SKB 6U for Ampeg SVT2

[Blade3dge]

Hey guys I've been asking around a fair bit trying to finish up my perfect gig rig and while I have most of the gear I'm still trying to suss out what to go with for my rackmount. My current idea is to go with a 6 unit. I was thinking the SKB would be the way to go except for another forum member a long time back posted that his 4 unit SKB overheated because of the recessed handles not allowing room for the side air vent. My plan would be to have the SVT, a free space and a tuner above it in this here:

6U Roll-X Rack Case by SKB Cases

If I went with this in your opinions would I have overheating issues?

6U Roto Rolling Rack by SKB Cases

I was also considering this but protection isn't that big a deal for me, my gear is always taken care of but if this by some miracle is less likely to overheat I will go with this one (I did notice it's actually larger in size so that may be the case).

Also do I need to take the feet off my Ampeg to mount it?

[bassgod0dmw]

I'm not sure about overheating, but I'm not a fan of those Roto racks. The rear panel is a little door, not a full panel cover like the front. It can make connecting things a PITA. I would say before you buy see if you can check one out to know what I'm talking about.

I think I remember reading about the side vent on those and how it's best to keep it from being blocked if possible. Based on that I'd probably go with a "regular" rack if it were me. Tubes+heat=bad.

[anderbass]

I removed the rubber feet on my SVT-II (non-pro), they were pretty tall and took up an extra 1/2 rack space. You might be able to leave yours on but just make sure the amp ends up resting on the floor of the case and not just hanging from the rack ears.

My SVT-II has no vent holes in the top or bottom pannel, so I dont think leaving an extra empty space above/below it makes any real difference in cooling.

I agree with bassgod0dmw, those SKB roto/and x-racks have a small rear pannel door design that could end up affecting airflow into the fans side-intake. I also think both of those rack models you linked are kinda flimsy for a head as heavy as an SVT-II... I wouldnt want my SVT-II rolling around on those hard/little wheels either, going over bumps, cracks in the sidewalk/over curbs-etcetera would cause quite a bit of shock to the amp and I always prefer using a hand truck with much larger pneumatic tires.


I gigged my SVT-II in an Anvil brand 5-space for a couple years, It gave a full 1-1/2" of side clearance for the fan intake. Then I bought a Pearson shallow 4-space rack that I've gigged for several more years without any overhearing Issues, It gives one Inch of clearance on the fan side and that seems to be all that's really needed:

[Blade3dge]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

I'm not sure about overheating, but I'm not a fan of those Roto racks. The rear panel is a little door, not a full panel cover like the front. It can make connecting things a PITA. I would say before you buy see if you can check one out to know what I'm talking about.

I think I remember reading about the side vent on those and how it's best to keep it from being blocked if possible. Based on that I'd probably go with a "regular" rack if it were me. Tubes+heat=bad.

What do you mean by a little door? Does it not come off or?

Also how do you define regular rack? I'm really not after anything fancy or something to keep it safe. Keeping everything in a rack has more to do with simplifying the setup than anything else for me so I don't need to do two trips to my car for my tuner and my amp and then have to figure out some way of raising it off my Ampeg so the radiant heat doesn't melt it. To me that's the only purpose my rack needs to serve so I'm trying to avoid all the big heavy options. But naturally I don't exactly want to buy something that's gonna damage my amp.

Any advice? Or has anybody else had experience with SKB racks (other than the 4U) and Ampeg SVTIIs?

[Blade3dge]

Originally Posted by anderbass

I removed the rubber feet on my SVT-II (non-pro), they were pretty tall and took up an extra 1/2 rack space. You might be able to leave yours on but just make sure the amp ends up resting on the floor of the case and not just hanging from the rack ears.

My SVT-II has no vent holes in the top or bottom pannel, so I dont think leaving an extra empty space above/below it makes any real difference in cooling.

