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DIY road case - Mesa Subway D800+

BaileyMan

BaileyMan

Supporting Member
Jan 8, 2012
1,739
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Oly Pen
#1
I know that some type of rack mountable option for the Mesa Subway Amps has been discussed before. Currently there are no commercially available options specific to the D800+, and no rack mount ears available. The carry bag that comes with the amp is great, but offers minimal protection to knobs and switches. I also want a little more protection from spills etc. when providing the backline.

I've been looking at DIYRoadCases.com for the past week, and finally put an order in for all the parts to build a custom road case. Their website is pretty poorly designed and it wasn't easy to figure out exactly the pieces I needed. Their customer service is kind of terrible too. They did eventually help me out though. I looked at other sites that sell parts for road cases, but these guys had the best options for me at the best prices. I went with their EZ Case system. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I just ordered parts this morning for a total cost with shipping for about $130. I'll be using 1/4" plywood. I'll post updates as the project progresses. I'll share my parts list once I get everything in and confirm that I actually ordered the correct parts. It seems pretty easy to build your own case to any dimensions you want.
 
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#5
Not sure how I'll attach the amp yet. I've got two ideas at the moment.
  1. Remove the rubber feet, attach heavy duty velcro to bottom of amp and bottom inside of the case. Should hold it pretty well. I'm not touring...yet (One can still hope!)
  2. Replace the screws for the rubber feet with longer ones and screw through the plywood attaching it that way.
I'm hoping parts will ship Monday and I'll get started before the end of the week... hopefully done by the end of the weekend.
 
#6
BaileyMan said:
Not sure how I'll attach the amp yet. I've got two ideas at the moment.
  1. Remove the rubber feet, attach heavy duty velcro to bottom of amp and bottom inside of the case. Should hold it pretty well. I'm not touring...yet (One can still hope!)
  2. Replace the screws for the rubber feet with longer ones and screw through the plywood attaching it that way.
I'm hoping parts will ship Monday and I'll get started before the end of the week... hopefully done by the end of the weekend.
Click to expand...

Ummm, are you not using rack rails and a rack shelf? Screwing into wood? That's not how racks are designed to be used, nor how equipment is intended to be mounted.

Do NOT change out the screws for the feet, the length are quite critical in a couple of locations and any damage would not be covered under warranty.

You say you are spending $130 for this... are you aware that you can get the proper rack shelf and supplies including a rack for not much more. While I applaud your DIY mentality, I think you are DIYing yourself into an inferior and possibly damaging situation. Here is an example of what I am talking about: R2UE-10 | 2 space x 10" rack depth 2 Lid Effects Rack Case

Add a 2U rack shelf and some slightly customized mounting hardware and you are done. Otherwise, just buy yourself a plastic hard shell foam insert carry case from Harbor Freight.
 
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#7
BaileyMan said:
I know that some type of rack mountable option for the Mesa Subway Amps has been discussed before. Currently there are no commercially available options specific to the D800+, and no rack mount ears available. The carry bag that comes with the amp is great, but offers minimal protection to knobs and switches. I also want a little more protection from spills etc. when providing the backline.

I've been looking at DIYRoadCases.com for the past week, and finally put an order in for all the parts to build a custom road case. Their website is pretty poorly designed and it wasn't easy to figure out exactly the pieces I needed. Their customer service is kind of terrible too. They did eventually help me out though. I looked at other sites that sell parts for road cases, but these guys had the best options for me at the best prices. I went with their EZ Case system. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I just ordered parts this morning for a total cost with shipping for about $130. I'll be using 1/4" plywood. I'll post updates as the project progresses. I'll share my parts list once I get everything in and confirm that I actually ordered the correct parts. It seems pretty easy to build your own case to any dimensions you want.
Click to expand...

Official Mesa Boogie Subway Series Club

Official Mesa Boogie Subway Series Club
 
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#8
@agedhorse, thanks for your feedback. This is what's great about these forums. We can get help to steer us in the right direction when needed. We are lucky to have you as an active member!

OK, so not changing the screws for the feet. Consider something other than heavy duty velcro.

I totally hear your points. I appreciate your concerns and suggestions. I'm not too concerned about how it stacks up to professional grade racks/cases. I'll be using it only around town back and forth to rehearsals and the weekend warrior type gig. I feel pretty confident that I can make something that will stand up. If it starts falling apart, I'll be able to catch it quickly and I can cross that bridge if I get there. If/when I ever do any regional touring, I'll consider other options as needed. I certainly don't want to damage the amp. I'll look into some of the other ideas that have been tossed out in other threads about mounting it. Your reply has already lead to other inspirations that might be a better solution. I'll share them when I've got them a little more fleshed out...

