Road case necessary?

Eskimo Spy · #1 12-30-2010, 10:41 AM

Is a case a requirement or a luxury for an Ampeg SVT-CL head? I gig about 3-4x a month, all local stuff, no travel beyond 50 miles.

RickenBoogie · #2 12-30-2010, 11:26 AM

If you're the one handling it, and doing your own set up, then a case is an added expense, and unnecessary. If roadies and big trucks are in the picture, a road case is essential.

Marton · #3 12-30-2010, 11:32 AM

I would suggest a amp cover to protect it a little though.

Darylt · #4 12-30-2010, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

If you're the one handling it, and doing your own set up, then a case is an added expense, and unnecessary. If roadies and big trucks are in the picture, a road case is essential.

ditto - no fear if kept near, if someone else is handling get yourself a case. ( rhyming isn't my strong point )

LiquidMidnight · #5 12-30-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marton

I would suggest a amp cover to protect it a little though.

+1

Regardless of how careful you are with it, the head will get dings. They won't be major lesions, but minor scraps and scars are ineveitable without a cover.

Whether or not bothers you is, obviously, a personal preference.

Marton · #6 12-30-2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquidMidnight

+1

Regardless of how careful you are with it, the head will get dings. They won't be major lesions, but minor scraps and scars are ineveitable without a cover.

Whether or not bothers you is, obviously, a personal preference.

A small nick is not that bad, but knockin a knob is much harder with a cover, and the repair would probably cost much than a cheap cover.

alembicguy · #7 12-30-2010, 11:47 AM

I keep my SVT-CL in a case at all times except when playing. It is a bit of an extra weight issue but I feel better knowing it is protected when transporting it.

JimmyM · #8 12-30-2010, 11:52 AM

i don't even use a cover for my 69 svt. it's so beaten up at this point there's nothing worse i can do to it

but if i bought a new one, i would at least get a padded cover, and a road case if i had roadies.

alembicguy · #9 12-30-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

i don't even use a cover for my 69 svt. it's so beaten up at this point there's nothing worse i can do to it

but if i bought a new one, i would at least get a padded cover, and a road case if i had roadies.

If roadies count as my wife helping then I have a roadie.

gbazinet · #10 12-30-2010, 11:57 AM

I just bought a case for my vintage SVT. I play mostly local but stuff can get bumped around in the van. Since the amp is one of the most expensive things i own i want to protect my investment. I bought my case online from a company in Texas called "safe case" or something. It fits great and seems to be of good quality. Like somebody else here already said the case likely cost less then replacing a broken tone pot and/or retolexing a few years down the line. Also might help the resale value.

JoshuaTSP · #11 12-30-2010, 12:00 PM

who cares about the cosmetic stuff.....I'd be more worried about shearing off a knob or something. Not a huge deal, but a major PITA.

scott0606 · #12 12-30-2010, 12:14 PM

The only way I would get a road case is if the head was one of those expensive boutique heads. Even then, the road cases start to get up there in price since you have to get the padding inside custom fitting to the specs of the head. The guitar player in my band purchased a Tony Bruno amp head (apparently they're around $6-8K) and spent another $500 on a custom fitting case....

DarkArwen · #13 12-30-2010, 12:16 PM

I use a rackbag. It offers some protection, lots of storage and makes loading and packing up a breeze. Not quite a hard case, but if you are moving stuff yourself, it is more than adequate.

alembicguy · #14 12-30-2010, 12:19 PM

Not sure i have ever seen a rack bag for a SVT-CL.

Dirty Basstard · #15 12-30-2010, 12:22 PM

You should be mostly concerned with the effects of environment change (hot/cold) as it pertains to the tubes... mostly.

Eskimo Spy · #16 12-30-2010, 12:24 PM

Any suggestions for a soft case/cover?

I'm thinking about this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/D2F-Padded-Cover...item336282bd12

okcrum · #17 12-30-2010, 12:27 PM

Meh. There's a fair amount of win in a foam-lined road case for SVT. They are relatively cheap commodity items, but get the one of the ones with 4 big twist latches, and maybe wheels. Cheap protection for less than the cost of a set of output tubes, and if you ever sell it you just ship it in the case.

JimmyM · #18 12-30-2010, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirty Basstard

You should be mostly concerned with the effects of environment change (hot/cold) as it pertains to the tubes... mostly.

not tough to deal with. just don't turn it on if it's been in freezing temps until it gets warmed to room temp and it'll be fine.

anonymous122511 · #19 12-30-2010, 03:09 PM

Something I do with my speaker cabs and I'd certainly do to an SVT head if I ever got another is a hard slip-on cover with cut-outs to expose the unit's carry handles. Anyone who builds road cases can do this for not much more than a really good custom soft cover would cost. And if you ever do decide you want a full case you get the tray made.

My speaker cab cover also acts as a riser for the cab when in use. Dunno what you could do with an SVT cover but it's something else to consider maybe?

BassmanPaul · #20 12-30-2010, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eskimo Spy

Is a case a requirement or a luxury for an Ampeg SVT-CL head? I gig about 3-4x a month, all local stuff, no travel beyond 50 miles.

A road case is only necessary if you have an accident. Until then it's dead weight.

Same applies to lightweight amps. It may seem redundant to slot a LW into a rack case but the back of a vehicle is not a particularly safe place for your amp.