Rack case recommendations?

[rodgersk24]

Hello,

I was just wondering if anyone has had any recommendations on cases? I'm mainly looking at SKB, Eurolite, and Road Runner cases now, but very open to suggestions!

I ask, mainly, because I was at the local Guitar Center, talking with the "gear manager" (apologies to those who work at Guitar Center, or know those who do, I don't know the exact title... he was the manager of that area...) and he said that he used an SKB plastic case for his bass head. He said he had bad luck with it, because the head got so hot it warped the plastic case, and he could no longer remove the head, so he had to have it cut out. He ended up switching to a Road Runner case, and therefore recommended that to me. However, the local Best Buy is one of the trial stores for the music store, and I talked to the manager there and he said he's had no problems with the SKB cases they sell.

Notes that may help...
Both GC and BB have the same line of plastic cases from SKB. The GC manager's head was a two-space head, and he used a two-space case.

Just curious is that's common with plastic cases. Is it worth it to go with the wood ones, or is that a rare case? Is it worth the extra weight to have case made out of birchwood instead of plastic? I do care about protection, too, but I'm an amateur bassist that plays mainly local coffee houses and bars, so I don't need anything super fancy. I wouldn't like to spend any more than $150, but will if it's worth it. I have a two-space Ashdown head, and would like to get a four space head: two for the amp, one for ventilation, and one for a compressor.

I checked both local and google searches, and really didn't find anything, but apologies if I missed something.

Also, apologies if this is in the wrong forum.

Thanks in advance!

Kyle

[georgestrings]

Well, SKB ATA cases have served this "weekend warrior" well for years... The GC employee's story of a bass amp warping an SKB case is pure BS - don't believe it...

Between bass an PA gear, I've gotta have atleast 10 SKB cases in my house - and other than replacing a little hardware, they've been flawless... Also, SKB happily sent me out any replacement hardware - without hassle, just for asking - because they're lifetime warranteed...

Now, I don't tour any more - but I still average around 70 gigs per year, so my stuff isn't just sitting home...



- georgestrings

[rodgersk24]

See, I thought that was BS because I know that SKB is known for its reliability... isn't it the case company that Fender uses for it's higher-end basses? I seem to remember reading you can get a "Fender SKB Flight Case"...

I'm assuming you mean this one, just to be sure?

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ase?sku=544604

The review at the bottom also mentions melting, so I may search around on the Internet and see what I can find.

However, that lifetime warranty is VERY tempting... I'm kind of in the mode now of getting stuff with lifetime warranties so I don't have to deal with problems again... thinking of getting cables from a company with lifetime warranty stuff, too! So I may strongly consider the SKB case because of the warranty!

Thanks georgestrings!

Anyone else?

[RickenBoogie]

I really like my RoadRunner case, built to take it, and not made of plastic. Oddly, the carry handle is built into one of the lids, so that always seems weird, but I've had no problem with it.

[CaptainSir]

pretty much everyone i have ever talked to locally that uses racks, depend on skb i personally have one : molded plastic 6 space with handles molded into sides not on stupid hinges that snap off after a month. never had a problem with heat. my buddy is a dj and has a skb 8 space with 2 qsc 1602s in his rack plus others stuff never had a problem... not going to lie guy at guitar center might just want you to buy road runner due to stock or price but ask around and get what you like better

[unclejam]

check out hybridcases.com

[southshoreconor]

right now i use an odyssey 6 space shock mounted case like this

the middle one.

it's held up great over the past few years but my band just got an endorsement from Mental Case Cases so we may be trying those out for our amps, cabs, and drums in the near future.

[rbonner]

Originally Posted by georgestrings

Well, SKB ATA cases have served this "weekend warrior" well for years... The GC employee's story of a bass amp warping an SKB case is pure BS -don't believe it...

Believe it. I've told this story on here a couple times now. I own an SKB Roto 8U case. I like the case a lot. Its solid rugged and very nicely built. I bought it new and slid an AMPEG SVT4PRO head into it. I didn't check the side clearance, fired up the amp and within just a couple of minutes I paused in my playing and heard the amp's fan at full speed...

***?

I stopped, spun the head around so I could see in the back. The AMPEG sucks cooling air in on one side of the head and it blows out very hot air on the other side. In the manual it recommends three inches of side clearance on each side of the amp...

The SKB only provides about 3/16th of an inch.

Well the hot side of my amp had BECOME SOFT and sucked in and was flush across all of the cooling vents on my amp. This was within just a couple minutes of playing.

If your buddy at GC had played long enough to completely melt in an AMPEG 4PRO he also burned down the amplifier.... If I had continued to play my amp would have shut down within a few more minutes I feel and possibly would have damaged itself severely.

I believe this story completely as I have seen the process myself.

I now have the case on my LITTLE BOY AMP; this amp cools back to front without any side cooling required and the case is excellent.

You just have to realize which kind of amplifier you own... and buy accordingly. SKB is one of the finest cases out there and I recommend it completely. But for a 4PRO... NO NO NO and $0.50 cents your buddy was playing a 4PRO.

BOB

[bertbassplayer]

http://www.audiopile.net/products/Ca...cts_page.shtml
I use one of these, they are cheap and work pretty well.

[blondmix3]

I've used both, but I currently use a Road Runner 4 space and love it. Very rugged, looks great, and has rear rails as well (I've mounted my rackmount surge and DI's back there).

[rodgersk24]

Thanks everyone! I believe my Ashdown head pushes the heat out of the back, but if there's that little clearance between the side of your Ampeg and the SKB I may just get a wood one. Thanks again everyone! I may check out http://www.grundorf.com/ and support a fellow Iowan's company. Thanks to Mudfuzz for that!

