Question about Rackmount Cases

[StereoPlayer]

I used 2-3 space racks. Then you can mix other items as you need them.

One rack has amp, tuner.
Other racks have effects.

Then take what you need for the job. Easier to carry too.

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

I have a rack w/ preamp, power amp, power conditioner.

all the rest goes on the pedal board. (tuner, DI, effects, etc.)

 

[Dave W]

You are 100% correct about the SVT-2Pro! I'm really leaning towards the 4Pro anyways...

As far as cabling and power, I don't think it'd be that bad. It seems like it would only involve moving the power cord from the GK to the Ampeg and the output from the wireless to the Ampeg instead of the GK. Unless I'm missing something, which is possible, it's, literally, moving two cords...I think.

The biggest issue I see, is if the stack gets too tall, which on 2x212, which I'm running now, or an 810, could happen, the power cord from the power strip, which would be at the very top of the stack, might not be long enough to reach an outlet on the floor...

I've got an SVT II non pro. It's freaking awesome! I've had my share of SVT II-Pros as well (3 or 4 I think) and they're also freaking awesome. I'd be happy with a 4 Pro, but there is no replacement for an all tube amp IMO.

If you go the power conditioner route the cords are usually pretty long (I think mine are 15'). If you're just going to do the power strip you can find them with really long cords too. Or you could always lengthen it.

In my 6U rack I've got an SVT II and a power conditioner (I wanted the front & rear lights). There is an open space between the amp and the PC.

In my 4U rack I change it up from time to time:
-Power conditioner, tuner, 2U amp
-Power conditioner, Ampeg SVP-CL, Crest ProLite 3.0
-Jule Monique, Crest ProLite 3.0

 

[pbass6811]

I used 2-3 space racks. Then you can mix other items as you need them.

One rack has amp, tuner.
Other racks have effects.

Then take what you need for the job. Easier to carry too.

I like it!!

I've got an SVT II non pro. It's freaking awesome! I've had my share of SVT II-Pros as well (3 or 4 I think) and they're also freaking awesome. I'd be happy with a 4 Pro, but there is no replacement for an all tube amp IMO.

If you go the power conditioner route the cords are usually pretty long (I think mine are 15'). If you're just going to do the power strip you can find them with really long cords too. Or you could always lengthen it.

In my 6U rack I've got an SVT II and a power conditioner (I wanted the front & rear lights). There is an open space between the amp and the PC.

In my 4U rack I change it up from time to time:
-Power conditioner, tuner, 2U amp
-Power conditioner, Ampeg SVP-CL, Crest ProLite 3.0
-Jule Monique, Crest ProLite 3.0

Your rack(s) sound awesome! Nice rigs, my man!

I have a Carvin AC-120 power conditioner in my rack. I love it(the sequential start up feature is pretty sweet). Its cord is super thick, and it's pretty long, but I had to stretch another power strip in order to plug in last weekend. I need to get a good, quality extension cord to keep in my gig bag.

Sorry for hijacking your thread, OP...

 

[dgrizzly]

I used to use an SKB molded roto? rack case. It did the job and wasn't terribly heavy. Got dropped down a flight of stairs one time on tour. SS amp inside was fine and I used it later that night (and for the rest of the tour) with no issues. The molded cases are a little annoying because they're not flat on top, but mine had 4 triangular flat areas that worked fine for me to stash the crap in my pockets and hold a beer while playing. I think your skip-a-space idea is a good one if the fans for your amp are not on the back of the unit.

 

[carsbybigd]

You might be able to find 1 here in the classifieds. Here's mine....the Alembic stuff weighs a ton......Thinking about getting 1 on wheels.

 

[Dennis Smith]

You might be able to find 1 here in the classifieds. Here's mine....the Alembic stuff weighs a ton......Thinking about getting 1 on wheels.

That thing Is a monster!

 

[Nephilymbass]

25 years of playing, I never owned rackmount gear....
I purchased a Hartke Kilo, and would like to get a case.... while adding a power conditioner and rack tuner. I would like it to be able to handle all three while leaving a gap to keep a little airflow over the amp, yet at the same time remain as compact as possible. I looked at Gator and SKB cases, I like the thick black plastic style...
The dimensions on the Kilo are 19" x 18" x 5.25" with two handles on the front. The manual states that it takes 3 rackspaces. My questions are: What is the proper size case for me? And what brand is best, yet affordable?
Any help on this would be great, as I'm ignorant to rackmounts.....

Just depends. I once used a 16 space ata rack on wheels and it was loaded

Personally I think an 8 is more normal. You can have power conditioner, rack tuner, a 3 space head and if you add anything else down the road like a rack wireless or rack compressor you still have a space left over to let any amp breathe well.

I actually got my entire rig down to a 4 space rack bag now. Power conditioner, pre amp and a two space power amp. Every thing else I used to use I still have but now I'm using pedals to save space. My wireless is a shure glxd pedal wireless which has a great built in tuner, I have a sonic stomp and a pedal compressor. And the rack bag and my pedalboard case both have pouches for extra storage so I don't need the rack drawer. The only thing I really miss Is the xlr panel which allowed fast hookup of the bass xlr and two vocal wireless systems to the pa without having to dig being the rack in the dark. But it's not that big a deal. These days I use my phone as a flashlight and because I no longer have the vocal wirelesses in my rack there's only one xlr cable to plug in. My power amp vents front to back and has plenty of ventilation.

