Splitting a NV112

Gere Mullican · From: LaVergne, Tennessee, USA (deceased)

Has anyone tried splitting the NV112 into 2 pieces? I know everybody says they are very light, but not if you are 75 years old. I am considering giving up picking because it is such a hassle and wears me out to load the stuff in the car, drive to my weekly gig, unload it, carry it in. Then do the same steps in reverse. I am so pooped out after I get there, I don't hardly feel like picking. I know lots of folks have split NV400 or 1000's or other amps, but haven't heard of anyone doing it with a 112. Suggestions will be appreciated.

Gere

Scott Denniston · From: Hahns Peak, Colorado, USA

Man I'd think splitting it would really just mean more steps to go get the other half. That would wear me out and I'm 56. I can sure see splitting larger amps but that thing is teenie. Have you considered using a dolly? I wish I'd discovered the wheel decades ago. That makes a big difference.

James Morehead · From: Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.

Though a 112 is lighter than a 400 or 1000 or a twin, A 112 twelve is STILL 42lbs. Spitting it would make it easier to load/unload and go up and down stairs. You should still use a folding dolly as much as you can-- a 112 head and extension cab will stack just fine and roll along to the stage--it's a good idea. I got my dolly at Walmart for about $40. SOOO worth it!! I load most of my junk on mine, and manage just to trips. My guitar gets real easy to transport on that dolly, too. Works for me!!

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

The NV112 is probably lighter than your steel, even if it's split in two cases. If you can carry the steel you can carry the NV112.

I can feel for you as far as getting tired. I'm 69 and it affects me but I get to the job at least an hour or more early and that gives me time to set up and get "rested up" for the gig.

I did make a new cabinet for my NV112 and it's only 39 lbs. It's still one piece but I used Ash wood, Peavey uses plywood.

I also built a two piece case set for my Franklin D-10 this past spring. That helps and also now my wife can "roadie" and help carry parts.

Terry Sneed · From: Arkansas,

Gere, I'm not 75, but I do have severe degenerative disc disease. I can't carry my steel or my Nashville 112 very far, or I'll be so sore and stiff the next morning it's hard to get out of bed. I went to Home Depot and got a very light dolly (about 15 lbs)It cost me about $25. I carry my steel on it, then come back and get my amp.
Also, to make it easier to load/unload I leave the legs and rods in the pouch, and just fold the pouch around the pedal bar, and carry that seperate. That lightens the steel and case quite a bit. I still get sore from all the bending over putting my steel together, but not as bad. I wish you well.

Terry
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Rick Johnson · From: Wheelwright, Ky USA

Gere
I'm currently working on a set of
split cabs for a Nashville 112.
I'll have some pics to share in
about a week.

Rick

www.rickjohnsoncabs.com

Howard Tate · From: Leesville, Louisiana, USA, R.I.P.

I understand Gere. I'm 69, and have spurs on my spine. I use a dolly, and at the gig I work with wonderful younger guys, they carry my gear and treat me just great. I use that same dolly, but at home I still have to lift the stuff to load it in the car. I recently bought a used mini van and it's much easier to load than the car. My Mullen is quite heavey, but it sounds so good I can't bring myself to use something lighter. If It gets too hard I have that great sounding Carter.

Gere Mullican · From: LaVergne, Tennessee, USA (deceased)

Rick, I will be anxiously waiting to hear about the split cabs for the 112. I appreciate all you guys replies. I do have a collapsible dolly like the one pictured above, but can't figure out a way to get the steel and amp in and out of the car with it. That is the most strenuous part, getting them on the back seat of the car.Would love to have a van to just slide them in and out, but can't afford 2 vehicles. Thanks again for the replies.
Gere

Bo Borland · From: South Jersey -

I use a Road Runner cart from Musicians Friend. It folds up into a nice small package about the size of a 3-4 space rack. Unlike a hand truck it is more like a push cart.
I put my steel on first, then my NV112, my rack and my steel seat on top of the steel case. One trip in & out. (as long as there are no steps)
I have been considering a split case or at least a small case to put the pedal bar and legs in.
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Rittenberry SD10 , Derby D-10, Quilter TT12, Peavey Session 400 w/ JBL, NV112, Fender Blues Jr. , 1974 Dobro 60N squareneck, Rickenbacher NS lapsteel, 1973 Telecaster Thinline, 1979 blonde/black Frankenstrat
Currently picking with
Mason Dixon Band masondixonband.net

Gary Shepherd · From: Fox, Oklahoma, USA

I'll second the dolly idea.
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Carter D-10 & Peavey Nashville 1000

www.16tracks.com

Ernest Cawby · From: Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

The speaker in the 112 is light,considering compaired to a 15", how much lighter would it be, and then you would have 2 , instead of 1. I put rollers on my case for the guitar and also on my amps. Makes a difference.A lot eaiser to push than to carry.

ernie

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

Have you thought of switching to a lighter speaker? For a while I had an alnico Tone Tubby in my Boogie. It sounded great and was really light (for a Boogie). Also, the Eminence Deltalite speakers get good reviews, and they cost less than Tone Tubbies.

