Class D amp head decides to go on walkabout whilst playing

[g-dude]

Looking for a simple and easy fix for my problem.

I’m playing a Mesa TT-800 through a Barefaced Two 10S, and everything sounds great, practice is going well...

And then I notice the amp head is hanging off the cab.

I moved it back into position and resumed playing. A few minutes later, same thing.

What’s happening is that the vibrations, combined with the light weight of the head, are causing the amp to decide to go on walkabout. I’ve never owned a lightweight class D head before, so this is certainly a new experience.

Anybody have similar experiences and have a fix that doesn’t involve permanently attaching something to the tolex of the cab?

 

[ihixulu]

Lightweight Amp Problems

 

[BassmanPaul]

if the cabinet is covered in carpet a couple of squares of Velcro hooks will tame it.

 

[g-dude]

if the cabinet is covered in carpet a couple of squares of Velcro hooks will tame it.

Nope, it’s British Raging Green tolex! I do wonder how long carpeting would last against repeated uses of Velcro.

Going to try some of the rubber pad / kitchen drawer liner ideas in the other thread referenced.

 

[Wicked G]

You didn't get the little felt pads Mesa sends with the amp to isolate vibration?

 

[g-dude]

You didn't get the little felt pads Mesa sends with the amp to isolate vibration?

I did get the pads, but the little insert seemed to suggest that they were more about providing protection for the cabinet when the head is left in place for extended periods.

 

[Wicked G]

I did get the pads, but the little insert seemed to suggest that they were more about providing protection for the cabinet when the head is left in place for extended periods.

They work great for isolating the head from vibration. I have used them on 4 different cabs and the head never walks.

 

[J de Villiers]

If it's tolex a couple of blobs of blu-tak have worked for me. Have reverted to heavy old amps nowadays.

 

[g-dude]

They work great for isolating the head from vibration. I have used them on 4 different cabs and the head never walks.

I’ll have to bring them and a bunch of other stuff next week to rehearsal and see what happens.

I do know that there’s probably duct tape already there, but I think that’s a bridge too far.

 

[alack]

I use that rubber self liner one puts in a kitchen drawer to keep the silverware from moving. Cheap! Available anywhere. A variety of available colors. Gets the job done.

 

[chris_b]

If your amp is moving around that much I would put some vibration absorbing foam under it and protect the amp as well. Kill two birds with one stone.

 

[Wicked G]

I’ll have to bring them and a bunch of other stuff next week to rehearsal and see what happens.

I do know that there’s probably duct tape already there, but I think that’s a bridge too far.

Lol, yeah I think duct tape maybe going a little too far.

 

[lupien]

I use that rubber self liner one puts in a kitchen drawer to keep the silverware from moving. Cheap! Available anywhere. A variety of available colors. Gets the job done.

That's a great idea! Can't believe I didn't think of that considering a use the stuff all the time on my workbench when sanding... I've been putting 2 pieces of duct tape, one on each side of the amp to the top of the cab. Tape works, but after hundreds of gigs my amp has some sticky residue on the sides.

 

[ricknote]

Looking for a simple and easy fix for my problem.

I’m playing a Mesa TT-800 through a Barefaced Two 10S, and everything sounds great, practice is going well...

And then I notice the amp head is hanging off the cab.

I moved it back into position and resumed playing. A few minutes later, same thing.

What’s happening is that the vibrations, combined with the light weight of the head, are causing the amp to decide to go on walkabout. I’ve never owned a lightweight class D head before, so this is certainly a new experience.

Anybody have similar experiences and have a fix that doesn’t involve permanently attaching something to the tolex of the cab?

I did a gig in Dallas at gas monkey bar and grill a couple of months ago. My GK MB500 head just stopped working In the middle of a set. Never did that before and it’s been totally rock solid since. I do carry a Markbass Littlemark III head with me as well. I threw that on my cabinet and got through the gig without any other problems. I did notice that one of the side fill monitors on my side also crapped out. I think these kind of digital heads are a little bit more sensitive to fluctuations in voltage. But that stuff is a bit over my head. That’s why I always take a spare head with me.

 

[arbiterusa]

Rat fur cabs for the win. I run an MB500 which is ridiculously light and it doesn’t move, as the cab is rat fur.

I can easily see how that could happen with a tolex cabinet.

 

[TheReceder]

Would all this things work to help keep my cab from making the stage move?

 

[Pings Bass]

Perennial problem, easily solved with velcro

 

[InhumanResource]

Looking for a simple and easy fix for my problem.

I’m playing a Mesa TT-800 through a Barefaced Two 10S, and everything sounds great, practice is going well...

And then I notice the amp head is hanging off the cab.

I moved it back into position and resumed playing. A few minutes later, same thing.

What’s happening is that the vibrations, combined with the light weight of the head, are causing the amp to decide to go on walkabout. I’ve never owned a lightweight class D head before, so this is certainly a new experience.

Anybody have similar experiences and have a fix that doesn’t involve permanently attaching something to the tolex of the cab?

Mousepad.

 

[SemiDriven]

Yeah, the first time you see your Class D amp walking around on your amp (or hanging off of it), you experience a moment or two of sheer panic!

I use soft foam (both on top of the cab and underneath the cab). And when I know things are gonna really be shakin' I'll add a bungee strap or two.

The last thing I wanna see is the amp walking off the cab during "Born to be Wild"!

'Course the crowd may think that's all part of the show!

 

[HolmeBass]

I use a hand towel, folded under the amp.