How to Cover a Cabinet with Tolex or Leatherette.....Part 1 

When I heard there was no music in the back/forefront I just liked before even watching. Good job!

This is the best RU-vid tutorial on any subject I've ever watched!

Wrapping my diy 1x12 cabinet today and watching these vids for about the 10th time hoping to not mess up. We all appreciate you Doug!

I'm the (but most likely not only) fan of your videos who asked for this. THANK YOU! There's plenty out there but not nearly as detailed as I knew yours would be. Being the Math and Science teacher that you are (my two favorite subjects) I was sure you could explain it better than anyone else. I was definitely not disappointed! I watched all three videos and frankly could't ask for more. I can't wait to finish my little, way overdue project!

Hi Doug, I recently bought a second hand Amp head, I can't get ride of the nicotine/Tabaco smell from the tolex. I bought special spray with enzymes nothing helps. So I decided to buy some new Tolex and with the help of your videos I am gonna try to make it happen. If it is success I will make a post with pics. I really value people like you and your work. Thanks.

Every time I am about to upholster another amp cabinet I watch this video again and again!))) Uncle Doug, I keep on saying: you are my inspiration! ) Thanks a lot!

I have done 8 cabs/amp heads so far, and your technique is perfect for us beginners, thank you soooo much !!

Thank you very much Sir uncle Doug. You deserve to be in some hall of fame. The way to take care of the rounded corners is simple but not shown a lot! Use enough slack so the cuts wont show and there is no need for 2 triangular pieces to fill space.

This is just what I was so eager about and it´s all in this episode. And now i know why i failed. Not enough glue. And just glue on the wood and I do not apply anything on the back side of the tolex I used. Thanx for this lesson so much! I really can´t say how much you have told me in this little quarter hour video! Very well done, professor!

Nice going, Rusty. Great video. Thanks for posting!

Uncle Doug, thank you for your great vids! I followed your instructions and successfully built and finished a custom cabinet for my rack gear in the new studio. All firsts for me. It came out amazing. Thx!

once again! Thanks times a billion!! I tolexed a panel this evening and although not as good as what you are doing.. Pretty close! I'm in the ballpark so, I will only get better! Man! You helped so much and I really appreciate people like you that donate your time.

Doug, I’ve built 10 - 12 amps/speaker cabs over the last few years and I rewatch this tolexing video each time for review. Thank you!

Wonderfully demonstrated. Thanks so much from a ‘Tolex’ beginner. Fantastic tutorial 🇬🇧

I was finally able to put this video to good use today. I broke out the Weldwood and attacked my old Supro. My hands are now flippers and my dungarees are a permanent addition to my back deck but the cabinet never looked better! Net positive.

I'm about to cover my first cabinet. It's around the same color as this covering but, a paisley design. I also want tell you. The cabinet I am covering is a finger jointed cabinet. Also built by myself, using your videos as reference. I'm proud of what I have done so far! Cannot express the large amount of appreciation for your teachings. By the way. The cab I built is going to house a 1960's Airline/Valco Reverb Unit. Also refurbished by me. All of your videos have inspired me to learn about the guitar amplifiers I have been using all my life. Thank you!

Your work is very impressive, and your teaching skills are equally helpful. I look forward to watching a lot of your videos!

Doug I’ve watched this video series several times already. I enjoy watching people create things and this series is just so satisfying to watch. I’ve gotten up the courage to try my hand at making my own 1x12 speaker cab. I’ve done lots of woodwork and built several step back cabinets so I think it should turn out just fine. I was mainly looking for tips and instruction on applying the tolex as I’ve never done that process. Thanks for these videos

I used your video as a reference to cover home built 1x12 speaker cab. turned out so much better thanks to you.

It seems to me that Rusty is the brains behind your operation. Please show us a vid of how he comes up with all his good ideas that you translate to us mere humans. Thank you Sir.

