Casters or flat/low dolly for Twin Reverb?
Question:
The tweaks I made to my ‘67 Twin have it sounding very good, even at lower volumes where Twins often sound lifeless, so I’m planning to use it more often for jams. I am strong enough to carry it around, but it really makes my hand ache if I have to carry it more than 100 feet or so. I don’t have room in my car to bring a full-sized dolly, and I’m reluctant to install standard casters because then I can’t tilt it back on its legs. I am not willing to drill large holes for removable casters. A previous owner drilled it for casters, and since I’m unlikely to find a set that would line up in the existing holes, it seems like casters aren’t a good option. Does anyone sell a low-profile or flat dolly that wouldn’t take much space in the car? I’d be satisfied with just a flat board with small wheels that sat under the amp. Obviously there’s a tradeoff; small wheels won’t roll as easily, especially over joints and cracks in sidewalks, but I’d save space in the car. I’m thinking I might have to make my own; any suggestions for sturdy, small wheels? Should I look for luggage wheels?
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The tweaks I made to my ‘67 Twin have it sounding very good, even at > lower volumes where Twins often sound lifeless, so I’m planning to use > it more often for jams. I am strong enough to carry it around, but it > really makes my hand ache if I have to carry it more than 100 feet or > so. I don’t have room in my car to bring a full-sized dolly, and I’m > reluctant to install standard casters because then I can’t tilt it > back on its legs. I am not willing to drill large holes for removable > casters. A previous owner drilled it for casters, and since I’m > unlikely to find a set that would line up in the existing holes, it > seems like casters aren’t a good option. > Does anyone sell a low-profile or flat dolly that wouldn’t take much > space in the car? I’d be satisfied with just a flat board with small > wheels that sat under the amp. Obviously there’s a tradeoff; small > wheels won’t roll as easily, especially over joints and cracks in > sidewalks, but I’d save space in the car. > I’m thinking I might have to make my own; any suggestions for sturdy, > small wheels? Should I look for luggage wheels?
I thought that Fender Twin amps came with removable casters? Mine did. You can buy removable casters at most music stores. I bought a set of Ernie Ball casters that fit perfectly in the existing holes. If you don’t want to mount casters, I would recommend a hand truck. David
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The tweaks I made to my ‘67 Twin have it sounding very good, even at > lower volumes where Twins often sound lifeless, so I’m planning to use > it more often for jams. I am strong enough to carry it around, but it > really makes my hand ache if I have to carry it more than 100 feet or > so. I don’t have room in my car to bring a full-sized dolly, and I’m > reluctant to install standard casters because then I can’t tilt it > back on its legs. I am not willing to drill large holes for removable > casters. A previous owner drilled it for casters, and since I’m > unlikely to find a set that would line up in the existing holes, it > seems like casters aren’t a good option. > Does anyone sell a low-profile or flat dolly that wouldn’t take much > space in the car? I’d be satisfied with just a flat board with small > wheels that sat under the amp. Obviously there’s a tradeoff; small > wheels won’t roll as easily, especially over joints and cracks in > sidewalks, but I’d save space in the car. > I’m thinking I might have to make my own; any suggestions for sturdy, > small wheels? Should I look for luggage wheels?
