Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Carvin BX500 stand alone or rackmount?
- Thread starter karatone
- Start date
Vinxbass, I thought you had the shallow X rack, Our cases are different, my case has two levers that unlock a smaller rear panel. I can see you have much more space for cables than I do.
This might be a stupid question but I just got the same 2space rackmount for my ashdown head and I was wondering how the h*ll do you manage to screw in the head to the rackmount?? I have some bolts and nuts but there is just no way to reach inside the rackmount to place the nut on the bolt? Am i missing something?
How do we install rack mountable gear in an SKB style rack? They sell nuts that snap in over the big holes in the rack rails, then you place the gear over the rack rails and insert the mounting screws from the front.
This stuff.... http://store.skbcases.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=2&idproduct=11
Why add weight to your rig? Throw it in a Targus laptop bag and be done with it. A major feature of this head is how light it is... why screw that up?
Wow thanks a lot. I wasted sooooo much time screwing around with this. I never even knew these existed. I`m going shopping right now!
Protection at a small addition of weight to an already tiny amp. If you're used to 40+ lbs heads, whats the difference in a 5lb amp or a 10lb rack if you're concerned about protecting your amp from stuff?
I use a Genz benz shuttle max 12.0, it's 7lbs, and I just carry it in the padded bag supplied with it for now, but as soon as I add a wireless system I'll put it in a rack for convenience. It's not like it's ever going to break my back regardless of if it's in a rack or not.
Just curious. Why wouldn't you guys use a 3-4 space rack and further protect - (maybe more importantly), your unit with a rackmount power conditioner?? I always thought that was a given. 
Carvin now sells a bag for the BX500, I think it's about $20 and it's a perfect fit. As others have mentioned I was using a laptop style bag for mine because I was in love with the tiny near-weightless beauty of this amp...I got a real kick out of handing it to people and saying, "Would you mind holding my bass amp?" and seeing the look of disbelief on their face 
But what I found is that the bag kept pushing in the tube bypass and impedance switches on the back of the head...not good. If you forget to check and have it set for 2 ohms when you're running into a 4 ohm cab that can cause the amp to shut down according to Carvin. I haven't experienced this and don't want to.
So I got an SKB 2 space shallow X-Rack and that's a beautiful fit: http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/SKB-RotoMolded-XRACK2-Shallow-Rack?sku=544539#new
Yes, it adds a little weight, but I'm still shocked every time I lift it, it feels like there's no amp in there!
But what I found is that the bag kept pushing in the tube bypass and impedance switches on the back of the head...not good. If you forget to check and have it set for 2 ohms when you're running into a 4 ohm cab that can cause the amp to shut down according to Carvin. I haven't experienced this and don't want to.
So I got an SKB 2 space shallow X-Rack and that's a beautiful fit: http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/SKB-RotoMolded-XRACK2-Shallow-Rack?sku=544539#new
Yes, it adds a little weight, but I'm still shocked every time I lift it, it feels like there's no amp in there!
Just curious. Why wouldn't you guys use a 3-4 space rack and further protect - (maybe more importantly), your unit with a rackmount power conditioner?? I always thought that was a given.
Well, at the risk of completely derailing this thread, I have been advised by numerous TB'ers that power conditioners do nothing that a $10 power strip doesn't and just add considerable weight and expense to your rack.
True? I can't really say. I guess you could argue the protection aspect, but you certainly can't deny the weight impact. I have 2 Furman PL-8 Plus units at home and they weigh in around 14 pounds. Dropping that into a rack with the BX500 means you now have a rack weighing over 20 pounds and are officially out of the "ultralight" amp category.
So I'm taking my chances with the power strip.
Just curious. Why wouldn't you guys use a 3-4 space rack and further protect - (maybe more importantly), your unit with a rackmount power conditioner?? I always thought that was a given.
I have mine in a 4 spacer arack along with my IEM unit, SABDI and X@ wireless. That is why I use a rack so it is all prewired. I gave up on the racked power as there wasn't enough roon. I mounted a decent powerstrip in the back with tie strips. I fix PC's and from what I understand the rack AC units don't offer any more protection. If I had the room in the rack i would still use one though.
CP
I thought the whole idea of heads like the BX500 were to REDUCE weight, not add to it? The head itself fits nicely in any laptop bag. The general consensus on TB about power conditioners is that they really don't do much except, you guessed it, add weight.
+1......totally agree!!
As I've said before, it seems a shame to mount a 12" or 14" component in a 19" rack. How great would it be if the manufacturers could get together and come up with a "mini component" rack standard. Tuners, effects, etc. could all be mounted in a protective case that is more size appropriate. Very valuable for the gigging pro!!
