Strategies for heavy amps/bad backs
- Thread starter alex1fly
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uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Strategies for heavy amps/bad backs
There are various forms of carts, including things that convert between 2-wheel and 4-wheel on the fly. Some photographers use them.
You can't use stairs, period. In the US most venues should have pathways for people with disabilities, that's where you should move the stuff in the cart.
There are various forms of carts, including things that convert between 2-wheel and 4-wheel on the fly. Some photographers use them.
You can't use stairs, period. In the US most venues should have pathways for people with disabilities, that's where you should move the stuff in the cart.
Re: Strategies for heavy amps/bad backs
And is worth repeating:
Lift with your LEGS, not your back.
Get Help.
Head and cab instead of combo.
best
All of this.
And is worth repeating:
Lift with your LEGS, not your back.
Get Help.
Head and cab instead of combo.
best
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: Strategies for heavy amps/bad backs
I use to carry around a Mesa Stiletto with Mesa Rectifier series cabs. That didn't last very long, about a year at most.
Then I just went with a BluesJr, and converted my cases to SKB cases. Light, and I trust them. I actually just bought a micro board also, to get going on the fly. Little PedalTrain Nano.
If downsizing is not an option, then carts, arms, and the charity of others is the only things that seem to work.
I use to carry around a Mesa Stiletto with Mesa Rectifier series cabs. That didn't last very long, about a year at most.
Then I just went with a BluesJr, and converted my cases to SKB cases. Light, and I trust them. I actually just bought a micro board also, to get going on the fly. Little PedalTrain Nano.
If downsizing is not an option, then carts, arms, and the charity of others is the only things that seem to work.
ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
Re: Strategies for heavy amps/bad backs
I drilled giant casters into the cabinet of my last huge amp. Big ass lag screws plus casters from a high school lunch table = you could probably ride it to the gig if the bar was downhill from your house :laughing:
I drilled giant casters into the cabinet of my last huge amp. Big ass lag screws plus casters from a high school lunch table = you could probably ride it to the gig if the bar was downhill from your house :laughing:
Powdered Toast Man
New member
Re: Strategies for heavy amps/bad backs
Buy lighter/smaller gear.
Buy lighter/smaller gear.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Strategies for heavy amps/bad backs
Don't buy HD roadcases. Tuki padded covers for amps.
Find a friend who roadies for free, for the benefit of getting into clubs free and hanging with the cool kids.
Don't buy HD roadcases. Tuki padded covers for amps.
Find a friend who roadies for free, for the benefit of getting into clubs free and hanging with the cool kids.
everdrone
New member
Re: Strategies for heavy amps/bad backs
thats rough!!! geez Your gonna be a rocker like Phil Amselmo with his back surgery...
just carrying a guitar in a guitar case and a modeler pedal would be max : private:
thats rough!!! geez Your gonna be a rocker like Phil Amselmo with his back surgery...
just carrying a guitar in a guitar case and a modeler pedal would be max : private:
9unslin9er
New member
Re: Strategies for heavy amps/bad backs
I used to lug 50 watt tube combos everywhere. Plus a pedal board. Plus my very un-ergonomic guitar case.
Nowadays it's all about the modeling amps and a good mic. Unless you're making those big bucks and can pay a roadie to carry your stuff, no need to suffer so much for your art.
Any good rock venue SHOULD have a decent house PA. After all, they're taking a cut from your work. If all they're paying you is beer money, you really need to consider the price of fame.
I used to lug 50 watt tube combos everywhere. Plus a pedal board. Plus my very un-ergonomic guitar case.
Nowadays it's all about the modeling amps and a good mic. Unless you're making those big bucks and can pay a roadie to carry your stuff, no need to suffer so much for your art.
Any good rock venue SHOULD have a decent house PA. After all, they're taking a cut from your work. If all they're paying you is beer money, you really need to consider the price of fame.
UberMetalDood
New member
Re: Strategies for heavy amps/bad backs
For amps, you can remove the reverb tank, any extra fans you don't need, and replace metal grills with cloth in the front and just leave off the metal plates in the back. You can also get a neodymium speaker like the Rainmaker which has a lot less weight than ceramic and alnico speaker magnets.
For guitars, you can replace 3 ply pick guards with single ply. Take the metal covers off of your pickups. If you have a strat and don't use the middle pickup, remove it and get an S-S, H-S or H-H pickguard.
Buy lightweight guitar woods like ash which sound awesome but weight a lot less. Get a Line6 M9 or something like that instead of carrying around a pedal board because your tone doesn't matter as much when you're playing live.
Ha, that's about all I can think of right now. Hope there's something helpful in here for you.
For amps, you can remove the reverb tank, any extra fans you don't need, and replace metal grills with cloth in the front and just leave off the metal plates in the back. You can also get a neodymium speaker like the Rainmaker which has a lot less weight than ceramic and alnico speaker magnets.
For guitars, you can replace 3 ply pick guards with single ply. Take the metal covers off of your pickups. If you have a strat and don't use the middle pickup, remove it and get an S-S, H-S or H-H pickguard.
Buy lightweight guitar woods like ash which sound awesome but weight a lot less. Get a Line6 M9 or something like that instead of carrying around a pedal board because your tone doesn't matter as much when you're playing live.
Ha, that's about all I can think of right now. Hope there's something helpful in here for you.
guitfiddle
firstlessonologist
Re: Strategies for heavy amps/bad backs
My solution for heavy combos is to only use the handle to lift it, then I carry it in front of my chest with both hands. That makes it easier by far.
My solution for heavy combos is to only use the handle to lift it, then I carry it in front of my chest with both hands. That makes it easier by far.
Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
Re: Strategies for heavy amps/bad backs
Damn do you have ankylosing spondylitis or something? I'm very sorry to hear that if you do.
Damn do you have ankylosing spondylitis or something? I'm very sorry to hear that if you do.
everdrone
New member
Re: Strategies for heavy amps/bad backs
for extreme back injury people I was thinking using a backpack type guitar case would help, and put the modeler in it too... holding heavy stuff with your arms prolly compresses the back more than a backpack would?
here is a nice case I was thinking about getting when I lived in Austin and was walking to bars that had live jam sessions: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/mono-cases-m80-electric-guitar-case
I have a cheap lightweight bass and a 20 dollar backpack type case for it and I think that was pretty cool! very lightweight
...bottom line: be realistic. if you had a back surgery, get a lightweight guitar and a modeler and dont buy any more amps and sell your heavy amps before you tempt yourself in moving one! if you have other problems moving heavy stuff but it is not that severe, consider getting a lighter guitar or backpack guitar and a lightweight amp like the Fender Pro Junior that only weighs 20 pounds for pure tube tone and is used by pro players like Jeff Beck etc etc and is highly regarded
for extreme back injury people I was thinking using a backpack type guitar case would help, and put the modeler in it too... holding heavy stuff with your arms prolly compresses the back more than a backpack would?
here is a nice case I was thinking about getting when I lived in Austin and was walking to bars that had live jam sessions: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/mono-cases-m80-electric-guitar-case
I have a cheap lightweight bass and a 20 dollar backpack type case for it and I think that was pretty cool! very lightweight
...bottom line: be realistic. if you had a back surgery, get a lightweight guitar and a modeler and dont buy any more amps and sell your heavy amps before you tempt yourself in moving one! if you have other problems moving heavy stuff but it is not that severe, consider getting a lighter guitar or backpack guitar and a lightweight amp like the Fender Pro Junior that only weighs 20 pounds for pure tube tone and is used by pro players like Jeff Beck etc etc and is highly regarded
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