Amp Stand

Lucifer · Post by **Lucifer** » 04 Jan 2013, 19:03

While working on a recently-acquired Fender Super Champ, I decided I could do with a stand to support the amp, and this is what I came up with.

It has three identically shaped pieces of 18mm pine (from a shelf), and three equal lengths of 25mm dowel rod. The two end cheeks are screwed onto the dowels, while the third piece has 25mm holes and can be moved along the dowels to accommodate whatever amp I may be working on. I made the whole thing wide enough to hold the biggest amp in my arsenal. A few strips of foam provide cushioning for the amp, especially for the face.

The pine pieces are shaped with a 60 degree slope, and rounded corners, so that the whole assembly can be tipped forward, enabling easy access to the innards of the amp.

As you can see from the attached pictures, the weight of the amp holds it in place, even when tipped forward. That's because the centre of gravity (thanks to the transformers) remains within the footprint of the stand.

And when not in use, the thing can stand on its end in a corner somewhere.

Cub · Post by **Cub** » 04 Jan 2013, 22:54

Brilliant ! I've been using the Swanson Amp Cradle since forever.
Changing work-angles is much quicker in your invention.

rocklander · Post by **rocklander** » 05 Jan 2013, 08:43

that really is a freaking awesome idea...

Lucifer · Post by **Lucifer** » 05 Jan 2013, 11:46

Thanks for your kind comments guys.

A great deal of thought went into the design before I arrived at the final, simple layout (simple is best) - and it only cost me about £10 in materials.

The hardest part was finding a dowel size to match my available drills. I only found ONE DIY store that did 25mm dowel - Wickes (in the UK). Individually, the holes are slightly oversize, but there's enough friction across the three holes to keep the movable piece rock steady under the amp. Also, having three dowels instead of two makes the whole structure very stable.

Today I can get back to work on the amp - replacing the existing switch with a Carling "Off-Standby-On" switch.

iq01221 · Post by **iq01221** » 05 Jan 2013, 15:24

A very nice idea, man!!
I don't know if I'd use it live, could be a little dangerous...

blackbunny · Post by **blackbunny** » 05 Jan 2013, 15:35

Devilishly clever, Lucifer! This is a "must build".

Lucifer · Post by **Lucifer** » 05 Jan 2013, 16:42

iq01221 wrote:I don't know if I'd use it live, could be a little dangerous...

Nice one IQ. Should be safe to use live, as long as you don't try to pee on it !

Lucifer · Post by **Lucifer** » 05 Jan 2013, 19:26

By the way, if anyone wants dimensions, etc. just let me know.

It's about so big

DrNomis · Post by **DrNomis** » 05 Jan 2013, 19:34

Really cool idea Lucifer, I might have to build myself one, since I'm into amp-building myself, my current (no pun intended) method of supporting an amp-chassis involves the use of suitably-sized books/boxes/anything else to-hand....

Cheers for posting this....

Lucifer · Post by **Lucifer** » 05 Jan 2013, 20:06

Hi Doc,

I was using a couple of boxes to support the amp initially, but they just weren't reliable enough - one slight nudge and they'd start to lean outwards, leaving the amp in a precarious position. That's why I decided to build something a bit better.

I'm pleased with the design, and chuffed that so many others (including your good self, sir) like it too.

As mentioned previously, if you want the dimensions, just let me know (although you can get a pretty good estimate just by looking at the pics).

Lucifer · Post by **Lucifer** » 06 Jan 2013, 13:07

The stand can be used for pedals too - of all sizes - the photos show a 1590B (COD) and a 1590DD (Super-Hoochie . . .).

Even on a 60 degree tilt, the pedals sit securely, allowing great access for a soldering iron or for test probes.

Lucifer · Post by **Lucifer** » 06 Jan 2013, 14:12

And when it's not in use for the above tasks, it can serve as a display stand, or even a book case.

Any other (polite) suggestions welcomed.

Ben N · Post by **Ben N** » 06 Jan 2013, 15:43

Brilliant! I've been thinking about making something like that for years, but yours is simpler and better than anything that never made it off my drawing board. (I was thinking about a frame within a frame, with a kind of spit and clamps for rotating.) You should post is an eHow or DIYable.

ppluis0 · Post by **ppluis0** » 06 Jan 2013, 16:10

Nice work Lucifer...!!!

Can you post a drawing of the main wood pieces with their dimensions ? It will be useful for those of us that wish to build this same kind of tool.

Cheers,
Jose

Pruttelherrie · Post by **Pruttelherrie** » 06 Jan 2013, 17:06

This is mine:

It's not as easy as yours: mine takes a few minutes to configure for the amp, but since I have only a few amps to mod/repair per year that's ok. It took about ten minutes to build (forstner bits FTW!). Before that I used books and boxes, but that's pretty unstable indeed!

Pruttelherrie · Post by **Pruttelherrie** » 06 Jan 2013, 17:14

Oh you could use yours as a footrest, too!

Plus what ppluis0 said:

Nice work Lucifer...!!!

Can you post a drawing of the main wood pieces with their dimensions ? It will be useful for those of us that wish to build this same kind of tool.

Cheers,
Jose

Lucifer · Post by **Lucifer** » 06 Jan 2013, 17:58

For those of you who kindly requested the measurements (and for anyone else who might be interested), here is the template for my Amp Stand.

Best regards,

Lucifer

Lucifer · Post by **Lucifer** » 06 Jan 2013, 19:56

Pruttelherrie wrote:This is mine:
ampstand.JPG

Hi Pruttelherrie - your design looks pretty much like how mine started out. I like your locking screws - great idea. It looks like it'll handle a wide range of amps.

I like your suggestion of using mine for a footrest - but I fell off the workbench when I tried to take a photo of my feet in the stand

ppluis0 · Post by **ppluis0** » 06 Jan 2013, 20:04

Thank you for post the drawing of the wood pieces !!!!!

(And i'm glad to see its dimensions expressed in millimeters...

)

BTW: how long ago the British were forced to adopt the decimal measurement system ?

Thank you again,
Jose

rocklander · Post by **rocklander** » 06 Jan 2013, 20:20

the pics of it as a pedal stand are great. you inspired me to have a go (some time) at making a smaller version for my pedals. my workspace doesn't have the real estate to handle a full size one (well it does, but I have so much crap on there it doesn't now

) so will be looking to make one to the max size of a 1590bb