Home Depot and Lowe’s sell flat, padded furniture dollies that should work fine. Mine is about 18 x 30 inches, and the height is about 6 inches, including the 3-inch diameter wheels. I bought mine at Lowe’s last summer for around $35. I built a smaller version based on the same design just last weekend for a small air compressor. With a little planning, you could build one that just fit the bottom of the Twin, and had webbing straps to affix it for the inevitable trips up and down stairs. Keep in mind that you’ll want to make sure the tubes are still seated properly after rolling the amp over the seams and bumps of sidewalks and door thresholds. Monte
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This is a ‘67. The castors came later in the early ’70s silverface models. A ‘67 will not have the hardware or mounting blocks inside the cab to install castors. Does this twin have JBLs installed? For hauling it around how about a telescopic luggage style carrier with big wheels? Clarke – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The tweaks I made to my ‘67 Twin have it sounding very good, even at > lower volumes where Twins often sound lifeless, so I’m planning to use > it more often for jams. I am strong enough to carry it around, but it > really makes my hand ache if I have to carry it more than 100 feet or > so. I don’t have room in my car to bring a full-sized dolly, and I’m > reluctant to install standard casters because then I can’t tilt it > back on its legs. I am not willing to drill large holes for removable > casters. A previous owner drilled it for casters, and since I’m > unlikely to find a set that would line up in the existing holes, it > seems like casters aren’t a good option. > Does anyone sell a low-profile or flat dolly that wouldn’t take much > space in the car? I’d be satisfied with just a flat board with small > wheels that sat under the amp. Obviously there’s a tradeoff; small > wheels won’t roll as easily, especially over joints and cracks in > sidewalks, but I’d save space in the car. > I’m thinking I might have to make my own; any suggestions for sturdy, > small wheels? Should I look for luggage wheels? >I thought that Fender Twin amps came with removable casters? Mine did. You >can buy removable casters at most music stores. I bought a set of Ernie >Ball casters that fit perfectly in the existing holes. >If you don’t want to mount casters, I would recommend a hand truck. >David
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Hand truck. I got one that folds up and fits anywhere.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >The tweaks I made to my ‘67 Twin have it sounding very good, even at >lower volumes where Twins often sound lifeless, so I’m planning to use >it more often for jams. I am strong enough to carry it around, but it >really makes my hand ache if I have to carry it more than 100 feet or >so. I don’t have room in my car to bring a full-sized dolly, and I’m >reluctant to install standard casters because then I can’t tilt it >back on its legs. I am not willing to drill large holes for removable >casters. A previous owner drilled it for casters, and since I’m >unlikely to find a set that would line up in the existing holes, it >seems like casters aren’t a good option. >Does anyone sell a low-profile or flat dolly that wouldn’t take much >space in the car? I’d be satisfied with just a flat board with small >wheels that sat under the amp. Obviously there’s a tradeoff; small >wheels won’t roll as easily, especially over joints and cracks in >sidewalks, but I’d save space in the car. >I’m thinking I might have to make my own; any suggestions for sturdy, >small wheels? Should I look for luggage wheels?
I’ve been unwilling to roll my Twin on casters because I’ve heard that type of vibration can shorten tube life and create othher problems. I rarely pick my Twin up and move it using the handle on top. I get at one end, grab by the handle, kneel down a little and using my knee/top of my leg as a fulcrum, rock it up into my arms with the amp vertical. That way I’m using two arms instead of one, and I have the weight centered on my body, rather than pulling on one side (which hurts my back). When I get where I’m going I reverse the process. It’s true that I can’t carry two things at once using this method, but I’ve got enough stuff I need to make more than one trip anyway. If you really want to roll it you can pick up one of those flat, carpeted dollies that movers use. Do you know what I mean? It’s four cross pieces of wood fastened to form a square, with carpet on the higher cross pieces. If I were going to do this I’d want to bungee it to the amp. Otherwise bumps will tend to bounce the amp off it and the dolly rolls away. Godd luck, -Scott McKnight
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The tweaks I made to my ‘67 Twin have it sounding very good, even at > lower volumes where Twins often sound lifeless, so I’m planning to use > it more often for jams. I am strong enough to carry it around, but it > really makes my hand ache if I have to carry it more than 100 feet or > so. I don’t have room in my car to bring a full-sized dolly, and I’m > reluctant to install standard casters because then I can’t tilt it > back on its legs. I am not willing to drill large holes for removable > casters. A previous owner drilled it for casters, and since I’m > unlikely to find a set that would line up in the existing holes, it > seems like casters aren’t a good option. > Does anyone sell a low-profile or flat dolly that wouldn’t take much > space in the car? I’d be satisfied with just a flat board with small > wheels that sat under the amp. Obviously there’s a tradeoff; small > wheels won’t roll as easily, especially over joints and cracks in > sidewalks, but I’d save space in the car. > I’m thinking I might have to make my own; any suggestions for sturdy, > small wheels? Should I look for luggage wheels?
I bet you can find a full Anvil ATA type flight case with the big casters for it. Makes for a nice amp stand too. Unfortunately, makes the while shebang some heavier and larger. If nothing else, Home Depot sells parts from which a custom dolly can be made. — Les Cargill
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<<aclarke: Does this twin have JBLs installed? >> If it does, he’d be better off with a pallet jack!
