Casters for music gear (amps, cabinets, speakers, pianos)

Casters for Music Gear (amps, cabinets, speakers, pianos). If you’ve never used or installed casters before, may be this article will inspire you to give it a go.

Why Use Casters

Casters come with non-marking black rubber wheels protects your flooring, Self-lubricating bushing ensures quiet operation and long life.

Above all, one you have casters, you don’t have to carry your amps, so no more back-aches.

Those who do a lot of gigs will find these useful to transport amps (and other gear) short distances across a stage or venue, thus saving your back from overuse.

Things to Look out for in Casters

When buying casters for your music instrument or gear:

• Make sure you get better ones (avoid the very cheap ones outright)
• Choose ones with larger wheels; they tend to work better.
• Select a bolt head that will fit the casters.
• Get casters that are removable; makes life easier.
• You also get removable casters with pop out sockets, they’re easy to deal with.

Caster Sizes

Casters are available in various sizes.

Several amps come with 2″ casters straight from the factory, but most experienced musicians feel that the 2″ casters are too small, and work great only if you push on smooth concrete or hardwood floors.

However, if you regularly take it over rough terrain, gravel, dirt, they are more likely to break off from your amp/speaker cabinet in no time.

Most experienced musicians are comfortable using at least 3 1/2″ casters, especially if they know they’re going to use them over uneven terrain.

Caster Nuts & Bolts

Tee nuts work much better than regular nuts (even with lock washers and such) and it is very easy to tighten of bolts if they become loose over time, as opposed to disassembling a sealed cabinet to stick a wrench on it. When using the tee nuts, the steel ones are better than aluminum.

Then there are some musicians Some also advise to avoid using “T” nuts; a better option is to use bolts (at least 1/4″) and conventional hex nuts (much stronger than “T” nuts).

Caster for Music Gear: Buying Options

Cabinet Casters: For Guitar, Bass & Speaker Cabinets.

The casters from Mesa are of top quality, are removable, but priced a bit higher than the other makes.

Fender Replacement Amplifier Casters

Replacement casters for Fender Style Guitar Amplifier Cabinets.
These are heavy duty Swivel Caster with 2″ diameter wheels. Each Caster Supports Up To 44 Lbs

The wheels of these fender amp casters are hard-plastic.

Ernie Ball Pop Out Amp Caster Set

The Ernie Ball Pop Out Amp Caster Set is a great option to keep your amplifier rolling smooth, precision design prevents wobbling.

The set includes 4 Ernie Ball pop-out, socket-mounted casters, measuring 2″ in diameter with a 7/8″ Rubberex wheel. Double ball bearing, split-level, nickel-plated steel construction. Each caster comes complete with amp cabinet receptacle and four 14-1 round phillips head wood mounting screws. Installation requires drilling a 5/8″ hole in amp cabinet. The maximum recommended weight is 80lb. per caster.

Mesa Boogie Caster Sets/Kits

3″ Track-Loc Removable Caster Set
You get four – 3″ Track-Loc Removable Casters w/Mounting Plates

2″ Track-Loc Removable Caster Set
You get four – 2″ Track-Loc Removable Casters w/Mounting Plates

Also read: Piano casters here

KeytarHQ Editorial Team

KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.