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Hiding your mini-amp

JimmyM

JimmyM

Apr 11, 2005
127,257
125,178
Plymouth NC
Disclosures
Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
#1
Let me first just say that I have nothing at all against the Markbass look. I never had a problem with the look of my LMII on top of any other cabs. I actually think it looks downright good on most. But on top of my blue-checker B-15 extension cab, it looks godawful. Absolutely dreadful. It's so bad looking that I can't even bear to post a pic of them together.

So now I want to hide it (sorry Peter) when I use the B-15 cab with it. It needs to be at a height where I can tweak it, and it needs to not take up any room, and most importantly it can't be invasive or be too noticeable. I want it to look like I'm using just the cab. So I've been toying with the idea of some sort of device to hang it on the back of the cab. But since it can't be invasive, velcro is right out. I was thinking maybe some sort of a sling that I could tie to the lag bolts on the fliptop. But I want it to look pro since I play a few regular gigs where people can see behind my amp.

Anyone have any ideas?
 
#2
I can't find it at the moment, but someone around here built himself a case for his LMII that looks like a tube head. I believe it had a hidden rack EQ unit around back, too. I'll keep hunting for the picture, but it's a cool idea I think. If you used thin plywood, it wouldn't add to the weight too much, but it would obviously make the whole thing more cumbersome.
 
#3
I would build a little frame for it, just the four sides and a bottom panel (leaving the top open). Make the front side hinged so it opens "up" (hinge at the bottom), maybe even with a spring so it closes itself. Then cover the exterior with matching blue checker Tolex.

Done right, it would look to most people like a mysterious but unremarkable matching extension on top of the cab, yet you'd be able to reach over and tweak the controls at will.
 
#4
Whoa there, you guys are assuming I have skill with tools and wood. I have zero skills with tools and wood. Absolutely none. So you'll have to dumb yourselves down a little and think what you would do if you were unskilled.
 
#6
Expensive fix, but this little mark looks better:
disneynamm095.jpg
 
#7
Geez, I hope those yellow knobs are gone when it goes into production. If it goes into production. Did anything Markbass premiered at NAMM last year go into production besides the NY 121? ;)
 
#12
JimmyM said:
Geez, I hope those yellow knobs are gone when it goes into production. If it goes into production. Did anything Markbass premiered at NAMM last year go into production besides the NY 121? ;)
Click to expand...

Dunno about production, but I agree about the whole yellow knobs thing.

As for the hide-a-mark thing, What about putting it into a rack? That way you could put a black metal grill cover over the front of it while your using it. Instead of a plastic cover you know?

Or, you know how a fliptop ampeg has the amp that hides right? Can you use the markbass amp while it's inside the speaker enclosure? I don't know how much heat and other problems that would add though.
 
#13
JimmyM said:
Thanks Trev, but I think you missed the "no velcro" statement in my first post.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I suppose I did. Hmm, maybe just buy a new faceplate for the amp? This one is kind of tough because a lot of the solutions that allow you to keep this amp require some reworking of the aesthetics, which would also require some tool skills, possibly some artisan skills. (And quite possibly bow-staff skills)
 
#17
conical johnson said:
I can't find it at the moment, but someone around here built himself a case for his LMII that looks like a tube head. I believe it had a hidden rack EQ unit around back, too. I'll keep hunting for the picture, but it's a cool idea I think. If you used thin plywood, it wouldn't add to the weight too much, but it would obviously make the whole thing more cumbersome.
Click to expand...

Found it. Not that it matters to you. :ninja: But in case anyone reading was interested:

l_c53117b1d7756d18daaa43c99fbbc0a8.png


It belongs to "Johnny Atomic".
 
#18
You could rig a sling with the official Markbass bag (which has the all-important intake vent opening on the side). Or maybe do something cheaper with nylon webbing.

You could turn the head sideways.

This one's kind of "wrong". You could fab up some kind of "bra" to slip over the face, cover up all the yellow but with holes for the knobs, etc... Rig that puppy out of black cowhide leather and you'd have the kinkiest mini-amp anywhere! :D
 
#19
joeinsprings said:
Expensive fix, but this little mark looks better:
disneynamm095.jpg
Click to expand...

unless you're in a stryper cover band... :p

grab a copy of photoshop, take hi-res TIFF shot of LMII face plate, magic wand all the yellow bits w/ black, head to kinkos, ask for heavy black, non glossy cardstock, and print out your own faceplate.

done.

brand recognition via color scheme is soooooooooooooo '80s.
 

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