Does putting a combo amp on casters serve to decouple it from the floor? I was thinking about using these from Harbor Freight:
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Does putting a combo amp on casters serve to decouple it from the floor?
- Thread starter fourstringbliss
- Start date
In my opinion, yes it does. What I’ve always used are these. They’re removable. That way you can always get the cab sitting on the floor.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FenderCaster--fender-pop-in-amplifier-casters-4-pack?
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- Feb 12, 2006
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- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
No, not really. The height is way too small to make any real world difference.
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Everyone knows that a milk crate is the choice of the consummate professional
True.Everyone knows that a milk crate is the choice of the consummate professional
Last edited:
- Feb 12, 2006
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- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Depends a little bit on the floor boundary surface, but in general you will get a little dip around 100-150Hz (just an uncalculated guesstimate).
That's about the height of the top woofer on a 215, just to put it into perspective.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
Over the years, I have had cabs with casters of several different sizes. None seemed to have a negative effect on sound quality, but small casters are more trouble than they're worth because they have trouble with obstacles, like extension cords and debris. The smallest diameter I have found worthwhile is about 4".
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,053
- 5
- 221,024
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- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
All of my touring racks and consoles had 4” ball bearing casters. Good casters make load-in and out easier and safer.
Whoa. You mean it can couple to the floor while not touching the floor? So it's proximity and not contact?
I’m not going to dispute anything “agedhorse” says, but to my ear I hear a low end drop off when a cab is on casters as opposed to directly on the floor. Whether that’s just a difference in reflection off the floor or not, I really don’t know.
What I do know is I’m old and cranky, so take my statements with a grain of salt . . . . . . or better yet a shot of bourbon! Good night guys!
What I do know is I’m old and cranky, so take my statements with a grain of salt . . . . . . or better yet a shot of bourbon! Good night guys!
If you think the cab has less lows on casters, flip it on a side. Just hope the wheels dont start rattling.
IME it takes at least about half a meter (1.5-2 feet) of distance from a cab/combo to the floor to have a difference. For clubs, I would typically borrow a chair and put black cloth (or spare t-shir) over it, looks better that way when I put cab on it.
It's not about vibration transfer; it's about close surface (floor) reflecting omni-directional low frequencies. Put some distance between source and surface, and waves dissipate more. If you would add one more surface, like put cab in the corner, it would boost lows even more.
Once you get the hang of how it works, you can use it to your advantage. Like playing with no PA support in a club; cab placement can help get more low end volume without cranking it.
OP, I don't think casters will help, it should sound the same.
It's not about vibration transfer; it's about close surface (floor) reflecting omni-directional low frequencies. Put some distance between source and surface, and waves dissipate more. If you would add one more surface, like put cab in the corner, it would boost lows even more.
Once you get the hang of how it works, you can use it to your advantage. Like playing with no PA support in a club; cab placement can help get more low end volume without cranking it.
OP, I don't think casters will help, it should sound the same.
My Road440 cab with 18" speaker had heavy castors, because it weighed a ton (built for the "road") and it made no difference whether I kept in on the wheels or put it on it's side. So the answer is "no."
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,053
- 5
- 221,024
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Acoustic coupling and reflection, not mechanical.
What you may be hearing is more midrange from the cabinet being marginally closer to your ears.I’m not going to dispute anything “agedhorse” says, but to my ear I hear a low end drop off when a cab is on casters as opposed to directly on the floor. Whether that’s just a difference in reflection off the floor or not, I really don’t know.
What I do know is I’m old and cranky, so take my statements with a grain of salt . . . . . . or better yet a shot of bourbon! Good night guys!
It’s about the summing of multiple acoustic paths of travel that have different delay times. The phase difference from these paths, when summed together, creates frequency response anomalies. It’s due to the speed of sound combined with the path lengths.
Everyone knows that a milk crate is the choice of the consummate professional
Especially when it was stolen from a pile behind a convenience store.
No amount of barely perceivable loss would convince me to carry that sucker a block and a half into a gig.
Roll baby!
Roll baby!
That’s why I suggested removeable casters. The best of both worlds.No amount of barely perceivable loss would convince me to carry that sucker a block and a half into a gig.
Roll baby!
