Save Your Back: Easiest Guitar Amp Rigs to Move

by Jay Skyler

We need more roadies

Whats easiest depends on if you move the stuff yourself or with your band. Although I'm fairly young and in reasonably decent shape, I have a blown shoulder from a teenage baseball injury. Plus, at the end of the night, a live performance and a couple of drinks can make manual labor somewhat unattractive.

The real danger to your back is the awkward lifting, not just the weight.

Combos: Convenient to set up, bitch to move

The convenient combo amp is anything but. 75-85 lbs off the floor, and you really have to lift it up to get it of stairs. Convenient to setup? Yes. To carry? No.

A perfect excuse to bring a wall of Marshall cabs

Here's the big surprise: I've found over the years that the easiest things to move are 412's with wheels. There was no bending down to pick it up,and they never get lifted more than 6 inches or so. When going in a truck or van they 'flip' in, never having to really be lifted. And you always have 2 guys moving it.

Of course this implies you move equipment with your band, and have a vehicle you can fit one (or a wall) of these creatures in.

Unless you're a One man Road crew

If you have to move your rig by yourself, I'd say get a head + 2x12 cabinet put the wheels on the short side (so it stands up tall) and put a handle on what is now the new top. then there is minimal lifting and it will 'fall' into the backseat of a car.

You'll get a much wider sound dispersion if you play with 2x12 standing up vertically. When it lays down so the speakers are side by side the sound becomes very focused and directional. This is an audio phenomena known as acoustic beamforming.

Heads and cabs are the best choice for your back

It splits up the weight
Heads in road cases can go on dollies
If you are playing a show with a 'backline' you only bring the heads,the cabs are provided.

Of course if you love the combo sound, you have to get the combo. But if you already have back problems, or hate lugging gear, it's not the best choice.