Class D size vs standardization

[Jeff Bonny]

How difficult is it to fab rack ears and face plates? There being no standard height many (most?) class D heads will require two rack spaces but if you’re willing to shlep a rack what difference does that make?

As far as how an 800w head the size of a Stephen King paperback looks sitting on an 8x10 cab I gotta admit I had issues with that at first. I’m over it.

 

[agedhorse]

You should send your suggestions to the Central Planning Committee.

Don't get me started

 

[fdeck]

Just a couple of minor notes, almost asides...

And in a hard case, when your head is yanked off its cab it's less likely to be damaged.

I use an old bicycle innertube as a bungee to hold my micro head down on my cab. Indeed, innertubes are a good example of standardization.

I always bring a backup amp head, seems like many do not.

I have an old soft briefcase with a spare head and a variety of cables. But it just stays in the car when I load into the venue.

 

[gumtown]

Rack gear is oh-so ‘90s...
(Maybe even oh-so ‘80s-ish)

You beat me to it, I haven't used rack bass gear since then.

I use floor modelers and a custom built class D 4x6.5"+Horn 500w combo, switchable between FRFR or bass EQ.
I can carry the entire rig with bass bag over shoulder, combo in one hand and the floor-modeler+leads suitcase in the other hand.
(actually not entirely true - I also use an angled amp stand too, which requires another trip to the wagon).

Haven't used my Marshall 450 watt all tube head and 8x10 fridge for a while.

 

[AudioTaper]

It's fun to hear what some players think should be a standard and why.

 

[sawzalot]

Man there’s a whole lotta TL;DR in this thread.

 

[Gaolee]

Hi cheechi



Size matters!



may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass

Yep. I still schlep a 360. Yeah, I'm old and stupid, but my back works and I have a van. Hah!

 

[neddyrow]

This is a much easier load in...

Than this...

The rig, not the basses of course.

I love the Iamp and the rack case but the AI is 900watts and fits in a gig bag. So much more convenient

 

[logdrum]

Euphonic Audio is partly to blame because the speaker cover for the Wizzy had a compartment that was the right size for the iAmp and then everyone seems to just have followed. Of course I could be totally wrong on this.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Zero desire to haul things in a rack now. I used to have a few racks and had to give them away. Nobody wants them. Basically, the Line 6 HX Stomp on my pedalboard does everything that the huge rack that Muzz Skillings of Living Colour had on tour that I drooled over in the early 90's.

 

[JohnnyChatter]

I took the feet off my Tone hammer 500 and bolted it into a 15 dollar rack shelf... It’s my back up rig since I’m 32 and fit and prefer heavier gear. Most my old heads were 3u or 4u. If I wanted to put another head in there I would just get a bigger rack. Honestly I’m just thankful I’m not carrying an Ampeg 2 Pro around in a rack anymore. The TH500 is only in the rack because I prefer the samsamp rack to my Sansamp pedals and I want to add a Fender TBP-1 to the setup but have been having a hard time finding one at a decent price. Most rack gear has been made into pedals and not to generalize but 70% of musicians aren’t in the greatest shape and want to carry as little as possible.

 

[TrueNorthMatt]

If this is of interest to anyone, GK has these available for sale:

Invalid Link Removed

 

[jamro217]

I'm not upset that the class D amps don't fit racks, I'm upset that that don't quite fit in the corner compartment of my bass case.

 

[AudioTaper]

Man there’s a whole lotta TL;DR in this thread.

Help me out... TL;DR?

 

[AudioTaper]

This thread is making me want to go try out a Mesa 800D.
Thanks a lot there guys...

Sweetwater shows it with a shoulder bag. Is that standard?

 

[avvie]

Help me out... TL;DR?

Too Long; Didn't Read

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I've got nothing for you other than the fact that I don't own a rack and don't really even know anybody that does. When I replaced my first head with my current one, my thinking wasn't about getting ears to fit a rack, it was the fact that I got literally twice the non-peak power at approximately half the weight. Cutting a few cubic inches in bulk was also a plus.

Depending on the head, I also imagine that it's not all that hard to make some ears to fit a rack with a couple of hours and maybe a square foot of sheet metal.

Yup, rack ears: first rack I've had in 2 decades. Why now you ask?
Simplicity 2 or 3 cables and I'm ready to rock.
Sure the rack doubles the weight, but at setup time I'm setting up the whole PA package mains/monitors lights (all active speakers , again simplicity)
So modularity for me increases convenience. There is still a weight savings overall.
Dig it.
The whole rack cables and power Distribution included comes in at about 15lbs.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I've got nothing for you other than the fact that I don't own a rack and don't really even know anybody that does. When I replaced my first head with my current one, my thinking wasn't about getting ears to fit a rack, it was the fact that I got literally twice the non-peak power at approximately half the weight. Cutting a few cubic inches in bulk was also a plus.

Depending on the head, I also imagine that it's not all that hard to make some ears to fit a rack with a couple of hours and maybe a square foot of sheet metal.

Or get a shelf and Velcro the head to it.

 

[AudioTaper]

Something we do a lot at work (not audio related business) for 19" rackmount stuff that doesnt have rack ears is to get a rackmount shelf and drill holes that line up with mounting feet holes on the bottom of the unit. Works just fine for a $10K oscilloscope.

 

[leftyjohn]

Hmmmm..... My plan is to get rack mounted gear when I get roadies. (That will right after I get the bus and some groupies.) Can I say stuff like this here?
Until then it is the lightest gear that gets the gig done. Class D sounds good.