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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Permalink Guitar Amplifier Stands - Are They Worthwhile?

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My Deluxe Reverb RI is sitting on a rug in my den. I'm thinking that the rug is sucking up some of the high end, so I thought that maybe raising the amp above floor level might make it sound a little brighter. Does this make sense?

I found plans for a DIY stand online and the bass player in our band made one for each of us 2 guitarists that have matching '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverbs which are similar in size to your DRRI. Bass coupling is something I try to avoid as much as possible...in short, it is the low frequencies resonating with the stage/floor etc. adding to undesirable rumble. Plus, if I have it on the floor surface, it would be up to the back of my knees to hear the clear sound of the amp. I am not sure that being flat on the floor diminishes higher freqs but you sure as heck can't hear them unless the speaker is directed to your ears Smile
Not my video but this is what I use...highly recommended for cheap DIY and compact storage!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN4ymuU--Qw

Lorne
The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers
Vancouver BC Canada

To answer the thread question, "Guitar Amplifier Stands - Are They Worthwhile?"... Yes, they are worthwhile. For me, they aren't worthwhile. When I gig are stages are too crowded/shallow for me to want the speakers that close/directly to my ears. Playing at home, can't be bothered.

I don't think anybody but the player could ever discern the different between an amp on a rug and an amp on a stand if the distance from the amp and the angle of the cone to the ear is the same for both. Even then man... If you care about that, you should transfer that effort from 'amp on rug' to any of the following, "how good is my timing?", "Do I know, immediately, where all of the notes on the guitar are?", "Do I write originals?".

Strings and picks are going to have a much bigger difference on your tone than amp on rug.

Now, If you want an angled amp that is another thing. You can't compare amp flat on rug versus angled directly at my ear.

each of us 2 guitarists that have matching '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverbs

Nice! Awesome amps.

Great answer as always Jake. Save your money and put the amp on a chair if you'd like to elevate it. If you angle it up towards yourself you'll definitely get more treble in your hearing range. But like Jake said, what the audience hears is vastly different and angling may actually eliminate some high end down on the dance floor.

Danny Snyder

Latest project - Now That's What I Call SURF
_
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

I'm back playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

I always thought the idea of placing a speaker on something soft was to inhibit bass transfer forcing the box/cabinet to resonate. A stand with less point of contact should do the same.

If you are within proximity of the amp while playing the best tone will come through using tilt backs. Having run out of floor space in our practice studio I had to put my Twin on a speaker cab. It killed low end and other great tones. I don't use it for surf much anymore but I have two 1x15 cabs for my surf amps that are on tilt backs that give me all the frequencies I want.

The Kahuna Kings

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447

https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases

I hadn't really thought about angling the amp...just getting it off the rug. I don't gig, so the sound is just for me. The stand that shake_n_stomp posted looks like it might do the trick. But first, it might be a good idea to try tilting it.

Tilting it near a wall provides the best full bodied tone. Just make sure you leave 3-4 inches away from the wall so the amp can vent properly.

The Kahuna Kings

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447

https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases

Stands are definitely worth having on hand. I sometimes use a milk crate instead to elevate my amp. It all kind of depends on the venue imo.

I always bring a small roll-up rug with to gigs as well to tamp down the highs if needed. Places with tile floors, hardwood floors or lots of surrounding glass can become really reflective and bothersome.

METEOR IV on reverbnation

Last edited: Jan 29, 2017 08:04:23

I used a milk crate or folding chair back in the day live. At home I simply put my CVR on a folding chair. It's more for convenience to the controls & the tank is below it - it's angled a bit to negate effect of an opposite wall that continues at a weird angle. Fact is, if I play & walk around the amp the tone I want is never on direct axis with the cone but off at some angle - which tells me where a mic should go.

I do like the little DIY stands that shake & stomp mentions above; pretty cool idea. I can see giving my fishing buddy a chance to use his new super-duper table saw.

Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel

DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.

I put Fender kick back legs on all my amps, you get a better sense of the amp's tone, it's very stable at a gig and it no longer punishes the back of my knees. As for stands I've used them, same for chairs, tables etc.

Other advantages of tiltback legs are light weight and one less thing to haul in and set up.

Happy Sunsets!

Since I insisted on us using stands/chairs/coffee tables, our bands vocal sound has been appreciated must more.

It's made the lead turn it down and me (rhythm) turn it up.

I bought a stand £25 because you can't always rely on the venue having chairs or tables the right height or width.

And every sound man I've encountered are so thankful

But this is for a vocal band, so may not be as relevant here.

tilt.back.legs.

In the words of the great Eric "Roscoe" Ambel: On the floor and let 'em roar.

Getting an amp will be a great investment to your guitar playing but it is especially useful in live/gig settings. Check out a whole bunch here: http://guitarpickzone.com/best-guitar-amp-stand/

Last edited: Jan 16, 2018 14:24:09

Patrick_Strain wrote:

In the words of the great Eric "Roscoe" Ambel: On the floor and let 'em roar.

Better bass amplification with acoustic coupling to the floor. Tiltback legs allow the player to hear the treble and the sound waves bounce off the ceiling somewhere near the front of the hall, but bass is attenuated.

Squink Out!

Another consideration before adding a stand or tiltback legs is the location of the amp control panel. Forward facing like a DRRI no problem, upward facing like a Mustang III will be more difficult to see and adjust.

Happy Sunsets!

JObeast wrote:

Patrick_Strain wrote:

In the words of the great Eric "Roscoe" Ambel: On the floor and let 'em roar.

Better bass amplification with acoustic coupling to the floor. Tiltback legs allow the player to hear the treble and the sound waves bounce off the ceiling somewhere near the front of the hall, but bass is attenuated.

You're no fun.

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