Gramma Pad questions

**Matthew_84** · #1 03-25-2011, 10:38 PM

Hey all,

I'm very interested in the Auralex Gramma Pad, but they are a little costly for my wallet. So I want to make something similar. I'm not expecting the same quality, just something that somewhat accomplishes its task. I'm just wondering if anyone who has one or has seen one up close can give some kind of insight into how it's made.

Based on the image below, it looks like the supports/feet are made out of the auralex material but I can't imagine how they could support 300 lbs. I'm thinking of just using the thickest pink foam insulation I can find, but I also think that that would be too stiff, and would defeat the purpose of the pad. I could wrap them in some kind of carpet that refrains from totally compressing, before securing them to the base.

Any ideas would be very appreciated.

Thanks,

BillyIVbass · #2 03-25-2011, 10:49 PM

I checked one out for my blog: Gramma by Auralex Product Review | Guitar Video Channel Blogs

I know there's a shot of the underside, probably not much other relative info...if you have any direct questions, I still have mine somewhere.

I think you can accomplish some isolation on building you own. Weight handling is what I would be concerned about, but hey THEY designed something why can't you!

**Matthew_84** · #3 03-26-2011, 05:59 AM

Thanks Billy,

that undershot helped me with the base a lot. Now I know it's likely carpeted plywood, and I didn't realize there was foam underneath, between the feet, which makes total sense.

Now, I just need to figure the feet out. I wouldn't need one that supports 300 lbs, my rig is somewhere around 60 lbs (70 tops). I've thought about it all night... Something that's spongy enough to absorb the rattling of the cabinet above, but strong enough to support it.

Billy, do you recall what the feet felt like. Did it feel like it was a solid peace of foam, or did it feel like something else was inside of there? And what did the foam feel like? Is there anything you could compare it to?

Thanks again

Jerry Ziarko · #4 03-26-2011, 06:52 PM

If you really want one, you'll probably spend $20 or so to make it. Here's one brand new for $49. IMO worth every cent.Auralex Acoustics Auralex - Gramma Isolation Risers Acoustic Pads & Hush-Heels at Markertek.com

**Matthew_84** · #5 03-26-2011, 07:01 PM

Thanks Jerry,

I have pretty much decided to make my own. I live in Canada and need the size of the "Great" version and the cheapest one I can find around here is about $140.00 after taxes.

I've looked at a lot of things and some DIY suggestions and am sure I can make something that will do. Thanks

BillyIVbass · #6 03-26-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew_84

Thanks Billy,

that undershot helped me with the base a lot. Now I know it's likely carpeted plywood, and I didn't realize there was foam underneath, between the feet, which makes total sense.

Now, I just need to figure the feet out. I wouldn't need one that supports 300 lbs, my rig is somewhere around 60 lbs (70 tops). I've thought about it all night... Something that's spongy enough to absorb the rattling of the cabinet above, but strong enough to support it.

Billy, do you recall what the feet felt like. Did it feel like it was a solid peace of foam, or did it feel like something else was inside of there? And what did the foam feel like? Is there anything you could compare it to?

Thanks again

The feet are two WICKED solid pieces of foam that run lengthwise. The foam in the center reminds me of cheaper studio foam, if it were me I'd:

Carpet a sheet of plywood, glue a foam mattress pad on the underside, then install carpeted slabs of wood for legs. If you get foam in between the legs and the base I think that would help eliminate vibrations.

I'm no engineer, heck I barely passed Physics class.

I'm also wondering how 2 sheets of carpeted wood with foam in the center would work? Think a sandwich. Carpet/wood is the bread and foam is the PB&J

**Matthew_84** · #7 03-26-2011, 08:30 PM

Lol, I've decided to do something like this, but a little different. I'm going to carpet a sheet of pine plywood and run two 2x4's as the legs, and secure them together, and then glue some 1/2" thick (hopefully a bit thicker) high density foam underneath the legs, so the foam would sit directly on the floor.

I was thinking of doing the sandwich type, but wasn't sure how to secure them. Screws would cancel out any compression of the foam, and glue could be a pain in the ass, gluing the foam to the wood and then more wood to the foam. If I just glue the foam at the bottom, it should be easy to glue back on if it falls off.

