Guild guitar case quesions (3):

[204084]

These questions involve the Guild case for my 1979 F-50R.
1).What do you call that thin black covering on the outside of the case? :?:
2).And how do I fix it? I have multiple holes in the black stuff where the wooden case is exposed. It's been that way for years (at least 20) . The guitar lives 100% in the house but...
3).How much should I worry about damage to the inside and what would that damage be/look like? :|

 

[West R Lee]

The material is called Tolex. Have you tried some sort of silicone to repair it? And I wouldn't worry about it too unless the lining or padding inside was damaged, or potentially could get damaged. If you're really concerned about it, and didn't mind paying for a repair, an upholstery might be able to do a repair. Might be cheaper to buy another case though, not sure.

West

 

[capnjuan]

Hi 204084:

2).And how do I fix it?
With the right adhesive like West's suggestion silicone, you can tab the edges down ... or you can get it recovered. It's all about aesthetics but you can color bare wood with paint or magic marker.

3).How much should I worry about damage to the inside and what would that damage be/look like?
As much as you want :wink:

Unless you have reason to believe there's rot, mold, cooties, or that the case had gotten wet, not sure you should be concerned at all. Does it smell bad?

 

[fronobulax]

1) Tolex
2) Duct tape, or electrician's tape if you cannot get duct tape in Designer Black.
3) Don't worry, be happy. If you want to worry anyway you can feel around the inside of the case probing for areas where the lining feels un-smooth or weak or something feels loose.

 

[204084]

Thanks for the responses. Two more quick questions:
1). Has anyone ever tried to buy Tolex? And if so, where?
2). Has anyone ever tried to do a repair using Tolex?
BTW...I can neither see nor smell any internal damage.

 

[dapmdave]

Thanks for the responses. Two more quick questions:
1). Has anyone ever tried to buy Tolex? And if so, where?
2). Has anyone ever tried to do a repair using Tolex?
BTW...I can neither see nor smell any internal damage.

Shawn,

Were you to "google" tolex, you would quickly find that you can buy it. But you might find the repair to be more difficult than you expected. Easier to glue down what you have and blacken areas where it's worn away.

Hasn't Fender convinced youthat "road-worn" is better ?

Dave

 

[coastie99]

Shawn, I've tolexed a heap of amps and cabinets, and advise you against trying to patch your case.

It would be well-nigh impossible to "fill the holes" and end up with anything remotely aesthetically pleasing. And I certainly wouldn't consider for a moment, an entire re-covering.

 

[2Tone]

Shawn - I like Coastie have done my share of Tolex work and by all means do not strip the Tolex off thinking you will get a professional job by applying new. My suggestion would be to get some 3M contact cement, some Q-tips, and glue down what you can by applying the contact cement to the Q-Tip then use it to apply the cement to the wood and Tolex.

If the case has no vintage value and you want to try something different, you can give roll on truck bed liner a shot. I did an amp cabinet with it and liked the results. You would need to strip all of the Tolex off, fill all of the holes, do a good job sanding, then apply a roll on truck bed liner with the recommended roller. If you go this route make sure you use the roll on liner, the spray doesn’t work worth a darn.

Of course with the labor and cost of materials, it would be cheaper just to buy a new case

Tom

 

[204084]

OK and thanks for the responses.

 

[fronobulax]

Shawn, I've tolexed a heap of amps and cabinets, and advise you against trying to patch your case.

There's a reason so many old cases are covered with decals, bumper stickers and such like...

 

[dreadnut]

Yeah, bumper stickers! They're holding together my old D-25 case :lol:

Hey, maybe someone needs to create a "Tolex shrink-wrap" that would fit dread cases, jumbo cases, etc. Put in on, shrink it in place with a hair dryer. I'm just sayin...

 

[Brad Little]

Be forewarned, rabbits like Tolex! I came home from a gig this summer and my daughter put my X-170 down in the front hall, shared by two rabbits. I soon noticed that the previously pristine case had several inches of Tolex stripped off of the neck edge of the case.
Oh, well, only a problem if I wanted to sell it, now I couldn't say that the case was in mint condition.
Brad