Next I opted to paint a small area of the black portion of the cabinet up front instead of using vinyl. It is a small area and frankly, you can't tell the difference regardless. I also opted to keep the current front black area t-molding/vinyl. It is in about 8.5-9 condition and there's no need to go stripping it out.
I painted the bezel black as well...unfortunately there was an Idaho Tax stamp stuck to the middle lower portion of the bezel. I removed it and when I did it took up a layer of the bezel. Painted you can still see the area a bit...I will likely replace the bezel one day or find a nice Paperboy sticker to put there or something...I dunno.
The monitor chassis arrived. I plugged it in and got jack----steaming pile of meadow muffin---... the same "static" sound I got before. I was instructed to removed one leg of the D10 diode to test if it was the voltage regulator....sure enough, it fired up. I currently have a voltage regulator or two in the mail my way. There is still a chance my tube is shorted causing the regulator to blow which would, frankly, SUCK BIG TIME. Lets hope for the best, eh.
Anyway, I'm pretty much done with the restore aside from the monitor chassis (I hope anyway!)... I'd replace the CPO if there was one available (PM me if you have a source for one!)...aside from that the cab looks damn good. Easily a B+ / A- all things considered.
Here are some comparison shots. One side isn't a huge contrast, the other....well, you decide.
EDIT: By the way, I need grips! I can get black ones for like $10.00 + shipping, but I want Blue ones...does anyone have a source?!?