amp stands

which ones? anyone have homemade ideas?

which ones? anyone have homemade ideas?

I dunno. I use a crappy folding one I got years ago. I works. If I didn't have that, I'd use a folding chair. But I WILL NOT go without an amp stand.

I've been using one like this for almost 2 years now and really like the results:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Low-Profile-STAGE-Amplifier-AMP-Monitor-FLOOR-STAND_W0QQitemZ290184669269QQihZ019QQcategoryZ4337 5QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Seems to be very sturdy and keeps the amp on the ground, unlike some which seem to lift them off the ground. I like to keep it low because there is a weird phenomena of amps getting knocked over by accident by a drunk bass player or lead guitarist in the band I play rhythm guitar in.

I found a metal roll-around table in a junk pile. It was the exact same width as my tube Champ. I took out the X bracing down near the casters and replaced it with an angle iron frame to hold my slapped together plywood pedal board to fit in the angle iron frame.

I got the thing all square again and did a good black paint job on it.

Maybe I'm just getting old but I hate to lean over and try to read the knob labels in dim light.
It works good at gigs and rolls out of the way quite nicely at home.

The best amp stand is a road case. You take the amp out of the case, put the case back together, then put the amp on top of the lid. Kills two birds with one stone.

I have two of them, and never use them. They are hard to pack and move. I use a plastic crate. The crate holds my guitar cords, speaker cables and extension cords. I bought a gig bag that that fits in-side the crate, making it easy to carry. It gives me a flat platform for drinks, my watch, setlist, etc. I've even used it at video shoots, where the stage people cover it with black cloth, so it looks nice.

The best amp stand is a road case. You take the amp out of the case, put the case back together, then put the amp on top of the lid. Kills two birds with one stone.

Something to consider is that the resulting configuration is very top heavy, since you have the amp, with its heavy speaker and transformer at the top, and the road case, which weighs maybe a third of what the amp does, on the bottom. Once you factor in the wheels ("Hey...I thought this stage was level?") and enthusiastic bandmates/clumsy soundguys, you can find yourself in a tip over situation.

I go with the OnStage amp stand for anything I can lift. Thus, my Mk IV stays in the road case tray.

Something to consider is that the resulting configuration is very top heavy, since you have the amp, with its heavy speaker and transformer at the top, and the road case, which weighs maybe a third of what the amp does, on the bottom. Once you factor in the wheels ("Hey...I thought this stage was level?") and enthusiastic bandmates/clumsy soundguys, you can find yourself in a tip over situation.

I go with the OnStage amp stand for anything I can lift. Thus, my Mk IV stays in the road case tray.

That's a consideration, but if stability is an issue, stash the tray somewhere and just use the lid as a stand.

Look on any national act's stage and you'll see it done; you rarely see dedicated amp stands on "the big stage" with national acts and professional crews.

Photo Op!

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g41/Bluesbob/2X10Bassmancombo3.jpg

Bass player in an old band made this and gave me one (thanks Bob!). It's open at the back with a piano hinge and works pretty well, folding to one inch thick and goes in the back of the amp, although it doesn't fit in my DR. It sits level on most surfaces and looks good, plus I can put power strips and whatnot underneath out of sight. I use it all the time for gigs.

That's an elegantly simple design.

Neat Bassman combo conversion too.

[QUOTE=Bluesbob;1006489]Photo Op!

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g41/Bluesbob/2X10Bassmancombo3.jpg

QUOTE]

you got anymore pics of that from diff angles?

looks sweet

I use the traditional plastic milk crate, as does the other guitarist in our band.

Bluesbob, I like the Sun Records decal on your Tele - where did you find that?

What, a folding chair isn't good enough for you people? :wink:
The last time I used an amp stand it took out the rectifier tube in my DR. There's always a folding chair or a stackable chair around someplace.

My other option is a folding bench I got at Lowes. It's designed for standing on when you're painting or whatever. It's light alumninum, strong enough to stand on, about a foot and a half high and about three feet long. A small combo amp and a powered PA mixer fit side by side. Or I can use it with a larger amp. Highly recommended.

In my old band, when I was much younger and hung out with the gals from Edison High...

I stole a folding chair from the Edison High Atheletics Department and it was marked as such on the bottom with a spray painted stencil.

That was my "amp stand" for years, until my current band's Bass player (my girlfriend for almost ten years) cured me of combos. She thinks a rock band doesn't look cool enough unless the guitar player has a halfstack! HAHA

I still feel guilty about not returning that chair, but it looked like it had been abused since 1824, so perhaps I liberated it.

