Anybody have a pattern for sewing an amp cover?

[Steve A.]

I realize that this is not one of the more macho topics, but at the local blues jams, practically everybody has an amp cover that looks like their wife sewed it up...

It seems to me that there should be a pattern *somewhere* that shows you how to piece this together, based on the actual dimensions of the amp and the location of the handle. Something that shows you where you'd fold it over for seams, etc.

I realize that an expert seamstress (seamster?) could whip this together in minutes, but I am not now, nor have I ever been a member of the Seamster's Union and I have no idea where Jimmy Hoffa is buried... :eek:

If nothing else, maybe suggestions as to what type of fabric to use and how many yards would be required for a cover for, say, a typical 5E3 cabinet.

Thanks!

Steve Ahola

[Regis]

Hi Steve,

This guy has a whole bunch of DIY articles on his webpage, here is one with details on how to make covers for your gear. (http://www.colomar.com/Shavano/make_covers1.html)

I've built a number of things using tips from that guy, he has good information.

Good luck,

Regis

[52 Bill]

R.G. Keen has an article about making repro covers for old Vox amps on his site, that details how to measure and construct using vinyl materials. The basics are the same and could easily be used for making covers of any material or any size.

[Steve A.]

Hi Steve,

This guy has a whole bunch of DIY articles on his webpage, here is one with details on how to make covers for your gear. (http://www.colomar.com/Shavano/make_covers1.html)

I've built a number of things using tips from that guy, he has good information.

Good luck,

Regis

That article looks great so I snagged it for my site!

http://www.blueguitar.org/new/misc/SMO_making_amp_covers.pdf

So did anyone ever write Part 2, which would address the more complicated issues like openings for the handles? Just wondering...

Thanks!

Steve Ahola

[Regis]

That article looks great so I snagged it for my site!

http://www.blueguitar.org/new/misc/SMO_making_amp_covers.pdf

So did anyone ever write Part 2, which would address the more complicated issues like openings for the handles? Just wondering...

Thanks!

Steve Ahola

I don't think he ever did the second part, Steve.

regis

[Casey4s]

I only attempted one amp cover. I want to a local fabric shop and found some Goretex that was lined with a coating of rubberized material. Big mistake there, the gortex without the rubber would have been fine, but the rubber stuff made this an absolute monster to sew.

I made a layout (pattern) from paper first by just measuring and trial and error, and just worked at it with a borrowed 50+ year old basic Singer. You just have to sew it inside-out but I will never do this again, what a pain in the arse. Next time I'll find a seamstress or expierienced amature to do it and just pay them.

This is the finished cover,
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff243/Casey4s/DIY%20BF%20Princeton%20Reverb%20Variation%20Walnut/92ad.jpg?t=1205553093

This is the amp under cover,
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff243/Casey4s/DIY%20BF%20Princeton%20Reverb%20Variation%20Walnut/e78a.jpg?t=1205553570

[guitarman]

You should just use these guys: www.bscovers.com. Their covers are great... rubber lined, like what you were talking about. They have many different models listed. But, if they don't, you can send them the dimensions and they'll make one to fit it!

[Steve A.]

I only attempted one amp cover. I want to a local fabric shop and found some Goretex that was lined with a coating of rubberized material. Big mistake there, the gortex without the rubber would have been fine, but the rubber stuff made this an absolute monster to sew.

I made a layout (pattern) from paper first by just measuring and trial and error, and just worked at it with a borrowed 50+ year old basic Singer. You just have to sew it inside-out but I will never do this again, what a pain in the arse. Next time I'll find a seamstress or expierienced amature to do it and just pay them.

This is the finished cover,
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff243/Casey4s/DIY%20BF%20Princeton%20Reverb%20Variation%20Walnut/92ad.jpg?t=1205553093

This is the amp under cover,
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff243/Casey4s/DIY%20BF%20Princeton%20Reverb%20Variation%20Walnut/e78a.jpg?t=1205553570

I just LOVE your mauve chair! I hope that my boyfriend gets me one for Father's Day... :eek:

Steve Ahola

[Casey4s]

I just LOVE your mauve chair! I hope that my boyfriend gets me one for Father's Day... :eek:

Steve Ahola

That photo was at my brothers house, I was more excited about the "Putting green" carpet myself.

[sportster4eva]

Casey,
That's a pretty sweet looking amp. Did you build it? if so, can you tell me where you found the brass handle end pieces (brackets). I have been looking for a while now but no luck. Thanks;)

[Casey4s]

Casey,
That's a pretty sweet looking amp. Did you build it? if so, can you tell me where you found the brass handle end pieces (brackets). I have been looking for a while now but no luck. Thanks;)

Yes I built that ampp from scratch there are some pics here:
http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff243/Casey4s/DIY%20BF%20Princeton%20Reverb%20Variation%20Walnut/?start=all&paginator=top

It's a variation on the Fender BFPR.

I brass plated those handle pieces myself with a little kit from AES. I have been plating amp hardware for years with this kit and it works great.