love it.

 

[lpbfender]

View attachment 1196453 This is what you do--go to the local mom and pop printing shop, the kind of place that will print yard signs for political campaigns. Have them sell you five sheets of corrugated plastic (the stuff they print signs on) in dimensions big enough to cut pieces that fit the front, sides, back and top of your amp. Get them in black if possible; if not, pick up a can of black spray paint. Also, buy some black duct tape.

Then cut pieces out of the plastic about 1/4 inch bigger than the dimensions of your amp. Use good scissors or a blade. Duct tape them together. Be sure to measure and cut a slot for the handle. Really, an elementary school kid can do this.

Works like a charm. I made a cover for my guitar amp this way and am about to make one for my new bass combo. The corrugated plastic not only keeps dust off, but it's spill proof and the corrugations provide cushion from sharp corners, car trunks, etc.

Brilliant!

 

[Oren Hudson]

I've used the tarp method several times. Takes a little time, but relatively cheap. I draped the cover over the top and then used Gorilla tape to fasten folded sections. Works well as long as you don't drag the amp along the street. The better the tarp the better the cover.

 

[whatever4]

I've used the tarp method several times. Takes a little time, but relatively cheap. I draped the cover over the top and then used Gorilla tape to fasten folded sections. Works well as long as you don't drag the amp along the street. The better the tarp the better the cover.

Nice and simple!

 

[Diamond_Dave]

Okay...pics of making a bass combo amp cover this evening:

Raw materials--4x4 corrugated plastic sheet

Panels cut out

Tacked up for fit

Duct taped together

Inside too for hull integrity

Spray painted.

Cost:

$15 plastic
$9 duct tape
$5 spray paint

About $30 and it's waterproof, tough and custom fit.

 

[Diamond_Dave]

lol…7.5 years later, and I still have and use this amp cover! Keeps the dust off and protects the amp from random feet, guitar headstocks, etc. in the man cave.