Two-tone tolex question

[luthierwnc]

My winter project is going to be a Gibson GA-40 Les Paul clone made from a Hammond M-series donor. I'd like to do something like the original (or the Victoria EK) with a darker tolex on the top and tan on the bottom with piping in between.

My first instinct is to find the right width blade and run a groove on the table saw. On the other hand, my first instincts aren't always reliable. Plus, stuffing two kinds of tolex in a dado and getting the wrinkles out while glue is drying seems like a recipe for disaster.

Has anyone done this type of covering work and, if so, what can you share?

Thanks, Skip

[noelgrassy]

That's how I did mine. Don't stretch the Tolex in these areas if at all possible.
Remember to make the kerf wide enough to accept
both fabric thicknesses and the diameter of the string piping. I inserted the piping with a screen spline roller when I'd let the covered cab sit for a few days just to avoid shrinking Tolex.
I'd recommend building a carriage to hold the cab if you have anything but simple 90 degree angles where these string kerfs pass through. I did it free-hand
once but a table saw will quickly end your playing aspirations given half a chance.
Note: Saw blades with no carbide tips look like the right width but in practice will not work. A slightly larger kerf than needed isn't really a hindrance since one
needs to staple the string piping at it's terminations in a hidden spot regardless.
It won't fall out if pulled firmly enough is my point.

Noel Grassy.

[RudeBoy]

Recovering of a slant 4x12 Marshall on TGP.

Post 41 talks about the groove for the piping.

He uses a router and the bit size depends on the piping used.

[Bruce / Mission Amps]

Beading String

When I use to run the cabinet shop I would use a very thin kerf, hollow ground cutting blade in my table saw... set for about a 5/32" deep cut.
Cut all the kerfs in the raw wood where ever you want them to do.
After that I would just cover the cabinets and come back with a new razor blade knife (box cutter) to slice the vinyl in the kerfs.
Then I'd shove the string in the cut and press it down with the wheel of a spline inserting tool (used for putting screen material back in screen window frames).
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/...w-screen-1.jpg

Pulled tight on the ends, wrapped around to the back side and stapled down in an inconspicuous location with one staple on each end.

This the way my Aurora cabinets are done too.

http://www.missionamps.com/images/aurora/aurora_r_s.gif

[luthierwnc]

thanks guys - now for another question

Somewhere, somehow, I heard Gibson went against their usual tradition and used a beefier output transformer on this amp. I can't remember why I think that and can't find a picture of the back of the chassis. The donor OT is smallish and I'd like a little extra low end with this inverter.

Any thoughts?

Thanks again, Skip