Rack vs Pack for a GK700RBII

Orpheus55 · #1 05-10-2011, 08:28 AM

I currently house a GK700RBII and a Furman power conditioner in an SKB rack, and it works fine, but makes for a heavy package. Lately, I've been thinking about reducing the weight by eliminating the power conditioner (which is useless except for the pretty lights) and carrying the amp in a nice GK shoulder bag I've seen at Musicians Friend. Anyone else ever do this? I travel solo and it would be inside my car.

BassMonstrum · #2 05-10-2011, 08:32 AM

Doesn't the Furman also protect from powersurges and spikes?

I'd keep it, but put them in one of those nylon-racks with a shoulderstrap. The Furman isn't that heavy, is it?

jnewmark · #3 05-10-2011, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orpheus55

I currently house a GK700RBII and a Furman power conditioner in an SKB rack, and it works fine, but makes for a heavy package. Lately, I've been thinking about reducing the weight by eliminating the power conditioner (which is useless except for the pretty lights) and carrying the amp in a nice GK shoulder bag I've seen at Musicians Friend. Anyone else ever do this? I travel solo and it would be inside my car.

I carry my Gk RB 700 II in a Gator small keyboard bag, room for cords, etc.

georgestrings · #4 05-10-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orpheus55

I currently house a GK700RBII and a Furman power conditioner in an SKB rack, and it works fine, but makes for a heavy package. Lately, I've been thinking about reducing the weight by eliminating the power conditioner (which is useless except for the pretty lights) and carrying the amp in a nice GK shoulder bag I've seen at Musicians Friend. Anyone else ever do this? I travel solo and it would be inside my car.

IIRC, the 700rb-II weighs 18lbs - my advice would be to lose the dead weight of the Furman, and put your amp in an SKB 2U rackcase... The carry bags are OK, but don't provide as much knob protection as a rackcase, and also won't keep stuff out of the cooling fan when you're playing - like a rackcase will...

- georgestrings

jnewmark · #5 05-10-2011, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgestrings

IIRC, the 700rb-II weighs 18lbs - my advice would be to lose the dead weight of the Furman, and put your amp in an SKB 2U rackcase... The carry bags are OK, but don't provide as much knob protection as a rackcase, and also won't keep stuff out of the cooling fan when you're playing - like a rackcase will...

- georgestrings

Since the fan is on top, is there enough room for proper ventilation ( 1" ) in a 2 space rack ?

Orpheus55 · #6 05-10-2011, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

Since the fan is on top, is there enough room for proper ventilation ( 1" ) in a 2 space rack ?

Truth be told, I've got them both in a SKB 3U now, never a problem with ventillation in three years.

hyp.spec · #7 05-10-2011, 07:47 PM

Just ordered a 3 space SKB short rack for my GK!

georgestrings · #8 05-10-2011, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

Since the fan is on top, is there enough room for proper ventilation ( 1" ) in a 2 space rack ?

Never had any trouble with mine in this case, including several 4 hour gigs in 95+F temps:

I'm pretty sure the manual for the earlier 700rb only specified 1/2" of fan clearance, whereas the later 700rb-II's manual specified 1"(additional precaution, perhaps?)... The pictured rack allowed for around 3/4" clearance, and as I said - mine never gave me a bit of trouble... In fact, it's still in the same 2U rackcase...

- georgestrings

ljazz · #9 05-11-2011, 03:37 AM

I use the shoulder bag..... never any problems. The outside pocket is used to store the power cable and speaker cables. I like it.

dmrogers · #10 05-11-2011, 05:22 AM

I have a couple of padded Gator bags for my Thunderfunks. I haven't had a problem yet. The bags are padded with extra thick padding around the perimeter of the bag to protect knobs & switches.

The SKB would be nice but limits your packing options when loading your gear. I don't travel that much and my heads travel in the cab of my truck or car, so I think they are covered.

Whichever option you choose, I would drop the Furman as well and get a good power strip with surge protection that you can carry in your backpack etc...

jg919 · #11 05-11-2011, 06:06 AM

Hi!
I don't know if this helps, but I usually keep my GK 700rbII in a 3 unit Effects-style roadcase (not the plastic kind), which is 3/4 the depth of a normal roadcase.
Nice and lightweight (for a roadcase), plenty of room for ventilation too!
...Just another (toughter) option!
JOHN

Orpheus55 · #12 05-11-2011, 06:22 AM

I will definitely lose the Furman, and I think I agree that the SKB 2U short ack would work. I did have to cut a small slot in my 3U for the out jack, but it was covered completely by the back cover; there was room enough inside for the cables, so I think a downsize to the 2 would work. As mentioned earlier, ventilation has never been a problem.

the yeti · #13 05-11-2011, 06:29 AM

i'd keep it in the rack. that vents out the top so 1 spilled anything would be bad.

Orpheus55 · #14 05-11-2011, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the yeti

i'd keep it in the rack. that vents out the top so 1 spilled anything would be bad.

Especially since guitar players tend to use my amp as a beer holder!

jnewmark · #15 05-11-2011, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orpheus55

I will definitely lose the Furman, and I think I agree that the SKB 2U short ack would work. I did have to cut a small slot in my 3U for the out jack, but it was covered completely by the back cover; there was room enough inside for the cables, so I think a downsize to the 2 would work. As mentioned earlier, ventilation has never been a problem.

Just curious here, why did you have to cut a " slot " for the out jack ? Are you talking about the speaker out ?

BassMonstrum · #16 05-11-2011, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orpheus55

Especially since guitar players tend to use my amp as a beer holder!

This seems to be a universal problem... my amp is a beertable and a coat-rack to everyone.

Orpheus55 · #17 05-11-2011, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

Just curious here, why did you have to cut a " slot " for the out jack ? Are you talking about the speaker out ?

Yes. The length of the jack housing required me to bend the cord over the lip of the rack's lower edge

georgestrings · #18 05-11-2011, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the yeti

i'd keep it in the rack. that vents out the top so 1 spilled anything would be bad.

Not to nitpick, but it actually draws cooling air in thru the top, and vents out the front...

- georgestrings

topcat2069 · #19 05-11-2011, 08:29 AM

I use the GK bag that came with my 1001RBII and have for the last 5 years... it works just fine and has held up nicely.

the yeti · #20 05-11-2011, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgestrings

Not to nitpick, but it actually draws cooling air in thru the top, and vents out the front...

- georgestrings

sorry. there's a bunch of holes in the top that allow liquid to have easy access to the internals; i'd keep it racked.