What Style Grill Cloth Do I Want?

[matttornado]

I have a 1959 MKII Super Lead made in 1974. I want to to replace the black grill cloth on my 4x12 with period correct type.

What should I get? large checker size like this? What are my options? I don't like the plain black...

 

[jmp45]

Large check should do it.

 

[matttornado]

Large check should do it.

yeah that's what I was thinking too.

Any others ?

 

[paul-e-mann]

I have a 1959 MKII Super Lead made in 1974. I want to to replace the black grill cloth on my 4x12 with period correct type.

What should I get? large checker size like this? What are my options? I don't like the plain black...

View attachment 81169

I've got the same thoughts rolling around in my head for my next cab build for my SV20H. They have the salt and pepper cloth, not sure what era they used that, and the checked grill which I always liked and was thinking of going with but not sure when that was used.

Looking at after market Marshall cabs, they make a greenback cab with checked grill cloth or salt and pepper, I see alot of salt and pepper cabs, the matching cab to my SV20H is salt and pepper, I suppose depending on the era you would choose one over the other, I did read checked was early 70's. Salt and pepper from the 60's? Then went black in the late 70's and after?

 

[matttornado]

I've got the same thoughts rolling around in my head for my next cab build for my SV20H. They have the salt and pepper cloth, not sure what era they used that, and the checked grill which I always liked and was thinking of going with but not sure when that was used.

Looking at after market Marshall cabs, they make a greenback cab with checked grill cloth or salt and pepper, I see alot of salt and pepper cabs, the matching cab to my SV20H is salt and pepper, I suppose depending on the era you would choose one over the other, I did read checked was early 70's. Salt and pepper from the 60's? Then went black in the late 70's and after?

My cab is a straight 1960 classic with 25 watt greenbacks made in England. Not sure what year it is though.

At least my speakers are good for that era?

 

[matttornado]

Just did a Google search for 1974 4X12 marshall cabs. The large check seems to be it.
Here's a pic of a 1974 cab:

 

[jmp45]

Just did a Google search for 1974 4X12 marshall cabs. The large check seems to be it.
Here's a pic of a 1974 cab:

View attachment 81170

I may be wrong but that looks like small check which is unobtainium.

 

[BygoneTones]

Just did a Google search for 1974 4X12 marshall cabs. The large check seems to be it.
Here's a pic of a 1974 cab:

View attachment 81170

I may be wrong but that looks like small check which is unobtainium.

Yeah that looks like small check to me too, and is possibly a refurbished cab.

Off the top of my head the Marshall grill cloth timeline is something like this:

pinstripe - mid 65 to early 68
salt and pepper (basketweave) early 68 to spring 71
large check - spring 71 into mid 70's (75 I think?)
black / small check - 75? to 80-ish

When looking around at photos online you have to watch out for refurbished and modified cabs with non original parts. With sellers saying they are totally original when they are not. It happens a lot. Sometimes it is dishonesty - people trying to get as much money as they can, and sometimes sellers genuinely can't tell the difference, even experienced sellers who should know better.

 

[matttornado]

Thanks for the info! I'm going with the large check.
Next I have to start removing all of the staples a little at a time I suppose. No rush really.

 

[junk notes]

I have a 1959 MKII Super Lead made in 1974. I want to to replace the black grill cloth on my 4x12 with period correct type.

What should I get? large checker size like this? What are my options? I don't like the plain black...

View attachment 81169

Yeah that looks like small check to me too, and is possibly a refurbished cab.

I may be wrong but that looks like small check which is unobtainium.

What are you going with? Thanks for the info! I'm going with the large check.
Next I have to start removing all of the staples a little at a time I suppose. No rush really.

lol

 

[BygoneTones]

Here is an example of a 4x12 from 1974. Appears to be in good original condition and unmolested (large check):

https://reverb.com/item/11866472-ma...-check-creamback-greyback-25-s?show_sold=true

 

[Exotic]

 

[matttornado]

lol

haha yeah what i meant was i’ll go with the large check thinking the small check was unavailable.

 

[matttornado]

View attachment 81187 View attachment 81186

no that is what i’m talking about!

 

[Matthews Guitars]

Personally I like the Bluesbreaker pinstripe grille cloth best of all patterns, but the regular variety is what I've bought and used, not the very expensive (but admittedly very nice) E.C. Collins replica version. I just can't justify spending more on the grille cloth than I've spent on some Marshall 1960 cabinets.

 

[maxxx]

So was the burlap sack never an official Marshall grill cloth? You see it now and again on 60’s and 70’s amps.