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I use one of these and my back loves me for it. Folds up real nice. http://www.rocknrollercart.com/parts.htm
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>Does anyone sell a low-profile or flat dolly that wouldn’t take much >space in the car?
Carvin makes a nice carpeted dolly that’s cheaper than buying decent parts and rolling your own, har. I got one, works great, been abusing it for years no problem, and the latest model is upgraded to better casters. http://www.carvin.com/products/group.php?CID=M/S/C Scroll down about 1/4 the way. Texas Pete
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Does anyone sell a low-profile or flat dolly that wouldn’t take much >space in the car? > Carvin makes a nice carpeted dolly that’s cheaper than buying decent > parts and rolling your own, har. I got one, works great, been abusing > it for years no problem, and the latest model is upgraded to better > casters. > http://www.carvin.com/products/group.php?CID=M/S/C > Scroll down about 1/4 the way. > Texas Pete
Thanks Pete, that looks like a good way to go. The link doesn’t provide the height, but with 3.5" wheels and what looks like 1/2" board, it should be 5-6" tall. I can find space of that in the car. The cool thing is that I could use this for household stuff too, since it’s rated at 1000lb. I think I’ll go for it. Muchisimas gracias, Pedro de Tejas.
Response:
> I’m thinking I might have to make my own; any suggestions for sturdy, > small wheels? Should I look for luggage wheels?
Most came with sockets & casters, though they were an option until the SF era AIRC. But with any size casters: – the TR is unstable with them due to all its higher weight; they’re only good for rolling it along using the handle, which is all they’re for; – you aren’t supposed to roll it down the sidewalk anyway, that’s what a handtruck is for. – casters pull right out for tiltback use; but the TR has lousy ventilation in tiltback, as we learned by toasting them in the surf daze. IMHO you need to eat your Wheaties, or reconsider your amp choice.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Does anyone sell a low-profile or flat dolly that wouldn’t take much >space in the car? > Carvin makes a nice carpeted dolly that’s cheaper than buying decent > parts and rolling your own, har. I got one, works great, been abusing > it for years no problem, and the latest model is upgraded to better > casters. > http://www.carvin.com/products/group.php?CID=M/S/C > Scroll down about 1/4 the way. > Texas Pete
That rawks. Woohoo! — Les Cargill
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>The cool thing is that I could use this for household stuff too, since >it’s rated at 1000lb. >I think I’ll go for it. Muchisimas gracias, Pedro de Tejas.
Por nada. I failed to mention previously that we just moved two housholds with mine. It’s a bargain. Tejas Pedro
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >The tweaks I made to my ‘67 Twin have it sounding very good, even at >lower volumes where Twins often sound lifeless, so I’m planning to use >it more often for jams. I am strong enough to carry it around, but it >really makes my hand ache if I have to carry it more than 100 feet or >so. I don’t have room in my car to bring a full-sized dolly, and I’m >reluctant to install standard casters because then I can’t tilt it >back on its legs. I am not willing to drill large holes for removable >casters. A previous owner drilled it for casters, and since I’m >unlikely to find a set that would line up in the existing holes, it >seems like casters aren’t a good option. >Does anyone sell a low-profile or flat dolly that wouldn’t take much >space in the car? I’d be satisfied with just a flat board with small >wheels that sat under the amp. Obviously there’s a tradeoff; small >wheels won’t roll as easily, especially over joints and cracks in >sidewalks, but I’d save space in the car. >I’m thinking I might have to make my own; any suggestions for sturdy, >small wheels? Should I look for luggage wheels?