 

[Joeykun]

That is correct. Check this one out. R6UE-18 | 6 space x 18" rack depth 2 Lid Amplifier Rack Case It's a pretty sweet deal and I've only read good things about EWI cases.

I have been using EWI rack cases for 5 years. Excellent quality, great customer service from Audiopile and they come with black screws and washers. I have a 3 and 4 space. Plus, a 12 space on wheels all from EWI. I like them so much I put a link for them on my website. Order from Audiopile and be happy!

 

[singlemalt]

Okay, sure, everybody likes a nice rack. But schlepping one around? It gets old.

If your new amp will fit in a SKB shallow X rack, I would happily make you a sweet deal on my four space.

I've got a Classic Korg DT-1 tuner to go with it. Very cool, three modes, and extra features. So bright your guitar players can read it, and know what note you are playing.

The tune is only a 1/4 depth unit, it doesn't cover most top vents.

Or how about a full depth Gator 4 space, with latching front and back, and front and rear rack rails?

I'd skip the power conditioner, just get a decent outlet strip.

I've sold my rack mount amps, and just use a little planet waves headstock tuner.

Pm me for a deal!

 

[Bassbubble11]

I have a Hartke 3500 with tuner and power conditioner in my rack
set up. The Hartke is fan cooled from the rear so there is no problem
with heat issues.

 

[popgadget]

Another vote for EWI cases from Audiopile. I've got lots of them in all sizes and configurations, extraordinary quality for the price. I'm on the opposite side of the U.S. from them, so shipping is expensive, so I usually get a batch of cables and other small stuff that can essentially ride for free inside the case(s).

I'd also skip the power conditioner, with a modern amp, they really don't serve much purpose, same with a rack tuner, soo many good pedals and clip ons, it's not worth making the rack bigger.

 

[dStar]

I think the real benefit of a power conditioner, is that, unlike power strips, they can be easily attached to the rack. I have mine attached to the rear rails of my rack, so it doesn't take up precious space, and at the top, so that the power switch is easily accessible.

 

[Dug2]

i personally dont think you need the extra space "for breathing room" for the amp.
i would go with a 5space for what you wanted.
heres me..............................

 

[Dug2]

then again, do wat u want

 

[Jim Carr]

My 2RU Crest CA 6 lead sled plus a couple of very light 1 RU preamps in a full blown (and deep) 4RU road case weights about 73 lbs.
I implore you to skip the power conditioner (most are junk) and use a pedal or amp top tuner. Keep the rack to 4RU and you will at least have something that, while somewhat heavy, is at least not HUGE. Note below, Korg Orchestral tuner on top of rack with flashlight.

 

[Nephilymbass]

My rack now. Excuse the mess.

My rack 5 years ago

The style rack should really be about how you gig. If you are transporting you're rack in the back seat of your car, get a rack bag because you don't need anything heavy duty because they'll tear up your car seats. But if your gear is going in a band trailer and your doing a lot of traveling forget about weight and get something heavy duty to protect your gear.

Also I have two more pedals inside the back of my rack bag, if your have an always on pedal or two at the end of your pedal chain you can put them in the rack instead of wasting space on you pedalboard for pedals that you never turn off anyways.

 

[Humbled]

...I implore you to skip the power conditioner and use a pedal or amp top tuner...

This is very good advice. The "Power Conditioner" does nothing useful (and you can get pre-molded cords that have one male Edison on one end, and two, three, four or more female Edisons or IECs on the other for pretty cheap. And rack tuners are for the 1980s. Get a pedal tuner. It's very handy that they double as a mute switch. Turbo Tuner and Korg Pitchblack seem to be very popular these days. I personally use Boss TU3 and Planet Waves Tru-Stobe without complaint except the Tru-Strobe, while visually very easy to use in any light, is really too power-hungry to reasonably use with 9v batteries, it needs to stay plugged-up to a power adaptor.

 

[Vince Klortho]

i personally dont think you need the extra space "for breathing room" for the amp.
i would go with a 5space for what you wanted.

I agree. Most tuners are very shallow and will block few, if any, of the top vent slots of the amp.

I have a 2U amp and a tuner and an empty slot for a wireless unit in case I decide to go that route in my 4U rack. It is a heavy SOB but my amp is about twenty years old now and looks brand new. I have seen lots of amps with busted off knobs and with a rack that kind of stuff doesn't happen.

 

[Kevan Campbell]

Something not yet mentioned is how you're planning on securing your gear inside of a rack. Does the amp you're looking at racking need front AND rear mounting or is it light enough that only mounting it to the front rails will be sufficient? If the amp is at all heavy its own weight will eventually warp the front faceplate and rack ears/rails after many miles and shows of rough load-ins/outs, so it may be worth considering a rack than lets the amp site flush on the bottom of the rack enclosure itself and takes te pressure off of the rail mounting points of contact. However, then you open up the can of worms regarding regular vs shockmount racks and if the extra bulk and weight is worth the protection from drops or trauma.

I'm using an SKB Roto Shockmount 6U rack for my Furman Power Conditioner, Aguilar DB659 and Aguilar DB728. It's super heavy all loaded up (around 110 lbs) and has me actually looking into buying an Ampeg SVT or VR because its LIGHTER by comparison (sad, huh? ), but the SKB functions perfectly and is about the best "buy it now" option out there IMO without getting into custom-made ATA cases which I'm looking into.

If you happen to be around Austin then shoot me a pm and we can meet up over a beer and you can check out my shockmount rack!