Question:
I was thinking about building an amp stand that would lift the amp off the ground, have insulation in the bass (to reduce transfer of sound to the ground), angle it up, and cool the amp off... The way I'm thinking of doing this, it would look like a big, carpet covered box...
This is just a rough, quick design that I made in paint.
Answer:
Hmm...why would you want to reduce vertical transfer?
Also, it'd probably be enough to vent the system in most cases. By adding a large fan, you may run the risk of ambient hum (from the fan) or even run the risk of dirtying the power supply to the amp which could cause the amp to hum.
Something I've actually seen on the market recent is amp stands that are vented in the back at designed as a reflex cabinet. They take the sound that comes out of the back of the amp and redirect it out the bottom (much like a ported bass cabinet). Here's a link to the company that makes them: http://www.soundenhancer.com/
Answer:
Originally Posted by thesteve Hmm...why would you want to reduce vertical transfer?
I would do this for one and one reason only: To use my amp as a monitor and not overfill the room with sound. I mean if it's mic'd why would i need to add more noise?
Also, it'd probably be enough to vent the system in most cases. By adding a large fan, you may run the risk of ambient hum (from the fan) or even run the risk of dirtying the power supply to the amp which could cause the amp to hum.
Something I've actually seen on the market recent is amp stands that are vented in the back at designed as a reflex cabinet. They take the sound that comes out of the back of the amp and redirect it out the bottom (much like a ported bass cabinet). Here's a link to the company that makes them: http://www.soundenhancer.com/
B52's are known for running hot. Maybe I could set up some sort of heat pump or a water cooling system.
Answer:
Originally Posted by AXguitar I would do this for one and one reason only: To use my amp as a monitor and not overfill the room with sound. I mean if it's mic'd why would i need to add more noise? I don't think that floor transfer is responsible for alot of sound flow. Maybe some rumbling, but I'd imagine this to be more of an issue with bass combos than guitar combos. Unless you're using a chambered stage, the effect of through-floor transfer is probably minimal. In the case of a solid floor (carpet, or anything else on concrete) the effect of vertical transfer is probably minimal. B52's are known for running hot. Maybe I could set up some sort of heat pump or a water cooling system. Many Peaveys have small fans mounted in the area around the tubes. Some say the hum from them is noticeable, but others insist that it's negligible. For the purpose of the tilt-back stand, I'd imagine you wouldn't be pushing the amp hard enough to have heat problems unless you're attenuating or the amp has serious design flaws.
You might find this to be an interesting look through for ideas.
http://www.diyguitarist.com/GuitarAmps/Ampstand.htm
Answer:
Originally Posted by thesteve I don't think that floor transfer is responsible for alot of sound flow. Maybe some rumbling, but I'd imagine this to be more of an issue with bass combos than guitar combos. Unless you're using a chambered stage, the effect of through-floor transfer is probably minimal. In the case of a solid floor (carpet, or anything else on concrete) the effect of vertical transfer is probably minimal.Many Peaveys have small fans mounted in the area around the tubes. Some say the hum from them is noticeable, but others insist that it's negligible. For the purpose of the tilt-back stand, I'd imagine you wouldn't be pushing the amp hard enough to have heat problems unless you're attenuating or the amp has serious design flaws.
You might find this to be an interesting look through for ideas.
http://www.diyguitarist.com/GuitarAmps/Ampstand.htm
I've heard that floor transfer can be very detrimental to tone. My design would actually be a lot like that Ventilated Amp Stand you just linked... And the amp does run hot, B-52's are known for running hot, and what's wrong with me wanting to prolong the life of my tubes by keeping them cool?
