Surface under Mesa Scout

[waxcomb]

I have a Mesa Scout and I notice that it gets a little boomy when placed on carpet. It is much tighter on wood or cement. I was wondering if I could put some wood, tile or something underneath it to take advantage of the passive radiator while playing on carpet or dirt? I'm thinking of either plywood, a cutting board or some tiles. Any thoughts?

 

[IvanMike]

sounds like a workable idea
this looks like a question for mr mesa - benjamin strange

 

[Humblerumble]

I have a Scout and a friend of mine who is a sound engineer said the same thing. He said I should make a board like a Gramma pad except NOT carpet but a smooth hard surface. I haven't gotten around to it yet, if you do let me know how it works.

 

[waxcomb]

Some Gramma foam feet under a smooth surfaced platform... I'm getting ideas. Now I just need to figure out what materials to use. I'll report my findings. What other materials work like Gramma pad foam? I know you can buy that foam by itself, but will it support the weight of the amp? (50 lbs) What about rubber feet or some type of wooden legs?

 

[Passinwind]

There's a document on the Crown website regarding PZM mikes, and constructing reflective/or absorptive surfaces. Plexiglas has the qualities you're looking for, I think. One hinged piece would probably get you there. Carpet really screws up the sound of PZMs, in any case.

 

[Humblerumble]

I tried a Gramma pad and it KILLED the Scout. Afterwards I thought "no duh" downward firing radiator + sound killing foam = dead sounding Scout.

 

[waxcomb]

What about a glass or plexiglass sheet placed on top of the Gramma? Then set the Scout on that.

 

[waxcomb]

I bought a glass cutting board to put under the Scout to help reflect the passive radiator. I'll give a report of how it works after Tuesday practice.

 

[Humblerumble]

Great! My wife is going to get a piece of countertop material for me to try under mine. It is a thin hard piece and should reflect well. Keep me posted and I will do the same.

 

[waxcomb]

I just got back from practice and have to say that the glass helped tighten up the sound and cut down on the mud. I tried to A/B it and it sounded less boomy than when it was sitting on the carpet. I used a glass cutting board from Wal Mart. This will be helpful in our small practice room because it can get muddy pretty quickly in there. I will be using it for gigs when the stage is carpet or dirt.

 

[Passinwind]

I've played a Scout a few times at open mikes, and the owner always had it up on a barstool. You might like that, it still had plenty of bottom end for my taste.