| To Restore or Not To Restore [message #9402] |
Wed, 09 April 2008 19:38  |
eltumi
Messages: 26
Registered: April 2008
Location: Raleigh, NC
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Junior Member |
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I just become the proud owner last week of a '72 Charger in Black. The amp has been gigged QUITE a few times and has the cig burns and battle scars on the T&R as well as a ell worn head face plate. Do I:
A) Take the cab to a reputable upholstry shop and get the T&R redone/repaired and strip and repaint the head face plate.
B) Leave it exactly As Is.
C) Leave it exactly As Is, but put a few pieces of gaff tape on the holes where stuffing is coming out.
I've made my decision, what would yours be?
Michael
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| Re: To Restore or Not To Restore [message #9410 is a reply to message #9408] |
Mon, 14 April 2008 08:41  |
C4ster
Messages: 686
Registered: June 2001
Location: Mukwonago, WI (Milwaukee...
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Senior Member |
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Hi Michael,
This site runs hot and cold. I can't tell you how many times I have stopped a thread cold with one of my responses. It really makes you feel like you offended someone. But in reality, it's just that some weeks there is a flurry of activity and there are some that people read but don't have enough passion to respond. You may see a response(s) a month or a year later. I read your comment and I think if you have the time, money, patience etc go ahead. I have a pair of 3x15 cascade columns that look great from the front but have numerous rips and tears on the sides and back. I WANT to recover them, but after I use them, I put them back in the trailer and forget about them until the next time. A daily user would want a clean amp in the home. I would and I do. My best amp is in the house and the rest are in the trailer. Recover them and be happy. Just have a reupholsterer do it. There have been some home done rigs that look like it. Good luck.
Conrad
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| Re: To Restore or Not To Restore [message #9411 is a reply to message #9402] |
Mon, 14 April 2008 16:56 |
Optyk
Messages: 125
Registered: August 2006
Location: Texas
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Senior Member |
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I have the same quandary down here in Texas. I have a 3 -15's cab in black. And a K200b-5 head in blue. Neither are in horrendous condition. If I were to redo one of them, it'd be the speaker cab.
Here's the real quandary, though. Should I just do both and change the color to something else. In 1967 when I first discovered Kustom, I thought the white was just spectacular. As I grew older, the charcoal became my favorite. For some reason, I've never been crazy about the cascade.
But, as I've been giving thought about redoing one or both, I've discovered a couple other colors of the Zodiac Naugahyde. For some reason, I just think my beard, wide shoulders and hairy chest would just clash too much with the hot pink, so that one really isn't an option. The Fuschia might be an option though. Someone had a K200 head last week on Ebay that was done in that color and man did it look sharp. Unique, of course, since that isn't a bonafide Kustom color, no amps were ever made with it. That unit on Ebay brought $400 just for the K200 head. That's nearly double what a standard color K200 can be found on Ebay for.
So, in that instance, redoing one in a non-standard color payed off. I would have kept the head and redone a cab to match.
So, what would you do if you were me? Keep what I have? recover one of them? which one? recover them both? standard color or the fuschia?
Enquiring minds want to know. . . .
There's only two kinds of music. . . . blues and zippity doo dah.
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| Re: To Restore or Not To Restore [message #9412 is a reply to message #9411] |
Tue, 15 April 2008 08:42 |
C4ster
Messages: 686
Registered: June 2001
Location: Mukwonago, WI (Milwaukee...
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Senior Member |
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I have seen a Krossroads amp in Green, not cascade and it was sharp. I guess any color is acceptable as long as it's done well. There was a picture of a K100 amp done in alternating red, silver and blue. But that was a promotional piece I think. Do whatever you want. Right now, people see my collection and think that it's something I did. They are too young to know but they like it none the less. I would do both in a new color if that's what you like. I saw that Ebay piece and it was done very nicely. The pleats were straight, and uniform. Go for it!
Conrad
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| Re: To Restore or Not To Restore [message #9413 is a reply to message #9412] |
Tue, 15 April 2008 09:49 |
Optyk
Messages: 125
Registered: August 2006
Location: Texas
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Senior Member |
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Another color I didn't mention was the "wet black" that showed up for a couple years back in the day. Glossy, shiny black. I haven't seen any of that material anywhere lately, though, so don't know if it could be found.
I have been reading this forum long enough to have been informed that Kustom amps sound better in the original black, but call me a rebel. If and when I redo those cabs, they'll sparkle.
There's nothing like having an amp that both sounds agreat and looks great, too. The T&R amps pioneered by Kustom did precisely that.
To quote several of you on this site:
Play loud!
Rod
There's only two kinds of music. . . . blues and zippity doo dah.
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| Re: To Restore or Not To Restore [message #9439 is a reply to message #9402] |
Sat, 26 April 2008 16:25 |
ET !
Messages: 18
Registered: June 2004
Location: south Carolina
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Junior Member |
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I've been tempted through the years, but the cost usually made me shy away..and over time, with some hunting, I've been able to find gear in 9/10 condition. I do have some 2x15 and 3x15 cabs in black that were working rigs for years and have some rough spots, but on stage under the lights..they look great. they and I are semi retired now so they sit at home...if I have some fun money one day I might be tempted to redo them...I do remember when i was in highschool (early 70s) there was a local band that bought all white (silver)..organ, big 3x15sirens, guitar and basss rig...it was an awesome sight. For me, black has always been more acceptable on stages...folks either love the tuck n roll or think it's tacky and retro...so a sparkle rig tends to stand out more but black stuff.. I've been able to get away with it through the years even when kustom wasn't as popular. But it is great to take matching stuff out in zodiac.
bottom line..if you're gonna keep the amp and want it to look nice...do the recover...but don't expect to see a profit margin if you ever take it to ebay unless you're getting the fabric and the labor really really cheap...me?.. I might redo mine in blue...but the black rigs sound better (grin)
Play Loud!
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| Re: To Restore or Not To Restore [message #9467 is a reply to message #9439] |
Sat, 10 May 2008 19:36 |
BC
Messages: 583
Registered: March 2000
Location: Kentucky
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Senior Member |
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There are businesses that both restore and modify tube amps ....so I do not see a problem. My amps are players....they are tools...some have some rough spots and some are pretty nice. It would be a shame to rip the cover off a mint rig just for a color change....but if you want to dress up and old friend....have at it! BC 
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