Good guitar amp for barbecue purposes

Unclenny · 4th July 2007, 09:01 PM

That's right.....it's the 4th of July here in Cranbury, NJ, USA and this time I'm trying to get the whole band together in my garage for some red white and blue jam.

Now those of you who are familiar with my music know just how hard it is for me to get the band together in one place, so I need to have everything set up beforehand.

The question is....which amp should I use?

I started with the C30 but with the controls on the top like that spillage looks to be inevitable. Same with those Fender Jrs.

So it looks like I may go with my Carvin VT112 and my old Fender 112 solid state........both with front mounted controls. It looks as though at least nine regular size beverage cans will fit comfortably on the top of each allowing me continued easy access to the controls when the time comes to crank it up.

Any thoughts would be appreciated and, as always, YMMV.

And for those who may be celebrating elsewhere....please do so safely.

Meriphew · 4th July 2007, 09:03 PM

For BBQ use, I prefer an amp with a cabinet made of Mesquite.

FFTT · 5th July 2007, 12:04 AM

I was gonna say something beerproof.

To keep people from setting stuff on the amps,
put them on tilt stands and maybe throw a towel over the grill cloth
just in case.

Mic stand drink and cigarrette holders or a side table are much safer.

Wes Kuhnley · 5th July 2007, 04:58 AM

You don't want to cook the amp? shoot, I was going to suggest throwing a peavey or carvin on the spit...

Blast9 · 5th July 2007, 10:17 AM

I fried my speakers once...

hangman · 5th July 2007, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blast9

I fried my speakers once...

nice

FFTT · 5th July 2007, 10:39 AM

You could always try the Jimi Hendrix Monterey method.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFUS7FlYE_g

Pasta4lnch · 5th July 2007, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blast9

I fried my speakers once...

FFTT · 7th July 2007, 02:58 PM

In a classic spurt of creative genius, would love to explore the marketing possibilities of

AMPBRELLA protective products.

Unclenny · 7th July 2007, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FFTT

In a classic spurt of creative genius, would love to explore the marketing possibilities of

AMPBRELLA protective products.

"Just keep thinkin', Butch....that's what you're good at.".........Sundance Kid

Absolute · 8th July 2007, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blast9

I fried my speakers once...

Good one

chetatkinsdiet · 13th July 2007, 09:04 PM

I didn't bother reading the thread....did someone already beat me to the obvious Peavey joke? If not, then I'd say a Peavey should burn really well. Not sure about the wood used, but you could always throw some hickory chips on top for flavor.

m

FFTT · 13th July 2007, 09:12 PM

My Peavy Mark III Bass head still works, so I keep it for emergency back-up.

I do have to admit it might be fun to take a really terrible solid state amp
and plug it in and see how long she holds up in flames.

chetatkinsdiet · 13th July 2007, 09:23 PM

OK...that bass head is the one exception to the peavey rule. I remember years ago being at a gig with a full cup of beer on one. It got dumped right in. The bass player freaked....turned the switch off. He said, "what should we do?" I walked from behind the drums and turned it over and let the beer pour out. Waited about 5 minutes and turned it back on. Not even a crackle....it worked fine. Still going strong from what I hear 10 or so years later.

m

FFTT · 14th July 2007, 02:34 AM

A few weeks ago someone brought a fog machine to the local tavern and it was sitting
behind a brand new amplifier.

You should have seen the poor guy's face when he started playing and clouds of smoke started coming from behind his new amp.

kafka · 14th July 2007, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unclenny

That's right.....it's the 4th of July here in Cranbury, NJ, USA and this time I'm trying to get the whole band together in my garage for some red white and blue jam.

Now those of you who are familiar with my music know just how hard it is for me to get the band together in one place, so I need to have everything set up beforehand.

The question in....which amp should I use?

It's a little late for the 4th, but it's not too soon to start thinking about Labor Day. The classic BBQ amp is a silver face Twin Reverb. You can fit an awful lot of beer cans on top of one of those things, and they're too heavy for a drunk to casually knock over. You could even pour the beer in it, and I'm sure it would work just fine. I haven't had one in almost 20 years. I think it's time to get another.