**Matthew_84** · #8 03-26-2011, 08:34 PM

Billy, a question about the foam though... I read somewhere that they said the foam didn't seem to compress at all. They even said something about how if you were to DIY, then the foam should be so strong that it would be very hard to bend. Do you recall the foam feet being that strong? (I guess they would have to be, but just checking)

BillyIVbass · #9 03-27-2011, 12:47 AM

Oh yeah, that foam is firm!

JimmyM · #10 03-27-2011, 05:27 PM

bill fitzmaurice says you can accomplish what a gramma pad does by using a little throw rug in front of your cab. since he is an audio genius, i tend to take him at his word. i find stuff like the gramma a little dubious and costly for what it claims to do. does look snazzy, though.

**Matthew_84** · #11 03-27-2011, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

bill fitzmaurice says you can accomplish what a gramma pad does by using a little throw rug in front of your cab. since he is an audio genius, i tend to take him at his word. i find stuff like the gramma a little dubious and costly for what it claims to do. does look snazzy, though.

Well, that makes a lot of sense, lol. I already practically made it though, only cost me about $50.00 and will look awesome. But yeah, thanks again Jimmy... I will do that as well.

iammr2 · #12 03-27-2011, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew_84

Well, that makes a lot of sense, lol. I already practically made it though, only cost me about $50.00 and will look awesome. But yeah, thanks again Jimmy... I will do that as well.

So...you already made it and it cost you about $50 and a new Gramma from MF would cost...$49.95. Plus shipping of course.

JimmyM · #13 03-27-2011, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iammr2

So...you already made it and it cost you about $50 and a new Gramma from MF would cost...$49.95. Plus shipping of course.

it happens. that's why i quit trying to build stuff...it usually works out to about the same money. well, that and i sucked at it

walterw · #14 03-27-2011, 11:36 PM

if it totally works as advertised (and i suspect it does), what have you gained? you want less low end from floor coupling? turn the bass down, or use a smaller bass amp.

i could see it for tube guitar amps, where you may not want the subsonic rumble, and turning the bass down changes the tonal response in a way you don't like.

prd004 · #15 03-27-2011, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

bill fitzmaurice says you can accomplish what a gramma pad does by using a little throw rug in front of your cab. since he is an audio genius, i tend to take him at his word. i find stuff like the gramma a little dubious and costly for what it claims to do. does look snazzy, though.

The throw rug in front of your amp is excellent for dampening early reflections off of hard floors. This is very helpful, especially if you are using a mic on the cabinet as theese reflections can be real bad. But the Gramma pads help stop your amp from transmitting vibrations through the floor. Apples and oranges, but both are useful tools.

**Matthew_84** · #16 03-28-2011, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iammr2

So...you already made it and it cost you about $50 and a new Gramma from MF would cost...$49.95. Plus shipping of course.

Well that's for the Gramma Pad, I actually needed the Great Gramma Pad (because of the size of my cab), which is $79.00 and shipping from US to Canada would have cost more. Locally I found the Great Gramma Pad going for about $140 after taxes, so I think I did a pretty decent job.

Slowgypsy · #17 03-28-2011, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prd004

The throw rug in front of your amp is excellent for dampening early reflections off of hard floors. This is very helpful, especially if you are using a mic on the cabinet as theese reflections can be real bad. But the Gramma pads help stop your amp from transmitting vibrations through the floor. Apples and oranges, but both are useful tools.

I agree. I did a test some time ago at a club I play frequently. It has a stage that's elevated about a foot. I suspect it's basically hollow underneath. At one show I placed my 2x112's directly on the floor for the first set. Very boomy sound. Next set I put a Gramma Pad underneath the cabs. Much tighter sound. I'm not a rocket scientist... just a bass player... and whatever the reason, using a Gramma Pad has helped make my sound more predictable.

Jerry Ziarko · #18 03-28-2011, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

I agree. I did a test some time ago at a club I play frequently. It has a stage that's elevated about a foot. I suspect it's basically hollow underneath. At one show I placed my 2x112's directly on the floor for the first set. Very boomy sound. Next set I put a Gramma Pad underneath the cabs. Much tighter sound. I'm not a rocket scientist... just a bass player... and whatever the reason, using a Gramma Pad has helped make my sound more predictable.

And that, is the beauty of the Gramma Pad. You can get a more consistent, predictable tone, when you can eliminate the stage floor. It's not a cure all, but does, what it does, very well IMO.