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How to rack-mount a vintage GK 800rb?

J

jg919

Jul 7, 2010
160
16
40
NSW Australia
#1
Hi all!

Just recently I have been extremely fortunate enough to pick up an old 800rb in perfect working order, recently serviced!

Until this point I have used a GK 700rbII in a road-case, and am extremely for protecting gear in cases (as I'm on the road a lot).
The 800rb doesn'nt have any holes on the sides of the chassis for screwing in rack-ear attatchments...I have seen rack-kits available for 800rb's at various places, and am reluctant to pay $60 (!?) for two pieces of steel which I may not be able to even use...

Can anyone advise me on how to racmount this amp?
Is there a different rack-kit version? do I have to remove parts of the 800rb chassis? do I have to take to it with a drill? (oh please no!)

Any help on this would be very much valued!
Thanks all!
John :D
 
#4
Eons ago I owned and gigged an 800RB during the very first production year. I bought the rack kit several months after owning it. The entire side panels are replaced by the rack kit. The screws to remove/replace the sides are on the top and bottom of the casing near the edge.

You just don't "add" rack ears. The entire sides of the casing are replaced.

There is no such thing as an 800RB "so vintage" that it can't have the rack-ear side panels added.
 
#8
As an 800rb owner that has already been down that path, allow me to give you the skinny - no one makes rack kits for our older 800rbs. There was one guy who had a little web business of parting out old ones but the price at the time was $50 each, which I balked at. My suggestion is don't rack it, or figure out a way to do it cheaper (and then sell me too).
 
#10
cchorney said:
As an 800rb owner that has already been down that path, allow me to give you the skinny - no one makes rack kits for our older 800rbs. There was one guy who had a little web business of parting out old ones but the price at the time was $50 each, which I balked at. My suggestion is don't rack it, or figure out a way to do it cheaper (and then sell me too).
Click to expand...

RC52 said:
+1 !
Click to expand...


So would you rather tell him too or sell him two?
 
#11
if you're willing to do a little drilling maybe these'd be the way? Remember, there's nothing sacred about an 800RB other than the sound :bassist: :D

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

or maybe this, just figure out a way to clamp the amp in place w/o screws:


[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#12
My 800RB is old, I bought it used in 1994. The side panel screws are on the top and bottom. It sounds like newer amps have a different screw configuration.

So I got this kit:

Gallien-Krueger Rack Kit for 800RB | Musician's Friend

It looks like I'll be drilling holes in the side panel to accommodate the rack kit. I don't mind doing that and there seems to be plenty of room for a nut and washer on the inside of the side panel. I brought up this old post to see if anyone else figured out a better solution to the problem.

Peter
 
#13
JPaulGeddy said:
If I remember mine, it's just a matter of taking off the existing side panels (with a screwdriver, no drill) :) The rack kit replaces them.

Again, doing this from about 15-year memory, so I could be completely off. :D
Click to expand...

Eric Moesle said:
Eons ago I owned and gigged an 800RB during the very first production year. I bought the rack kit several months after owning it. The entire side panels are replaced by the rack kit. The screws to remove/replace the sides are on the top and bottom of the casing near the edge.

You just don't "add" rack ears. The entire sides of the casing are replaced.

There is no such thing as an 800RB "so vintage" that it can't have the rack-ear side panels added.
Click to expand...

These guys have it right.

EBay might be the place.

Or - you might fashion some yourself. I needed rack ears for an out of production amp, and I made them out of a rack vent panel thing, about $15 or so. A hacksaw and dremel tool and about 40 minutes and I had myself some each ears.
 
#15
dhsierra1 said:
if you're willing to do a little drilling maybe these'd be the way? Remember, there's nothing sacred about an 800RB other than the sound :bassist: :D

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

or maybe this, just figure out a way to clamp the amp in place w/o screws:


[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

BassmanPaul said:
you can buy rack shelves that the amp can sit on. You'll have to fashion something like a clamp to keep it in place. That's a simple thing to do.
Click to expand...

Old zombie thread, I know but Bassman Paul I gotta ask, are these above your quote the "rack shelves" your referring to?? I ask because I have a 1988 400RB that I really wanna keep safe in a rack enclosure and afaik the rack ears for the 400's were made for later ones...
 
#17
eff-clef said:
Buy a small carry on luggage case. Transport it that way. That's what I did.
Click to expand...

I do have a sturdy pedal bag it fits in, I would feel alot better with it in a rack case due to many circumstances I have to deal with(weather/rain and frequent outdoor gigs, sitting in the back of a 5 ton truck with everyone else gear and full PA, etc)so really for gigs and transport and i already use flight cases for everything , i do appreciate it,thanks anyways :)
 
#19
hintz said:
Hmmm, maybe ill go the DIY route...
Click to expand...

One of these, a hacksaw, and a dremel tool, and I had a set of DIY rack ears.

10039870.jpg

Oh, and a hammer so I could make 90 degree bends on the corner of a workbench.
 
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