How to Take a Wrinkle Out of an Amplifier Grill Cloth

The grill of an amplifier is also known as a baffle.

An amplifier can be made visually appealing by a grill cloth stretched across the front of amplifier's frame. Grill cloths are sold in a variety of styles. Basket weaved grill cloths absorb high pitched notes, while checkerboard weaved grill cloths allow the sound to flow through uninhibited. Some cloths are printed with logos and others in various colors. Regardless of the style, it is necessary to carefully change the grill cloth occasionally. If your new grill cloth is wrinkled, remove the wrinkles with an iron set to low heat before attaching it to your amplifier's frame.

Things You'll Need

• Flathead screwdriver
• Iron
• Staple Gun
• Glue

Instructions

1. Locate the wrinkle on the amplifier grill cloth. Lay the amplifier frame -- screen side down -- on a flat work surface so the wrinkle is located near the top edge of the amplifier frame.

2. Pry the staples out of the top portion of the amplifier frame closest to the wrinkle. If the grill cloth is glued to the frame, plug an iron into an outlet, adjust its heat setting to "Polyester" and melt the glue which bonds the cloth to the frame.

3. Stretch the cloth taut, lift the frame to ensure the wrinkle is removed and re-staple or glue the grill cloth to the amplifier frame.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid adjusting your iron to a high heat setting. You may melt the grill cloth.

References

• Legendary Tones: Tone Tips And Tricks For The Marshall Super Lead
• Human Speakers: How to: Install Speaker Grill Cloth
• Guitar.com: Baffling the Guitar Speaker Cabinet

Resources

• Grille Cloth: Grille Cloth Installation and "Aging" Tips
• Guitar.com: How to Buy an Amplifier