Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

[Gearjoneser]

I just had a brainstorm idea of building or buying a bookshelf that will hold 4+ fullsize amp heads. It won't have foam, since it's just a unit to keep in a studio, not to be wheeled around. I've seen pictures of studios that use the metal storage shelves, with rows of heads or combos.

Also, I have a Morley ABC switch laying around, so I may connect the speaker outs to that. Then, they'll all be routed to whichever cab I use. Of course, only one head will be running......I'll just make sure the Morley is sending that signal to the cab, before turning it off standby.

Hmmm. What do you think? Anyone else stack their amps in this manner?

 

[RushOfBlood]

Re: Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

I didn't think you could use a regular ABC for speaker outs, though?

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

I'm not sure that's a very good idea with the switcher... might want to get something like the Tonebone switcher; it's designed for that.


Why not just pull a James Murphy?

Or an Andy Sneap?

Heads stacked ontop of one another look menacing!

 

[aleclee]

Re: Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

Hmmm. What do you think? Anyone else stack their amps in this manner?

I thought about doing something similar but am too lazy to design something, too cheap to shell out much $$, and too lazy (again) to deal with taking 'em out and putting 'em back when going to rehearsals, etc.

I hope you don't have any dumbass friends who would switch amps without switching cabs while you're off taking a leak. Frankly, I think a footswitch is a bad idea because it's too easy to step on one at the wrong time. I think it would be much safer to have some kind of switch in the cabinet that allowed you to go from amp to amp. Figure a rotary switch and a few relays should do the trick. The one problem with an approach like that is that it's hard for a buddy to play one amp while you're playing another. Maybe a high-current patch bay would do the trick...

Then there's the matter of cooling. I'd want to have something that was more of a bookcase than a shelf with sides. To ensure adequate air circulation, I'd probably have some sort of chimney going up the back with a fan drawing out the top.

Cable runs would be a beeyotch, too.

Finally, there's the matter of top-heaviness. Putting tube heads into a bookcase is going to make things kind of tippy. That's particularly bad news when you live in a place with seismic jiggles. I dunno of much you can do besides anchoring it to the wall, but that makes cable runs even more challenging.

Just some thoughts off the top of my head. Let us know if you decide to go through with it. I'd definitely be interested to see what you might come up with.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

Earthquakes is one reason I don't like to stack things. The other reason is that I don't want the tops of the heads to be marred by rubber feet. I think my Morley ABC would be OK for speaker cables, but I'm not sure. Only one head would ever be on.

I'm still undecided about this idea, but ultimately, I want a tall shelf anchored to my wall with about 4-8 heads inside it. The shelf will be bolted to the wall, and I may use a Cordura strap from top to bottom, so heads can't fall forward, in case of a quake. I live in prime quake territory! If I take it somewhere, I'll just pull it out and unplug the power and speaker cables.

 

[Marcel]

Re: Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

I think the morley is not build for this high current!

 

[Marcel]

Re: Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

it's just for audio sources like guitars keyboards mixer etc....
http://news.harmony-central.com/Newp/WNAMM96/Other/ABC.html

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

No offense, Joe, but I think you worry too much. That's not healthy. You should maybe consider moving? Or build something out of cinder blocks with poured concreted between the holes...

 

[J Moose]

Re: Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

Something like this?

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

The "bookshelf" idea is cool, but you might wanna use one of these type switchers instead of the Morley:

http://www.voodoolab.com/gcx.htm

http://www.voodoolab.com/ampselector.htm

I've used the 1st one with the Ground Control with no issues...other than it's a pain to set up....probably gonna grab the 2nd one somewhere along the road.

 

[lastwinj]

Re: Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

i have no worries about you running the amps without a "proper" switcher. you knw what happens to tube amps with no load. an even better way to switch them would be to use a patchbay. simple and effective, and can be had for cheap.

for the shelf, go to home depot and buy one of those plastic jobs for 50 bucks. will work fine.

good luck!!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

No offense, Joe, but I think you worry too much. ..