Sorry — Twin Reverbs are not meant to be moved more than a few feet by hand, particularly if they have JBL, EV or Gauss speakers. The built in casters in my SF Twin always worked OK for me, but I was only moving the amp from my car to the gig. I pulled out the casters if I was tilting it back. BTW, I hardly ever tilt it back because it seems to get too hot when I do so. I can understand not wanting to drill the large hole necessary to install the removable casters in your BF amp, so why not buy a good quality handtruck. Home Depot sells two that convert between a normal handtruck and kind of a flat bed handtruck. These are not cheap, and they are not light, but the more expensive of the two (I think it was $159 or so) is extremely durable and has worked very well. Think of it as saving you the price of 4 visits to a chiropractor. Have fun. Paul Don’t just sit there — DO SOMETHING! PC
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m thinking I might have to make my own; any suggestions for sturdy, > small wheels? Should I look for luggage wheels? > Most came with sockets & casters, though they were an option until the > SF era AIRC. But with any size casters: > – the TR is unstable with them due to all its higher weight; they’re > only good for rolling it along using the handle, which is all they’re > for; > – you aren’t supposed to roll it down the sidewalk anyway, that’s what > a handtruck is for. > – casters pull right out for tiltback use; but the TR has lousy > ventilation in tiltback, as we learned by toasting them in the surf > daze. > IMHO you need to eat your Wheaties, or reconsider your amp choice.
I eat better stuff than Wheaties, and I’m well able to carry the Twin for a long distance, including upstairs. It’s not a problem of strength, but of the strain it puts on my hands. With the Alltone speakers in it, it weighs nearly 70 lb, which can do a number on my hand if I carry it far enough. I can manage it, but at 50 years of age I’d be wise to protect my hands. Arthritis is a bitch. Yes, a handtruck would be the obvious solution, but I have space issues when I pack my (small) car. I usually bring a full bass rig and two amps: the Twin and my Bluesmaster. Several guitars, a bag of pedals/cords/etc. That’s a lot of bulk. I’m a boy scout; I come prepared for almost anything. There simply is no room for a handtruck. Thus the need for a small dolly. As for reconsidering my amp choice: I can’t do it. The Twin gives me the low-end headroom I want. When I play clean I want to hear the windings on the E and A string; it’s what some folks call "piano-string" bass. I play on the neck humbucker and I pop and snap the strings a lot, and the Twin handles it without getting farty in the bass on the attack transients. The beam blockers take care of the high end, so I get nearly the best of both worlds: big, tight lows and sweeter highs. The Bluesmaster is 25 lbs lighter than the Twin, but even with the Bassman output tranny it doesn’t stay tight enough. So I bring both amps, and play in stereo if there’s room. Otherwise, the Bluesmaster is there for backup if needed. Like a said, I’m a boy scout, and with two big amps and a bass amp, my car is full. I’d have to strap a handtruck on the roof of the car… I can’t leave the Twin at home; it works for me in both low and high-volume contexts. This is my 10th Twin, and is the best of the lot. It’s amazing what a few judicious cap-value changes and the right speakers can do to a Twin.
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> > IMHO you need to eat your Wheaties, or reconsider your amp choice. > I eat better stuff than Wheaties, and I’m well able to carry the Twin > for a long distance, including upstairs. It’s not a problem of > strength, but of the strain it puts on my hands. With the Alltone > speakers in it, it weighs nearly 70 lb, which can do a number on my > hand if I carry it far enough. I can manage it, but at 50 years of > age I’d be wise to protect my hands. Arthritis is a bitch.
Not to mention it’s just no damn fun lugging an amp like that around by the handle if you have to do it more than on rare occasions. I’d go for a small folding hand truck or a furniture dolly with *good* wheels. The hand truck will work on stairs as well as flat ground.
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> Not to mention it’s just no damn fun lugging an amp like that around by the > handle if you have to do it more than on rare occasions. I’d go for a small > folding hand truck or a furniture dolly with *good* wheels. The hand truck > will work on stairs as well as flat ground.
Back thru the 80’s I had a MusicMan HD 150 combo with 2 X 12 SRO’s (similar to EV12 L’s)… That thing was SO freakin’ heavy I ended up putting casters on it. For years I’d just arm carry it from the bottom. Then I got smart. Jeff
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> Hand truck. I got one that folds up and fits anywhere.
That *is* the ticket. There are trucks that fold up to nearly briefcase size that can easily haul a twin plus a head and a bag or two.