For years I used a foldable piano bench seat. Took the covering off, removed the foam padding then glued & stapled the covering back on. Nice flat, level surface for a combo right. Until..... we were playing an outdoor gig, inside a big tent. Unloaded equip.. set up, sat my Peavey Classic 50 4-10 on the stand, set my Am Lonestar Strat on its stand in front of the amp, then went to take my truck out to the parking lot.
When I returned my band mates were lifting the amp off of my Strat. A big wind had come up blowing the tent wall into the amp and over she went.
Classic 50 is quite heavey falling that far down on to a guitar. My Strat body cracked on both side of the neck bad enough that you could see/feel about a 1/8" ledge along them. Almost cried. Bad part was...no back up guitar. DUMMY! I checked it over. was knocked way out of tune, but I couldn't believe it tuned up and stayed in tune the whole night.
LESSON LEARNED. Went out the next day & bought one of the On Stage tilt back stands. At least they prevent any tipping motion. By the way ...took the Strat to local repairman, he glued it back together.. plays great and all you can see is two cracks in the finish. Sorry so long::roll:

LESSON #2: Always have a backup guitar!!

I always use a stand or a chair, but I'm darned careful with my amps. Luckily, if it's a big show, I usually have my 1966 Fender Vibrotone sitting under my Boogie. Not the best pic, but you get the idea... http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa35/superchicken_VI/Musical%20Instruments/Crocs007.jpg

I bought one of these for my combos, but can't think of a way to put my small head/1x12 cab on it. Holds 1x12s easily enough, but don't know if I'd trust it with a Twin. It's plenty strong enough, but not terribly wide.

https://www.carvin20.com/products/single.php?product=MA12

I saw something a few years ago that looked pretty interesting...It was a plastic 'horn', that lifted your amp and tilted it back, while it was hollow, and designed to 'collect' the sound out of the back of the cabn and reflect it forward from under the amp. I can't find a link, nor do I recall what it was called, but it looked like a good idea. Sadly, it would have taken up at least as much room as the amp would in the transportation stakes, though it could probably store a fair few cables inside.

you got anymore pics of that from diff angles?

looks sweet

Sure 'nuff. It's sturdy enough that the guy who made it (carpenter by trade) and gave it to me (thanks again, Bob) stacks an SWR Goliath 4X10 (98 lbs.) and his SVT 4 on one.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g41/Bluesbob/AmpStand2.jpg

Bluesbob, I like the Sun Records decal on your Tele - where did you find that?

Memphis. Cost a dollar.

excellent, thanks

You all may laugh, but I actually used an acquarium stand until cat got the fish. It was the right size for a Peavey Special that I was using at the time.

i have one of those kool metal stands for my Vox AC-15,
otherwise it's a chair, speaker cab, or milk crate for me! :lol:

I just bought one of these:

http://www.vomhimmelhoch.com/bob/standback.jpg

It seems to be working okay.

Previously I've used this, though only at home since it doesn't fold:

http://www.vomhimmelhoch.com/bob/ampstand.jpg

Bob Arbogast

That Standback stand looks pretty useful.

I was thinking about this, and here's what I think a stand should do:
1. Get the amp off the ground! This is a tonal issue... sitting on the floor causes proximity boost of bass and can make amps muddy.
2. Stabilize the amp, so it can't get knocked over easily (tilt back)
3. Be portable.

I'm seriously thinking of adding some Fender-style tiltback legs to my amps so I don't have to carry a stand anymore. My stand is great for problems 1 and 2, but kind of falls apart on 3... it's bulky and awkward even when folded.

I use and ironing stand!!

I was thinking about this, and here's what I think a stand should do:
1. Get the amp off the ground! This is a tonal issue... sitting on the floor causes proximity boost of bass and can make amps muddy.
2. Stabilize the amp, so it can't get knocked over easily (tilt back)
3. Be portable.




4: Points speaker at your head, instead of at your knees, so you can hear it.

As for #1, chances are that's how the amp's designer tested it when he set the amp's tonal balance. Proximity boost helps to offset the cancellation from an open-back cabinet.

I spent 120$ on two Genesis Ultimate Amp Stands for my two Blues Jnrs(http://www.ultimatesupport.com/s.nl/it.A/id.743/.f). Problem is that the Blues Jnr is not a bass heavy amp and the sound became too thin when raised off the ground. So I'm back to placing the amps on the ground and leaning them back against a homemade wooden stand. The Standback looks like what I was trying to make.

