Paul I am repairing and restoring two 4001 cases. Any idea where I can procure black or silver tolex that is close to the pattern and weight used by Rickenbacker?
Thanks in advance for any assistance that you can give me.
Case Tolex
Moderator: jingle_jangle
Case Tolex
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
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jingle_jangle
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I'll put in a plug here for using water-based contact cement to stick it on, or one of the water-based Tolex glues sold by some of the fabric vendors. I used it to cover the last speaker cabinet that I built and it was a true joy to work with compared to the old, stinky solvent-based glues. No nasty fumes, cleans up with water and so far, the stuff seems quite well attached to the wood.
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jingle_jangle
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Absolutely, Todd. I should have mentioned this. No odor, easy cleanup, and it won't cause the tolex to bubble, as sometimes happens when it's brushed on.
Which brings me to application...this stuff works best when it's applied to both surfaces with a trim roller. Trim rollers are the 4" wide X 1" diameter ones that you can get at hardware and paint stores. You can use small, disposable bristle brushes to do small areas and corners when you're wrapping the Tolex. I find foam brushes to be a waste of time, BTW.
Other nice things to have when doing this sort of thing are a very sharp #11 Exacto knife and extra blades, a metal yardstick, and a hair dryer or heat gun.
Which brings me to application...this stuff works best when it's applied to both surfaces with a trim roller. Trim rollers are the 4" wide X 1" diameter ones that you can get at hardware and paint stores. You can use small, disposable bristle brushes to do small areas and corners when you're wrapping the Tolex. I find foam brushes to be a waste of time, BTW.
Other nice things to have when doing this sort of thing are a very sharp #11 Exacto knife and extra blades, a metal yardstick, and a hair dryer or heat gun.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
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― Kurt Vonnegut
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lyle_from_minneapolis
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Now you got me interested in a new project...
What's the best way to remove the old tolex? I'm thinking about the beat up case for my '72 Ric bass.
Thanks
What's the best way to remove the old tolex? I'm thinking about the beat up case for my '72 Ric bass.
Thanks
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jingle_jangle
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Lift up the lining around the edges, and rip away. In extreme cases (pun intended) you might use a heat gun and a putty knife to pry it away from the case.
Guys--one thing we haven't covered (pun again...)...what you gonna do about those thick sewed-on leather ends?
The only way I know of redoing 'em is sewing by hand with a feeder awl. That's an awl which carries a spool of waxed cotton twine in its handle.This is tedious and difficult. In order to do this, the lining must be removed from the case, at least at both ends.
In production, a very heavy-duty sewing machine is used, which sews twine and pierces the cowhide, the piping, and the bent plywood of the case. Nasty business...
Guys--one thing we haven't covered (pun again...)...what you gonna do about those thick sewed-on leather ends?
The only way I know of redoing 'em is sewing by hand with a feeder awl. That's an awl which carries a spool of waxed cotton twine in its handle.This is tedious and difficult. In order to do this, the lining must be removed from the case, at least at both ends.
In production, a very heavy-duty sewing machine is used, which sews twine and pierces the cowhide, the piping, and the bent plywood of the case. Nasty business...
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
Paul I am planning on recovering my cases by butting the fabric up to the leather ends. In both cases (pun intended) the leather ends are a bit "tatty" but they are 95% or so intact.
Any other thoughts about how I should attack this particular area of the case?
Any other thoughts about how I should attack this particular area of the case?
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
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jingle_jangle
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Don't butt if you can help it.
Try to peel the old Tolex off, even under the ends, by sliding a putty knife under the piping and Tolex up to the stitching, under the 1/8"-1/4" of leather that's free before the stitching starts. This is called the "selvedge", BTW. Then, when you apply the silver Tolex, do your final width-trim AFTER most of it is glued to the case. Trim 1/8-1/4" too wide, and carefully tuck the Tolex under the piping and the leather end selvedge. Use a dull but flat tool for this. I have a flat screwdriver specially ground for this sort of thing, so it won't puncture the vinyl.
Reason: because Tolex shrinks...within a couple of years, if you butt it, you'll have a gap at each end. All your work will be for nought.
I'd also run some superglue between the leather end and the Tolex, after everything looks nice and tidy. This will help to keep everything locked in place over time. Do one half of the case at a time, leave horizontal; let dry overnight.
Try to peel the old Tolex off, even under the ends, by sliding a putty knife under the piping and Tolex up to the stitching, under the 1/8"-1/4" of leather that's free before the stitching starts. This is called the "selvedge", BTW. Then, when you apply the silver Tolex, do your final width-trim AFTER most of it is glued to the case. Trim 1/8-1/4" too wide, and carefully tuck the Tolex under the piping and the leather end selvedge. Use a dull but flat tool for this. I have a flat screwdriver specially ground for this sort of thing, so it won't puncture the vinyl.
Reason: because Tolex shrinks...within a couple of years, if you butt it, you'll have a gap at each end. All your work will be for nought.
I'd also run some superglue between the leather end and the Tolex, after everything looks nice and tidy. This will help to keep everything locked in place over time. Do one half of the case at a time, leave horizontal; let dry overnight.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
Hey Paul,
Any idea where one can get the HANDLE assembly for the VINTAGE cases?
A friend of mine just broke off the handle on his RIC 12 string and he has the vintage silver case.
Thanks in advance!
Any idea where one can get the HANDLE assembly for the VINTAGE cases?
A friend of mine just broke off the handle on his RIC 12 string and he has the vintage silver case.
Thanks in advance!
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jingle_jangle
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