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I found wheels that worked for my cart at Home Depot. A 3/4 in piece of plywood, and some oak trim worked great. I made a semi-permant handle to push but you would not have to do so. Dale – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The tweaks I made to my ‘67 Twin have it sounding very good, even at > lower volumes where Twins often sound lifeless, so I’m planning to use > it more often for jams. I am strong enough to carry it around, but it > really makes my hand ache if I have to carry it more than 100 feet or > so. I don’t have room in my car to bring a full-sized dolly, and I’m > reluctant to install standard casters because then I can’t tilt it > back on its legs. I am not willing to drill large holes for removable > casters. A previous owner drilled it for casters, and since I’m > unlikely to find a set that would line up in the existing holes, it > seems like casters aren’t a good option. > Does anyone sell a low-profile or flat dolly that wouldn’t take much > space in the car? I’d be satisfied with just a flat board with small > wheels that sat under the amp. Obviously there’s a tradeoff; small > wheels won’t roll as easily, especially over joints and cracks in > sidewalks, but I’d save space in the car. > I’m thinking I might have to make my own; any suggestions for sturdy, > small wheels? Should I look for luggage wheels?
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He needs a new car<BG>. Yep, moving a TR by its handle once almost ruined my playing too, and I was a lot younger. Try it with SRO’s in the sucker for a new definition of joint damage… Always wondered how Alltones wld do in TR, nice to hear they’re great for clean. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Like a said, I’m a boy > scout, and with two big amps and a bass amp, my car is full. I’d have > to strap a handtruck on the roof of the car…
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The tweaks I made to my ‘67 Twin have it sounding very good, even at > lower volumes where Twins often sound lifeless, so I’m planning to use > it more often for jams. I am strong enough to carry it around, but it > really makes my hand ache if I have to carry it more than 100 feet or > so. I don’t have room in my car to bring a full-sized dolly, and I’m > reluctant to install standard casters because then I can’t tilt it > back on its legs. I am not willing to drill large holes for removable > casters. A previous owner drilled it for casters, and since I’m > unlikely to find a set that would line up in the existing holes, it > seems like casters aren’t a good option. > Does anyone sell a low-profile or flat dolly that wouldn’t take much > space in the car? I’d be satisfied with just a flat board with small > wheels that sat under the amp. Obviously there’s a tradeoff; small > wheels won’t roll as easily, especially over joints and cracks in > sidewalks, but I’d save space in the car. > I’m thinking I might have to make my own; any suggestions for sturdy, > small wheels? Should I look for luggage wheels?
Look for a coolie. You can proably get a coolie for the cost of a bottle of MD-20/20….
Response:
Get thee down to Home Depot or whatever alternative you have to the Big Box Borg in your area, and buy a two wheeler. For twenty or thirty bucks you’ll have a handy aid for moving all manner of things. It may not be practical if you haul your Twin around in a Hyundai, but for most situations it’s the ticket. Jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The tweaks I made to my ‘67 Twin have it sounding very good, even at > lower volumes where Twins often sound lifeless, so I’m planning to use > it more often for jams. I am strong enough to carry it around, but it > really makes my hand ache if I have to carry it more than 100 feet or > so. I don’t have room in my car to bring a full-sized dolly, and I’m > reluctant to install standard casters because then I can’t tilt it > back on its legs. I am not willing to drill large holes for removable > casters. A previous owner drilled it for casters, and since I’m > unlikely to find a set that would line up in the existing holes, it > seems like casters aren’t a good option. > Does anyone sell a low-profile or flat dolly that wouldn’t take much > space in the car? I’d be satisfied with just a flat board with small > wheels that sat under the amp. Obviously there’s a tradeoff; small > wheels won’t roll as easily, especially over joints and cracks in > sidewalks, but I’d save space in the car. > I’m thinking I might have to make my own; any suggestions for sturdy, > small wheels? Should I look for luggage wheels?
Response:
>I eat better stuff than Wheaties, and I’m well able to carry the Twin >for a long distance, including upstairs. It’s not a problem of >strength, but of the strain it puts on my hands. With the Alltone >speakers in it, it weighs nearly 70 lb, which can do a number on my >hand if I carry it far enough. I can manage it, but at 50 years of >age I’d be wise to protect my hands. Arthritis is a bitch.
What about my suggestion to carry it in your arms, across your chest? That’s much easier on your hands because the weight is distributed betwen 2 hands, 2 arms and (if you’re like me) 1 beer belly. -Scott McKnight
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