You want to sell your old amp and it looks like it just got drug through a mudhole. There is an easy way to make a tolex skinned amp or cabinet look like a million bucks. I have a garage full of Peavey band equipment, all covered in the tough tolex, most of it 20 plus years old and all of it looking like it just got bought new from the store. I've always believed in covers and although most are not waterproof, keeping the dust out helps keep the dust off the speakers and out of the electronics. Nobody likes all that crackle and pop when you tweak whatever knob a little.

Over time your equipment will get dirty and the luster of that new amp will fade away. Things you need: bottle of Windex, semi-stiff bristled brush, bottle of original Armor All protectant, a soft shoe brush, paper towels, and a little time. Go over one side with the Windex and stiff brush. The bristles will clean out the tolex like your dentist attacking plaque. Dry that part off. If you use paper towels, I suggest blotting, paper towels turn into instant mush rubbing tolex when wet. Personally, I prefer old cotton diapers, then you can rub dry. Spray a fine film of Armor All on the side you just dried and rub it in with the soft haired shoe brush. Again, it's the brush that makes the big difference. You have too much Armor All if it gets all white and takes a long time to dry. You don't have to coat it perfectly when spraying it on, the shoe brush will spread it nicely for you. Let 'er dry a little or go on to another side. When you're done it will look like new again.

If your grill is expanded metal, just rub off with a paper towel and some Armor All, don't spray it on the speaker cover, remember the speaker doesn't get along with liquids too well. If you have that woven mesh, lightly rub over it when your shoe brush is damp from doing the sides, doesn't take much to make it look really good. The brushes will reach into those little 1 inch ledges on the fronts and backs of most cabinets. With the amp unplugged, that moistened soft haired shoe brush will work wonders around all the knobs, sliders and buttons on the amp fronts. Just be sure to reset all your controls before you turn it on again.

This may all seem pretty simple and it is. The key is doing it, simply taking care of your equipment, even if it's not for sale. And if it is for sale, expect the bids to be a little bigger. If I'm buying dirt, it better have a house on it.

Tonight I'm cleaning up an old TNT 130 bass combo amp that has been sitting over at the church for the last year. Even with a cover and using it only twice a month, it was in need of a good cleaning. This particular amp has a top strap handle which I removed during cleaning and what I would like to share is the fact those screw holes go directly above the electronics. Use care here to ensure you don't get liquids into the cabinet.