DIY road case - Mesa Subway D800+

[BaileyMan]

Just want to give you another direction to think about since you seem to be into saving money. Here is a link to my sale thread for my old Shuttlemax 9.2, it has pictures of the road case I built for it. SOLD - Shuttlemax 9.2. This case cost me a grand total of 4 dollars for the handle and feet. I had the 1/2" plywood scraps laying around. ( I am a cabinet maker by trade). When I had the unit up for sale, I had a member PM me for plans so I drew a set up: https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/shuttlemax-case-pdf.3319680/. Now the Shuttlemax and the D800+ are not exactly the same size, so you'd have to make some adjustments, but in theory, something like this may work for you.

Thanks for the info and the links! That's a pretty sharp looking little case you made.

I couldn't open the link for the plans. It said I didn't have permission, but it's alright, I'm well on my way with this one...

 

[BaileyMan]

Here's where I'm at today... got the wood and some of the aluminum extrusions cut and did a little mock up with the bottom and side panels.

Next update in a couple of days...

 

[BaileyMan]

Here's the next update...I've been working away, making mistakes, changing my mind, breaking things (unintentionally), and dealing with tools that aren't quite the right ones for the job...

I picked up the portable table saw that was at my folks house. It's old and a budget model to begin with. I discovered somewhere along the way that the guide isn't square when it's torqued down. Before I realized that, I discovered that the table isn't big enough for the cuts I needed to make. I got it all worked out in the end, but I had spend a bunch of time getting creative, and paying close attention.

I picked up a miter saw blade for cutting the aluminum extrusions. I knew I needed a 10" blade, but somehow that 10" blade turned into 7.5" when I went to put it on. Since it was a smaller diameter, it wouldn't reach all the way to the floor of the saw, so I had to get a little creative again. I used a piece of 2x4 to get the extrusions high enough that the blade would cut all the way through. Got it done in the end. The extrusions aren't 100% perfect, but they'll work.

My initial plan was go with recessed latches, but I failed to consider the width of the latches in relation to the walls where they were going. With the extrusions in place, there wasn't enough wood to install the latches. I traced the latch and cut out the extrusion to get it to all fit, but it was pretty sloppy, and a lot of work, so I abandoned that idea. Now I'm looking at some surface mount latches.

It took me some time, I wanted to give up, but I didn't. I've got everything cut, mostly mocked up. It's a little crude, but it's looking like it'll be functional.

I need to order a few parts, paint the walls, do a little finishing on some of the extrusions, and put it together. Hopefully from here on out It'll be pretty smooth sailing.

 

[BaileyMan]

...and my expertly spray painted panels. These are the outsides. They got about 4 coats. Inside only got 1.

 

[Geri O]

That's weird, I'm advancing an arena load-in today. Maybe voice detection translated this into a post???

Creepy

Are you still in event production?

I'm trying to stay from shows and mixing, but now I'm in the office with out-dated production riders and band guys that won't return a phone call or email.

 

[BaileyMan]

Are you still in event production?

I'm trying to stay from shows and mixing, but now I'm in the office with out-dated production riders and band guys that won't return a phone call or email.

Please keep this thread on topic... thanks!

 

[Geri O]

Please keep this thread on topic... thanks!

Are you a moderator?

Andy, you can PM me. Thanx.

 

[BaileyMan]

The OP...

 

[agedhorse]

Are you still in event production?

I'm trying to stay from shows and mixing, but now I'm in the office with out-dated production riders and band guys that won't return a phone call or email.

Winding it down Geri, but still have a couple of contracts to finish out. This one only involves 9 systems, mostly smaller ones

OP: you might want to lighten it up a bit, Geri was just responding to my weirdly erroneously post, and since both of us are from the event production world it's not as off topic as it might seem.

 

[BaileyMan]

Are you a moderator?

Andy, you can PM me. Thanx.

Thanks for moving this to PM.

 

[beans-on-toast]

With the type of extruded aluminum that you are using, not much wood is exposed on the sides. This case is going to be structurally quite strong.

 

[BaileyMan]

Winding it down Geri, but still have a couple of contracts to finish out. This one only involves 9 systems, mostly smaller ones

OP: you might want to lighten it up a bit, Geri was just responding to my weirdly erroneously post, and since both of us are from the event production world it's not as off topic as it might seem.

I'm not being heavy here. I just made a simple request. We all know how rapidly threads deteriorate. Actually a private discussion about event production in a thread about building a case is totally off topic, even considering an erroneous post... Thank you for moving it to PM...

 

[dannylectro]

Cool. I'll look for it. Thanks for the tip!

Can’t find the thread after multiple tries…

 

[WRM]

Can’t find the thread after multiple tries…

Might be this thread, seems a "rack shelf" is easiest:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/rack-kit-for-mesa-d-800.1310915/

 

[BaileyMan]

Just to provide an update, the case I made and the amp inside it have held up quite well under the conditions for which it was intended (weekend warrior gigs, back and forth to the rehearsal studio). It continues to meet 100% of my needs 5 1/2 years later.

1. A little more protection than the soft case
2. Some protection from spills
3. Just the right size
4. An enjoyable project because I like making stuff.

 

[6thplanet]

No pics of the finished project?

 

[BaileyMan]

No pics of the finished project?

I have lazy part of me to blame for that…Honestly, it was so long ago that I had forgotten that I didn’t post any.
I’ll try and snap some this afternoon and post them.

 

[basscooker]

At the risk of coming off snarky, which is not the intention AT ALL, I wonder...

Could a foam "pool noodle" properly cut to size and channeled for the control knobs provide adequate protection and still allow a proper fit in its bag?
This obviously doesn't address the other reasons for your case, but seems a possible solution for others that may feel the carry bag could use some help protecting the amp from a big "oops".

 

[dannylectro]

Here’s my DIY solution. The rack case was made for another project and adapted for use with my TT. The rack ears are made from aluminium angle stock and sprayed black.