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How to make moving a heavy combo amp easier for back challenged player?

#21
It sounds like you may have the materials and knowledge to make a rolling ramp coupled with a manual or DC winch to pull it up.

Another solution is a hitch lift which go for under $500. I know you said you're cash strapped but your still young and your back is not going to get any better so investing in a long term solution should be a priority.

http://www.amazon.com/Larin-TGL-500-Hitch-Lift/dp/B000FAKNM0
 
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#22
neckdive said:
It sounds like you may have the materials and knowledge to make a rolling ramp coupled with a manual or DC winch to pull it up.

Another solution is a hitch lift which go for under $500. I know you said you're cash strapped but your still young and your back is not going to get any better so investing in a long term solution should be a priority.

http://www.amazon.com/Larin-TGL-500-Hitch-Lift/dp/B000FAKNM0
Click to expand...

Agreed... I have never seen one like you show... Interesting idea... Have you ever used one? It looks like a manual Tommy Lift...
 
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#23
The jokesters here would say get an 8x10 lean and lift. So easy!

Get what sounds right in your situation then work out portability. Then compromise. Or don't!

You may have to work out. Not only does it enable you to lift cabs but you will live longer healthier. :)

I can say this cause I used to weighed 150lb. and carried an SVT up and downstairs and a V4B and a Leslie. Marshall Major head and Sunn 2000s head. It was difficult. I was a bass waif.

I don't enjoy super lightweight gear because I feel a bassist has to bring it! Bigger cabs, larger power supplies.

We play bass.

Yes I use a "Rack n Roller".

A taller cab, or not, & separate head may be two trips but less lift and big boom.:)
 
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#24
chadds said:
The jokesters here would say get an 8x10 lean and lift. So easy!

Get what sounds right in your situation then work out portability. Then compromise. Or don't!

You may have to work out. Not only does it enable you to lift cabs but you will live longer healthier. :)

I can say this cause I used to weigh 150lb. and carry an SVT up and downstairs and a V4B and a Leslie. Marshall Major head and Sunn 2000s head. It was difficult. I was a bass waif.

I don't enjoy super lightweight gear because I feel a bassist has to bring it! Bigger cabs, larger power supplies.

We play bass.

Yes I use a "Rack n Roller".

A taller cab, or not, & separate head may be two trips but less lift and big boom.:)
Click to expand...

FWIW, I actually do work out, at least when health allows... A word of advise to the younguns here that think they are 10 feet tall and bullet proof... You're no more so than I was years ago... It catches up and it's a real son of a (expletive...)
 
#26
Dave, this is exactly why I and a lot of people in my 50-60 age group have moved to micro amps and are extremely happy with them!

I rock a Genz-Benz SHuttle 6.2 that peaks at 375W into 8 ohms, peaks at 600W into 4 ohms. That's a lot more power than I'll ever use. The amp weighs 3.75 pounds! I have a 12" cab under it, and the amp and cab together total 36 pounds. I carry a 2x10 Shuttle cab along, and it's 34 pounds. I can stack them nicely, but each one is easily manageable by itself. I really don't even need the 2x10 for most things, as the single 12 is amazingly loud.

Seriously, a micro head and a pair of 12" neo speakers are where the OP needs to go. You can get all the great sound you need with much, much less weight.
 
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#27
Kinda like what Duke suggested with the ramp:

How about strapping the amp onto a sturdy hand truck, backing it up to your pickup's tailgate, picking up the bottom (wheels and shelf), and sliding it onto the pickup bed on the rails of the handtruck?

Easier than deadlifting a combo from the ground high enough to stand it on the tailgate...


Added: long term, a 500W micro and a pair of lightweight 1-12 cabs gotta be the way to go, as Pilgrim said.
 
#30
Going from a combo to a head / cab rig is admittedly going to be a big psychological jump to me... But let's say for a second I am REALLY digging the Rumble V3 500 combo tone. What's the best way to go about getting that in a head / cab configuration?

I am figuring a Rumble 500 head, at 5 lbs, and a Rumble 4x10 cab at 62lbs? That puts me back at the weight problem...

The Rumble 115 cab weighs in at 38 lbs, which is more than the Rumble 500 2x10 combo....

So let's say for example I liked that sound, but wanted smaller slices of easy to move weight... I really doubt I will ever need more than a 4x10 rig, most likely 2x10... But who knows right?

So maybe a head and a couple of 2x10 cabs? Who would make light, but great sounding cabs that I can try out?
 
#32
Ewo said:
Kinda like what Duke suggested with the ramp:

How about strapping the amp onto a sturdy hand truck, backing it up to your pickup's tailgate, picking up the bottom (wheels and shelf), and sliding it onto the pickup bed on the rails of the handtruck?

Easier than deadlifting a combo from the ground high enough to stand it on the tailgate...


Added: long term, a 500W micro and a pair of lightweight 1-12 cabs gotta be the way to go, as Pilgrim said.
Click to expand...

That is something I hadn't given much consideration. Strapping the amp to the hand truck would be easy as pie. and with the tailgate edge acting as a fulcrum, I would have some mechanical advantage, with the top anchored more or less at the fulcrum point it would be stable enough I could lift the load almost entirely with my legs, which is a win win situation for me!

I think we might have just gotten our short term winner!
 
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#34
Big Hoss said:
That is something I hadn't given much consideration. Strapping the amp to the hand truck would be easy as pie. and with the tailgate edge acting as a fulcrum, I would have some mechanical advantage, with the top anchored more or less at the fulcrum point it would be stable enough I could lift the load almost entirely with my legs, which is a win win situation for me!

I think we might have just gotten our short term winner!
Click to expand...

I might go a little further with this idea and bolt a pair of small casters to the handle(s) so that they will have less friction rolling up the ramp, especially if you build it out of pressure treated wood.
 
#35
neckdive said:
I might go a little further with this idea and bolt a pair of small casters to the handle(s) so that they will have less friction rolling up the ramp, especially if you build it out of pressure treated wood.
Click to expand...

I was already considering that... I have a couple of 2" fixed urethane wheel Harbor Freight casters that are dying for an excuse to live... The top crossbar on my hand truck is plenty stout enough to support the weight of the truck / amp etc...

Honestly, I bought this hand truck to move the amp prior to the back problems getting this bad...
 
#36
I know its a more expensive solution that trading your Crate, but if you fulcrum engineering works for now, maybe buy a whole new set up (lighter and/or modular) and leave the Crate at the practice space. New amp for home use and gigging.

This cuts your loading & unloading down to only giggin out.
 
#38
Big Hoss said:
So maybe a head and a couple of 2x10 cabs? Who would make light, but great sounding cabs that I can try out?
Click to expand...
Oh, I don't know...maybe these folks:

PF350210s_zps4467c84a.jpg


26 lbs. each!
 
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#40
JimmyM said:
Oh, I don't know...maybe these folks:

PF350210s_zps4467c84a.jpg


26 lbs. each!
Click to expand...

Are those pre or post LOUD technologies? I have heard bad, badder, baddest things about Ampeg quality since the LOUD takeover.

If they are post LOUD takeover, care to give a review particularly on the quality of the amp...
 

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