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

[chadds]

Hi.



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

Is that when you don't remember what you forgot? Wait....what was I saying?

 

[The Regulator]

I have used a 2 space one of these for a 30lb head for many years. Never had any problems and I use the shoulder strap a lot.

 

[LiquidMidnight]

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.

+1

I'm also in the camp that believes that gig bags don't really serve much of a purpose in most instances (Sidebar: It still blows my mind when someone is selling a custom boutique bass in the classifieds and they have a gig bag instead of a HSC for their $6k bass), but rack bags definitely offer a lot of value. About a year and a half ago, I purchased a CNB rack bag for my Carvin B2000. I really didn't know what to expect, but I was thoroughly impressed when it arrived. The metal frame is solid and the canvass is nice and thick. While not in the same league as a wooden or ATA case, in most real world scenarios, it offers similar protection that would be offered by a plastic case. The combination of the rack bag and the Carvin simply makes it the easiest head I've ever owned to transport. I've packed it with gear in my car as well as in the band trailer. Also, I agree that plastic racks seem to transfer vibrations from the cabinet into the rack gear that the gig bag doesn't seem to do as much. I think mine came with a shoulder strap, but I've never used it.

With all that said, I wouldn't stick an SVT-II in one.

 

[JMarkD]

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

Well, ignorant is a bit strong. I used an Aguilar rack bag for years with my DB750 with zero issues or disasters. If the bag is properly designed it works just fine. The frame is the same as the Aguilar head case and the strapping and handles are very well constructed. Sadly, Aguilar no longer offers this bag as far as I can see. I would not use the shoulder strap though as the strap would be fine, not so much my shoulder.

I, in fact, intend to start using the bag again for my 750 as I miss the compartment to store cables and such. Plus I am playing a steady outdoor gig and the added advantage of having flaps I can quickly close if a shower moves in is desirable.

Like gig bags, they may not suffice for heavy touring and such, but for a working player who handles they're own gear, it is a reasonable choice, in my opinion. But you don't want to go cheap.

 

[jamestown94west]

I had a Gator brand rack bag for about a month. The zippers broke, and started come apart from the bag. I bought a SKB Rotorack to replace it, and have never needed another rack case since. That was about 13 years ago, or so.

 

[kbakerde]

I use a Warwick Rockbag with my Hartke LH500. It does a good job offering some protection for the amp, but mainly just makes it easier to carry it around. I have never had any problems with the shoulder strap, but using it isn't the most comfortable anyway just from an awkward standpoint. But the inside is a sturdy plywood, it has a nice canvas exterior so no complaints at all.

 

[kbakerde]

+1

I'm also in the camp that believes that gig bags don't really serve much of a purpose in most instances (Sidebar: It still blows my mind when someone is selling a custom boutique bass in the classifieds and they have a gig bag instead of a HSC for their $6k bass), but rack bags definitely offer a lot of value. About a year and a half ago, I purchased a CNB rack bag for my Carvin B2000. I really didn't know what to expect, but I was thoroughly impressed when it arrived. The metal frame is solid and the canvass is nice and thick. While not in the same league as a wooden or ATA case, in most real world scenarios, it offers similar protection that would be offered by a plastic case. The combination of the rack bag and the Carvin simply makes it the easiest head I've ever owned to transport. I've packed it with gear in my car as well as in the band trailer. Also, I agree that plastic racks seem to transfer vibrations from the cabinet into the rack gear that the gig bag doesn't seem to do as much. I think mine came with a shoulder strap, but I've never used it.

With all that said, I wouldn't stick an SVT-II in one.

I am not sure the analogy of a Gig bag to a rack bag is accurate. The rack bag (at least the one I have, and it seems to be pretty standard) is made using a plywood shell lined by a textile. Where as a gig bag is just a soft padded back with no hard protection to it.

 

[chadds]

I am not sure the analogy of a Gig bag to a rack bag is accurate. The rack bag (at least the one I have, and it seems to be pretty standard) is made using a plywood shell lined by a textile. Where as a gig bag is just a soft padded back with no hard protection to it.

True.
Gig bags for basses provide a degree of protection. If your roadies or fans or fellow players are throwing your stuff around well I get it go Anvil.

There are bassists on TB who use semis and roadies and some who care their own gear between tables in small clubs. Some do both.

A hard shell case is a bear when you need to wend between tables. Then where do you put it when you're playing? Some gigs we put our stuff back in the vehicles. There are gig bags now available that except for driving over your bass with a car are way acceptable. Just imagine you use a gig bag because you hold your bass close to you in transit and in restaurants, clubs, etc.

Back to topic. I used to use Calzones. They looked like Anvils but where 1/2 as heavy and very suited to in town use. Again my amp like my bass isn't getting subjected to abuse because I'm moving it.

Now, where can I get that case that looks like a trash bag? Great camouflage!

 

[AlexanderB]

I use a Warwick RockCase (?) for a rack mount Yamaha MG series mixer. The case has three RU worth of space which i use for wireless receiver, compressor, monitor amp, ADAT 24 XR etc depending on the occasion. Very happy, zero issues in 6-7 years of hobby use.

 

[LiquidMidnight]

I am not sure the analogy of a Gig bag to a rack bag is accurate. The rack bag (at least the one I have, and it seems to be pretty standard) is made using a plywood shell lined by a textile. Where as a gig bag is just a soft padded back with no hard protection to it.

I was kinda making the insinuation that they are two different things, but I suppose I should have been more clear on that.