Members T Dunn Posted June 23, 2008 Members Share Posted June 23, 2008 Thought some of you might find this interesting. I quit gigging with heavy combos, and now run small amps with instrument mics thru the PA. Since we use in-ear monitors, I don't have to have loud stage volume. My problem was that I use a single-channel 5-watt Crate V58 tuber for my grit. For clean tones, I decided to use my little Fender Frontman 15R, with an Electro-Harmonix Switchblade to switch between the two. Running two amps, though small, became a footprint problem on small stages. I searched all over, but couldn't find an amp stand for two small amps. So this is how I solved my dilemma: I was shearing some Stainless Steel panels at work, and we were tossing out the scrap strips that were left over. I cut some different lengths of 12-wide strips, and then TIG welded them together with some narrower strips to form an A-frame. I then took a small die grinder with a Scotch Bright pad mounting, and got to shining up the metal while smoothing down the edges (stainless can be VERY sharp when fabricated), and added a kind of 'flamed' grain to the surfaces with the grinder. As you can see, it's quite compact, hardly noticeable on stage, and keeps both amps tilted back and off the floor. Since it's shorter than the height of both amps, it doesn't shine in the stage lights. Plus, with it's Stainless Steel construction, I'll get many years of service from it without rust or corrosion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members devinb Posted June 23, 2008 Members Share Posted June 23, 2008 Nice work. I wish I had a skill like that. Every now and again I want to get into woodworking, my father-in-law used to do it, and our house is furnished with amazing pieces he made... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members caveman Posted June 23, 2008 Members Share Posted June 23, 2008 Does the job and looks pretty cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Hamer_Time Posted June 23, 2008 Members Share Posted June 23, 2008 Nice! It would be cool to be able to stuff like that myself, though I fear that I would kill myself with a welder.......or at least weld parts of me together that shouldn't be together..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SpaceNorman Posted June 24, 2008 Members Share Posted June 24, 2008 That's a sharp stand! Just curious...being all metal ... what does it weigh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T Dunn Posted June 24, 2008 Author Members Share Posted June 24, 2008 Haven't really weighed it on a scale yet, but it's heavier than the V58. Definitely not something you want if you're weak! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mikeman Posted June 24, 2008 Members Share Posted June 24, 2008 That is cool. You can start selling them:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted June 24, 2008 Members Share Posted June 24, 2008 Interesting design...a buddy of mine built a similar stand for his two mini-combos (a Princeton Reverb and - I think - a slightly smaller Traynor of some sort), but they mount side-by-side. Does your stand fold-up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 86 strat guy Posted June 24, 2008 Members Share Posted June 24, 2008 Nice work!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Nijyo Posted June 24, 2008 Members Share Posted June 24, 2008 Haven't really weighed it on a scale yet, but it's heavier than the V58. Definitely not something you want if you're weak! Think about maybe putting some locking casters on the bottom there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sabriel9v Posted June 24, 2008 Members Share Posted June 24, 2008 NICE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Nijyo Posted June 24, 2008 Members Share Posted June 24, 2008 Another thought, do you do anything special on the board end, or does the sound guy just leave'm both up all the time (the mics)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T Dunn Posted June 25, 2008 Author Members Share Posted June 25, 2008 Stand is rigid, no folding. Casters were thought of, but would be more weight, and I don't really move it around. I just carry it on stage, and set the amps in. My sound engineer will adjust levels on the board so each is just under peak, then uses sliders for bringing up whichever amp is being used at the time. He also adds a little compression to even the output peaks, and a touch of reverb for ambiance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ggm1960 Posted June 25, 2008 Members Share Posted June 25, 2008 There's nothing like a good amp rack/stand. I originally built mine 10 or more years ago when I began playing keyboards as well as guitar at gigs. It was a matter of necessity because I needed both a keyboard and guitar amp and often had to setup in limited space. I discovered that the aluminum angle iron available at most home improvement stores makes the perfect framework material; it's light and real easy to work with (however in recent years the price has really gone up!). The stand has been modified and repaired over the years as road pounding exposed weaknesses. It has wheels on the bottom as well as on the side which makes it rather unique in that you can use it vertically, or if you have the space you can set it down horizontally and set the amps side by side. You'll also notice that I've installed rack mounts on the top section to make it even more versatile. There are two power strips on the back all soldered, bolted, siliconed, and tie wrapped for road worthiness. It's really been a great gig travel companion and even serves as a safety block in the van by being laid horizontally right behind the seats. I used similar construction to build my mixer rack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ggm1960 Posted June 25, 2008 Members Share Posted June 25, 2008 it's Stainless Steel construction, I'll get many years of service from it without rust or corrosion. That's for sure. Stainless steel is rather expensive (as well as very hard to machine) which tends to keep it out of the budget of most home hobby builders. Great work and resourceful thinking on your part however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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