A silly question about mini/micro amps

[dave64o]

Strain relief your cable to the cabinet through the handle, then plug into the amp. Good idea for many amps, not just the tiny, lightweight ones IME.

This.

Going wireless is another good solution.

 

[BEADG63]

Simple. Wireless.

 

[CosmicRay]

Amazon.com: Ampwedge Polyurethane Amplifier Isolation Floor Wedge: Musical Instruments
I use one of these.
Yeah, I know it's supposed to be used under a cab, on the floor.
But it works really well when placed on top of the cab, and your mini/mico amp sits on top.
And the two front feet of the amp can catch the edge of the wedge to also keep it from sliding back.
It also helps to see the amp better, since it's on a slight angle.
And also loop my cable through the handle of the cab.
It works for me!

 

[Gaolee]

I used to step on cables all the time. Now I'm wireless. Stepping on the wireless box and switching it to tuner mode is a much less destructive way to make your signal disappear. If you wander and bad dance around the stage like I do, anything that can be stepped on or tripped over probably will get stepped on or tripped over eventually.

 

[Echovox]

I loop my cable thru the cabinet handle and also velcro my amp head to the cabinet with industrial strength velcro.

 

[bucephylus]

I use this:

 

[mrbell321]

Put the amp on the floor? It can't fall onto the floor if its already there?

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I use this:
View attachment 698650 View attachment 698651 View attachment 698652

Smart!

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

How do you keep from knocking it to the floor?

This came up between a (knowledgeable AND a bass player!) salesman and I recently while I was looking for a new amp. We both remarked at how odd this one little Eden microamp looked sitting on top of an 8x10, then I asked "how would it stay up there? I would be constantly pulling that thing to the floor on accident."

Accidents happen. You're in a crowded space & someone bumps your rig, sending your 5 pound amp to the floor.
You travel a little bit too far from your amp, forget yourself jumping & dancing around, or maybe your cord gets caught on a mic or cymbal stand, or somebody steps on it, and -YOINK- amp on the floor.

How do you get a micro head to stay in place and remain accident free?

I had trouble with that too when I was using my MB200 - - kinda bugged me.

My current lightweight head has *just enough* heft to stay put (Tecamp Puma 500) - I actually like that.

 

[Bassamatic]

If your cab is carpet covered, relatively small pieces of industrial Velcro on the bottoms of the feet will hold it very securely. Then - you loop your cable through a handle so the jack doesn't get damaged by a yank on the cable.

 

[paparoof]

I use this:
View attachment 698650 View attachment 698651 View attachment 698652

Nifty!

 

[Papazita]

That's why i hate this little amps.
Either you put some sandbags on top of the little Class-D-Plasticbox or you buy a real Amp.

I didn't go little, but I did go class-d with the Fender Bassman 500 & a 410. I love it so far.

Just don't yank on it too hard!!!

Good advice for all yanking situations.

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

my shuttle 9.0 came with the velcro already on there, and it sticks right to my amp.

 

[asands]

umm ... velcro ?

PF500, which is pretty small, but attaches to the top of the 115HE cab, so there is no issue there.

I used to have an TC RH450, which was also quite small/light. Never had a problem with it moving around or falling off my cabs.

I also do the cable relief loop through the cab handles as well as on the strap side. Have done it for years, even back when I had 50-60lb heads that were not likely to go much of anywhere.

I have heard of some folks having issues with mini amps bouncing around when they are on top of some of the very lightweight cabs that perhaps have thin plywood construction and less than idea bracing.

Had some issue like this before. My Markbass F1 sitting on top of dual 15's when there is no FOH (rare but on occasion) wanted to dance across the top of the smooth Duratex coated can. Best solution I came up with was using some egg crate foam from one of our mic cases. I eventually just got a square of it to keep tucked against the amp in my gear back pack. Now it's safer while traveling and also a backup for my rumbling cabs!

 

[daddyvettes]

Just keep your drunken guitarist away and you'll be fine. Seriously, the rubbery cupboard liner previously mentioned works, or if you have the 'cat-scratch' type covering on your cab, a couple of long pieces of velcro strapped over. Actually, a while back someone posted a pic of a GK MB200 secured with this method.

funny, my drunken guitar player use to yank his 100 watt marshall head off his cab frequently until he bought a vvt combo

 

[strictlybass_ic]

Strain relief your cable to the cabinet through the handle, then plug into the amp. Good idea for many amps, not just the tiny, lightweight ones IME.

He nailed it, that's what I do. Pull too far and the cab gives you a little tug back to remind you to settle down.

 

[BurningSkies]

Strain relief your cable to the cabinet through the handle, then plug into the amp. Good idea for many amps, not just the tiny, lightweight ones IME.

I do this with a 40 pound head just as much with a 5 pound head. It also stops your cable wiggling at the connector and causing any kind of crackling, etc.

 

[Mudcat35]

Strain relief your cable to the cabinet through the handle, then plug into the amp. Good idea for many amps, not just the tiny, lightweight ones IME.

^^^^^This^^^^^. Every time.

 

[InhumanResource]

I never had this problem when I was using a microamp...the cabinet vibrations never caused the head to walk off into space, nor have I ever thrashed around enough to yank the sucker out.

I think the strain relief via cabinet handle is the most reasonable thing to do, but I was tempted to cut a piece of plywood to fit on top of the cab with velcro mounts for head and effects processor, plus maybe a power strip...only because there was so much real estate up there to play with! I've since moved back to a lead sled...if that baby falls off it is probably taking me right with it.

 

[kcole4001]

^^^^^This^^^^^. Every time.

+1 to this, and I use a 20 lb head in a rack bag and a pedal board.
The amp end of the lead from the pedals goes through the speaker cab's handle.
Always.
Every time.
Without fail.
Did I say always yet?
It bears repeating.
Always!

I never had an issue, but it only takes the one time of someone stomping on your cable to really mess up your night.