Mounting MB200 to cabinet?

T

Tim Hall

May 23, 2005
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#1
I've done a couple of forum searches and haven't seen this before, so I'm asking. I have an MB200 and an old-style Avatar 1x12 cube that I'd like to turn into a tiny "combo" like the ibanez Prometheans. What would be the best way to attach the head to the top of the cab so it's reasonably stable in transport but is removable if need be? The cab is carpeted so I was thinking maybe Velcro? Can the feet be removed? They'd almost certainly get lost. Or replace the top handle with a strap that secures the amp (but might obstruct the fan vents)?

Anyone done this? Success/failure? Bad idea all round? I'm attaching a pic of the head/cab setup as is.

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#5
Pop open the chassis and see if there is some exposed metal at the bottom of the head. If there is, simply drive a couple small drill point screws through it and let it ride. Be mindful of the tiny pieces of metal that will result. Get all of that stuff out of there before closing it up. A small vacuum should get it done.

If there is no room on the bottom, see if there is a spot on each side you can drill a small hole for a tiny bolt. Then simply install a couple of 90 degree brackets from the local hardware store.
 
#6
deathness said:
This. The point of these micros i thought was the ease of transport/throw in a gig bag pocket/carry on one finger/etc etc.
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Can't leave well enough alone I suppose, but I'd always liked the idea of a tiny portable combo with detachable head like the old Ibanez Prometheans or the GB Shuttles. I know, just go buy one of those then, but thought I might experiment with what I have lying around for a grab and go combo. The head is so light I'm also just a little worried about pulling it off the cab by tugging on the instrument cable. Whatever I do I don't want to make permanent changes to either piece. Thanks for the replies so far. If I make any mods I'll report back.
 
#10
GK or Gator or whoever can sell you nice bags that let you put the head, power cord, speaker cable, etc. in a bag you can carry over your shoulder with the cab in your hand. I think you take a risk having those cords/cables and the head exposed as you navigate around door handles, banisters on stairs, etc, that can easily get you in trouble quickly. Just my 2 cents, as a guy who bumps into everything in the room at some point during load in and load out.
 
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#12
Heavy duty velcro. - four pieces at the corners would be enough. But doing so will only make the amp more difficult to transport, more likely to get damaged, and heavier.

If you don't have a gigbag with a pocket, consider finding a padded bag (laptop, camera, etc.) - some are large enough for your cables, mic, and a few pedals as well. Lots of people toss them, and then you can carry the cab in one hand, bass in the other, and the head around your neck - one trip to or from your car. That's what I do with my lightweight 2x12.
 
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#13
Al Kraft said:
GK or Gator or whoever can sell you nice bags that let you put the head, power cord, speaker cable, etc. in a bag you can carry over your shoulder with the cab in your hand. I think you take a risk having those cords/cables and the head exposed as you navigate around door handles, banisters on stairs, etc, that can easily get you in trouble quickly. Just my 2 cents, as a guy who bumps into everything in the room at some point during load in and load out.
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Yeah. I was thinking there really wasn't much advantage to bolting a micro head to the cabinet, but some significant disadvantages.
 
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#15
so you want to be able to haul it with the two pieces attached? not sure i would like that idea. what if it shifts while in a moving vehicle, slams the head into something and damages it? or bend it, or at the least rips out whatever you have attached it with?
 
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#17
A few years ago, I removed the rubber feet from the bottom of my MB200 and used heavy duty velcro to attach it to a tolex-covered cab. During the first gig, the heat generated by the MB200 caused the adhesive holding the tolex to the cab to release. I took off the velcro and put the feet back on.
 
#19
Having grown up with lead sled amps and cabs that required you to put helper springs on your car if you wanted to take more than one of them to a gig, it amazes me with today's gear that people are still not fully satisfied with the level of portability/convenience. I can't wait until we get wristwatch amps that Bluetooth connect to your bass and use a sonic beam to convert windows and mirrors in the venue to speaker surfaces. Even with that though, I'm guessing someone will want to have a way to eliminate the wrist band on the "Amp-Watch". :laugh:
 
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#20
salcott said:
If you're worried about pulling the amp off, just loop your guitar cord through the cabinet handle before plugging it into the amp, or get a longer cord with lots of slack.
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I always loop the cord on the cab for every amp regardless of size or weight - this is a best practice in my book. I'd always rather replace a ruined/damaged cord than an input jack or a head.
 
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