Guitar amp case foam?
Question:hey im building myself a case for my amp, but i dont know what type of foam is normally used for the inner padding. can anyone tell me what kind it is? and also where you can buy it?
Answers:
Usually its rigid foam -- since you are doing it yourself, you can just run down to building supply store and buy some insulating sheets. They come anywhere from 1/4 inch thick to 2 inches thick... naturally, the thicker the foam, the more protection for the amp. Hehehe.. don't forget to take the foam's thickness into account when making the box. You want the amp to be snug, but not too tight...and you definetely don't want it sliding around inside the case.
You can cut this type of foam by scoring it with a utility knife, and snapping it, or with a "hot knife" (a heating element designed to cut styrofoam). Saws tend to send little bits of it flying everywhere, and it sticks like crazy due to static cling, hehehe. You will also want to purchase a glue made for the styrofoam -- most construction adhesives will eat holes into the styrofoam.
One tip... leave yourself some room to grab the amp... a notch in the foam, for example, so you can get a handhold on the amp to remove it from the case.
Have Fun
As answer number one states certainly you can use rigid.
I'd probably go with a foam that has more cushion to it, and many electronics are packed in what looks like sound studio, acoustical, cone shaped foam. It can be trimmed with shears, and using a water based contact cement can be applied to any other surface.
Steven Wolf
Just another option
If you are using the case for long term transport, for example to protect the amp during a tour, use neoprene foam. It is practically impervious to heat and cold and dampness.
If this is in the interest of keeping the amp protected between local gigs and practice sessions you can use high durometer foam rubber.
Either one of these should be available through a furniture upholsterer, or through a look in the yellow pages, or an online search.
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