Setting Tube Amp on Side, bad?

MagicWhoBus

New member
I have a Fender Deville 410 and I recently purchased a 4x12 cab that I'm using simultaneously. My Deville has wheels on it, so if I stacked them I'd have to set it on it's side. Will I encounter any problems, or will this harm my amp in any way?

Thanks.
 
Re: Setting Tube Amp on Side, bad?

you might have some ventilation issues... the tubes would be heating each other by convection. Not sure if I would want to risk that. Just put caster cups on the top of the 412
 
Re: Setting Tube Amp on Side, bad?

Nah, nothing to worry about really. Not unless you get some weird vibration/rattle which would be fairly obvious... but I've run heads on their side for years, so have lots of other people.
 
Re: Setting Tube Amp on Side, bad?

The reverb springs may not like being vertical. That's the only problem I've had with turning combos on their sides.
 
Re: Setting Tube Amp on Side, bad?

Reverb tanks are fine on their side many combo amps have the tank installed that way anyway. The only issue is heat from the power valves, but you should be fine. The best thing would be to have a set of removable feet. They are not expensine.
 
Re: Setting Tube Amp on Side, bad?

you might have some ventilation issues... the tubes would be heating each other by convection. Not sure if I would want to risk that.

yepp. i wouldn't to it for the same reason. but you could place a decent fan to avoid that issue.
the reverb tank won't be a problem.
 
Re: Setting Tube Amp on Side, bad?

The biggest problem with putting an amp on it's side is the signal coming out of it will be out of phase by 45 degrees.
 
Re: Setting Tube Amp on Side, bad?

The biggest problem with putting an amp on it's side is the signal coming out of it will be out of phase by 45 degrees.

If that wasn't a joke, you're completely missunderstanding phase.
 
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Re: Setting Tube Amp on Side, bad?

I've used such rigs and i solve the problem thusly .... I carry a couple of blocks of wood that are a little bigger than the wheels, and sit them (aligned front-to-back) on the cabinet below, just inside the wheels, rendering the wheels a few millimetres above the cab below. When the top cabinet is in place, push the blocks outwards until they hit the wheels, which will usually help stop any rattle from the wheels while playing. I use smaller blocks if i have a head sitting on a cabinet with a large handle.

If the cabinets are in good condition, you can glue or staple some carpet around the wooden blocks to protect the tolex.

As to having the amp on it's side, I've also done that and it's never caused any problems. It is a good idea to check that the tubes are well-seated occasionally if you're doing this regularly.
 
Re: Setting Tube Amp on Side, bad?

It would be 90 degrees.

This will cause headbangers to shake their heads from side to side instead of the historically correct up and down.
 
Re: Setting Tube Amp on Side, bad?

It would be 90 degrees.

This will cause headbangers to shake their heads from side to side instead of the historically correct up and down.

:laugh2: the amp will probably be just fine. *I* however, wouldnt use it that way. I have a deluxe, and honestly, i couldnt picture it on its side. :S
 
Re: Setting Tube Amp on Side, bad?

I've used such rigs and i solve the problem thusly .... I carry a couple of blocks of wood that are a little bigger than the wheels, and sit them (aligned front-to-back) on the cabinet below, just inside the wheels, rendering the wheels a few millimetres above the cab below. When the top cabinet is in place, push the blocks outwards until they hit the wheels, which will usually help stop any rattle from the wheels while playing. I use smaller blocks if i have a head sitting on a cabinet with a large handle.

If the cabinets are in good condition, you can glue or staple some carpet around the wooden blocks to protect the tolex.

As to having the amp on it's side, I've also done that and it's never caused any problems. It is a good idea to check that the tubes are well-seated occasionally if you're doing this regularly.

good idea crusty:)
 
Re: Setting Tube Amp on Side, bad?

If its vertical, I'd be afraid of it tipping over.

I'd just put it flat on the floor. Probably safer that way. Why take the risk of it falling over or falling off?
 
Re: Setting Tube Amp on Side, bad?

I appologize, Yes! it would be 90 degrees. it does actualy sound out of phase. I can not afford a phase shifter so i actally mount my head on an old industrial fan engine and that spins the amp giving me the same effect. The problem is it is only good for a little while then I have to either rotate the amp the other way or stop and unplug all the wires and untangle them. I had a sound guy that had a EAW high packs on one side and JBL's on the other in stead of swaping the hot abd groung we just flipped the JBL's over.:wink:
 
Re: Setting Tube Amp on Side, bad?

Carry a couple short pieces of 2x4 to put between the amp and cab. That will get it up off the wheels.
 
Re: Setting Tube Amp on Side, bad?

It won't cause any problems. In a tube circuit, the tubes are the only component that can't be overheated externally.
 
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