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Rack Bags, who uses them? And an almost disaster story.

shrimpchowmein

shrimpchowmein

Dec 8, 2007
647
76
42
Blaine, WA
#1
Anybody use a rack bag? What bag and how much does your amp weigh? Do you carry it on the shoulder strap?

I recently bought an SKB bag for a 27 pound amp. First time I was on my way to a gig with it, had it on my shoulder and BOOM! Amp hits the ground. The latches on the strap just exploded. Amp is fine and I can return the bag, but I'm wondering if anyone has had good experiences with rack bags and amps on the heavier side? Thanks.
 
#2
Hi.

Even though rack-bags for amps do make IMO sligthly more sense than gig-bags for instruments, I've never understood the idea behind using either.
One-off trip on a bike would be my only excuse for something as ignorant as that.

If You want some basic protection against the elements, a plastic bag will suffice.

Cheap bags of any kind are useless with MI gear of any weight, and just disasters waiting to happen.

With the obvious exclusion of class D mini-amps.
Obviously ;).

Regards
Sam
 
#5
T-Bird said:
...If You want some basic protection against the elements, a plastic bag will suffice.

Cheap bags of any kind are useless with MI gear of any weight, and just disasters waiting to happen.

...
Click to expand...

Speaking as someone who owns and actually uses one.... The sides are ply covered in thick padded canvas and gives a lot of protection for the amp - knobs and jacks on the rear protected with the overhanging lip and thick padded zip up lids. Certainly a whole lot more than "basic protection from the elements". I can throw it in a touring van with no worries at all. Much lighter than an ATA... and I believe lighter than a plastic case.

I sometimes use the shoulder strap but only briefly if my hands are full and I need to clear the area quickly. Bad idea to use it all the time for obvious reasons.

Mine's a Gator 2ru bag for my M-Pulse. If I had to choose a case again I'd get exactly the same thing.
 
#6
I've used Protecs for years. I understand they may now be unavailable. Very sturdy wood frame, metal rack rails. Cordura padded external cover with heavy duty handles. Not only protects well it also doesn't chew up the inside of my vehicle.

My experience with plastic SKB types is that they transmit lots of shock to the racked gear. The torquing of the gear destroys them in one year of travel. They can then be relegated to studio use. It is difficult to support gear's rear end in them.

Back to rack bags. They look nice in formal settings & road house gigs.
 
#7
T-Bird said:
Even though rack-bags for amps do make IMO sligthly more sense than gig-bags for instruments
Click to expand...

The Criley-Core Technologies gig bag:

criley-corecases.jpg
 
#8
Hi.

wcriley said:
The Criley-Core Technologies gig bag:

criley-corecases.jpg
Click to expand...

:)

When I was 15, I transported my bass in a 200l black plastic garbage bag, bungee'd onto my moped.
Rain or snow.

Then I made my first case and haven't looked back since.

I can understand the urge to use a gig/rack-bag, but since I've seen first-hand what the unfortunate result eventually is, I wouldn't advice 'em for anyone who like to protect their valuables.

Regards
Sam
 
#11
Queg said:
I use a rack bag with Aggie DB750. No problems and I can one-hand carry it (at least for short distances.. lol)
Click to expand...


+1. A good rack bag (and they aren't all created equally) is basically just a rack without hard front and back panels but offers most of the same protection for most people's uses (not constant touring). The weakest point as the OP found is that most shoulder straps aren't designed to carry upwards of 30 pounds on a regular basis (I've nearly popped the clips on a couple lesser straps as well). My DB750 is on the cusp of being un-shoulderable anyway because of the weight, but when I do I use the heavy duty strap that came with my Pedaltrain soft case and it has held up great since I've had the amp. The DB750 is over 50 pounds, so finding a strap to carry a 20 pound amp shouldn't be too hard. Most times I just carry with the side handles and it works great that way.
 
#12
I use Odyssey rackbags and couldn't be happier. They have a fabric covered wooden rack inside a removable Cordura bag. Stand the rack on end, slip the bag off, connect and go. Takes about as long to say it to do it. Packing up is just as easy. No sign of any wear after a ton of gigs and very easy on the vehicle interior.
 
#15
sunbeast said:
I believe the Aguilar bag I have is made by Pro-Tec.
Click to expand...

Speaking of the Aguilar bag, mine has served me well since August of '07. Total weight as shown is 35.5 lbs. I always move my own gear so it is never subjected to rough treatment. One thing...I would never, ever carry it with the shoulder strap. Here are pics of it relaxing at home and on the job loaded with my current pre/power amp choices. :)

ImportedPhotos00901.jpg


ImportedPhotos01010.jpg


M. M.
 
#17
blowinblue said:
Speaking of the Aguilar bag, mine has served me well since August of '07. Total weight as shown is 35.5 lbs. I always move my own gear so it is never subjected to rough treatment. One thing...I would never, ever carry it with the shoulder strap. Here are pics of it relaxing at home and on the job loaded with my current pre/power amp choices. :)

ImportedPhotos00901.jpg


ImportedPhotos01010.jpg


M. M.
Click to expand...

Yep that looks like a Protec. Those handles aren't coming off!:)
 
#18
Hi.

BassmanPaul said:
Thanks for the spelling of suffice Sam. I was having an Old Fart moment in another thread arguing with my spell checker trying to include an R!!!

<sigh> I hate getting old!! These here "Golden Years" ain't all they're cracked up to be!! :scowl:
Click to expand...

You're welcome Paul.

I'm quite a bit younger than You, but I've noticed that you gain some and you lose some getting older.

For me it's been less hair -on the top of my head anyway- and more weight mainly ;).
My memory isn't the same either, even at this young age :(.

Regards
Sam
 
#19
I have a few rack bags, they all have plywood frames in them. My Mesa D-180 is in one and it makes hauling it around a lot easier than conventional racks. At first I was afraid of the airflow as it's tighter than I thought it should be, but the amp is staying cool. Fan is noisy tho, but that's another issue.
 

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