Raising my Amp stack set-up higher off the ground

[StereoPlayer]

Lately, I’ve been thinking of building a downward firing cab for a way to raise my main rig. I really want to put an 18” speaker in it facing the floor. It would be hidden from view which would be great for our drummer that thinks my amp is too big…

 

[Danny O Danny]

For years I've used a Quik Lok WS-540 stand to place my 2x10 cabinet and amp on. It is height adjustable, folds up, and is very sturdy.

 

[mrjim123]

You could place the cabs vertically, one on top of the other, but your stack might look top heavy if your head is too wide.

 

[nayisthereason]

If the flight case for the head will work, it would have the advantage of being something you're already taking to the gig. A decent flight case, closed and latched, should easily carry that much weight.

this is what i used to do when i'd use my v4b for guitar. case went right under the 4x12

 

[Lost In Time]

I'd stack the two cabs vertically, and then put the head beside the stack, on top of the case.

 

[HeadWind]

I built me two Greenboy fEARful 12-6's. I always say one of them is an expensive stand for the other one (since I usually DI out into the PA and don't need a lot of sound on stage).

 

[coyote1]

There’s nothing like a second cabinet to accomplish this task. Get both the floor coupling AND the sound at chest-ear level, where it belongs. If you already have a 4x10, the right 2x10 can do the trick.

I don’t know about used pricing nowadays, but both my 4x10s were less than $200 in great condition. One’s a Peavey with horn, and the other an Ashdown with horn. And in a dozen years, they both remain intact despite plenty of very loud playing. So if you’re patient and diligent, odds are something good will come your way.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I made a riser from plywood. I can also use it to move cables and such as the bottom is open.

View attachment 5058030

Really cool looking rig there!

 

[micguy]

What you need is to get your ears in the beam of your speaker. It doesn't have to be done with elevation, it can be done with angle. For the gig I used to do where I used an amp, I used this - a stand that can, depending on which way your turn it, angle a cabinet by 35 or 55 degrees. I played with my cabinet in front of me - it was low enough to not be visually distracting. This is what 55 looks like:

 

[BearCave]

When I acquired a second Bergantino HDN212 cabinet, I used to set up my rig like this....

But it was short lived after several bass players said they prefer a "vertical" rig and to try it out. I've since only used my rig like this now....

Makes a HUGE difference in that I can "hear" more of the bass and the fundamental. I always advocate for a "vertical" rig. Fortunately the HDN212's are tall enough stacked that I don't need to put anything underneath them to get it to ear height. And the whole rig still weighs less than an SVT head.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Lately, I’ve been thinking of building a downward firing cab for a way to raise my main rig. I really want to put an 18” speaker in it facing the floor. It would be hidden from view which would be great for our drummer that thinks my amp is too big…

That 18 has to move a lot of air to raise a cabinet off the ground..Must joking…Actually. I think I’d like to hear something like what you described..

 

[Rip Van Dan]

Hi everyone,

I know there's a few threads on this particular topic, but I thought i'd start one specific to my needs.

I'm about to be in possession of two Ampeg 210AVs, to pair with an Ampeg V-4B. In some situations I would like to raise the whole thing (cabs side by side, vertical, with the V-4b on top of both) off the ground by 30-40cm (roughly, could go higher). I realise there's always a big debate that comes up in these things about coupling with the floor for bass response. I get that and sure, in some situations I will just place on the floor. However, in other situations I require the rig to be raised up closer to torso or ear level for practice/recording/certain gig situations.

Just curious what others use to raise their setups off the ground for a similar purpose (clarity and punch) and to get it nearer ear level? I was thinking something as simple as beer crates, I just don't want to get something that can't handle the weight, resulting in a pretty expensive accident.

I have a flightcase for the V-4B, that has a height of about 40cm or so. Maybe I could use that? as long as it can take the weight of the head and two cabs i suppose.

Interested to hear people's thoughts.

@mapleglo posted a more elegant solution, but here's the traditional method of raising your stack up - the inimitable milk crate:

OR, you could just use a 410 cab to raise it up. In the photo below, I only had the DNS-210 on top plugged in. That DNS-410 cab of course, is not nearly as convenient to transport as a milk crate...

 

[GroovyBaby]

Hi everyone,

I know there's a few threads on this particular topic, but I thought i'd start one specific to my needs.

I'm about to be in possession of two Ampeg 210AVs, to pair with an Ampeg V-4B. In some situations I would like to raise the whole thing (cabs side by side, vertical, with the V-4b on top of both) off the ground by 30-40cm (roughly, could go higher). I realise there's always a big debate that comes up in these things about coupling with the floor for bass response. I get that and sure, in some situations I will just place on the floor. However, in other situations I require the rig to be raised up closer to torso or ear level for practice/recording/certain gig situations.

Just curious what others use to raise their setups off the ground for a similar purpose (clarity and punch) and to get it nearer ear level? I was thinking something as simple as beer crates, I just don't want to get something that can't handle the weight, resulting in a pretty expensive accident.

I have a flightcase for the V-4B, that has a height of about 40cm or so. Maybe I could use that? as long as it can take the weight of the head and two cabs i suppose.

Interested to hear people's thoughts.

If I had that rig I’d experiment with stacking the cabs vertically to get height and dispersion and try the head on top of the case on the floor next to it. I have two narrow 1x12 cabs that are tall and stacking them gets them closer to my ears. My head is small so it still fits on top.

 

[HeadWind]

When I acquired a second Bergantino HDN212 cabinet, I used to set up my rig like this....

View attachment 5058372

But it was short lived after several bass players said they prefer a "vertical" rig and to try it out. I've since only used my rig like this now....
View attachment 5058379

Makes a HUGE difference in that I can "hear" more of the bass and the fundamental. I always advocate for a "vertical" rig. Fortunately the HDN212's are tall enough stacked that I don't need to put anything underneath them to get it to ear height. And the whole rig still weighs less than an SVT head.

And the advantage of stacking means less floor space to fight for on tight stages.

 

[BearCave]

And the advantage of stacking means less floor space to fight for on tight stages.
View attachment 5058415

Exactly!

 

[BassPilot]

I use one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G258I0G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[Stylee Mousse]

Vertical stack, head on case next to it as suggested earlier also looks super pro!

 

[Deleted member 365158]

I used a 15 to raise my 4-10

 

[MrLenny1]

My best setup was 2 1x12 cabs stacked vertically.
Lower cab on the floor. Top cab was easy to hear at that height.

 

[MUppet]

I just use an old school heavy duty rectangle (not square) black milk crate. Been using same one for like 20 years and you can use it to carry cables, etc.