Just as an FYI, here's why I'm going this DIY route...
  1. I've been wanting a case with better protection than the stock carry bag provides. The carry bag is great, but I would like a little more protection against bumps and bruises for the knobs and small switches on the front and rear panels. I'm taking my amp in and out of my car 2-3 times a week. Throwing it (not literally, but also not gingerly placing it) in the back of my small car.
  2. When I backline, it would be nice to have the amp in a rack case for the inevitable time, when despite my best efforts, someone puts a drink on the amp and knocks it over. I figure having it in a case will give a tad more spill protection. Hence I didn't consider a case from which I would need to remove the amp to set it up.
  3. I want something less wide than a standard rack case. Rack cases (as far as I can tell) are all 19" wide. I want something that is essentially the width of the amp. One of the great things about the D800+ (and other small heads) is it's relatively small size. I would like a relatively small case for it too. :)
  4. I like having projects and building my own things, especially when I can't find what I'm looking for in the commercial market.
I'm open to other ideas and suggestions about mounting. I know there are some other threads discussing this. I've searched some, poked around a bit, but still haven't found it all, but I'll keep poking... :)
 
#12
Here are my most recent thoughts I'm kicking around for mounting the amp.
  • After reading some threads and thinking more about velcro, I think it would be strong enough to hold, but unless I build the rack taller than the amp is, I'd never be able to get it out without cutting the box open. There wouldn't be enough height to lift it off the velcro.
  • I'm thinking about an angle bracket along these lines...attached to the side of the amp enclosure by the three screws along the bottom of each side. Use a couple of small bolts with lock washers to attach the bracket to the bottom of the case. Of course this assumes that the screw holes in the bracket will line up with the screws on the amp. If needed, I suppose I could take dremel or drill to the bracket and make holes that would work.
everbilt-bar-flats-tubes-rods-801337-64_145.jpg

  • Maybe a couple lengths of metal hanger strap running over the top of the amp, folded over the sides, attached to the bottom of the case with small bolts. I've never worked with this so I don't know how feasible it is.
ventilation-accessories-3-4hs-64_145.jpg


These are my thoughts for now, I'm open to other ideas for attaching the amp, just remember I'm not building / using a standard 19" wide rack case. I know there are plenty of options if I were, including something like this. If I could find just those L-brackets that would be awesome! Instead, I have think creatively about how I might be able to achieve the same results with more commonly available items.
Invalid Link Removed
 
#13
extruded aluminum angle and drill mounting holes to match the chassis. I think I provided screw length data but be aware if the length. Any damage would not be covered under warranty. Not sure how you plan to attack the brackets to the case however.

Using non-standard case dimensions creates more problems than it solves imo.
 
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#14
agedhorse said:
extruses aluminum angle and drill mounting holes to match the chassis. I think I provided screw length data but be aware if the length. Any damage would not be covered under warranty. Not sure how you plan to attack the brackets to the case however.

Using non-standard case dimensions creates more problems than it solves imo.
Click to expand...

Aluminum angle extrusions with drilled holes matching the screws sounds like a good idea. Not so dissimilar from the angle bracket above. I plan on using bolts through the bottom of the plywood case to attach the brackets.

I'll pay particular attention to the screw length. Although, I suppose I could do that with the feet too...

For me, the non-standard case addresses a few issues, while meeting my needs. Sure it presents some other challenges in figuring out how to implement it, but that's part of the fun for me!
 
#15
BaileyMan said:
Aluminum angle extrusions with drilled holes matching the screws sounds like a good idea. Not so dissimilar from the angle bracket above. I plan on using bolts through the bottom of the plywood case to attach the brackets.

I'll pay particular attention to the screw length. Although, I suppose I could do that with the feet too...

For me, the non-standard case addresses a few issues, while meeting my needs. Sure it presents some other challenges in figuring out how to implement it, but that's part of the fun for me!
Click to expand...

If the case doesn't have much space on the side, you are going to need to tap the brackets otherwise you may not be able to get a nut on the bolt... or a wrench for that matter.

Sometimes, stepping back and looking what the industry does and why it does it can be a better learning experience than reinventing a square wheel.
 
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#16
agedhorse said:
If the case doesn't have much space on the side, you are going to need to tap the brackets otherwise you may not be able to get a nut on the bolt... or a wrench for that matter.

Sometimes, stepping back and looking what the industry does and why it does it can be a better learning experience than reinventing a square wheel.
Click to expand...

Yeah. That's one of the things I'm thinking about. Leaving enough space that I can reach a box wrench in there.

I've certainly been spending a lot of time searching online, looking at pics, seeing what others have done, seeing what products are on the market for A/V rack mounting systems and other things, like corner brackets/braces, etc. There's definitely some creativity involved in these planning stages. Talking it out and bouncing ideas around is really helpful!
 
#17
Or you simply use standardized hardware and approach. The rack standard is about 100 years old, it's been very thoroughly proven.
 
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#18
Whatever you decide to go with, estimate the total weight of the finished product before placing your order(s). Just so that you’ll know what you are getting into. Aluminum is lighter than steel. Some of these cases can get heavy.
 
#19
beans-on-toast said:
Whatever you decide to go with, estimate the total weight of the finished product before placing your order(s). Just so that you’ll know what you are getting into. Aluminum is lighter than steel. Some of these cases can get heavy.
Click to expand...
I didn't think to determine the weight before ordering. Most of the hardware is aluminum or plastic. I'm going with 1/4" plywood. I calculated about 3.5 square feet of wood for this project. Hopefully I can find some Baltic Birch or other lighter weight wood and get it in the 5lb range, effectively doubling the weight of the amp...Considering that it will be fairly small, I'm not too concerned about the extra weight. Once it's done I'll post it's weight...
 
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