Ext cab handle opinions

[insideout]

My buddy is helping me build a furniture grade cherry 2x12 cabinet. We got it glued together today and will do the roundover routing this week. It is going to look absolutely SWEET!! I have 2 Celestion G12-65's from the '80's that I'm going to put in it.

Since it is going to be finished wood (as opposed to tolex covered) I'm arguing with myself if I should put a brown leather strap on the top (a shame to cover the beautiful table-top like appearance of the top) or side handles (which I'm afraid will look like overkill on a 2x12 cab).

Opinions please . For obvious reasons, I only get one chance to get it right

 

[RJ2213]

i prefer corner handles like this.

 

[MesaENGR412]

How about both? It'd be both aesthetically pleasing and functional. When carrying cabs I prefer to have side handles rather than just one on top, because the weight transfers a lot better and it's not as hard to carry.

-AJH

 

[MetalMatt]

Moving around my Road King 2x12 is a pain. I don't use the top handle it's too awkward, I just pick it up. Plus I have moved the thing around so many times the stitches on the leather handle are starting to break/come loose. The same thing goes with my Road King head.

To me there is nothing classier than a nice brown leather strap on hardwood. You could put two leather straps on the cab so you can pick it up with both hands and bring it up to chest level? Just'an'idea.

My vote is. Top handles for small 1x12's. Corner handles for 2x12's and side handles + wheels for 4x12.

Sorry if it's hard to read...long day.

 

[t0aj15]

On a cab like that I'd go with a road case and forget the handles altogether.

 

[insideout]

Wow, great suggestions guys. Thanks!!

I hadn't even thought about a road case as an option. Hmmm, you got me thinking now. :wink: . Something tells me without even looking though, a road case may be a tad bit more expensive than a handle :lol:

 

[MesaENGR412]

Something tells me without even looking though, a road case may be a tad bit more expensive than a handle :lol:

Oh yes....but in the end, the piece of mind that knowing your equipment is protected from all the hazards of being on the road, or just to move it in general, is well worth whatever you pay to get the cases....at least to me it is.......my amp and cab still look like they did when I took them out of the shipping boxes And since you're building a hardwood cab, might I suggest a lift off lid case, so that on stage or at home you can see the whole unit, rather than getting a live-in case like my 4x12'' one. Just a thought. Oh yes, and skb has a polyurethane case that enables you to set the cab up on top of the lid so that when you are playing the speakers are closer to head level, kinda like an amp riser. I have one for my Marshall AVT 275, and it works pretty nicely. Locking caster, and a cinch strap that will hold down the amp while in transit. If your cab is the same size as a Recto Std. 2x12, you may need to check the dimensions on the case, I'm not sure how wide and deep it is, but I do know that the Marshall 2x12'' combo fits inside with PLENTY of room to spare. (add says it'll hold 4x10"s as well)

-AJH

 

[insideout]

Thanks AJH! Great information 8) . The case idea is looking more and more inviting (since I just found out we ARE getting bonus' at work this year :wink: ). I love the idea of just popping a lid on and roll it away nicely protected. By the way, I'm building the cab to the same spec as a Stiletto 2x12 cab since it's going to be paired with a Stiletto . Hopefully it will work out that I can exchange my Stiletto combo for a head, and I'll have a nice, clean, head/212 cab rig. Easy to transport, yet mean enough to frighten mortal humans (and most household pets :wink: )

 

[insideout]

Just thought I'd post an update on the cab. I haven't put any handles on yet because I'm waiting to see if the road case idea will work out. But here's a couple pics of the progress I've made so far 8) .

[img=http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/2870/speakercab009dd1.th.jpg]
[img=http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/2305/speakercab007ac2.th.jpg]

 

[t0aj15]

I would never have the heart to mount handles on that cab. As I said, do yourself a favor and get a road case.

 

[Rocky]

side handles.

Mesa using the single grip on top of their 2X12 cabs is TERRIBLE.

 

[insideout]

I would never have the heart to mount handles on that cab. As I said, do yourself a favor and get a road case.

I think if I can swing it, a road case will be the way I go. I agree that it would be a shame to deface this cabinet with handles, but if I do need to, it will be side handles. We reinforced it well, but I think a top handle puts an aweful lot of stress on the top joints. Thanks for all the feedback guys 8)