I agree with bassgod0dmw, those SKB roto/and x-racks have a small rear pannel door design that could end up affecting airflow into the fans side-intake. I also think both of those rack models you linked are kinda flimsy for a head as heavy as an SVT-II... I wouldnt want my SVT-II rolling around on those hard/little wheels either, going over bumps, cracks in the sidewalk/over curbs-etcetera would cause quite a bit of shock to the amp and I always prefer using a hand truck with much larger pneumatic tires.


I gigged my SVT-II in an Anvil brand 5-space for a couple years, It gave a full 1-1/2" of side clearance for the fan intake. Then I bought a Pearson shallow 4-space rack that I've gigged for several more years without any overhearing Issues, It gives one Inch of clearance on the fan side and that seems to be all that's really needed:

Flimsy isn't really a concern but good call on the rolling over cracks etc point, I didn't consider that heh. As for removing the bottom feet is it just a matter of unscrewing them or do the screws hold in more than just the feet?

[Bassoballs]

I had mine in an SKB case for a while. The mounting rails are not strong enough to support the weight of the amp. The entire case would flex causing the rails to bend and eventually break.

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by Blade3dge

What do you mean by a little door? Does it not come off or?

Instead of having a full cover like the front, it has a small panel on the back. It does come off, but it's a much smaller opening. If the rack isn't much deeper than the amp, you may have trouble connecting cables to it while being racked up.

Also how do you define regular rack?

Just a standard SKB/Gator/Road Ready/Etc. 19" deep rack with full access covers on both the front and the back.

I'm really not after anything fancy or something to keep it safe. Keeping everything in a rack has more to do with simplifying the setup

Do you already own the rack tuner? If not, I don't see the point of getting a rack at all. The entire purpose of it is to protect your gear. If you don't want protection, just use a pedal tuner. Setup will be quicker, the whole thing will weight less, and you won't have any of this pesky "protection" for your $2000 tube amp.

Originally Posted by Blade3dge

Flimsy isn't really a concern

I would be concerned about it. Do you really want to lift an 80+lb amp in something that can't support it?

[meycom]

+1 to the Pearson case... I had him build a case with special venting for my SVT-3 without
any overheating issues. Gigged it over three years now.

[anderbass]

Originally Posted by Blade3dge

Flimsy isn't really a concern but good call on the rolling over cracks etc point, I didn't consider that heh. As for removing the bottom feet is it just a matter of unscrewing them or do the screws hold in more than just the feet?

Your amp is probably the heaviest 4-space bass head ever made. Both those SKB racks you linked were intended for much lighter gear.

The rubber feet screws dont hold anything else, you can just remove them.

Originally Posted by Blade3dge

What do you mean by a little door? Does it not come off or?

Yeah they come off but you end up with a 2 or 3 inch lip all around the back side like the pic below shows. Were just suggesting you buy a higher quality rack that has a full-size back opening like most others do.

[Blade3dge]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

Do you already own the rack tuner? If not, I don't see the point of getting a rack at all. The entire purpose of it is to protect your gear. If you don't want protection, just use a pedal tuner. Setup will be quicker, the whole thing will weight less, and you won't have any of this pesky "protection" for your $2000 tube amp.



I would be concerned about it. Do you really want to lift an 80+lb amp in something that can't support it?

Haha, I am completely defeated. You raise a few very good points my man. I should elaborate further and say I do want the protection but I'm hardly pedantic about it, I want it safe but I handle all my own gear (especially given I'm the only person I know strong enough to carry my gear :P) so while I'm concerned about protection I can be honest with myself and say it doesn't need much more than the minimum and getting big heavy protection is more likely to lead to drops on account of "**** that's heavy" which actually causes more problems than it solves :P.

I also found a photo of the SKB back panel... YUCK! You are 100% right that piece of **** is unusable. This however:

6U Roto Rolling Rack by SKB Cases

Doesn't have the back door, and with it offering better protection it seems a lot more usable, plus the latches look a lot better.

http://www.skbcases.com/music/produc...le=image_alt_7

I'm about ready to give up one SKB if we think that this will have a venting problem but it seems to meet all the other requirements. Whats the thoughts?

