70's Hiwatt 4x12

[Guitarist]

Tomorrow I am going to try and clean up and repopulate my "new" cab. This one is ancient with a low, port on the back. The front grill baffle is loose so I need to tighten it up somehow. Do I need to take off the side-running mounting wood strips inside just to tighten things up?
Also the back, unlike the rest of the cab which seems to be plywood, is a freaki' HEAVY slab of particle board. I'm considering a trip to the wood supplier, for something different, and would field good advice first.

The tolex has been thrashed should I replace it? I've got dealer status at Mojo Supply but ripping off the old stuff doesn't look fun.

ALSO: as I have two other 4x12s and not 12 speakers yet, how would covering the two bottom holes sound for now? I suspect four 12' drivers are too much cone for the typical stack-box - thus two or three speakers- might prove optimal.

[Garydean]

My take on the repair goes like this. Decide if recovering is the way to go. Is the piece worth more with the original tolex? Maybe not now or maybe in 20 years? If you're looking to get into a fun project and to build your skills.....and you're not concerned about a collector who may want an original cab someday, recover it. I've faced those questions many times and have gone in both directions, and happy with the outcome each time. Rip off that old tolex, try for complete pieces and use them as templates, sand the box, fill the holes....make it all smooth as your new tolex will not hide defects. After the tolex is off, inspect your baffle and it's support pieces. You may want to remove everything, re-nail and use plenty of glue, clamp and let dry 24hrs.

there are great tutorials on recovering on the net. Take pictures before and after so you know where the beading goes. Prepping is very important.

Replace that particle board piece with something that will match the rest of the cab. A superior interior plywood of like thickness to make it fit properly.

Speakers? Make provisions for 4. If you only have 2 now, you'll most likely want the other two someday.

good luck and have fun.

good reading.... http://www.guitar-parts.com/images/T...cover-tips.txt

another with pictures..... http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...threadid=70200

[Bruce / Mission Amps]

Tomorrow I am going to try and clean up and repopulate my "new" cab. This one is ancient with a low, port on the back. The front grill baffle is loose so I need to tighten it up somehow. Do I need to take off the side-running mounting wood strips inside just to tighten things up?
Also the back, unlike the rest of the cab which seems to be plywood, is a freaki' HEAVY slab of particle board. I'm considering a trip to the wood supplier, for something different, and would field good advice first.

The tolex has been thrashed should I replace it? I've got dealer status at Mojo Supply but ripping off the old stuff doesn't look fun.

ALSO: as I have two other 4x12s and not 12 speakers yet, how would covering the two bottom holes sound for now? I suspect four 12' drivers are too much cone for the typical stack-box - thus two or three speakers- might prove optimal.

Does it have wooden slide cleats on the bottom?
Some of the old 2x12 and 4x12 cabinets had very heavy 1" particle board backs so the cabinet back would be a lot stiffer and not expand and contract... that does all kinds of weird stuff to the tone when playing with the +100 watt head.