Looking for the right Rack Case... help?

jbjordan07 · #1 02-07-2011, 12:21 AM

I have a peavey tour 700... The case will either be a Gator or an SKB... i want to mount the head and a 2 space drawer... Any size suggestions/ pro-con would be great. Thanks everybody who helps.

**mikeddd** · #2 02-07-2011, 12:53 AM

You need a 4U rack. You've already narrowed down your choices to a lightweight plastic rack. Pick one.

The only thing I can add is that you should be careful with some SKB racks; they do not come with rear mounting rails. If your gear requires mounting front and back, that would be something important to look out for.

jbjordan07 · #3 02-07-2011, 10:01 AM

thanks man. ive just been reading reviews and people say all this stuff about space. and mounting issues. and someone said be careful w SKB bc they narrow near the bottom or something. but thanks man. i'll prolly just rock the gator.

georgestrings · #4 02-07-2011, 10:39 AM

SKB makes a better rackcase than Gator for atleast 2 reasons:

SKB mounts their latches on the lids where they belong, Gator mounts them on the rackcase itself, which in turn causes it to rattle... Also, SKB's are made of thicker plastic - Gator's are flimsy when compared directly to SKB...

- georgestrings

jnewmark · #5 02-07-2011, 10:59 AM

Not familiar with that head, but, if it has a fan, be sure to leave space for the fan to draw in cooler air. I know with my GK 700RBII, the fan is ontop, so you need to leave another 1 space above it.

BassmanPaul · #6 02-07-2011, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbjordan07

I have a peavey tour 700... The case will either be a Gator or an SKB... i want to mount the head and a 2 space drawer... Any size suggestions/ pro-con would be great. Thanks everybody who helps.

Buy a four space and rack the amp at the bottom. Forget the drawer - it's extremely heavy and it'll get tiresome quite quickly. I have two sitting in my garage for just that reason.
The empty slots can be filled with ventilated plates to improve the look.

jbjordan07 · #7 02-07-2011, 01:47 PM

well im not really planning on lugging it around much. i dont gig but about once a montrh... and the skb has no rear mounting rails. So the gator looks good.

**mikeddd** · #8 02-07-2011, 02:14 PM

A little of my opinion here. When it comes to lightweight plastic cases, you can't win. Plastic of any kind is 1/2 - 2/3rds lighter than wood, but not as strong or roadworthy. There's just something about a hefty wooden rack with aluminum channel corners that makes it The Incredible Hulk of rack cases. They also weigh as much as the Hulk. A 40lb case + 40 pounds of gear = not an easy one man lift and a guaranteed "in time" throw-your-back-out incident.

And the plastic cases????

I own both SKB and Gator cases. IMO, SKB is overpriced for what it is. They don't have rear rack rails, stock, BUT they are a considerably higher grade plastic than Gator. Plus, the latches are where they are supposed to be; on the LIDS.

Gator, OTOH is about 25% less in price, but not as sturdy, and they have the latches on the case. I can vouch for the fact that the latches rattle. Jamming in the garage or at a gig you won't hear them but you will in your bedroom/basement/when practicing alone.
The Gator case is plenty strong if you're not going to have roadies throwing your rack into the back of a semi.

As you can see there is no free lunch. My rig is in a 6U shallow Gator case. It came with front/rear rails, fits well on my cab due to the shallow depth and the latches on the right side rattle. Not the left side, oddly enough. The covers fit well and it's done it's job so far.

I sold a barely used 4U SKB rack here in FS/FT for about 60% of what I paid for it. The guy who bought it knew what he was getting and it was exactly what he wanted. We both won. I"d scour FS/FT or your local Craigslist for case deals. Used cases are where it's at, especially if you can check it out before you buy to ensure that all the latches work, the sides arent' busted up, etc. Cases are an expensive, but necessary investment. Protect your gear investment; get a case, no matter what kind you buy.

jbjordan07 · #9 02-07-2011, 02:48 PM

Really what im looking for here is if anyone knows the size of the case i need to put a peavey tour 700 and a rack drawer in... thats all i need. i don't wanna buy the wrong size case... im looking at gator bc of the rear rails... from what i have researched the tour 700 is a 2 space rack, the droor is a 2 space rack. i'm just paranoid that the case will be too long or that i need, NEED, to rear mount the amp head as it has holes to do so.
So i just need to know the appropriate Case size to look for.
Thanks guys, youre all help

jnewmark · #10 02-07-2011, 02:54 PM

Just measure your Peavey, front to back, and pick the appropriate depth case. They start at around 10" and go up to 20" deep. They are all wide enough to fit a standard 19" width.

**mikeddd** · #11 02-07-2011, 02:55 PM

You need a 4U case. As to how deep the case needs to be, you need to research that, my friend. We're not going to to everything for you.

Look at the user manual for your amp. That will tell you how deep the amp chassis is. Buy the rack the next size up (depth-wise)

jbjordan07 · #12 02-07-2011, 02:56 PM

now are we talking measuring screw hole to screw hole?

**mikeddd** · #13 02-07-2011, 03:02 PM

Yes. Cases with both front and rear rails will give you a rail-to-rail measurement. Typically something like 14" or 16.5". For example, if your Peavey amp is 16" in depth (front to back) you would need a rack that has a rail-to-rail measurement of at least 16". Hope this helps.

tom once dead · #14 02-07-2011, 03:05 PM

Can I ask why you want a draw?

jnewmark · #15 02-07-2011, 03:06 PM

Your Peavey measures 4" high, 19" wide, and 12.5 deep.

THUNDERGODX · #16 02-07-2011, 03:12 PM

Get a Road Ready case. I don't know why anyone would want to entrust electronics to plastic enclosures.

If you want to go into a little more $, check out 7Ball cases.
Lids have interior zip bags, and rack screws and washers.

Diamond plate finish is available.
When I got mine, you could get white, red, and metal finish as well.

I've got my Line 6 Xdr95 wireless and Bass Pod Pro in mine.

Stick a Monster Power or Furman Power Supply over that, and you're dealin like the Big Time.

jbjordan07 · #17 02-07-2011, 03:13 PM

I want a drawer bc im tired of loose cables, and that way i can put cables, my tuner, and various other stuff, so when i take it places, it's all there. seems handy. and i like the idea

**mikeddd** · #18 02-07-2011, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbjordan07

I want a drawer bc im tired of loose cables, and that way i can put cables, my tuner, and various other stuff, so when i take it places, it's all there. seems handy. and i like the idea

Gig bag/backpack/duffle bag? What you'll find is that in the process of putting all that stuff into the drawer, that your gear will get bumped/poked/smacked in the process. It's safer for your gear that when the gig is over you unplug the instrument/speaker/power cables and put the lids on immediatley. Then the cables go somewhere else. Better that way.

jbjordan07 · #19 02-07-2011, 03:17 PM

but why carry more clutter when i can just close it up and it's all in one place? so all i need is my rig and bass. no other bags.

georgestrings · #20 02-07-2011, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THUNDERGODX

Stick a Monster Power or Furman Power Supply over that, and you're dealin like the Big Time.

This tells me that you really don't know what you're talking about...

- georgestrings