Furniture sliders for moving music instruments (equipment & gear). Certain music instruments (such as piano) and setups (such as multi-tiered keyboard stands) can be too heavy to move around. But there are times when you have to move them around a bit (at home, in studio or on stage). Besides, there’s always the risk of ruining the flooring (be it carpet, hardwood). In case you have not been able to find anything suitable (a music accessory) then you may consider using a furniture slider, which is commonly used to move around heavy furniture at home.
Heavy Instruments & Setups
Piano is among the heaviest musical instruments and requires care while moving around (especially if its an acoustic one, which has all those strings and other mechanical parts inside).
Most pianos (upright and grand) have wheels, which make it easy to move them around, but if your particular piano does not have one, you may either consider using piano casters, piano dolly or using furniture sliders to movie it around.
A furniture slider is commonly used to move heavy things around at home – sofas, desks, armoires, bookcases, display cases, TV stands, and more.
You can also use it to move your recording desk around a bit, or your piano, or a multi-tier music stand/keyboard stand.
Furniture Sliders (No Wheels)
Furniture sliders don’t use wheels at all (but it still works like a charm). Its designed for pieces of furniture (that are much heavier than pianos and keyboard).
Checkout the video to see how it work.
The good thing about the Super Sliders carpet furniture sliders is that they are big, glides well and works fine with “[relatively] heavy furniture”.
You can even have some fun with your little toddler by making him stand on these (1 on each foot) and you can then push/pull him around on the carpet.
The “lip” or edges (height) of these sliders are also pretty low so you can slide these under the furniture with minimal lifting. But with very heavy furniture, these won’t slide under so easily (you may require help from one more person probably). Having said that, its still a great option, because once its under the furniture, its easy to slide the furniture around.
Casters for Music Gear (Amps, Cabinets, Speakers, Pianos)
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.
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.
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, they are more likely to break off from your amp/speaker cabinet in no time if you regularly take it over rough terrain, gravel.
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.
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).
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.
Also read: Piano casters here
You may also read more about these options:
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.
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