Moving an Amp or Cabinet - Face-Up or Face-Down

mrnasty · #1 03-19-2010, 11:46 AM

Considering how long I've been playing bass and the number of times I've moved my rig, you think I'd be 100% certain on this. But since I've been using a 1970s B-15N at recent gigs, I'm pondering this question:

When you move an amp or a speaker cabinet, and it has to be transporting laying down, should the speakers be facing up or facing down? Or does it matter?

I'm aware of the perils of face-up and something shifting onto the amp, so my question concerns only possible damage due to the speakers facing one way or the other.

BTW I do wrap a nylon strap around the amp to keep the latched-down head from moving during transport.

wkgmusician · #2 03-19-2010, 11:58 AM

I always move my speakers face down to prevent the magnet from pulling on the rest of the speaker.

PSPookie · #3 03-19-2010, 12:13 PM

I always move mine face up to keep the tone from spilling out

I'm fairly certain that it doesn't make any real difference.

lowfreq33 · #4 03-19-2010, 12:19 PM

Depends on what the grill is made of. If it's cloth I'd definitely go face down, if anything topples over on your amp it could tear right through the cloth and onto the cones.

With a metal grill I'd say it doesn't matter.

sleepytime · #5 03-19-2010, 12:56 PM

I've heard drivers can be hurt by being transported lying down, but I don't believe it. Even in the unlikely event that the cones receive a sufficient jolt to make them over travel, there is no force behind it but the inertia of the paper cone. I can't see them being that fragile.

Baker69 · #6 03-19-2010, 01:28 PM

I was always told to transport cabs with speakers facing upwards.

Something to do with the weight on the cone if transported face down which will in time weaken or possibly damage the speaker.

R. Laevinus · #7 03-19-2010, 02:25 PM

I call hogwash.

I'm not an expert, but I'm with Sleepytime in that I can't believe that any decent driver would be so fragile.

jaywa · #8 03-19-2010, 02:29 PM

Like lowfreq, If I had to transport a cab lying down I would put it face down so there was no chance the driver(s) could be damaged by any sharp objects fallinig thru the grille.

Optimal solution of course always is always to transport the cabinet in as close to its normal orientation as possible (upright, top side up), but if that's not possible I'd go face down.

Pip1969 · #9 03-19-2010, 02:30 PM

I am no professional either but I have always been told to have it lie down with the speakers faces up. i have no reasoning behind it but thats just what ive been told.
but like everyone else has been saying, i dont think the speakers are fragile enough for it to really matter

jbrew73 · #10 03-19-2010, 02:41 PM

it depends on if the speakers are front or rear loaded.

front loaded get hauled speakers up so the weight is sitting on the wood not pulling against the screws.

i think i read this in my eden manual.

Jaguar · #11 03-19-2010, 03:02 PM

I heard if it`s a multi speaker cabinet,you are supposed to remove just half of them and flip them the other way.

Foz · #12 03-19-2010, 03:04 PM

Depends on if its gonna rain.

sleepytime · #13 03-19-2010, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrew73

it depends on if the speakers are front or rear loaded.

front loaded get hauled speakers up so the weight is sitting on the wood not pulling against the screws.

i think i read this in my eden manual.

That's just CYA. 8 screws into 3/4" plywood is pretty doggone strong. You would have to beat it with a sledge to knock that driver loose.

sedan_dad · #14 03-19-2010, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrnasty

Considering how long I've been playing bass and the number of times I've moved my rig, you think I'd be 100% certain on this. But since I've been using a 1970s B-15N at recent gigs, I'm pondering this question:

When you move an amp or a speaker cabinet, and it has to be transporting laying down, should the speakers be facing up or facing down? Or does it matter?

I'm aware of the perils of face-up and something shifting onto the amp, so my question concerns only possible damage due to the speakers facing one way or the other.

BTW I do wrap a nylon strap around the amp to keep the latched-down head from moving during transport.

Unreal.

I've never even thought about it. And I've been doing this a long long time.

Rimshot · #15 03-19-2010, 05:13 PM

time to get a bigger truck?

**StrangerDanger** · #16 03-19-2010, 05:20 PM

I vote face up but thats just b/c thats what I do.

fenderfunker · #17 03-19-2010, 05:21 PM

After traveling all over Australia, on dirt/corrugated roads for years, and never having any problems with speakers, I don't think it is much of a concern.

seamonkey · #18 03-19-2010, 05:27 PM

transport a speaker on its side. So the edge surround and spider can best support the cone during travel. YMMV

#19 03-19-2010, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrew73

it depends on if the speakers are front or rear loaded.

front loaded get hauled speakers up so the weight is sitting on the wood not pulling against the screws.

It matters more how your speakers are attached, and what they are attached to. If your speakers are attached by wood screws into wood, or if your speakers are attached to a "particle board" or MDF baffle, this is the correct answer.

Otherwise it's personal preference. I prefer to protect the grill from punctures or scratching as that is what is seen most by an audience, and therefore keeps it looking better... My speakers are also front loaded, and attached to the baffle by machine screws and T-nuts.

johnk_10 · #20 03-19-2010, 05:33 PM

if the screws that are holding you speakers in are that fragile for fear of the weight of the speaker pulling them out during transport, you should remount them with T-nuts or threaded inserts.

if my cab has to be lying down when hauling it, i lay it on its face so nothing can fall on the grill.