Standing a 2x12 combo on end?

Webslinger · 05-20-2009, 11:09 AM

I've seen guys on a tight stage stand thier 2x12 combos on end and play for several hours. I was wondering if there was any adverse affects from doing that. Like any strain on the tube contacts or transformer mounts now being at 90 degress from thier base and lots of vibrations?

Also what about storing an amp that way? Either overnight or several months? I guess if it was powered off it wouldnt make a difference?

rockinr0ll · 05-20-2009, 11:24 AM

This sounds like a good question. I was using a rack unit on my head (only avt) but I heard it could cause harm and I just placed it on the floor. My guess this situation would be the same and just keep the amp up right.

MKB · 05-20-2009, 11:37 AM

Some tubes are specified to be used with the pins rotated a certain way when operated horizontally (the KT66 is this way as well as 5U4 rectifiers). So it might be worth checking that out if you are using a tube combo. But a solid state combo or something with only preamp tubes like an AVT? Shouldn't be a problem at all.

Webslinger · 05-20-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockinr0ll

I was using a rack unit on my head (only avt)

I actually hadnt considererd solid-state amps when I posed the question, but it's a good expansion on the debate. However I would think a solid, having much lighter inner components, the issue would be to a much lesser degree if it mattered at all.

joshuaaewallen · 05-20-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webslinger

I actually hadnt considererd solid-state amps when I posed the question, but it's a good expansion on the debate. However I would think a solid, having much lighter inner components, the issue would be to a much lesser degree if it mattered at all.

Just venturing a guess here, but...

Tube amps get mighty hot. In a head + cabinet scenario the amp chassis and tubes are usually on the bottom and the heat from the tubes can dissipate upwards away from the amp circuit. But in a combo, the amp chassis is typically mounted on the top part of the cabinet. This means that all the heat from the tubes rises up into the circuit board and can in some amps, over time, cause damage to the amplifier. Lots of guys add fans to their combos to deal with this (I am planning on doing this), but since this requires modifying the amp lots of folks wouldn't want to do this. That being said since there is a carrying handle on the top of the amp it's impracticle to simply flip the amp upside down, so... These folks are doing the next best thing and flipping the combo over on it's side. Anyhoo... This is my theory.

MartyStrat54 · 05-20-2009, 10:53 PM

I've seen guys install four rubber feet on the top of the combo and then flip them over when playing. (They have a small platform that they set the amp on to rise it up off of the floor and be able to access the controls.) This isn't a bad idea and it takes the heat away from the tubes.

I would be inclined to say that it wouldn't be a good idea to run a tube amp on its side. For one reason, there are no rubber feet and therefore you would get all the stage vibrations jiggling the guts of your tubes around when they were operating. A guitar amp is not a very nice place for tubes (not like a HiFi amp sitting pretty on a table). You'd be making it even tougher by placing it on it's side. Now the part about how the tube is oriented is correct as well, but you would have to check in say an RCA tube manual or go online for the positions a certain tube can be operated.

Marty

joshuaaewallen · 05-20-2009, 11:02 PM

Hmm...

I have actually been contemplating doing that.

... Putting rubber feet on the top of my combo and inverting it...

BrotherJ · 05-22-2009, 03:41 AM

This was the first thing I thought of when you said amp on its side - I know, it's only the cabs & the heads are on normally - But I remember it sounding huge! (Go S.M!)

Still, if the heat is directed away adequately & the tubes are operating ok I think it should be ok (The JTM60 / JCM600 series had their EL34s Horizontal)

05-20-2009, 11:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
Webslinger Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sopranoland, NJ Posts: 396	Standing a 2x12 combo on end? I've seen guys on a tight stage stand thier 2x12 combos on end and play for several hours. I was wondering if there was any adverse affects from doing that. Like any strain on the tube contacts or transformer mounts now being at 90 degress from thier base and lots of vibrations? Also what about storing an amp that way? Either overnight or several months? I guess if it was powered off it wouldnt make a difference?

05-20-2009, 11:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
rockinr0ll Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,602	Re: Standing a 2x12 combo on end? This sounds like a good question. I was using a rack unit on my head (only avt) but I heard it could cause harm and I just placed it on the floor. My guess this situation would be the same and just keep the amp up right.

05-20-2009, 11:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
MKB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 290	Re: Standing a 2x12 combo on end? Some tubes are specified to be used with the pins rotated a certain way when operated horizontally (the KT66 is this way as well as 5U4 rectifiers). So it might be worth checking that out if you are using a tube combo. But a solid state combo or something with only preamp tubes like an AVT? Shouldn't be a problem at all.

05-20-2009, 10:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 4,807	Re: Standing a 2x12 combo on end? I've seen guys install four rubber feet on the top of the combo and then flip them over when playing. (They have a small platform that they set the amp on to rise it up off of the floor and be able to access the controls.) This isn't a bad idea and it takes the heat away from the tubes. I would be inclined to say that it wouldn't be a good idea to run a tube amp on its side. For one reason, there are no rubber feet and therefore you would get all the stage vibrations jiggling the guts of your tubes around when they were operating. A guitar amp is not a very nice place for tubes (not like a HiFi amp sitting pretty on a table). You'd be making it even tougher by placing it on it's side. Now the part about how the tube is oriented is correct as well, but you would have to check in say an RCA tube manual or go online for the positions a certain tube can be operated. Marty

05-20-2009, 11:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
joshuaaewallen Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 372	Re: Standing a 2x12 combo on end? Hmm... I have actually been contemplating doing that. ... Putting rubber feet on the top of my combo and inverting it... __________________ Josh 2004 PRS Custom 24 10 Top 1999 Marshall JCM 2000 TSL 122 - Power Tubes: JJ EL34L's - Assorted New & Vintage pre-amp tubes... I like to roll... HardWire DL-8 Delay/Looper http://irkinempire.spaces.live.com/ http://irkinempireoutpost1977.blogspot.com/ "... When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all." - Futurama Last edited by joshuaaewallen; 05-21-2009 at 07:33 AM.

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05-22-2009, 03:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
BrotherJ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 267	Re: Standing a 2x12 combo on end? This was the first thing I thought of when you said amp on its side - I know, it's only the cabs & the heads are on normally - But I remember it sounding huge! (Go S.M!) Still, if the heat is directed away adequately & the tubes are operating ok I think it should be ok (The JTM60 / JCM600 series had their EL34s Horizontal) __________________ Mesa Stiletto Deuce II - Mesa Traditional quad Marshall DSL50 - 1960AV Quad

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