Head/cab conversion for Mesa 5:50 Express

[David Garner]

I've decided to embark on an adventure -- I'm going to hand build a head cabinet and speaker cabinet for my Express 5:50 1x12. While I'm at it, I will likely re-do the grillcloth on my 5:25 1x10 to tan cane to match.

This is what I'm after, roughly (but mine isn't a Plus -- just the older 5:50 Express):

I'll post pics as it progresses. We'll be building it in stages, starting with the wood cabinets (I'm using Baltic Birch plywood), then adding paint, then Tolex/Grillcloth, hardware, etc., and finally speakers. For now, I'll likely wire it as a 4 ohm cabinet with the stock speaker on top and the Eminence Private Jack that's currently in the amp on bottom, but eventually I'll order a pair of 16 ohm Private Jacks to wire in parallel for an 8 ohm load, or I may just put another 8 ohm Private Jack in and add a series/parallel switch so I can use the cabinet into an amp that will handle either a 4 or 16 ohm load. I'll also forego the logo on the speaker cabinet since I don't have one, and repurpose the original on the combo to the head cabinet.

 

[Cookie]

Hi mate. I like the sound of your project. I want to do something similar, I have a express plus50 head and vertical 2x12.....pretty much what is in your picture but with standard all black finish. I want to re finish mine to have cream toltex cover all,over and the tan grill cloth but I'm not sure how too go about it, a friend of mine said you can actually get very good vinyl paint so I could paint the black toltex cream......not sure about this myself but just wondered what knowledge you had on the subject. I'd love to get it re covered and new grill cloth and corners then I'm sorted but not sure how easy this would be......does the toltex come off easy or is it super stuck down? The pic I have attached is what I'd like my head to look like and make the cab match:
http://www.mesaboogie.com/gallery/gallery.php?id=746

 

[David Garner]

Hi mate. I like the sound of your project. I want to do something similar, I have a express plus50 head and vertical 2x12.....pretty much what is in your picture but with standard all black finish. I want to re finish mine to have cream toltex cover all,over and the tan grill cloth but I'm not sure how too go about it, a friend of mine said you can actually get very good vinyl paint so I could paint the black toltex cream......not sure about this myself but just wondered what knowledge you had on the subject. I'd love to get it re covered and new grill cloth and corners then I'm sorted but not sure how easy this would be......does the toltex come off easy or is it super stuck down? The pic I have attached is what I'd like my head to look like and make the cab match:
http://www.mesaboogie.com/gallery/gallery.php?id=746

I know the Tolex is glued on, but I can't imagine it would be that tough to strip it. You'd probably want to sand it afterward to get the glue residue off and smooth the finish for the next application of glue and Tolex. I'd rather do that than paint the Tolex, personally. The grill cloth for the head will be just like the combo -- 4 screws and the whole thing comes off. You may want to replace the piping because they use a TON of staples to hold it and the grillcloth on. But basically you remove the logo, remove the staples, and then just pull the piping and grillcloth off, then you replace it.

Not sure about the speaker cabinet, and honestly, I haven't really decided yet how I want to fasten mine. I know Marshall and Mesa 4x12s are fastened from the inside, behind the baffle, so you literally have to take the baffle out and then unscrew the grill from the cabinet. I may go that route, but I'd like to think there's a better way.

 

[Cookie]

Yeah I hear what your saying, painting sounds a bit naff.....it would make the whole project a lot less scary than having to start stripping of toltex and sanding etc. I guess the worry with painting would be that it would scratch n scuff in time but for me thus amp will be left still in my home studio so I dunno!!

I'd like to find someone in the UK who is an expert at this re toltex'ing and get them to do it really.....but I've struggled to find anyone. I'll keep my eye on you progress mate.

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