FFTT · 14th July 2007, 04:35 AM

I'd pretty much have to yield that Fender amps have seen more barbecues and parties
than any other amp made.

a Deluxe Reverb or Twin with a Tube Screamer and you're good to go.

If you want to keep people from setting stuff on your amp, try the heavy duty
tilt stands.

taturana · 15th July 2007, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blast9

I fried my speakers once...

i think grilled speakers taste better though!

Unclenny · 16th July 2007, 06:38 PM

Blues Jr. seems to be the amp of choice so far.
It's compact size lets it fit in perfectly between the coolers while it's expansive tonal palette allows me to shape a sound that cuts through the crowd noise from my fans......all three of them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FFTT

put them on tilt stands

I tried that but my beer can kept slipping off.
What's up with that!??

Quote:

Originally Posted by taturana

i think grilled speakers taste better though!

That may be, but........I took the original speaker from the Peavey C30 and stuck it to the top of the grill hood while making 'Beer-in-the-Butt Chicken' (the ONLY way to cook a whole bird). I found that the slow cooking method really allowed the Blue Marvel to come into its own.
Definitely got rid of that mid-range honk.

Lownotes · 16th July 2007, 08:44 PM

Don't chicken out though, get something with a beefy tone.

chetatkinsdiet · 16th July 2007, 08:45 PM

...rimshot...

max cooper · 16th July 2007, 11:01 PM

Why an amp? If I were getting gear for a BBQ I'd get an Eventide.

FFTT · 16th July 2007, 11:03 PM

You needs one uh dem special tilt stand adaptable beer holders, so only YOU can spill beer on your amp.

Unclenny · 25th August 2007, 08:58 PM

With Labor Day approaching in the good ol' US of A I figured an update would be appropriate.

So.....we have had Mesquite Grilled Peavey (a Classic!), fried AND grilled speakers, an amazingly intuitive new amp protection product (FFTT, your commision check is in the mail) and a new GS record (unconfirmed) of 32 beer cans on the top of a silver face Twin Reverb.

So.....what else?

I've got a party coming up and I still don't know which amp to use.

FFTT · 26th August 2007, 02:59 PM

ALL OF THEM!

Unclenny · 26th May 2008, 01:49 PM

With the recent success of my newly released material I have opened this years Memorial Day picnic to my ENTIRE fan base.

Of course, the kids are with their mother this weekend and my wife is on a dive trip somewhere in the Caribbean......so it looks like it may be just me.......again.

So just to clarify my original question.......I'm not looking for an amp to eat, nor am I in the market for a glorified serving table. I simply want something that I can crank up in the garage to bug the hell out of the neighbors who didn't invite me to THEIR picnics.

Wannabe A Hero

SecretAgent · 26th May 2008, 02:50 PM

Take your barbecue (or Ridge Farm Gas Cooker if you don't like Coles) out to the Summit of the Shadow Hills or maybe a Great River.

Find a spot with plenty of pretty lookin D.W Fearns and setup a pair of Ampeg B15 Flipflops. If you are going for critical listening maybe go Barefoot.

I am Shure your guests will AL.SO praise you for bringing a few Blue Coconut Unity Echo Verbs, along as long as they have some Innertube Audio Squeeze Boxes to sit on.

Make shure your guests bring a nice Blue Bottle and an API Lunchbox of tasty flavors. Rest assured you will have a Wunder-full time thanks to your Smart Research on Gearslutz.

Unclenny · 26th May 2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecretAgent

Take your barbecue (or Ridge Farm Gas Cooker if you don't like Coles) out to the Summit of the Shadow Hills or maybe a Great River.

Find a spot with plenty of pretty lookin D.W Fearns and setup a pair of Ampeg B15 Flipflops. If you are going for critical listening maybe go Barefoot.

I am Shure your guests will AL.SO praise you for bringing a few Blue Coconut Unity Echo Verbs, along as long as they have some Innertube Audio Squeeze Boxes to sit on.