I'm thinking of buying some tilt back legs for my combos instead.

I agree that on larger or more powerful combos lifting them off the ground can improve the sound, but on my little Fenders it sounded awful to me.

I got a Sound Enhancer a few years back for combo amp gigs--now there's a new vendor offering them at a lower price.

http://shop.terryjonesrogers.com/category.sc?categoryId=3

Ed

I got a Sound Enhancer a few years back for combo amp gigs--now there's a new vendor offering them at a lower price.

http://shop.terryjonesrogers.com/category.sc?categoryId=3

Ed

It looks like those close off the back of the chassis, where does the excess heat go?

I picked up a sturdy one on Ebay - does the job but to be honest most venues usually have a beer crate that has the same desired effect.

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/30a3770363.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

Ultimate Amp Stand - light, compact, cheap, and can hold a twin reverb.

Another vote for the Genesis Ultimate Amp Stand.

Folds up small, but has the strength to manage a twin.

I use the Gruven amp stands. They are great - fold up, raise the amp only a couple of inches off the floor and have the "right" tilt. The accomodate anything from a tweed deluxe to a tweed pro or bandmaster easily.

Sure 'nuff. It's sturdy enough that the guy who made it (carpenter by trade) and gave it to me (thanks again, Bob) stacks an SWR Goliath 4X10 (98 lbs.) and his SVT 4 on one.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g41/Bluesbob/AmpStand2.jpg



Memphis. Cost a dollar.

Would you mind posting some measurements? I'd love to make one for my new Marshall AS100D.

I usually have my 1966 Fender Vibrotone sitting under my Boogie. Not the best pic, but you get the idea... http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa35/superchicken_VI/Musical%20Instruments/Crocs007.jpg

ahh, Superchicken! this wins.

I like a speaker cab, chair, or milk crate in that order -
would include road case but I don't have one or any! :lol:

I've got one of those mod chrome Vox stands for my AC15
and it makes me feel like Joe Cool so I always bring it if I'm
using that amp - 'cuz we all know; when ya feels good ya
plays better! :wink:

I do agree that ya gotta get that amp off the floor, regardless.

there's some platform thingy I've read about and seen some
folks using - can't think of the name/brand, drawing a blank
but I'm pretty sure Joe Bonamassa uses 'em - it looks like a
simple design but I've read all kinds of audio report hoo-hah
about how it dampens this and enhances that and all.. well,
I'm intrigued OK I'll admit it.

yeah that was redundant, sorry y'all.

it's deja vu all over again!

that's what I get for replying to the original post instead of reading replies first.

my bad. :oops:

I also have an Ultimate Amp Stand, it's rugged enough for most amps.

Well, since we're talking Leslie guitar stands, here's mine!

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/539/medium/Princeton_Leslie_Stack.jpg

http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~speeding2fast/got%20milk/crate.jpg
if need be throw a plank of wood on top

I use the traditional plastic milk crate.

Same. Readily available and they actualy support a lot of weight. I use a couple under my Deluxe.

http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~speeding2fast/got%20milk/crate.jpg
Yeah, one of these. I turn mine the other way up though.

thats not mine haha i just grabbed a google image to give my point. but yeah their the easiest to use

I have used Chairs, small tables, Beer Kegs both empty and full and same with beer cases that the bottles come in again both empty and full. Anything that is sturdy and gets my amp off the ground. If the amp was small enough I even have used my drummers bass drum case.

I used this one for 3 years. Does a great job and worked well....

Amp stands is one of those little things where I think it shows the difference between someone who cares how they appear to an audience and one who doesn't. I've seen two players in my life use a folding chair and get away with it, Rory Gallagher and George Thorogood. I think it looks tacky to use folding chairs or anything at hand to raise an amp up. Funny thing about guitarists, they will spend uber dollars on gear and then NOT buy an amp stand and then dress like they just cleaned the garage....

Amp stands is one of those little things where I think it shows the difference between someone who cares how they appear to an audience and one who doesn't. I've seen two players in my life use a folding chair and get away with it, Rory Gallagher and George Thorogood. I think it looks tacky to use folding chairs or anything at hand to raise an amp up. Funny thing about guitarists, they will spend uber dollars on gear and then NOT buy an amp stand and then dress like they just cleaned the garage....


