Tilt Back Legs for Vox AC-30

[admin]

I am interested in knowing what you think the downside might be to putting tilt back legs (a al Fender) on an AC-30. I am a bit worried that the heat may not escape as efficiently through the ports on top of the panel. What do you think?

[jps]

I posed a similar question to Mesa Engineering as I had bought their Tiltback stand for a DC-2 combo amp I used to own; I too, was concerned the heat would just build up at the "top peak" of the cabinet from tilting the amp back. They responded that the heat would still escape fine and there would be no issues.

Still, I wonder just how well it ventilates. Maybe you can add a small fan to help with this, as I did for the '66 BandMaster amp I also used to own.

[paologregorio]

I don't have the tilt back legs on any of my AC 30s, but I will often tilt them back at an angle using the wall or wall corner, or a piece of furniture for support. The amps seem to vent just fine.

I've used tilt back legs on my Twins as well; the problem with using the tilt back legs has to do with sound projection, rather than heat dissipation. When I used my Fender and employed the tilt back legs at the 4th of July "Glendoras" gig with Joey and Rich last summer, the drummer and I could hear my guitar great, as could Joey, but people due to the close and upward projection angle of the tilt, people watching the band couldn't hear my guitar as well, as is evident in the video footage.

I'd say if you're using the legs for a small rehearsal area great, but if you're playing at a gig, use a chair, crate, or chrome AC30 stand, and set the amp to the rear of the state enough/stand forward of the amp enough, so that both you and the audience get a proper earful of your amp.

[winston]

I agree with Paul's summation 100%. My Fender Twin when tilted back, also projects into the air rather than at the listener. I used to use a chrome stand for my Vox AC30TB. It works well. If I was playing in a band again I would not hesitate to buy another chrome stand for my new AC30VR.

[admin]

Thanks Guys. I should have clarified that this would be for small gigs. Your points are well taken and I appreciate your sage comments.

[admin]

Thanks Guys. I should have clarified that this would be for small gigs. Your points are well taken and I appreciate your sage advice.

[sloop_john_b]

Would an amp stand not work Peter? Not necessarily the cool chrome Vox stands (which are a bit bulky), but a few manufacturers make collapsable tilt back stands that bring the amp much closer to ear level. I used a Carvin one for the first time last night and it was great.

[jimk]

Peter, I use two of these, one for the Musicman, and the other for my Vox AC15.


I'm sure it will hold up a Vox AC30. Details are here.

JimK

[fatcat]

From North Coast Music

[paologregorio]

From North Coast Music

Those would be a cool solution, since the tilt angle is adjustable; the legs on a Twin only really lock in one angle-when they hit the stops on each side of the amp. Looks like you'd need a bit more space for the amp though when transporting. Not sure if your cover will still fit over the amp with the legs, either. Still, they take less space than the fixed AC30 stand, even when it's stacked over the amp during transport!

[jingle_jangle]

Cover does not fit over the NCM trolley, but you can slit the sides like VOX originally did with these handwheel trolleys.

I don't think that hat will be an issue with tilting the amp back.

[paologregorio]

Cheaper than the rigid stand as well; "$18 each" (per side, I take it), plus shipping. $36. Hardware for mounting to the cab is not supplied, and you'll need to make your own template, unless one's available from NCM. Actually, if you post over at the plexi palace forum, someone probably already has a template they'd be willing to send. Those guys are generally super nice.

[fatcat]

Price: $249.00 USD each
Continental US Shipping: $18.00 USD each
Set of 2

Figure that the cost is for a stand and wheels.

[paologregorio]

Price: $249.00 USD each
Continental US Shipping: $18.00 USD each
Set of 2

Figure that the cost is for a stand and wheels.

Oh jeez; I either need another cuppa joe before I start posting, or else law school is making me blind. . . or perhaps both. Thanks for the correction.

Yeah, the rigid stand is close/similarly priced.

[admin]

Thanks for all the great suggestions everyone.