Make shure your guests bring a nice Blue Bottle and an API Lunchbox of tasty flavors. Rest assured you will have a Wunder-full time thanks to your Smart Research on Gearslutz.

Ecxellent!!!

I'm set now.

FFTT · 26th May 2008, 06:49 PM

No amp barbecue would be complete without the
new Mesquite cabinetry on the new Red Iron Amps.

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4th July 2007, 09:01 PM	#1
Unclenny Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,443	Good guitar amp for barbecue purposes That's right.....it's the 4th of July here in Cranbury, NJ, USA and this time I'm trying to get the whole band together in my garage for some red white and blue jam. Now those of you who are familiar with my music know just how hard it is for me to get the band together in one place, so I need to have everything set up beforehand. The question is....which amp should I use? I started with the C30 but with the controls on the top like that spillage looks to be inevitable. Same with those Fender Jrs. So it looks like I may go with my Carvin VT112 and my old Fender 112 solid state........both with front mounted controls. It looks as though at least nine regular size beverage cans will fit comfortably on the top of each allowing me continued easy access to the controls when the time comes to crank it up. Any thoughts would be appreciated and, as always, YMMV. And for those who may be celebrating elsewhere....please do so safely. __________________ "The main thing is to have a gutsy approach....but use your head." Julia Child "You only live once - do it like a rock star." Seasick Steve Orient.....Organize.....Decide......Act Lenny and The Scapers

4th July 2007, 09:03 PM	#2
Meriphew Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle USA Posts: 2,112	For BBQ use, I prefer an amp with a cabinet made of Mesquite. __________________ www.myspace.com/meriphew

5th July 2007, 12:04 AM	#3
FFTT Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 2,932	I was gonna say something beerproof. To keep people from setting stuff on the amps, put them on tilt stands and maybe throw a towel over the grill cloth just in case. Mic stand drink and cigarrette holders or a side table are much safer. __________________ Don't look at me in that tone of voice

5th July 2007, 04:58 AM	#4
Wes Kuhnley Gear addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 488	You don't want to cook the amp? shoot, I was going to suggest throwing a peavey or carvin on the spit... __________________ Associated with: Great River Electronics \| Resonant Electronic Design Check out the brand new Resonant 18 watt amplifiers! "Don't f-ck with my drink if you value your teeth."

5th July 2007, 10:17 AM	#5
Blast9 Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: London Posts: 2,653	I fried my speakers once... __________________ :: my band is called protoangel . My guitars: Atkin OM (sitka spruce top walnut back: sweet mids):: Atkin Small Jumbo (cedar top, rosewood back: big bottom, sparkly top):: Jap Tele with fat frets (rude and fat):: . My amps: 1973 Hiwatt DR504::Framus Dragon ... Latest purchases Kel Audio HM-2d TC Electronic Nova System, Chameleon Labs 7602Digi 002 + PTLE

5th July 2007, 10:39 AM	#7
FFTT Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 2,932	You could always try the Jimi Hendrix Monterey method. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFUS7FlYE_g __________________ Don't look at me in that tone of voice

7th July 2007, 02:58 PM	#9
FFTT Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 2,932	In a classic spurt of creative genius, would love to explore the marketing possibilities of AMPBRELLA protective products. __________________ Don't look at me in that tone of voice

13th July 2007, 09:04 PM	#12
chetatkinsdiet Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,472	I didn't bother reading the thread....did someone already beat me to the obvious Peavey joke? If not, then I'd say a Peavey should burn really well. Not sure about the wood used, but you could always throw some hickory chips on top for flavor. m

13th July 2007, 09:12 PM	#13
FFTT Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 2,932	My Peavy Mark III Bass head still works, so I keep it for emergency back-up. I do have to admit it might be fun to take a really terrible solid state amp and plug it in and see how long she holds up in flames. __________________ Don't look at me in that tone of voice

13th July 2007, 09:23 PM	#14
chetatkinsdiet Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,472	OK...that bass head is the one exception to the peavey rule. I remember years ago being at a gig with a full cup of beer on one. It got dumped right in. The bass player freaked....turned the switch off. He said, "what should we do?" I walked from behind the drums and turned it over and let the beer pour out. Waited about 5 minutes and turned it back on. Not even a crackle....it worked fine. Still going strong from what I hear 10 or so years later. m