A chair is okay only if it's all-wood. Folding amp stands reek of "weekend warrior". If you want to look like a pro, putting the amp on top of its road case is the only way to go.

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/30a3770363.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

Ultimate Amp Stand - light, compact, cheap, and can hold a twin reverb.
these are very nice... and they also make a microphone gooseneck that attaches there at the top.

Sure 'nuff. It's sturdy enough that the guy who made it (carpenter by trade) and gave it to me (thanks again, Bob) stacks an SWR Goliath 4X10 (98 lbs.) and his SVT 4 on one.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g41/Bluesbob/AmpStand2.jpg



Memphis. Cost a dollar.

I loved this concept and design so much, I have made my own...actually three of them.

I loved this concept and design so much, I have made my own...actually three of them.

I would love some quick measurements!

Used to ..but noticed a loss in bottom end while amp was on stand..(59 bassman) ..sounds better to me on the floor..more bass response.

I would love some quick measurements!

I'll take another picture of the stand completely flat and add some measurements.

I carry all of my gear in a heavy duty Tupperware tub - one of the larger sizes. It's 6 or 8 inches deep. I put my amp on this, which I like better than a chair because it's not quite as high, but still high enough for the amp to project for the audience and for me to hear it well.

I'm not a fan of pointing my amp right at my head - I'd rather get a little room ambience too.

I would love some quick measurements!

Hope this helps.

Hope this helps.

thank you sir! :razz:

always a road case...

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd30/matthew_drumcan/IMG_0470.jpg

just a cheap guitar stand: helix by könig & meyer. gives a nice angle for recordings and rehearsals. live i use beer crates – I endorse them ;-)

Check out this thread also...... I having one built by a buddy...... read the discussions:

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/amp-central-station/128888-amp-stands-carts-good-designs-wanted.html

By the way, I have used my Leslie 18 as an amp stand too!

I bought one of these Ampwedge (http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ampwedge-Polyurethane-Amplifier-Isolation-Floor-Wedge?sku=425900)things.

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/6/5/5/251655.jpg

It gets my VC off the floor a bit and points the sound more towards my ears rather than my ankles/knees. With a smaller amp like a Champ, the connection with the floor is a good thing in terms of bass response.

I think I'd use two with a bigger (wider) amp and it's a bit limited in the amount of tilt back it allows with small amps like Champs because they're not very deep.

It's very light and there are no parts to break.

[Edited] I've used milk crates in the past but they didn't make the cross country move.

I have a metal Vox stand and a fashionable Black Milk Crate.

Paul in Colorado:
My other option is a folding bench I got at Lowes. It's designed for standing on when you're painting or whatever. It's light alumninum, strong enough to stand on, about a foot and a half high and about three feet long. A small combo amp and a powered PA mixer fit side by side. Or I can use it with a larger amp. Highly recommended.

Can you post a pic or the Lowe's stock number? Thanks.

+1 on the Ultimate Amp Stand, but for the same price, I also like these for home use:

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Musicians-Gear-Deluxe-Amp-Stand?sku=451065

Hey Leoisgod,

I betcha THIS is what "Paul in Colorado" is talking about as an aluminum amp stand you can get at the local big box hardware supply. Now, if you could add a slight tilt to it and some kind of back support to restrain your amp, it could be really cool.

My favourite was always the old village hall folding chair. Modern stacking chairs just aren't as esthetically pleasing. Of course the downside was that the old chairs would fold themself and deposit the amp on the floor.

The guitar stand, the sort with longer prongs for wide body guitars, will hold a small combo nicely.

So there's a lot of ideas that revolve around the MILK CRATE or the PIANO DOLLY..... seen any other contraptions that combine roll-around convenience with a raised platform?

Like an elevated hand truck with pneumatic wheels? Photos?

I picked up one of these from Musicians Friend last year. It's well made, heavy duty and only $20. http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l199/magicguitar/ampstand.jpg

A milk crate is one of the most practical amp stand. ;)

Yeah, a milk crate is supremely practical, 'cause it can hold your gig stuff too..... but it looks like cr*p, doncha think?.......

Ok..... I guess that doesn't really matter to a a lot of folks but.....

By the way.... WRAPAROUND, your blue paisley project is stunning.... I looked at your photos and my eyes bugged out! Nice freakin' job!

A length of 2x4 tucked under the front of the amp. You have a 2" or 4" lift angle. Take your pick.