Rack case recommendations for Ampeg SVT 7 Pro bass head?

[Z123]

Hey everyone,

Looking for rack case recommendations for my new Ampeg SVT 7 Pro bass head.

For example would the SKB Roto Rack case - 1 SKB - R2U work well for this?

Cheers for your help... love this page!

Zach

 

[paskisti]

Anything where you can fit the amp works but take as light and shallow as you can. Otherwise you loose the benefit of compact lightweight class D amp. If you need rack for heavy touring then ATA case is the only real option in long run, but that is heavy.

 

[jgo138]

Hey everyone,

Looking for rack case recommendations for my new Ampeg SVT 7 Pro bass head.

For example would the SKB Roto Rack case - 1 SKB - R2U work well for this?

Cheers for your help... love this page!

Zach

My SVT 7 Pro has lived in a rack since day 1. It's currently in a shallow SKB 4U roto rack, with a tuner and Sansamp RBI sitting above the amp. The shallow rack is a bit tight in the back for cables, but I switched out the regular power cord for a right-angled one, so I wouldn't have to unplug it every time I attached the back lid. There is plenty of room for cables/cords behind the top 2 units if you need it. I had to take the rubber/plastic feet off the bottom of the 7 Pro for it to fit on the bottom of the rack. I'd definitely go with the shallow SKB rack. The 2U might be a little tight for ventilation on top, so maybe a 3U case would be better, giving you plenty of options for the top!

 

[DaveDeVille]

... here's mine :
3U Gator rack bag with a 1U vent spacer ...

EDIT :
yes , those are stick-on labels ,
i'm old and sometimes it's hard to read the labels on stage ...

 

[groove pump]

I've also had decent luck with a couple of different Gator rack bags for this or that.

I used to keep my preamp/power amp setup in a 4-space rack case that was solid - not a Gator or SKB, but more like a plywood case covered with grey rat fur. That protected those components just fine.

I'm more at ease with any rack when I have an extra space for ventilation, unless that case is only going to contain maybe effects or signal processors that don't generate heat like an older amp might.

 

[beans-on-toast]

I have several SKB Roto Rack cases and like them. Just be aware of the limitations of a plastic case. If stacking on top, there is a weight limitation. Don't drop the case or slam it around. When operating the amp, the rack back should be removed. If you need to remove the feet for the amp to fit in the case, don't loose them.

 

[JW56789]

Couldn't recommend a this or that, but I can definitely recommend to take Ampeg's rack-mounting advice seriously. I have no idea what their recommendations are, but . . . .

Can't tell you how many times I've seen something crammed into a same-size rack with no over or under space for heat venting that turned into a toaster oven, sometimes resulting in the Mystic Smoke Ring from over-heat.

And also, if it requires rack mounting in back, DO it, as I've seen bent front flanges on big Crests back in the day where they ignored using the aft rack rails. If you've ever shopped for used rack gear and seen a few pieces where the rack ears are a little bent, uh-huh, there you go.

If this results in a little bigger than you thought it was going to be, that's just the way it has to be.

 

[paskisti]

It's true that deep (and heavy) units should be fastened in rear too. Many class D amps are not very deep and that should not be the issue.

One thing I don't understand is rack gear needing extra space. All 3 power amps I have are happy with their 2U and no more. Maybe some bass amps are not truly rack mountable if they require more than listed.

 

[Analogeezer]

Whatever you look at, take time to examine the way the latches are attached to the case.

A lot of the plastic cases, the latches are held on with very small rivets and it's easy to just rip these off of the case if they are hit just right.

But this all depends on how you expect to haul the head around, if it is going in your vehicle and you are the one handling it, an inexpensive rack should do just fine.

I use a 2RU SKB knockoff for my Ampeg B2-R and it has been fine but I will point out I have always transported that in my own vehicle, never in the back of a truck or a trailer.

My other two racks are fairly heavy duty Anvil cases with quite large, heavy duty latches and hardware; but they also weigh a fair amount compared to the plastic cases.

How does the SVT-7 vent the hot air? My B2-R and my Bugera BVP-5500 have fans that exhaust to the back; if your fan blows out the top I would recommend a slightly larger case (3RU or 4RU) to accommodate the hot air from the fan.

Rack bags add some padding and protection for gear, but I just hate the look of them; they remind me of mowing the lawn in your loafers, Bermuda shorts and black socks LOL

Analogeezer

 

[zortation]

... here's mine :
3U Gator rack bag with a 1U vent spacer ...

EDIT :
yes , those are stick-on labels ,
i'm old and sometimes it's hard to read the labels on stage ...

View attachment 4570592

This is the way to go, 3U or 4U, with venting. You could probably get away with a shallow rack too (also good for ventilation).

 

[paskisti]

Whatever you look at, take time to examine the way the latches are attached to the case.

A lot of the plastic cases, the latches are held on with very small rivets and it's easy to just rip these off of the case if they are hit just right.

But this all depends on how you expect to haul the head around, if it is going in your vehicle and you are the one handling it, an inexpensive rack should do just fine.

I use a 2RU SKB knockoff for my Ampeg B2-R and it has been fine but I will point out I have always transported that in my own vehicle, never in the back of a truck or a trailer.
Analogeezer

This is very true. Both cheap Gator and Thomann plastic rack (not rotation molded) have covers that may pop out in rough handling because of the tiny latches. I have told to myself that these type of racks are more comparable to soft gig bags than ATA cases, well, at least you should treat them like that.