[Blade3dge]

Originally Posted by meycom

+1 to the Pearson case... I had him build a case with special venting for my SVT-3 without
any overheating issues. Gigged it over three years now.

Im looking into the Pearson stuff now. Sounds pretty groovy

[Blade3dge]

Originally Posted by anderbass

Your amp is probably the heaviest 4-space bass head ever made. Both those SKB racks you linked were intended for much lighter gear.

Nodnod

[bassgod0dmw]

What about something simple like this? I'm not sure what it can support, but it seems like it can't be that bad.

Musician's Gear Rack Flight Case: Shop Accessories & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

[NKUSigEp]

Originally Posted by Blade3dge

Hey guys I've been asking around a fair bit trying to finish up my perfect gig rig and while I have most of the gear I'm still trying to suss out what to go with for my rackmount. My current idea is to go with a 6 unit. I was thinking the SKB would be the way to go except for another forum member a long time back posted that his 4 unit SKB overheated because of the recessed handles not allowing room for the side air vent. My plan would be to have the SVT, a free space and a tuner above it in this here:

6U Roll-X Rack Case by SKB Cases

If I went with this in your opinions would I have overheating issues?

6U Roto Rolling Rack by SKB Cases

I was also considering this but protection isn't that big a deal for me, my gear is always taken care of but if this by some miracle is less likely to overheat I will go with this one (I did notice it's actually larger in size so that may be the case).

Also do I need to take the feet off my Ampeg to mount it?

I've had that exact rack (6U) for 7 years now and it has housed an Ampeg SVTII-Pro, SVTIII-Pro, Mesa Bass 400+, Aguilar DB750, SWR WM4004, Aguilar AG500, Aguilar AG500SC, and various rack FX...

I have zero issues to report with overheating...actually there are zero issues to report with anything. Plus I'll add that the durability of these is outstanding.

[Alex1984]

I ended up mounting mine in an Ampeg SVT-RC type case. Top and bottom space doesn't matter too much. But yeah, with a good rack, it'd weigh quite a bit. I've used heavier-duty SKB cases without much of a problem too, but I'd still opt to go for something a little more durable, I've seen some nasty breakdowns of rack cases before, and trust me, it's not something you'd wanna see on an SVT.

[Blade3dge]

Originally Posted by Alex1984

I ended up mounting mine in an Ampeg SVT-RC type case. Top and bottom space doesn't matter too much. But yeah, with a good rack, it'd weigh quite a bit. I've used heavier-duty SKB cases without much of a problem too, but I'd still opt to go for something a little more durable, I've seen some nasty breakdowns of rack cases before, and trust me, it's not something you'd wanna see on an SVT.

Sounds like you might have a few interesting stories, care to share?

[Blade3dge]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

What about something simple like this? I'm not sure what it can support, but it seems like it can't be that bad.

Musician's Gear Rack Flight Case: Shop Accessories & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

What the hell? That looks like pretty much exactly what I'm after (not to mention a decent price). I might have to double check the weight of them but how in the heck did I miss that :P

Originally Posted by NKUSigEp

I've had that exact rack (6U) for 7 years now and it has housed an Ampeg SVTII-Pro, SVTIII-Pro, Mesa Bass 400+, Aguilar DB750, SWR WM4004, Aguilar AG500, Aguilar AG500SC, and various rack FX...

I have zero issues to report with overheating...actually there are zero issues to report with anything. Plus I'll add that the durability of these is outstanding.

Thanks for that. Good to hear from somebody with experience with it... Choices choices.

[Blade3dge]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

What about something simple like this? I'm not sure what it can support, but it seems like it can't be that bad.

Musician's Gear Rack Flight Case: Shop Accessories & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

At a second glance though those handles would dig into you when trying to carry the SVT if not snap off entirely not to mention I can't find any weight specs for it, would anybody know where I can find the specs for this or any similar (hopefully light) products with better handles?