Nah, I don't worry. I saw a picture of Joe Perry in the studio, and saw his shelf unit with all his heads, and the wheels started turnin! :laugh2:

I think it would be a good way to have all the heads readily useable, while having just one cab to patch them into. :smack: :laugh2:

 

[ErikH]

Re: Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

I'm more concerned about one of the heads being turned on with no load on them. That being said, use a proper amp switcher and not the Morley.

Don't use those plastic shelves from HD either. They'll snap in half with too much weight on them. One tube head weighs close to 50lbs alone. More than two and kiss the shelf good bye and pray the amps don't get damaged on the way down.

It's a great idea. I like what J Moose has going there. With the big comfy leather chair in there, that's perfect.

 

[Artie]

Re: Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

Sounds cool. I like aleclee's idea of the switcher with relays. You could go a step farther and do like they do with car stereo displays. You punch a button next to the shelf, and it connects the AC and speaker to that amp.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

I like that pic of Millbrook Studios that J. Moose posted. Forget the headrack, I'll take that entire studio, pleeeez!

Those things look pretty easy to make.....just buy 1" plywood, cut it up on a table saw, then screw and glue. The whole thing would probably cost $30.
And then, of course, I'd need a few more heads to fill all the spots! LOL

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

Sounds cool. I like aleclee's idea of the switcher with relays. You could go a step farther and do like they do with car stereo displays. You punch a button next to the shelf, and it connects the AC and speaker to that amp.

Good idea, except I'd want the AC running to all amps all the time ... you should be able to hit the switch and instantly have the amp you selected warm and ready to rock.

Or you could just get a PodXT ...

 

[ErikH]

Re: Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

Or you could just get a PodXT ...

What a concept. All the amp sounds you wanted taking up a fraction the space as all the heads. :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2: BRILLIANT!!! LMAO

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

i have a good collection of amps.... i'd like to build a bookshelf amp cabnet myself...... I'd like it to at least hold part of my amp collect.... If i could figure out how to incase my JCM 800 head, my Classic 50 head, my 5150 head, my 65 Fender Deluxe combo, and a Marshall 1x12 cab in some sort of cabnet i'm doing it.... i have a pile of gear and a small room... for me to say get a head out and pick a can to plug into and get it all set up it takes time... I need a rack where everything is plugged in and ready to go...

 

[guitarman54]

Re: Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

I would also like to build a book shelf for 2 amp heads and use 2 cabinets where you can switch to any pair (i.e head A connected to cabinet A or switch to head B connected to cabinet B) , or you could switch to a combo amplifier with the rack mountable Switchblade GL by Sound Sculpture. The company is located in Bend , Oregon. I have used the switchblade for rack mounting the pedals and using it with different amps. You can assign pedals in any order by creating a preset and use certain pedals with certain amps--however you program it. This is contrary to the floor pedal board where you cannot reverse a pedal order that you laid down on the board. The Switchblade is great for use at home. i would not suggest it for a local band because it would increase set up time and so better to use a floor pedal board. A touring band might use something like the Switchblade. This requires a lot of wires and cost but it is amazing and does use relays. I made my own cable lengths by using Core X2. The sound sculpture customer service is great so ask questions about it. The Switchblade GL has 16 sends and returns on it. Enjoy! By the way, does anyone know if there is a metal bookshelf to hold amp heads and cabinets you can buy or does this have to be custom made my a steel worker. I am trying to save space.

 

[hydro]

Re: Building a Shelf for Amp Heads

One thing you might consider is Elfa shelves. They are high quality modular metal shelves that can hold a lot of weight. And I think you can run cabling behind them pretty easily.

http://www.containerstore.com/shop/elfa/components/elfaVentilatedShelving

I'd double check the weight bearing capacity first of course, but these are pretty sturdy and they are relatively easy to install.

Also +1 on not using a Morley as a cab switcher, I have a feeling you can't use them for that; just for switching amps through the front end. I know there are cab switchers out there I just can't remember who all makes them.