Micro Head racking solutions?

rojo412 · #1 03-29-2011, 07:25 AM

I just snagged a GK MB500 and I'm loving it! But it's replacing a rig that had everything I needed all wrapped up in a nice package... tuner, case, open it up, plug it in, good to go!

I know you can get rack ears for these and put them into an SKB or the like... but I wanted something cooler, something more appropriate.

Anyone know of anything besides the standard size?

I'm contemplating a custom (or customized) solution that would have room for a head, a small rack tuner, a power supply and room for cables to be packed away. Something that would essentially be all in 1 package and easy to setup and tear down.

And which tuner is about the same size as the MB500?

rojo412 · #2 04-01-2011, 07:13 AM

Nothing?

knucklehead G · #3 04-01-2011, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rojo412

And which tuner is about the same size as the MB500?

Baron Von Vik · #4 04-01-2011, 07:59 AM

Here's a few photos of my progress trough building an all-wood, faux-tolexed rackspace "head:"

Started with the straightest plank of 12x8 pine that I could find at Home Depot, also some 1x4 scrap pieces. Elmer's wood glued it into box shape, then planed/sanded the corners and edges round. Pre-drilled and screwed everything together.

Found some tolex-like material at the local fabric store. Cut it to size, diluted some of the wood glue with a bit of water, paintbrushed the glue to the outside of the box, then squeegeed the material flat and stapled it down on the inside.

I then spraypainted the entire thing, inside and out, flat black.
Then I recycled the corners and handle from a cheap little guitar amp,

...And voila. The 1x4 slats on the inside made effective rackmounts, and also braced the case. The electronics also brace the unit. It is rock-solid (and proven gig-worthy), plus it doesn't look like a black tupperware POS. No offense to plastic rack-case lovers

So anyway, may not be what you're looking for, but it's an option. Good luck!

MrLenny1 · #5 04-01-2011, 08:06 AM

I have been emailing the rack companies about a small rack for these heads.
No response. They are overlooking a good idea.
Maybe if enough TB'ers contact SKB,... etc. they might move on it.
The purpose of going small is to stay small and not put it in a 19" rack.

chokeslam512 · #6 04-01-2011, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrLenny1

I have been emailing the rack companies about a small rack for these heads.
No response. They are overlooking a good idea.
Maybe if enough TB'ers contact SKB,... etc. they might move on it.
The purpose of going small is to stay small and not put it in a 19" rack.

I agree that I would love to see smaller racks for the micro heads. This would also mean that amp manufacturers would need to have rack ears made for both sizes, power distribution manufacturers would have to make micro "conditioners", other manufacturers of rack gear would have to.... Well you get the idea. I love the idea of small rack cases but it requires a greater movement.

Baron, nice work!!

father of fires · #7 04-01-2011, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baron Von Vik

Here's a few photos of my progress trough building an all-wood, faux-tolexed rackspace "head:"

Started with the straightest plank of 12x8 pine that I could find at Home Depot, also some 1x4 scrap pieces. Elmer's wood glued it into box shape, then planed/sanded the corners and edges round. Pre-drilled and screwed everything together.

Found some tolex-like material at the local fabric store. Cut it to size, diluted some of the wood glue with a bit of water, paintbrushed the glue to the outside of the box, then squeegeed the material flat and stapled it down on the inside.

I then spraypainted the entire thing, inside and out, flat black.
Then I recycled the corners and handle from a cheap little guitar amp,

...And voila. The 1x4 slats on the inside made effective rackmounts, and also braced the case. The electronics also brace the unit. It is rock-solid (and proven gig-worthy), plus it doesn't look like a black tupperware POS. No offense to plastic rack-case lovers

So anyway, may not be what you're looking for, but it's an option. Good luck!

I love this!

You gave me some great ideas!

rojo412 · #8 04-01-2011, 08:37 AM

Good stuff, all around!

Love the DIY box, that's nice. I made one years ago out of melamite and pine and it weighed about 30 lbs... before the head was in it!

greenboy · #9 04-01-2011, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rojo412

Good stuff, all around!

Love the DIY box, that's nice. I made one years ago out of melamite and pine and it weighed about 30 lbs... before the head was in it!

I've built cheapy racks with 3/8" or 1/2" plywood and kept the rail depth down so the total weight was a lot less. Usually I just primed the front edges and shot 'em with cheap satin black rattle-can paint.

