Advice please - transporting Peavey amp

danwoodward100 · #1 02-20-2011, 06:30 AM

Hi All
I am new to the forum ,looks like a great resource for information.

Just purchased some new gear, Ashdown ABM 115 compact and a Peavey Tour 450 head, really pleased with this setup, perfect for my needs. Great sound and lovely and compact.

The Peavey tour 450 head is rack mountable and i have considered purchasing a rack case to protect it, 19inch 2U i believe is the correct size? However all of the cases I find have dimensions that are WAY bigger than the amp itself, i don't really want to lose the compactness of the amp by going this route.
The dimensions of the amp are
W 19"
D 13"
H 3.5"

Another option i thought of is some kind of padded bag i can use to store and transport the amp in and then just remove it when i arrive at a gig, but i cant seem to find anything suitable.

Please can anybody advise on a solution?

georgestrings · #2 02-20-2011, 06:40 AM

I'd go with an SKB 2U ATA rackcase - it's not much bigger than the amp itself, and will provide plenty of protection w/out alot of added weight... The additional depth in the back is a nice area to keep power, instrument, and speaker cables...

- georgestrings

StereoPlayer · #3 02-20-2011, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danwoodward100

Hi All
I am new to the forum...
Another option i thought of is some kind of padded bag i can use to store and transport the amp in and then just remove it when i arrive at a gig, but i cant seem to find anything suitable.

Please can anybody advise on a solution?

I make mine for free..I use pallet wood or scrap wood... and a little woodshop skills.
I use a pieces of oak for the rails. And...made my rack ears!

I make each one custom fit for my needs. I don't like BIG rack units...too heavy.(55 yrs old) AND, I can mix and match my needs for gigs and such by taking what I need.

Advice after building a couple of single space units....make them 1 1/2 spaces or 2 spaces, so you can fit your hands in them for plugging cables in!
Also, If your rack equipment has a heat issue, add a 1/2 space for venting...also I started to put slotted "handles" in the sides for fan vents and "free" handles.

Once again....Free and kind of "artsy crafty"

I get lots of compliments on mine!

greenboy · #4 02-20-2011, 07:39 AM

I've done that quite a few times myself. Took me awhile to realize that 1/2" material would be the way to go, provided a strong enough glue was available to be able to build quickly without additional time put into fancier joins.

http://greenboy.us/fEARful/variousitems.htm#PLPremium

StereoPlayer · #5 02-20-2011, 08:01 AM

I did use glue and a nail gun for real fast assembly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

I've done that quite a few times myself. Took me awhile to realize that 1/2" material would be the way to go, provided a strong enough glue was available to be able to build quickly without additional time put into fancier joins.

http://greenboy.us/fEARful/variousitems.htm#PLPremium

greenboy · #6 02-20-2011, 08:55 AM

The real point there was that one doesn't need to use 3/4" plywood to build racks or headcases, even when not using typical rack hardware.

StereoPlayer · #7 02-20-2011, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

The real point there was that one doesn't need to use 3/4" plywood to build racks or headcases, even when not using typical rack hardware.

Agreed X10! I used 1x4 pine that was shipping material(almost an unlimited supply at work). You can't really see that in the pics. If it was 1/2" materia,l I would have used it! Lighter!

greenboy · #8 02-20-2011, 09:09 AM

On a related note, I have 1/4" ply/ABS standard 10- and 14-space racks around from probably 25 years ago that are still going strong. People who gig mostly locally or on DIY tours often get into ridiculously heavy racks but 3/4" ply is overkill.

danwoodward100 · #9 02-20-2011, 09:46 AM

hmmm i do like the look of your home made rack. not sure i have the tools and experience to build that myself. Might look into it though. Any other suggestions? Like i said even something like a bag for storage and transport?

greenboy · #10 02-20-2011, 09:49 AM

Hey Dan,

Sometimes I just grab a chunk of closed cell foam - like a Kmart backpacking sleeping mat cut to size to drop it into a cheapie gym bag or whatever so that it kind of has the interior padded on both sides. Then put whatever piece of gear in. Simple, cheap, protected.

StereoPlayer · #11 02-20-2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

Hey Dan,

Sometimes I just grab a chunk of closed cell foam - like a Kmart backpacking sleeping mat cut to size to drop it into a cheapie gym bag or whatever so that it kind of has the interior padded on both sides. Then put whatever piece of gear in. Simple, cheap, protected.

Hey I like!

greenboy · #12 02-20-2011, 10:18 AM

Yeah, and then I take the foam out at the gig and place it between speaker cabinet and head or rack, or under a pedalboard, or under the baby plate for the kick drum mic or whatever. Dual duty.

danwoodward100 · #13 02-20-2011, 11:29 AM

would this work for me?
http://www.thomann.de/gb/thon_rack_2he_eco_ii.htm

StereoPlayer · #14 02-20-2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danwoodward100

would this work for me?
http://www.thomann.de/gb/thon_rack_2he_eco_ii.htm

Looks cool.
Not sure if 35 CM is deep enough for you.
Did you look at SKB stuff at MF? they make a small rack unit I think?

danwoodward100 · #15 02-20-2011, 11:56 AM

i dont want any storage in it, just to hold the amp
W 19"
D 13"
H 3.5"
ill check out SKB, but im in the UK so MF no good to me.
do these off the shelf racks just fix the amp to the front? what holds it in the place inside does it bolt to the side as well?

danwoodward100 · #16 02-20-2011, 12:04 PM

perhaps this? http://www.gatorcases.com/Default.as...atalogID=10041
i dunno im a bit at a lost with these racks, its a new concept to me

StereoPlayer · #17 02-20-2011, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danwoodward100

perhaps this? http://www.gatorcases.com/Default.as...atalogID=10041
i dunno im a bit at a lost with these racks, its a new concept to me

To Me...that looks perfect for you.

greenboy · #18 02-20-2011, 12:32 PM

Is Gator still putting the butterfly latches on the rack? If so, they rattle when the rack is on top of a bass cab. Butterfly latches should be on the lids instead.

StereoPlayer · #19 02-20-2011, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

Is Gator still putting the butterfly latches on the rack? If so, they rattle when the rack is on top of a bass cab. Butterfly latches should be on the lids instead.

Speaking of rattle...I see pics here and there on TB of speaker cabs on their sides with castors not on the floor. Always rattled for me. I don't get it!

Sorry for the topic change.

georgestrings · #20 02-20-2011, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

Is Gator still putting the butterfly latches on the rack? If so, they rattle when the rack is on top of a bass cab. Butterfly latches should be on the lids instead.

Yeah, they are - that, and being more flimsy than SKB are the reasons why I don't buy Gator - I bought one, and that was that...

- georestrings