How do you carry your small amp heads?

[Tnavis]

I have a Darkglass Microtubes 900, which has proven to be a curious item to carry to gigs. They don't offer a rackmount kit, and they have discontinued the bag for it. It's just big enough that it isn't easy to throw in most gig bags, and while it is certainly sturdy, I'm still hesitant to just toss it in a bag of cables.

I've tried a couple of different options over the two years I've had it; i've put it in a Gator mixer bag (which is almost the perfect size for it). I've also rack mounted it to a 2U clamping rack shelf, which works great, and allows me to put it in a rack with a power conditioner so that I can just plug in speakon cable and a power cable, hit a power switch, and i'm good to go.

HOWEVER, for smaller gigs, where i'm just using a 2x12, it seems kind of ridiculous to haul the 6U rack unit i'm using to house a "small amp head".

What is everyone else doing with their small amp heads?

 

[abarson]

I've never understood buying a mini head and then rack mounting it. Seems to defeat the purpose of being "mini".
Small padded computer case I got from Goodwill for $5.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Look at backpacks designed for laptops. The padded section for the laptop itself often is the perfect size. Your cables and such go in the rest (also providing more protection).

 

[Tnavis]

I've never understood buying a mini head and then rack mounting it. Seems to defeat the purpose of being "mini".
Small padded computer case I got from Goodwill for $5.

I agree, but it's the times when it gets put in the trailer that make me want the extra protection of a rack.

 

[ctmullins]

Messenger bag, along with cables, tuner, picks, spare batteries, and outlet tester.

 

[joel406]

There is a Gallien Krueger MB-800 fusion and a GK MB-500 in there. With every cable I need. In the front zipper compartment is “both” footswitches and their cables. It’s carryable and has a telescoping handle and wheels.

I literally fell a$$ backwards into this thing.

What I really like is that both heads are independently contained and cushioned.

 

[Hundred proof]

Micro DJ gig bag, it carries my Little Mark II and the pockets hold all my cables and a couple of small pedals.

 

[mmbongo]

I use a basic backpack for my Mesa D800, and every cable I would ever need.

 

[Al Kraft]

I always use or buy the padded bag for the head. They usually carry enough in the way of speaker cables and a power cord. I also always have a gig bag with additional cables, strings, some simple repair tools, a Countryman 85, a BDDI, etc. - essentially my gig saver kit.

 

[jerry]

The Gator small mixer bags work great for me.

 

[Al Kraft]

The Gator small mixer bags work great for me.

I find them well made and a very good value. FWIW, on the one occasion I had a warranty issue with a Gator product (a latch problem) they asked for a photo of the problem and there was a new rack case delivered to my home within a day or two. They didn't even ask me to send the case I had back. Fast and friendly service with respect for me as an honest customer.

 

[BaileyMan]

I just ordered parts from www.diyroadcasesstore.com to make a custom sized road case for a Mesa D800+. I'll get some 1/4" plywood, cut it to size (or have home depot do it), paint it, slap it all together, good to go.

I just started a thread, nothing interesting yet, but hopefully by the end of next week (3/15/19). DIY road case - Mesa Subway D800+

 

[Tim Skaggs]

Laptop case

 

[bumperbass]

I used one of these for my last mini head and it worked great:

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[Element Zero]

The Mesa Subway bags are adequate for my needs.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I've never understood buying a mini head and then rack mounting it. Seems to defeat the purpose of being "mini".

I used to do this for many years. Made for a very lightweight, powerful, quick-'n-easy-to-set-up rig.

These day, I use an old IBM laptop bag for my Tone Hammer 500, Stroboflip, and cables.

 

[Passinwind]

I've never understood buying a mini head and then rack mounting it. Seems to defeat the purpose of being "mini".

Only if being "mini" was a primary motivator for why you bought the amp.

I greatly prefer rack cases for all my musical instrument electronics. But I still do have one amp that sits standalone on my small-ish 112 cab. For that one I either use a Studio Slips clamshell bag or a Pelican case, which is actually my last choice option due to stowage issues. I've used mixer bags or thrift shop laptop cases quite a bit too.

 

[five7]

Drilled 4 holes in a rack shelf and mounted my D 800 on it. Have it in a nice 2 space rack made by roadrunner. Works great.

 

[secondbestcody]

I have an Ampeg PF500 so it’s mounted to the flip top of the cab.

 

[tripp2k]

There may be a Harbor Freight near you. They have carrying cases equivalent to Pelican boxes at extremely reasonable prices. The one they have that fits a Mesa D-800+ is on sale for $45 right now. The size smaller is on sale for $30. These things are waterproof and you can customize the interior padding to protect the innards from shooting out of a cannon and being run over by an 18 wheeler. I bought one for my D-800+ and one for my high end Nikon camera gear.

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