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Righteous yet economical substitute for grille cloth

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by yodedude2, Nov 29, 2022.

what economical grille cloth replacement shall i use?

Poll closed Dec 6, 2022.

  1. old t-shirt, any color but preferably tie-dye

    26 vote(s)
    23.6%

  2. mosquito screen

    12 vote(s)
    10.9%

  3. aluminum foil with holes poked in it

    6 vote(s)
    5.5%

  4. s.o.'s leggings (don't tell her)

    7 vote(s)
    6.4%

  5. waffle-style speaker grill (too pricey, might as well get grill cloth)

    5 vote(s)
    4.5%

  6. just pony up funds for the real thing (also too pricey)

    26 vote(s)
    23.6%

  7. other (in comments)

    15 vote(s)
    13.6%

  8. carrot puree

    13 vote(s)
    11.8%
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  1. Nov 29, 2022 #1
    yodedude2

    yodedude2 Supporting Member

    Nov 19, 2005
    san antonio, texas
    quick context: i received a free non-functional tiny combo amp with an electrical issue and a slashed/nasty grille cloth. i fixed the amp issue and removed the nasty grille cloth...what do i replace the grill cloth with?

    so...is there any cheap (free) substitute for grill cloth? the area to be covered is tiny, about one squre foot. would a t-shirt work? paper towels? mosquito screen? all items i have on hand atm ... or does anyone here have a better idea? i sure hope so ...
     
  2. Nov 29, 2022 #2
    Zooberwerx

    Zooberwerx Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 21, 2002
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Just grab a pair of plus-size pantyhose, slide 'em over the frame, and trim off the legs. No logo but you'll have a pretty spectacular cotton crotch panel.

    Riis
     
    Murch, RustfeatherBass, djaxup and 12 others like this.
  3. Nov 29, 2022 #3
    Zooberwerx

    Zooberwerx Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 21, 2002
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Another stupid idea but I have a stock roll on hand: interweave lawn chair webbing and staple on the back. It's that ungodly green which just screams "rock & roll".

    Riis
     
    Gabbs, RustfeatherBass, Microbass and 8 others like this.
  4. Nov 29, 2022 #4
    WillieB

    WillieB Battling Bass Guitar Bulimia since 1975 Supporting Member

    Apr 26, 2010
    Columbus Ohio
    available at home depot .... enough to make several grills.

    36 in. x 84 in. Charcoal Polyester Pet Resistant Screen Roll for Windows and Door
     
    Bill Whitehurst, 1n3, dbeeman and 13 others like this.
  5. Nov 29, 2022 #5
    bassbones2

    bassbones2 Supporting Member

    Dec 31, 2013
    Nicholasville Kentucky
    Guilty of the tie-dye sheet many many moons ago…….sorry…….

    JB
     
    RustfeatherBass, covermego, Bass4Brkfast and 1 other person like this.
  6. Nov 29, 2022 #6
    bholder

    bholder Affable Sociopath Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    Sep 2, 2001
    Vestal, NY
    Received a gift from Sire* (see sig)
    Spiderman sheets? ;)
     
    RustfeatherBass, geeza and yodedude2 like this.
  7. Nov 29, 2022 #7
    yodedude2

    yodedude2 Supporting Member

    Nov 19, 2005
    san antonio, texas
    this sounds great! and yes, i'm looking for something i have on hand ... don't have any of that stuff, though.
     
  8. Nov 29, 2022 #8
    yodedude2

    yodedude2 Supporting Member

    Nov 19, 2005
    san antonio, texas
    if only i had some lying around! or maybe some underoos ...
     
    bholder and Lo-E like this.
  9. Nov 29, 2022 #9
    Redbrangus

    Redbrangus Supporting Member

    Nov 19, 2018
    Under The X In Texas
    Black polyester interfacing fabric from a fabric shop is really cheap and fairly acoustically transparent; limiting the choice to what you have on hand, I would go with the mosquito screen. However, I voted for you to bite the bullet and buy some actual grill cloth fabric.
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2022
    Marko 1, Bass4Brkfast and yodedude2 like this.
  10. Nov 29, 2022 #10
    buldog5151bass

    buldog5151bass Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.

    Oct 22, 2003
    Connecticut
    Stop at any fabric store and peruse the cut-off/clearance pile.
     
    Murch, RustfeatherBass, Bajo Clarkko and 9 others like this.
  11. Nov 29, 2022 #11
    allen_m

    allen_m Supporting Member

    Dec 31, 2008
    Tulsa, Oklahoma
    Black concert/band/gear t-shirt. That way you get a logo too.
     
    Murch, Marko 1 and yodedude2 like this.
  12. Nov 29, 2022 #12
    micguy

    micguy

    May 17, 2011
    Woven polyester (doubleknit usually) is the practical alternative that a lot of folks use. The thing you're trying to avoid is acoustical resistance - that arises from forcing air through small holes, so the cloth with the biggest holes between fibers is what you want. Polyester also stretches enough and doesn't warp or shrink over time - you can stretch it a bit on a frame, and over time it'll stay there.
     
    RustfeatherBass, Marko 1 and yodedude2 like this.
  13. Nov 29, 2022 #13
    Ric5

    Ric5 Supporting Member

    Jan 29, 2008
    Colorado
    I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
    I have actually used this on a cab back in the 70s ... it lets the sound out and it protects the speaker

    upload_2022-11-29_7-17-36.png
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2022
    Bill Whitehurst, Mk90, John M Ewers and 13 others like this.
  14. Nov 29, 2022 #14
    NathOBX

    NathOBX

    Apr 23, 2017
    Kill Devil Hills, NC
    Chicken Wire!
     
    Anthony Fury, WillieB, Jeff Scott and 4 others like this.
  15. Nov 29, 2022 #15
    HardNHeavy

    HardNHeavy

    Apr 17, 2014
    PA
    fabric store is a good idea... lots of different materials designs and colors for cheap. I like the tie-dyed t-shirt idea,depending on amp width:D
     
    yodedude2 likes this.
  16. Nov 29, 2022 #16
    Killing Floor

    Killing Floor Supporting Member

    Feb 7, 2020
    Austin, TX
    Look up radiator screen. Lots of patterns and you can paint it.
    upload_2022-11-29_9-2-40.png
     
    Harrison Wagner, RustfeatherBass, John M Ewers and 8 others like this.
  17. Nov 29, 2022 #17
    Mannyinnewyork

    Mannyinnewyork

    Sep 28, 2016
    Spencertown, New York
    I would buy an unusual flag and make the grill out of it. For example.

    7F649DA4-AE35-413C-BEAE-6A6145F668E9.png
     
    RustfeatherBass, John M Ewers, Albert Ross and 4 others like this.
  18. Nov 29, 2022 #18
    yodedude2

    yodedude2 Supporting Member

    Nov 19, 2005
    san antonio, texas
    some really great ideas here. way better than my ideas! thanks, y'all! :cool:
     
  19. Nov 29, 2022 #19
    two fingers

    two fingers Opinionated blowhard. But not mad about it. Inactive

    Feb 7, 2005
    Eastern NC USA
    Go into the fabric store. Browse around. One yard of pretty much anything will be more than plenty. By the one that makes you grin the widest. Could be your favorite football team (or soccer, baseball, basketball, whatever). Could be My Little Pony. You do you.
     
    Murch, mexicanyella, yodedude2 and 2 others like this.
  20. Nov 29, 2022 #20
    Dirk Diggler

    Dirk Diggler Supporting Member

    Mar 3, 2004
    Anytown USA
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2022
    yodedude2 likes this.
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