10PoundLester

Thanks! If you're referring to the "Tolex" process there are a lot of great videos on Youtube. My post above was actually referring to the use of a specific tool I made from a piece of aluminum angle stock from Ace Hardware. It's detailed in the album linked above, under the photo of the adhesive can.

Done. Just need to make the back panels.

My restoration project is in full swing today. I have the Tolex going on (new pics at the bottom of my gallery linked above) and I'll be adding more pics and descriptions as I go. I love this stuff - I learn new techniques all the time and that's part of what keeps me going. Learned an excellent technique for trimming and applying the Tolex. If there's any interest I'll write that up.

One version of the Showman was/is essentially the same power section as a Twin Reverb (less the reverb unless specified). Both are AB763 circuits and develop around 80 watts depending on voltages etc. There are several versions of each amp. In terms of "Blackface" they are almost identical from a power section circuitry standpoint. There are differences in the preamp section.

I'm sorry but I don't see 300 watts of output power there. More like 25 or so. To attain an output of 300 watts you'd need something like 6 of the 6550's.

What's the power tube arrangement?

I stand corrected. But, in 1987 - 1993 according to the Teague and Sprung "Fender Amplifiers" book, Fender did offer a Dual Showman with two cabs each with two 12" speakers.

A $500 increase in 4 years is insane! And what do you get now that you didn't 4 years ago? When I got mine, the nut was so badly cut I thought I had gotten a factory second. And, they "Plek" them but they never finish the fret job. The Plek machine leaves the frets totally unpolished - you can still see the tooling marks on them! I mean, I love my Lester but I had to finish off the build once I got it in my hands from Sweetwater!

Didn't the original "Dual" Showman have two of those monster cabs?

Yeah those old JBL's weighed a ton. I used to run them in all my amps back in the 80's. I wish I still had them.

I got all my parts and materials in the shop so I'm planning on beginning the restoration phase this weekend. For those interested I will be posting new pics in the album linked in the initial post of this thread. The grille cloth isn't exact but it's close enough. The blue stripes are wider than on the original. I don't know why I can't put the image in this post now but whatever. It's in the album.

I have a 2018 Memphis 335 and I love it. It is a great guitar.

Yup. I'm aware.

How would you even play that reverse V?

Seriously ugly! FUGLY, in fact!

Could this possibly be the ugliest guitar available in the Milky Way? https://tinyurl.com/2qjms9bv

Cool story! Never really was a fan but nonetheless, cool story indeed.

It is a beautiful instrument. If I had the disposable income it would require for purchase I'd be all over it.

I love doing tweed. It's much easier than Tolex IMO. I would have thoroughly enjoyed a project like that Bassman combo. This is a 2xEL84 amp with a 12" Cannabis Rex I built a few years ago. https://photos.app.goo.gl/N8EMJe6uXaWeDvK66

Probably worth more in new condition but I'm not even considering selling it.

The joints are solid but they were just not very carefully cut at the factory. They used plenty of glue!

I don't know if anyone would be interested in this project but here is a link to my 1969 Deluxe Reverb restoration project. I got the amp for next to nothing, rebuilt the insides and played it for 10 years. Now I want to restore it to as close to new as I can. https://photos.app.goo.gl/tbSbP4SDsL7DJ5gW8

Maybe they have the different "ears", a long guard and "50's" wiring?

I love that book!

, , , or it didn't happen