Answer:
Originally Posted by AXguitar I've heard that floor transfer can be very detrimental to tone. this is a highly debated topic. Some say that floor transfer is essential for good tone and that any sort of tilt-back is a bad thing. My design would actually be a lot like that Ventilated Amp Stand you just linked... And the amp does run hot, B-52's are known for running hot, and what's wrong with me wanting to prolong the life of my tubes by keeping them cool? You're talking about using the amp in a club setting and using them for monitoring only. This gives me the impression you won't be cranking the amp up, which means you're already keeping the tubes fairly cool (in comparison to using the amp as a primary sound source and letting the PA fill space).
All in all, if you want to go ahead with your design, then do it. There's certainly nothing bad about the design, I'm just saying that some of stuff seems a bit unncessary to me.
Answer:
Originally Posted by thesteve this is a highly debated topic. Some say that floor transfer is essential for good tone and that any sort of tilt-back is a bad thing.You're talking about using the amp in a club setting and using them for monitoring only. This gives me the impression you won't be cranking the amp up, which means you're already keeping the tubes fairly cool (in comparison to using the amp as a primary sound source and letting the PA fill space).
All in all, if you want to go ahead with your design, then do it. There's certainly nothing bad about the design, I'm just saying that some of stuff seems a bit unncessary to me.
Well the insulation is free to me, so I can remove it if i want and not feel bad about it. And the amp can get fairly warm to the touch around the back panel around the rectifier switch just running it normally... The amp will be miked. This way it will be a good stage monitor and not ruin the mix by angling it.
Answer:
Originally Posted by AXguitar And the amp can get fairly warm to the touch around the back panel around the rectifier switch just running it normally... I don't know a single amp built that doesn't get at least a little warm. Both of my SS amps get warm, especially my bass amp. Remember that tubes are supposed to get outright hot to the touch when they're running. Each one of those things is basically a really sophisticated lightbulb.
Answer:
Originally Posted by thesteve I don't know a single amp built that doesn't get at least a little warm. Both of my SS amps get warm, especially my bass amp. Remember that tubes are supposed to get outright hot to the touch when they're running. Each one of those things is basically a really sophisticated lightbulb.
On our last band practice (before we broke up) I ran it for 2 hours, when i went to unplug my footswitch, I got a slight burn.
Answer:
Originally Posted by AXguitar On our last band practice (before we broke up) I ran it for 2 hours, when i went to unplug my footswitch, I got a slight burn. That still doesn't really sound that abnormal for some reason, especially for a 100W amp.
Like I said before, if it floats your boat, then go for it.
Answer:
Originally Posted by thesteve That still doesn't really sound that abnormal for some reason, especially for a 100W amp.
Like I said before, if it floats your boat, then go for it.
I might, if I ever find a band with paying gigs. But, I do know all the local venues, and can honestly say, I probably need it.
Answer:
Originally Posted by AXguitar I might, if I ever find a band with paying gigs. But, I do know all the local venues, and can honestly say, I probably need it. Another couple ideas you might think about is getting a long cable (20ft or so). this might put you far enough away from the amp that you'll get dispersion. Another thing you might try is setting your amp so that the 2x12 stack is vertical.
Answer:
Originally Posted by AXguitar I might, if I ever find a band with paying gigs.....
I was the bassist for a band for 2 years...we played something like 50 shows. They are still together and are on a small label, and tour and all that stuff. They have played hundreds of shows. They RARELY get a paying gig.
Answer:
Originally Posted by RipVanWinkle I was the bassist for a band for 2 years...we played something like 50 shows. They are still together and are on a small label, and tour and all that stuff. They have played hundreds of shows. They RARELY get a paying gig. Haha...I didn't even think of that, but you raise a good point. My band makes most of our money in merch sales, and luckily we are DIY so we make an amazing profit on t-shirt sales.
that being said, the all-ages venues around here pay per ticket sold. Usually you get a dollar per head up to 50 or 75 people and $2 per head after that. The best pay scheme we've been involved in was at the Hard Rock Cafe, where they took 100% of the first 15 tickets sold and the band took 100% after that. We ended up getting 23 people to the show so we made $56 on ticket sales.
Answer:
People in Atlanta seem to pay up front.