Wes Whitmore · #10 04-01-2011, 08:58 AM

You don't want a tuner the size of an MB500

Anyhow, I don't think I have ever seen a half rack width tuner.

You could put it all on a pedalboard, pre-wire, than put it in the pedalboard bag. That would be more portable than a custom rack. It might not be your thing though.
Wes

themarshall · #11 04-01-2011, 09:19 AM

I appreciate the plug & play convenience, but racking micro's seems an atavistic endeavor. However, multiple micros racked up together could be fun.

As for manufacturers offering micro - sized racks, don't hold your breath. Rack size is standardized & I don't think micro users are a big enough market to make it worth while, yet. Or it could be a niche.

mophead · #12 04-01-2011, 09:19 AM

The casestore on ebay makes some nice shallow rack ATA style cases that I have used for PA uses and probably will use to mount my tuner, Streamliner, and Shuttlemax 12. With some imagination you can store your cables, leave all units hooked up at all times and just plug in power and connect cab and play.

Reasonable pricing and nice protection.

mr.black · #13 04-01-2011, 09:36 AM

why not just velcro it to a rack shelf?

::::BASSIST:::: · #14 04-01-2011, 09:37 AM

I like my micros racked as well. Keeps them nicely protected and cuts down the hassle of looking for cables and plugging them in. The gkmb500 is so light that both units (which allow for alot of tonal control) are 8LBS + the 2u gator rack bag, which I like alot. I keep my pitchblack tuner and VT bass in the top pocket.

rojo412 · #15 04-01-2011, 09:37 AM

'Cuz I wanna small rack box!

::::BASSIST:::: · #16 04-01-2011, 09:41 AM

If you want a small rack box, I would just build my own. Markbass sells some but they are very expensive.

pasta4lnch · #17 04-01-2011, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

If you want a small rack box, I would just build my own. Markbass sells some but they are very expensive.

I had a thread on this a while back - they are stupid expensive ($300

). Anvil quoted me a price of around half.

to the OP I secretly wished there would be a standard size. would love to have a 1/2 rack w/ my LMII, BDDI and tuner

I've even toyed w/ the idea of getting a case for the LMII made a little taller w/ a slide out shelf for the two or three pedals I use . . .

greenboy · #18 04-01-2011, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mophead

The casestore on ebay makes some nice shallow rack ATA style cases that I have used for PA uses and probably will use to mount my tuner, Streamliner, and Shuttlemax 12. With some imagination you can store your cables, leave all units hooked up at all times and just plug in power and connect cab and play. Reasonable pricing and nice protection.

One and the same as Hybrid Cases, which has been around ever since I can remember.

The Case Store items - Get great deals on ATA AIRLINER Combo Amp Cases items on eBay Stores!

Hybrid Cases

They build good lighweight stuff as well as the heavier variety, and the prices are good. They also have some unique items.

scowboy · #19 04-01-2011, 09:53 AM

I used to have an Eden WT-550 and did something similar. I ordered a set of WT-800 rack ears and then did have to re-drill one hole to mount it on the head. Then I had an Anvil type rack made by Encore Cases for it with vents on the side and everything. So effectively I had a rack but it was very small and not a full 19" wide. I used to hang out on the Eden forum a lot and a guy there did it originally so I cannot take credit for the idea. Actually there were a lot of guys doing cool custom cases with the smaller Eden heads. This was before there were tons of micros available. The pictures over there are long gone I just looked. If you want to see what mine looked like sent me a PM with your email address I might have one at home.

Also I know that LDS will those types of custom builds as well.

mophead · #20 04-01-2011, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

One and the same as Hybrid Cases, which has been around ever since I can remember.

The Case Store items - Get great deals on ATA AIRLINER Combo Amp Cases items on eBay Stores!

Hybrid Cases

They build good lighweight stuff as well as the heavier variety, and the prices are good. They also have some unique items.

I have found their 1/4" cases to be plenty for what I do. Local gigs and they weigh less. Been on a real weight loss thing lately. Used a 12 space 1/4" shallow for the new PA setup with Crown lightweight amps and the PA lost 160 pounds, sounds great, and we can run more monitors than we own. I can move it all myself now and the cases work great and look nice at the same time. Doubt that I could build anything for the same money, especially if you count your time in building.