Review – Elevating Your Guitar Amp Tone: Is the Little Buddy Amp Stand Worth It?

Review - Elevating Your Guitar Amp Tone: Is the Little Buddy Amp Stand Worth It?
Tired of playing to your shins? The Little Buddy Amp Stand review: Elevate your tone with this handcrafted, all-wood stand. Improve projection, isolation, and protect your amp. Is it worth it? Find out here.

Every guitarist knows the struggle of achieving optimal tone at home and in the studio. Often, our amps sit on the floor, projecting sound toward our ankles rather than our ears. Enter the Little Buddy Wood Amp Stand from RXB Audio, a handcrafted solution promising to improve your home playing experience. This review delves into whether the Little Buddy delivers on its promise and if an amp stand is a worthwhile investment.

Little Buddy Amp Stand

RXB Audio kindly sent Guitar Bomb one of their Little Buddy Amp Stands to test out so we could give our thoughts on this product. I’m in the UK, and the delivery was fast and tracked, and the packaging was impressive.

We spoke ahead of the review and suggested that the smaller Technician model would be best for us to review predominantly, as it is designed for smaller combo amps between 14″ – 18″ wide, which would fit my Peavey Classic 20 perfectly. It is an amp that my late father purchased new for my 21st birthday, so it holds a lot of sentimental value for me. And I’ve owned it for over 30 years now.

I know the sound of this amp well, and the stand certainly improved the projection and helped the overall tone, as it de-coupled the combo from the floor.

Review - Elevating Your Home Tone: Is the Little Buddy Amp Stand Worth It?
Peavey Classic 20 on the Little Buddy Amp Stand

Technician & Engineer

The Technician is perfect for smaller combos like mine. They also sell the Engineer model (for a small upcharge) designed for larger amps between 20″- 28″ wide if you need something more significant.

Review - Elevating Your Home Tone: Is the Little Buddy Amp Stand Worth It?
5 interlocking pieces

Simple, Yet Effective

Before I opened the packaging, everything looked good and was presented well. Once I had the stand out of the box, the quality was apparent immediately; it felt professional, and the design was simple yet very effective. It consists of 5 interlocking pieces designed to break down quickly so you can slide them into a gig bag.

I thought this would be ideal for taking to the studio for recording sessions or rehearsing with your band. The wood design looks fantastic, and my amp sits securely on the Little Buddy Amp Stand at an excellent angle for mic’ing up. It offers much better sound projection when I am standing up or sitting down playing.

The amp is also less likely to get knocked as it is raised off the floor.

Review - Elevating Your Home Tone: Is the Little Buddy Amp Stand Worth It?
Perfect for home or studio

 

Handcrafted Quality from the Heart of Tennessee

The Little Buddy stands out with its origins. Designed and built by Adam B. Widmer, a seasoned guitar player, and craftsman, each stand is made in a small East Tennessee wood shop. This direct-to-consumer approach cuts out the middleman, ensuring a personal touch and a focus on quality.

The stand’s all-wood construction, free of hardware or complex mechanisms, speaks to its simple yet effective design. It arrives ready to assemble – a quick slide-together process that gets you jamming in minutes.

I like the strong laminated wood design, as it is simple and holds the amp with no wiggle or unwanted movements. The fit and finish are excellent, and the easy breakdown of the pieces is great if you need to be on the move. It feels like a quality product and is well thought out. They also supply optional stick-on feet and grip for your amp if needed.

However, I thought it worked perfectly and didn’t feel the need to use these extras.

Review - Elevating Your Home Tone: Is the Little Buddy Amp Stand Worth It?
Fits in your gig bag

Beyond the Shins: The Benefits of Elevation

While the “need” for an amp stand might be debated, its advantages are undeniable. The Little Buddy addresses three key areas: isolation, projection, and protection.

  • Isolation: Many home floors, especially those of wooden construction, can resonate with the vibrations of an amp, muddying the tone. The Little Buddy elevates the amp, minimizing contact with the floor and reducing unwanted resonance. This results in a cleaner, more accurate representation of your amp’s true voice. Furthermore, this isolation can be a boon for those sharing living spaces, reducing the transfer of vibrations through walls and ceilings.

  • Projection: Perhaps the most significant benefit is improved sound projection. Placing an amp directly on the floor directs the sound towards your lower legs, a less-than-ideal listening position. The Little Buddy elevates and tilts the amp, projecting the sound upwards and outwards, filling the room more effectively. This allows you to hear your amp as it was intended to be heard, with a clearer and more balanced tone. It’s a simple change that makes a world of difference.

  • Protection: Accidents happen. Spills, bumps, and the dreaded “cable monster” can all threaten your valuable gear. The Little Buddy provides a stable platform, protecting your amp from potential damage. This added peace of mind is invaluable, especially for those with expensive or vintage amplifiers.

 

Review - Elevating Your Home Tone: Is the Little Buddy Amp Stand Worth It?
Perfect angle for better projection

The Verdict: A Solid Investment for Players

The Little Buddy Wood Amp Stand is more than just a piece of wood; it’s a thoughtfully designed tool that significantly improves the playing experience. It’s an excellent tool for the studio and will undoubtedly help your guitar amp sound its best.

Its handcrafted quality, ease of assembly, and tangible benefits in terms of isolation, projection, and protection make it a worthwhile investment for any guitarist serious about their tone.

While not a “necessity” in the strictest sense, the Little Buddy elevates your playing experience, literally and figuratively, making it a highly recommended addition to any home setup. If you’re tired of playing to your shins, the Little Buddy is the perfect solution to bring your amp’s voice to life.

MSRP – Technician $59.97/£49/€58.95 plus shipping and Engineer $65.97/£54/€64.95 plus shipping

If you want more tips on getting better amp tone, read our How To Achieve the Perfect Guitar Amp Tone guide.

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