• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Why Some Guitar Amps are Upholstered

March 20, 2018 By Nadeem Muaddi

The Hog Ring - Why Some Guitar Amps are Upholstered

Did you know that an auto trimmer is responsible for the tuck and roll upholstery featured on the amplifiers and speaker cabinets of some of the most iconic rock bands, including The Grateful Dead and Creedence Clearwater Revival?

Kansas City Business Journal recently published an obituary for Bud Ross, musician and inventor of some of the most popular amplifiers and guitar pedals in the music industry. He was also the owner of Kustom Electronics, which popularized the fad of upholstering musical equipment.

The obituary reveals that Ross’ signature look of tuck and roll equipment wasn’t actually his idea, but that of auto upholsterer Dave Gates:

At The Soc Hop one night, Ross met Dave Gates, who had experience doing custom auto upholstery work. Gates asked if he could “tuck and roll” Ross’ amplifier, which was an upholstering technique using Naugahyde that was popular for hot rod seats at the time. The eye-catching look soon became Ross’ unofficial trademark.

Tired of amplifiers breaking down all the time, Ross started teaching himself about electronics. He moved toward solid state technology, and away from the temperamental tube technology in standard use at the time. The amp he built was incredibly sturdy, with a big, clean, loud sound. It quickly attracted attention from musicians of the era, and Ross started building amps out of his garage.

By 1964, Ross had enough business to form Kustom Electronics in Chanute, Kan., and make amplifiers on a full-time basis. […]

The amps and speaker cabinets, sporting the iconic tuck-and-roll upholstery, were used by The Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Leon Russell, Johnny Cash, Roy Clark, The Jackson Five, Carl Perkins and The Carpenters.

How about that? An auto trimmer was responsible for one of the music industry’s most popular fads in the 1960s and 70s. We really do rock!

To read the full story, check out “Kansas City-area inventor who helped shape American music dies.”

Filed Under: Archive, Industry History Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Kustom Electronics, Tuck N Roll Upholstery

Primary Sidebar

anal porno bangbros rus porno yaşlı porno konulu porno olgun porno porno izle sarışın porno bakire sex 69 porno

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation - Right Rail Ad 3
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • Leather Craft
  • Hyde Leather
  • Albright's Supply
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • Keyston Bros

THR Favorites

The Hog Ring - 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers

6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers

Everyone that calls your auto upholstery shop … [more] about 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers

The Hog Ring - How to make a french seam lay flat

How to Make a French Seam Lay Flat

Did you ever wonder how automakers make … [more] about How to Make a French Seam Lay Flat

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Design Studio - High-back Bucket Seat

Design Studio: High-Back Bucket Seat

Need to design and upholster a high-back … [more] about Design Studio: High-Back Bucket Seat

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Custom Headliner

10 Cool Custom Headliners on Instagram

For many auto upholstery shops, headliner … [more] about 10 Cool Custom Headliners on Instagram

Why Bentley Trimmers Use a Fork to Wrap Steering Wheels

Why Bentley Trimmers Use Forks to Wrap Steering Wheels

Bentley Motors equips its auto trimmers with … [more] about Why Bentley Trimmers Use Forks to Wrap Steering Wheels

Harley-Davidson on the Nature of Leather

I found a tag attached to the bottom of a … [more] about Harley-Davidson on the Nature of Leather

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Ontario Car Scene Unites to Support Beloved Upholsterer in Critical Condition
  • Audi’s New Feature Lets You Play Video Games in Traffic
  • Running a Trim Shop is Hard. This Free SBA Tool Makes It Easier
  • Subaru Seat Bolsters Are Failing. Here’s How to Fix Them (and Make Money)
  • Support Trimmers Affected by Catastrophic Flooding in Texas

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in