When you split a cabinet, the weight of the two boxes is usually greater than the single box because you've added more wood into the equation.
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Gary Shepherd · From: Fox, Oklahoma, USA

I think someone should have mentioned that you could always hire a roadie.
gs
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Gary Shepherd

Carter D-10 & Peavey Nashville 1000

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Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

If you don't play real loud, I'd switch to a Celestion G12 Century speaker. This 12" neo speaker weighs so little (about 3 1/2 pounds) that when it arrived, I actually thought the box was empty! Whoa!

It's rated at 50 watts, but for the average player...playing at home, in church, or even at small gigs, it would probably be fine. I've put one in my 120-watt Fender Stage 112, and it cut the total weight down to just over 30 lbs., (a lot better than the original 42 lbs.).

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I wouldn't change the speaker. The stock speaker is one of the things that makes the NV112 sound like it does.

I've heard one with a neo speaker and it lost a lot of it's "character".

David Doggett · Posted 3 Aug 2007 9:21 am

I completely understand Gere's problem. Even the 42 lbs. of the NV112 can be a problem for older people and people with disabilities. While wheels and dollies help, they are of no use when it comes to steps and lifting heavy amps and steels into vehicles. My practice room is my semi-finished basement. I have to lug stuff up the long narrow basement steps, down my front steps, and lift it into my van. And this ain't the Great Plains where everything is one-story ranch-style - plenty of venues have steps. If I have something so heavy I need a dolly on the level ground where a dolly works, it is hopelessly heavy when it comes to steps and lifting into the vehicle, where a dolly is useless. In fact, the dolly itself becomes just one more thing to lug up and down the steps. And loading and unloading the dolly at the bottom and top of the steps and at the vehicle is more time consuming than an extra trip. I find it much easier to deal with several light trips than one or two heavy trips, with or without a dolly.

It makes perfect sense to split steel cases into one for the body and one for the legs and pedal bar. And it makes even more sense to split combos into amp heads and speaker cabs. With the new lighter equipment you can end up with something light in each hand for a balanced load, rather than struggling with a huge lopsided load. Covering a distance with a light balanced load is usually not a problem, even without a dolly.

Even without the weight issue, I much prefer the convenience of having the amp head next to me for tweaking, and being able to place the speaker(s) out of reach behind me, and possibly pointing in different directions or split on different sides of the stage. In addition, a head makes it easy to use different speakers for different venues, and to experiment with different speakers. Considering the size and weight of steel amps, and the age of the steeler population, I can't believe the manufacturers are still making only combo amps. I was happy to see Fender's new mid-sized Super Sonic amp comes as a head option. Then I noticed they left the reverb out of the head. Why would someone wanting a head not want the convenience of onboard reverb the same as a combo user? Maybe this problem will correct itself with time as the baby boomers (who still play a lot of music) get older.

Gere Mullican · From: LaVergne, Tennessee, USA (deceased)

David, you hit the nail on the head. That is exactly my predicament. It seems I have 2 choices: since I like the sound of my 112, make it a 2 piece, or quit picking. I've been playing steel since I was 12 years old and don't relish the thought of stopping. I really appreciate all the advice I have been getting from you folks. I will post a follow-up once I get my problem solved.
Gere

Bert Berthold · From: Peralta, New Mexico, USA

Gere,don't quit picking.If you enjoy it,do it.Iknow exactly how you feel.I'm closing in on 79 but I am fighting it all the way.At our age we need to smell the roses and enjoy the things that make us happy and along the way bring pleasure to some others that enjoy the sounds of a steel guitar.To those younger ones,your day is coming.David hit everything perfect.Its easier to carry 2-20# than one lopsided 40 plus. My u-12 Willie is not overly heavy but the case weighs 17#.Ihave split that into a 17-28 carry.Better than a lopsided 47# single. Am working on the Nv now and then the seat.Another couple weeks I should be close to easing my acheing muscles.With the GOOD LORD willing and helpfull doctors I hope to pick for some time.Don"t give up.I you have any question I may be able to answer,email me Bert

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