Dear Uncle Doug! I always watch your videos many times again and again. For me they are the best upholstery tutorials ever seen, thanks a lot! I am glad to inform you that today, following your tutorials, I tried to upholster a test back panel of a amp cabinet and did manage to make it really great!) Even despite the fact that I made THREE mistakes the result is stunning! ) And it is all thanks to you and the knowledge that you share with us! The mistakes of mine are: 1. I was in a hurry. 2. I forgot to apply the second coat of glue when the first layer dried up. 3. When folding the flaps over the back side of the panel I forgot to cover the latter with glue at all!). But it worked great! Millions of thanks to you and Rusty for such great vids! I wish you all the best and, please, keep making us wiser! Lots of regards. ALEX (Russia)

Being that I'm retired now it's a good thing you're not a brisk walk away or you would have a permanent fan hanging around your shop. Wonderful work as usual Uncle Doug. I'm sure Rusty just ran off to find his glue gun, he will be back...after the nap.

I don't believe anyone else explains the process as thoroughly as you do and demonstrates the process at the same time, very well done, I'm inclined to exactness to a point and your end panel looks very nice. I just wish I could afford a video camera to show myself doing the same, I'm on disability and can't afford it, thanks for posting.

Just what I needed to watch. This was awesome! You are the kind of detail oriented, straight to the point, incredible job! making kind of guy I needed to see to set me on the right path. I just bought myself 3 different samplings of tolux that I intend to use on various stereo equipment along with a case for a 1937 German Favorit1 typewriter. I have all the parts ready to go as well as all the different items I need to apply the tolux with, and having someone show me exactly how to go step by step through through the process is what my doc ordered. Your process yielded what turned out to be a flawless job ... simply amazing, really. I also have an alligator skin type, but in a bright orange color with like ... burnt orange highlights. Can't wait to try it out. A bit much for the typewriter, but my old *DJ'ing cabinet couldn't hurt to have something that looks like your work, but in orange, on it. I do hope I can duplicate your techniques. I'm tired and would surely make a mistake right now. Time to hit the sack and attack this one fresh. Thank you very much for the knowledge, much appreciated. *I'm not a DJ, just happen to own a DJ cabinet that I find works great for my '80s component stereo. Soon to be adorned in orange alligator tolux :D

just brilliant Doug. your videos never cease to amaze me. just the stuff im looking for. I really appreciate these vid's.

Thanks for all of this videos!!!

People like you deserve big hug and thanks Best regards from Lebanon❤️

I am getting ready to cover a pedal board that I built with Tolex, something I've never done before. These videos are so helpful and so well done and contains much needed information. Thank you Uncle Doug.

Thank you. This was immensely helpful. I'm making a pair of 1X8 speaker cabs (stereo guitar!) and covering with fabric backed marine vinyl. Everything you covered here was exactly what I needed to know.

Just as valuable today as the day you posted these videos. Thank you!

Lupe would be proud of your craftsmanship.

Yes sir, thanking you so very much for putting this video together. Watched it once and was able to reface my 2000 Vox Cambridge amp with no prior experience. Used matte black vinyl with the double coat of contact cement and 3m rubber/vinyl spray, sucker is never coming off, lol. Looks like it just came off the assembly line, was really hard coming in to my little cubical after doing this over the weekend. Now I want to pursue it 9-5, lol.

Getting ready to cover a piece of wood with leatherette to make a table, thank you so much for posting this. I learned some techniques and got ideas to make my project successful. I appreciate it!

Great techniques that everyone should be able to use. And it looks very good, too. Thanks for sharing!

Subscribed, and THANK YOU!!! I no longer fear making head-only cabs for a couple of my Fender Musicmaster Bass Amps. I use them with guitar, not bass. Seems whenever Fender makes a bass amp it is a better guitar amp, but I digress.....I agree with another poster that folks like you are why I like RU-vid! This is VERY helpful and I thank you, sir!

I couldnt resist "YOUR BACKDOOR SHOULD BE ABLE TO HOLD ITS OWN" ...........LOL

A wonderful You Tube video.... has given me confidence to try and cover my first 'home brew' amp cabinet. Thank you for taking time to show how it's done.

First, let me say that I think all your videos are very helpful, valuable, and meticulously detailed. I really appreciate all the info they contain and the manner with which it is delivered. I'm glad to have come back to youtube to discover that you've done so many more videos than I originally knew about. I stumbled upon your channel when you did the Hammond AO reverb unit conversion. I have a couple of chassis that I need to get around to converting including a Hammond organ amp and an old Wurlitzer I may convert to a Fender 5E3P.

