• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Rate my Rack!!!!

#21
One time I decided to get a 12-space shockmount rack and carry all kinds of gear in it. Then, when the case arrived in the mail, I had such a hard time lugging it around EMPTY that I abandoned the idea pronto. I couldn't even get that mofo around the corner in the stairwell of my apt. Now granted you aren't getting a shockmount one, but still... I say fuggettaboutit. Once it is fully loaded, you will never take it anywhere. Even if you get some casters installed, or get a rolling cart, you will hate attempting to load the rack into and out of your car, and probably injure yourself trying. :)
 
#22
[font=comic sans ms,verdana,arial]
I’ll take the dbx compressor over a stomp-box any day!

I Agree with Getz76 on the tuner – it’s a waste of good rack real estate. I suggest a “two-fer” - a Furman PL-Tuner. Does the tuner and power management in one unit. They don’t make them anymore, but they show up on eBay fairly often. You can probably get it for less than the PL PLus D is going to cost you -

Twelve-space is way overkill, IMO. Are you going to set it on top of your cabinet? What are you looking at there, a 6-foot rig? :D I’d sell it and get a 4-or 6. Ditch the drawer for a gig bag – save your back!

Wayne A. Pflughaupt
[/font]
 
#23
[font=comic sans ms,verdana,arial]
And – you’ve seriously underestimated how much the “other stuff” is going to weigh. The 4-space drawer is nearly 15 lbs by itself. The Furman is 11 lbs. The rack itself is probably 15 lbs at least. That’s at least 40 lbs and counting!!

Wayne A. Pflughaupt
[/font]
 
#24
getz76 said:
Be aware, most soundmen will hate you; instant big-rack stigma.

Sell the 12-space rack and buy one the size you currently need.

You asked, so here are my opinions:

Ampeg B4R Amp

Amp. Necessary.

DBX 160A Compressor

A bit overkill for live use in my opinion, but do what you want.

Korg DTR-2000 Tuner

Nice lights, but takes up a lot of space and weight; same functionality in a Boss TU-2.

Furman PL-PlusD II Conditioner

Overpriced power strip with no more protection and no real conditioning other than an RF filter.

A 4 space locking drawer for cables and whatnot

Put your cables in a gigbag.

A 2 space shelf for my wireless, which is not rackmount

If you insist; I do not play any stages large enough to justify a wireless.
Click to expand...

I agree with everything you said, I've yet to use a compressor, I have no idea about the tuner or power conditioner. If you could suggest a good conditioner that would be wonderful, and as far as a tuner, I'm kind of a brand snob so what would be a good compromise for a tuner?

I'm really torn. The kid took the case and then I asked if I could have it because he isn't going to sell it. To go ahead and sell it would kind of be a dick move....
 
#25
Search in both the "Effects" and "Off Topic" forums for recommendations for tuners. Lots of threads on that subject. If you're a "brand snob", you want a Peterson, not a Boss or Korg, although the Boss and Korg units work great.

Search in the "Amps" forum for commentary on power conditioners, for some reason those threads end up mostly in Amps. I use three different systems depending on what's in the rack: a Tripplite conditioner for when I want more RF filtering (e.g. with digital processors in the rack); a Furman Pluglock when most of the gear uses wall wart power supplies; or an ordinary office/shop power strip for everything else.

If you feel bad about selling the rack because it was given to you, then maybe split the money with the guy who gave it to you?
 
#26
I have one of those SKB 6-space cases with the wheels and the pull up suitcase handle. I had it completely full for a while (head, Korg tuner, DBX compressor, Voltage Regulator). Because of the weight, I ripped out all the stuff except the head and the voltage regulator (not a conditioner...but the regulator). And it's still heavy...

I can't see having a 12-space rack at this point...wow...
 
#30
I just finished assembling my rack today - it's a Trace GP12SMX preamp with a Sansamp RBI in the FX loop - I can footswitch it for overdrive. Then into a BBE Max X3 crossover and sonic maximizer (It's a pretty decent crossover, the sonic maximizer doesn't do much for me) and then a Crown Macro Tech 2400.

It fits in 6 spaces, but it is NOT light - mainly due to the power amp. But it does sound great, pushes tons of watts, and can nail a lot of tones. It's pretty much unnecessary - I'll probably use my Ampeg SVT3 head and 4x10 more often, but it's nice to know that even for the really big rooms or outdoor gigs without much S.R., I'll have it covered.
 
#34
Since I hate pedals this is what I'm working on:

Anvil 5-space rack with following:

Peterson StroboRack Tuner (1U)
Furman Power Conditioner (1U)
Alesis Midiverb Effects (1U)
Mesa Boogie M-Pulse 600 (2)

My wireless (Sennheiser) sits on top of the rack.
 
#36
A couple of comments about having a rack tuner. I use a Korg DTR2000 and would certainly not trade it for a pedal tuner. IMO the rack tuner is easier to use, more accurate and faster to tune with. I think the DTR is relatively light compared to other gear that goes in racks. The bonus being that all the pretty moving lights adds to your stage show!:D
 
#37
Geddyfleaharris said:
A couple of comments about having a rack tuner. I use a Korg DTR2000 and would certainly not trade it for a pedal tuner. IMO the rack tuner is easier to use, more accurate and faster to tune with. I think the DTR is relatively light compared to other gear that goes in racks. The bonus being that all the pretty moving lights adds to your stage show!:D
Click to expand...

I tune maybe twice a gig, sometimes only once. Last thing I need is a rack space eating chunk of bulk. And if you think anybody else cares about your spinal tap mini stonehenge lightshow, you REALLY need to work on your stage presence and musical power ; }
 
#38
SPEAKING of pretty moving lights, I just found this:

Link Removed

Totally useless, but still, 1 rack space of awesome blinking lights that move in sync to your playing. :D I'm toying with the idea of sticking one in my rack when I get a bigger one just for the heck of it. Plus, my sonic maximizer has RCA outputs, so I can stick that into my rack without actually messing with my sound.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back