B2RE Head w/o Rack for Gigging?

[JohneeDeformed]

I am trying to decide between a Ampeg SVT450H Classic Series Head or a Ampeg B2RE Head.

It is the same exact head except the classic series has a wood casing. I am inclined to purchase the less expensive version but I do not own a rack. Will the B2RE hold up for gigging if I do not have a rack?

[DRafalske]

The outside of it is going to get banged up.
At the minimum, I'd get a 2U rack bag to protect it.

[BromBucs]

Hey i got similar problem: recently got an ampeg SVT-4 Pro.
Don't have a rack. Also the vents are on the side of the head and I'd read of people having overheating problems because the head isn't getting enough ventilation while in a rack.
I was thinking maybe get a wooden one and drill holes in the side?
Any suggestions?

[Stingray5]

+1 on a rack bag.

I got this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Aguilar-RB-3-1...9055076&sr=8-1

It's branded Aguilar but it's made by another company I just forget who right now. They come in 2, 3 and 4 space.

This is a perfect bag and I couldn't be happier with it. If you don't want it to say Aguilar I can find out who the actual manufacturer is as I'm sure they sell them.

[BassmanPaul]

It makes no sense to me for someone to buy an expensive item and then take no steps to protect that investment. A good solid rack case is cheap insurance.

Paul

[funkingroovin]

While I agree w/BassmanPaul,I've been gigging a B2RE w/no rack for a couple years w/no problems..

[Bongolation]

Originally Posted by JohneeDeformed

Will the B2RE hold up for gigging if I do not have a rack?

Obviously, it depends on how much abuse you expect it to go through.

Really, though, simple racks don't do that much to protect gear so much as to organize it, in terms of any but cosmetic damage. Shock-protecting racks are very expensive.

If you drop an amp and drop an amp in a simple rack, the only reason you might get less G-stress shock to the circuit in the rack is because the amp's mounting flanges destructively became a "crumple zone" -- I've watched this happen for decades.

I'm surprised nobody's ragged on you about your choices yet, as these are the most hated Ampeg amps on TalkBass by a mile.

I also don't think I've ever seen one of these amps in the wild that didn't have the tips of those EQ faders broken off, and the fake SVT cabinet doesn't protect these at all...so if you must pick one of these unsatisfactory amps for some reason, I'd say go with the rackmount version with a cheapo rack with a front cover.