Thanks for this great video. I watched it several times before covering an instrument case I built for my sister. Everything went smoothly, and the case looks great. The investment in a good respirator was worth every penny!

Excellent instruction Doug. Thank you for taking the time to document your work.

Beautiful work!!

very nice video. I always struggled with the curved edges, after watching this I think I won't struggle with them anymore

Grim Death and Seven Semi Trucks; I think I just found my new band name! Outstanding video as always, Uncle Doug.

The perfect guide. Thanks for showing how to do neat corners and nice tip on heating up the awl

Brilliant Uncle Doug! Like some of the earlier comments, I have learnt so much much from these range of videos.. Bloody Legend

I read an article where a cab builder switched to water base contact cement. I guess there are no fumes and no bubbling occurs under the tolex/vinyl as it cures. Also much easier to clean up. Just soap and water. A bit of Pinesol helps to wipe any extra off tolex. It also is a bit easier to adjust any mishaps. Otherwise,it’s the same to work with as regular contact cement. I’ve had great results with your method. Think I might try the water based cement next time for stated reasons,Thanx again!

Sweeeeet! Much needed information, and very well-done tutorial. Thanks Uncle Doug!

Great instructions, thank you.

Best videos on RU-vid. Thanks for sharing your expertise, Uncle Doug!

Your videos make me want to build my planned, homebrew 50W head... Thank You for the motivation!!!

The videos were a great help as I rebuilt my old silvertone. Thanks for doing these videos. Great job!

I just love your tutorials, they make things look so easy.

Beautiful Job! You are a true artisan in many disciplines. I always enjoy your thorough documentation and instruction. A natural born mentor and sage. :) As always, thank you for sharing and we're all so lucky and grateful you are here!

Boy, what did I get myself into?, thank you sir you are helping me out immensely yeah, I have one big mess in front of me and I'm about to start drinking again been years wish me luck. Thank you again for all info.

Excellent video!

Very informative, clear, and easy to understand! Thank you for uploading it!

This certainly helped me get the job done for a back panel missing from my amp.

I rescind my comment about leaving the cab "natural" that looks great. you've opend the door to different ideas in upholstering amps. for me anyway. i dont speak for everyone else. great video, and you have a very steady hand, I've never noticed you hold the camera I always thought that was rusty's job.

Thank you for this

Great series of videos! very descriptive and thorough!

Very very helpful!!!!

By far the best video on this topic

Thank you Uncle Doug. I'm going to restore my 79 Fender Twin Reverb, and it needs either new Tolex, or I may just build and entire new cabinet for it. Either way, nice to have visual reference for applying covering to a cab.

This dude is awesome.

Great video.

rusty is the best dog!

Looks nice, Uncle Doug !! Very, very nice work !!

Thank you for this absolutely wonderful instructional.

Well made and highly informative video. Thanks for taking the time!

Beautiful work. Thanks!

Awesome, well done and useful tutorial, Sir. Thank you.

Excellent

I love watching this series of videos of urs, I am currently re upholstering a swr la 15 bass guitar amp. I'm also redoing the input and pots, and the metal around it. I'm still in the process of getting it ready to cover with some really awesome fabric I found, not tolex or leatherette, but I'm goin to do it the same way u did this one, as the cab is almost identical to ur cab in this video, just a lil larger. Thanx for all of ur thoroughness. It really helps. And I can't wait to see more videos that u make.

Great video. And you seem like a classy chap. Have a good day, Sir.

Excellent video Sir, props to you 👍🏼

Nice Uncle Doug!!

i wish i could like this several times over.

It's getting very cute, a masterpiece indeed. i'm seeing the sixties on it. What a wonderful job :)

Quel beau travail !!! Bravo ! Georges

Excellent tutorial! Thanks for taking of you time to publish it to YouTbe.

