Racks

michaelgilleran · #1 08-26-2011, 07:35 AM

Stupid question, I know, but now that Im traveling with my head a lot, I need a rack for it. What do I need to know to make a good decision about what to buy?

Floyd Eye · #2 08-26-2011, 07:43 AM

Don't buy a cheap one. Get a good quality plywood and steel road rack.

michaelgilleran · #3 08-26-2011, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

Don't buy a cheap one. Get a good quality plywood and steel road rack.

Haha, well I was planning on that much. I meant more like, do I need to make sure dimensions line up, etc, or is it universal

Floyd Eye · #4 08-26-2011, 07:49 AM

I believe they make deep and shallow ones. You'll want one of the deep ones. Make sure it has enough space to add stuff later and keep one rack space open for ventilation. Mine is a 6 space and it cost me about $150.

michaelgilleran · #5 08-26-2011, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

I believe they make deep and shallow ones. You'll want one of the deep ones. Make sure it has enough space to add stuff later and keep one rack space open for ventilation. Mine is a 6 space and it cost me about $150.

Beautiful! Can I just pick one up at guitar center?

Floyd Eye · #6 08-26-2011, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelgilleran

Beautiful! Can I just pick one up at guitar center?

Yes, I believe so.

**mikeddd** · #7 08-26-2011, 08:14 AM

GC sells Roadrunner brand wooden racks. They are very good quality. I own two of them and would buy a third in a second. Road Runner Deluxe Effects Rack and more Rackmount Cases at GuitarCenter.com.

Make sure that your amp with the cables (if any stay connected all the time) will fit in the case, depth-wise. The rear cover front too) are deep and you can get another 1.5"-2.0" depth out of them. I.E. your cables/equipment can stick out from the back a little.

Stay away from the "Musicians Gear" racks. They are half the price of the Roadrunner racks for a reason. Wood is thin, latches flimsy, etc. You spent good money on your amp; protect it well.

rockstarbassist · #8 08-26-2011, 08:45 AM

The only ones I ever had fall apart were the aforementioned "Musician's Gear" brand. The RoadRunner stuff is great altho I've never had issues with SKB or Gator either...

I actually like the SKB X-Series stuff best tho if I'm not using a "road ready" style rack.

Jools4001 · #9 08-26-2011, 09:02 AM

Well a word of caution. Most 'off-the-shelf' rack cases are meant for 19" wide units that have rack ears. Lots of amp heads are rackable straight into these cases if you have the required rack ears or mounting kit...but you don't say what your head is ???

Your profile says Kustom KBA200 2x10 combo and I can't imagine you're talking about racking that, but if you've got a big old valve head or something, you'll probably need to seek out a proper flight case for it.

meycom · #10 08-26-2011, 09:11 AM

I bought both of my rack cases from Aaron Pearson. He does great work, they're reasonably prices and he does "custom" ones.

PEARSON CASES

SabreATK · #11 08-26-2011, 09:20 AM

The molded SKB racks are MUCH lighter and have a lifetime warranty.

Floyd Eye · #12 08-26-2011, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SabreATK

The molded SKB racks are MUCH lighter and have a lifetime warranty.

8x10 tips over in the van onto your SKB molded rack. Are you worried?

meycom · #13 08-26-2011, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SabreATK

The molded SKB racks are MUCH lighter and have a lifetime warranty.

Yes, plastic is lighter..

georgestrings · #14 08-26-2011, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

8x10 tips over in the van onto your SKB molded rack. Are you worried?

Only an idiot would pack the van so that an 810 could tip over... This rack has several hundred gigs on it, and is still going strong:

georgestrings · #15 08-26-2011, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SabreATK

The molded SKB racks are MUCH lighter and have a lifetime warranty.

Yup - I've been using SKB cases for years, and other than having a few latches replaced for free, I've never had any issues with them...

- georgestrings

Floyd Eye · #16 08-26-2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgestrings

Only an idiot would pack the van so that an 810 could tip over... This rack has several hundred gigs on it, and is still going strong:

Only an idiot would house their gear in something that isn't idiot proof.

BurningSkies · #17 08-26-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgestrings

Only an idiot would pack the van so that an 810 could tip over... This rack has several hundred gigs on it, and is still going strong:

I agree. I have a number of SKB racks, They've been treated well, but accidents do happen and they're still solid. I would hazard to guess, should a 810 tip over in the van on one of my racks it would be fine. I'm not sure why anyone would pack their 810 unsecured in some fashion though.

I've seen more 'standard' ply and metal racks come apart than SKBs.

I'm not sure why we're suggesting a 'deep' rack when we don't know how deep the amp is. No need to make it bigger than needed. A standard depth may be fine, or possibly a shallow rack, depending upon the gear.

georgestrings · #18 08-26-2011, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

Only an idiot would house their gear in something that isn't idiot proof.

Hey, I don't gig with idiots - so I don't have to worry about it as much as you do, apparantly... If you're knocking over 810s in your gig transport, you've got bigger problems than a rackcase can solve...

- georgestrings

Floyd Eye · #19 08-26-2011, 11:47 AM

By deep rack, I meant something bigger than a 14". What amp is 14"? Very few I suspect. As for an SKB standing up to an 8x10, I really wouldn't know, I have no plastic racks. I am virtually positive my steel and plywood rack would stand up to it. It seems to me that the plastic will give some. As for improper loading, it really isn't a matter of being an idiot, it's more a matter of accidents happen. Straps break, sometimes your drummer loads your stuff in the trailer and it all looks OK, but come on, he's a drummer ( I know, double check his work. lol).

Darknut · #20 08-26-2011, 11:51 AM

If you got roadies a heavy duty Anvil style is great & def is the best protection.

If its just you carrying it & you gig a lot you will hate a rack that weighs 20-50 lbs with nothing in it.

I'm my own roady & I have a light SKB rack that I would not trade for a "technically" better but much much heavier Anvil style case.