Amp lifting

thomasross20

Just took my blackstar down to the car. The hardest part was lifting it off the ground, from there I carried it with two hands in front of my chest and then used the trolley. I know you're supposed to lift with your legs but I can't help but feel that for that initial lift off the ground I'm not doing my back any favours. Tips?

Phil_aka_Pip

Try lifting from a squatting position?

Nomad

However you do it, keep your back straight and lift with your legs. Anyone that has been trained to manually lift stuff safely gets this drummed into them. The other thing that gets drummed in is to know your limits - if it doesn't feel right, don't do it. Get assistance and/or use a mechanical aid.

The specifics of the initial lift depend on the size, shape, weight, weight distribution, what hand-holds there are, etc.

blueskunk

Be bloody careful

1nten5e

You can't feasibly squat a wide amp off the ground if you're holding the side handles, cos your knees are against it......you can only do it by bending your back and it's not good.........better to get a second pair of hands

RedRabbit

A straight back and bent legs helps but I don't think lifting anything heavy is good for your back regardless of how you lift it.

I've suffered with a bad back for years - nothing serious like some folk get but if I do something stupid I can end up struggling to move for a little while.  Last time I did it was lifting my cab actually.  We'd finished rehearsal a bit late and were rushing to pack up and I just bent over to lift it without thinking.

If it's something you suffer with then I suggest doing some exercises that focus on your core.  Mine's been much better recently because of it. 

10thumbs

Get the wife to do it.

thisisguitar

Get one of these…

http://www.angelvehiclehire.co.uk/Images/Common/Pic-Wheelchair-Vehicle.png

thisisguitar

^ Minus the wheelchair of course

ICBM

1nten5e said:

You can't feasibly squat a wide amp off the ground if you're holding the side handles, cos your knees are against it......you can only do it by bending your back and it's not good.........better to get a second pair of hands

I had to go and try it with mine because I couldn't remember exactly how I do it, but it's this:

Stand over the amp leaning forward. Lift it by the side handles, using arms *only* - keeping my back exactly at the same angle. Bend knees forwards while tilting my body backwards, so my back is now vertical (but the angle between back and thighs hasn't changed) and the amp is resting against my thighs. Now lift with the legs so it's at carrying height.

I have back trouble too, and I'd feel it if that was too much stress. The last time I hurt myself it was with an amp of less than half the weight which I foolishly lifted down from a bench with one hand in a hurry.

EricTheWeary

They had some foldable trolleys in Lidl yesterday for £15. Feel I should have bought one. I'm a bit reluctant with valve amps and trollies as I feel, rightly or wrongly, they will shake it to death. Wouldn't be an issue with an ID though.

57Deluxe

get your wife to carry it for you...

tone1

Skateboard

MattFGBI

Axe FX? 

ElectroDan

I lift mine with one hand on the top handle, until I can get the other hand right underneath. Then rest the amp on my belt while holding it against my chest, by the sides.

It's surprising how much that little bit of support from the belt underneath works.

marantz1300

Hit the gym.
I broke thee vertebrae in my back when I was 21.
55 now.I go to the gym ,can lift 250kg from below knee height.

paulmapp8306

Some wise person once told me - its impossible to lift with a straight back - as you backbone is curved.  If its straight your in trouble.

What is actually meant by "lift with a straight back", is actually "dont lift with your back".  That is dont bend over at the waist and straighten up.  You CAN bend at the waist then lift with the knees - keeping your back bent - however thats not good for anything really heavy - your better not bending at the waist.

Whats really heavy?  Well that depends on the individual really.  The guide (I believe) is up to 15Kg is fine for one person.  Anything over that up to 35 Kg is really a two person lift (or multi person lift).  Anything over 35Kg shouldnt be lifted manually - but lifting aids should be used. 

1nten5e

ICBM said:

I had to go and try it with mine because I couldn't remember exactly how I do it, but it's this:

Stand over the amp leaning forward. Lift it by the side handles, using arms *only* - keeping my back exactly at the same angle. Bend knees forwards while tilting my body backwards, so my back is now vertical (but the angle between back and thighs hasn't changed) and the amp is resting against my thighs. Now lift with the legs so it's at carrying height.

My knees only bend backwards

Voxman

Just a thought...shouldn't this thread be best in the amp forum?

mart

thisisguitar said:

^ Minus the wheelchair of course

Unless you're in a Nirvana tribute band.

MattFGBI said:

Axe FX? 

Hmm. If I'd said I was struggling to lift a Twin, would you have recommended I replace it with a Kemper?

richardhomer

Voxman;451431" said:

Just a thought...shouldn't this thread be best in the amp forum?

There is already a thread in 'Amps' about how hard @thomasross20 finds it to lift his amp....

http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/29573/amplifier-mistake-blackstar/p1