14th July 2007, 02:34 AM	#15
FFTT Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 2,932	A few weeks ago someone brought a fog machine to the local tavern and it was sitting behind a brand new amplifier. You should have seen the poor guy's face when he started playing and clouds of smoke started coming from behind his new amp. __________________ Don't look at me in that tone of voice

14th July 2007, 04:35 AM	#17
FFTT Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 2,932	I'd pretty much have to yield that Fender amps have seen more barbecues and parties than any other amp made. a Deluxe Reverb or Twin with a Tube Screamer and you're good to go. If you want to keep people from setting stuff on your amp, try the heavy duty tilt stands. __________________ Don't look at me in that tone of voice

16th July 2007, 08:44 PM	#20
Lownotes Gear maniac Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 160	Don't chicken out though, get something with a beefy tone.

16th July 2007, 08:45 PM	#21
chetatkinsdiet Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,472	...rimshot...

16th July 2007, 11:01 PM	#22
max cooper Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: tx Posts: 8,819	Why an amp? If I were getting gear for a BBQ I'd get an Eventide.

16th July 2007, 11:03 PM	#23
FFTT Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 2,932	You needs one uh dem special tilt stand adaptable beer holders, so only YOU can spill beer on your amp. __________________ Don't look at me in that tone of voice

25th August 2007, 08:58 PM	#24
Unclenny Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,443	LABOR DAY UPDATE With Labor Day approaching in the good ol' US of A I figured an update would be appropriate. So.....we have had Mesquite Grilled Peavey (a Classic!), fried AND grilled speakers, an amazingly intuitive new amp protection product (FFTT, your commision check is in the mail) and a new GS record (unconfirmed) of 32 beer cans on the top of a silver face Twin Reverb. So.....what else? I've got a party coming up and I still don't know which amp to use. __________________ "The main thing is to have a gutsy approach....but use your head." Julia Child "You only live once - do it like a rock star." Seasick Steve Orient.....Organize.....Decide......Act Lenny and The Scapers

26th August 2007, 02:59 PM	#25
FFTT Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 2,932	ALL OF THEM! __________________ Don't look at me in that tone of voice

26th May 2008, 01:49 PM	#26
Unclenny Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,443	Memorial Day 2008 With the recent success of my newly released material I have opened this years Memorial Day picnic to my ENTIRE fan base. Of course, the kids are with their mother this weekend and my wife is on a dive trip somewhere in the Caribbean......so it looks like it may be just me.......again. So just to clarify my original question.......I'm not looking for an amp to eat, nor am I in the market for a glorified serving table. I simply want something that I can crank up in the garage to bug the hell out of the neighbors who didn't invite me to THEIR picnics. Wannabe A Hero __________________ "The main thing is to have a gutsy approach....but use your head." Julia Child "You only live once - do it like a rock star." Seasick Steve Orient.....Organize.....Decide......Act Lenny and The Scapers

26th May 2008, 02:50 PM	#27
SecretAgent Gear Head Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 66	Gear for babecue heaven Take your barbecue (or Ridge Farm Gas Cooker if you don't like Coles) out to the Summit of the Shadow Hills or maybe a Great River. Find a spot with plenty of pretty lookin D.W Fearns and setup a pair of Ampeg B15 Flipflops. If you are going for critical listening maybe go Barefoot. I am Shure your guests will AL.SO praise you for bringing a few Blue Coconut Unity Echo Verbs, along as long as they have some Innertube Audio Squeeze Boxes to sit on. Make shure your guests bring a nice Blue Bottle and an API Lunchbox of tasty flavors. Rest assured you will have a Wunder-full time thanks to your Smart Research on Gearslutz.

26th May 2008, 06:49 PM	#29
FFTT Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 2,932	No amp barbecue would be complete without the new Mesquite cabinetry on the new Red Iron Amps. __________________ Don't look at me in that tone of voice

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