Thanks again everyone!

[heath_r_91]

plastic cases CAN melt.

My Gator bass case melted and now doesn't clamp straight unless you push down on it.

It really does happen. If you are a weekend warrior they should do just fine. However, if you are touring and your stuff will be staying in a trailer then I would definitely recommend a "real" case.

As far as which one to go with, I don't think there is much of a difference beyond measurements. Just make sure you get AT LEAST 1/4" wood. I know some places try to sell cases with 1/8" wood and those would just have to be rediculously flimsy.

[joegeezer]

Forget all the plastic crap, and but a case that will take what's dished out. Buy a Pearson case!! Made by a musician for musician's! If your cabs are black carpet, as most are, it will match your stuff, and they are heavy duty. Your not gonna melt one, thats for sure. I won't buy any other brand.

[m1911]

I've purchased several case in a wide range of sizes from Calzone Cases in Connecticut.
I had them make one particular case to accomidate an Aguilar DB-750 Head in the bottom two slots, with a Korg DTR-2000 in the top slot for a total of three.
I'll take a picture sometime this week and post it for you.

There is a sale agent at Calzone named Linda Tilson that REALLY knows her business and will guide you through exact sizes and hardware that makes the most sense for every application you may have.
Good Luck,
Mark
http://www.calzonecase.com/applications/music.html
Phone: (972) 241-3998
linda.tilson@calzonecase.com

[BOTTOMBOOMER]

Originally Posted by rbonner

Believe it. I've told this story on here a couple times now. I own an SKB Roto 8U case. I like the case a lot. Its solid rugged and very nicely built. I bought it new and slid an AMPEG SVT4PRO head into it. I didn't check the side clearance, fired up the amp and within just a couple of minutes I paused in my playing and heard the amp's fan at full speed...

***?

I stopped, spun the head around so I could see in the back. The AMPEG sucks cooling air in on one side of the head and it blows out very hot air on the other side. In the manual it recommends three inches of side clearance on each side of the amp...

The SKB only provides about 3/16th of an inch.

Well the hot side of my amp had BECOME SOFT and sucked in and was flush across all of the cooling vents on my amp. This was within just a couple minutes of playing.

If your buddy at GC had played long enough to completely melt in an AMPEG 4PRO he also burned down the amplifier.... If I had continued to play my amp would have shut down within a few more minutes I feel and possibly would have damaged itself severely.

I believe this story completely as I have seen the process myself.

I now have the case on my LITTLE BOY AMP; this amp cools back to front without any side cooling required and the case is excellent.

You just have to realize which kind of amplifier you own... and buy accordingly. SKB is one of the finest cases out there and I recommend it completely. But for a 4PRO... NO NO NO and $0.50 cents your buddy was playing a 4PRO.

BOB

Ouch!!!

I have the same rack and an SVT-4Pro too.

I just looked at mine and it does appear that one side is slightly tighter in than the other. I like this rack so I'm going to cut a nice clean hole in front of the vent on one side and the fan on the other. There are so many folds in the walls of this rack that it won't affect the structure at all and it will have all the ventilation it needs.

Good thing I read this topic!!

[rodgersk24]

m1911, do you mind me asking how much you paid for your custom case? I think a five-space would be wonderful for me! If you don't mind, but don't want to put it on here, please feel free to PM me, just curious what one would run.

And a pic would be great, thanks! No rush, take your time! I really appreciate it!

[Snakeman1066]

another vote for Pearson cases here!

Drew is a super nice guy and his stuff is priced and built very very well...i won't use anything else

last time i checked a 4 space DEEP rack was around $80.00

http://www.pearsoncases.com

i have also found that when your playing an outside gig in Texas in August an SKB case is not the best thing to have your gear mounted in...lol

[m1911]

Originally Posted by rodgersk24

m1911, do you mind me asking how much you paid for your custom case? I think a five-space would be wonderful for me! If you don't mind, but don't want to put it on here, please feel free to PM me, just curious what one would run.

And a pic would be great, thanks! No rush, take your time! I really appreciate it!

Hi Roger,
I should have a pic this week. I remember paying somewhere around $200~$225 so I went back and scanned my OLD e-mails and found this:

Hi Mark,
The orange case in the picture is not a shock mounted rack, just standard Escort construction with all recessed hardware. The 14" deep case in light duty hardware, all recessed is $195., the 16" deep is $217. The Escort series in 14" deep is $219. and 16" is $237. Give a call when you're ready.

Linda Tilson
Pro Tour Sales & Design
800-243-5152 ext 127
ph 203-367-5766
fax 203-336-4406


When my kid was heading off to (Music) College....I worked with Linda to design a huge Footlocker/Closet/Roadcase that holds 6 Guitars in their CASES. I was litterally considering a Gun-Safe until I thought of this.
We customized locks, hardware, etc and while at School he uses it vertically like a refrigerator. I'm sure he'll use it like a Footlocker with wheels when he gets out. This was somewhere between $600~$700.

Great Stuff!
Mark

[P. Aaron]

I have been using an SKB double rack case for almost a decade. It has held up well for the 2 Hartke amps that have resided there. Both pulled air from the front and cool out the back. Neither ever got warm, currently the LH1000 lives in there.

Not ever having used a tube amp for bass, I have no idea what they put out for heat, or how they need to vent.

Why a double? Well GC did not have single space case when I was there...got impatient & bought the double.

I use the extra space to stash the speakons, power plug, extension chord and power strip in there.

Eventually, I'm going to use an oversize gym bag so I don't have that stuff clanigin' around in there.

[Jim C]

Anybody try these cases from Rondo Music?

http://www.rondomusic.com/equipmentracks.html