Nicely done. All your videos are well done and are invaluable. Thanks for taking the time and pat Rusty for me. Subscribed

Good job

I am just in the process of covering an auxilliary speaker cabinet that will be slaved off my Fender Champion 40. The additional 12 inch powered speaker cabinet will be covered in Tolex 07, with the handle and corners and rubber feet from a online speaker supply store. The grill cloth to cover athe 12 inch Eminence1248 speaker is as close as the silver style used on the MIC Fender solid state amp. The inside of the Fender amp has a couple large scale LSI chips to create the amp models and and EFX that guitar players may use. I'm using one of these monolithic Chinese made small PC board amps (TDA7294 50 to 100 watts) chips depending on power supply rails) to power the additional speaker so that I can slave it off the headphone jack. I using a 10K volume control to control the input level. There is a fair amount of work to make these smaller amps, including covering it with Tolex. The biggest challenge is bending a piece of aluminum sheet to a 20 degree bend, and then two 90 degree bends to form the chassis to mount the small switching power supply (+35/-35v) and the amp board.

Hi Uncle Doug. First off Great Videos. I noticed your Craftsman table saw doesn't have the cast iron table wings that extend the table out about 18 inches out to either side of the cast iron table. If you would like some I have a set you can have just cover the shipping. The motor in my trusty old table saw was direct drive and it burned out and I could not find a replacement but I kept the parts to someday make a router table out of the center section but I won't need the wings. Let me know if you need them.

Pretty good work, stretching the tolex kinda wears your hands out but there is no other way to do it, yes, I've done this 40 years ago, getting ready to do it again on a 4 by 12" cab and head cab.

Thanks Ron Swanson

Some very good tips, thanks! I think I heard Rusty saying "I don't have thumbs, so holding the camera is tricky" :))

I hope Rusty wasn't sniffing any contact cement. I guess the OEM style tweed tolex is harder to find these days? I've used black naugahyde available from local upholstery places. Cutting the covering for the curvature requires some careful cuts. Very nice.

Great work!

Sticks like grim death!! Haha cracked me up! Great video thanks for posting

Uncle Doug, I seldom comment on any videos here on youtube, but I just wanted to sincerely thank you for taking the time to make all of these thorough, informative, and excellent tutorial videos. They have really given me a lot of great instruction and confidence in tackling my own projects. I have watched a lot of your stuff and the depth of your knowledge is impressive to say the least. You could easily work in a custom shop setting for Fender or Gibson on someone like that if you were so inclined. Everything you do is straight to the point and really quality stuff. Were you an engineer of some kind in an earlier career perhaps?...just a guess. Thanks again for sharing your extensive knowledge with all the rest of us and please say "hey" to Rusty for me.

I've been anxiously awaiting this video. Great job as always, Doug. I recovered a Valve Junior head a few years ago in a blue sparkle. Looked great, though I learned a lot of what NOT to do, as you will with the first attempt at something. Where do you get that particular brown croc vinyl? Looks great.

Thanks ,this has made me feel confident enough to do this ,I'm just starting a bass cab ,,fed up with the matt black finish as usual

Uncle Doug Thanks, winter is coming, so it's time to build a single ended EL84 guitar amp.

Watching this in preparation to do my first build with your inspiration, Doug! I'm halfway through the chassis at the moment and still sweating about the layout and fitting everything in . It's kinda of 6G2 preamp with AA964 2nd stage and PI with a Blackface power section. I'm using 6SL7 tubes in the preamp and running the heaters for that section DC. Anyway greetings from Brisbane and back to soldering iron!

Great clear methods Uncle Doug, thank you! I believe I am going to try LePage contact cement (solvent based) on the wood, and 3M Super 77 on the back of the tolex. Hopefully that combo yields good results.

This is amazing.

Luv your YT presentations. Extremely helpful & informative! I’ve looked through the comments to see ‘how much material’ is needed for the job & haven’t come up w/ an answer? I’m planning on covering a Dlx Rvb extension spkr cab (open back w/ panels and hoping you might know/guess the quantity needed for the job minus the grill cloth. I realize it’s a larger cab than your cabinet in the video, but an approximation would be helpful . Really like the faux croc leather material...hot! Thx

I see it starts to get a little tricky once you get to the cabinet stages! :)

The wood you used for that looks perfect for a stained finish with shellac. Surprised you covered that with glue and faux gator leather. I wish I could finish MY cab with stain and shellac to match the custom guitar I made... (I've been using a 1960A Marshall cab for about 30yrs, definitely time to refinish it. Unfortunately, they use unfinished ply)