SKB Shallow rack cases

[mattpnolan]

Does anyone own one of the SKB shallow rack cases? What is the back of the case like? The front has the tradition latching lid, but I have yet to find a picture of what the back is. Thanks!

SKB Shallow - The pic I see everywhere.

 

[Kickin'Fruit]

You sure you werent looking at the back the whole time?

 

[Mcrelly]

I had a 3 space x-rack shallow and the back pannel was about 10.5" from the from "ears" of my head. the back cover is flush with the back, not bowed out like the standard roto racks. so 10.5 or 10.38 from back of ears to inside of back cover. like this pic...

so if your gear is 10.38 or deeper from behind the "ear" to the back of farthest protrusion, it won't work.

 

[Passinwind]

Part of the inner lip has been cut away on this one to allow access to the lower Speakon.

 

[anderbass]

The ones I've seen have a thin flat plastic rear panel, with two round plastic, twist latches.

The top and sides, wrap around at the rear of this case, covering about a inch all the way around the outer back opening.
The rear cover is 2 inches shorter and narrower than the rack case. The small rear opening can somtimes cause a problem with reaching your patch cords.

Try out your gear in one of these, before you commit to buying one. Lots of amps wont fit in this case. And remember, you'll need an extra 2-3" of room for patch cords.

 

[bongomania]

I'll add to that and say the shallow ones with those twist latches, IME, are flimsy and break easily. The best shallow cases I've "found" have been ones custom made for me by Procases.com, using 1/4" plywood covered in a durable plastic or fiberglass surface, with metal hardware. Not nearly as heavy as most "Anvil" style carpeted wood cases, but a lot more durable than the low end of plastic cases. Plus they can be made in any height and depth that suits you.

If you prefer the SKB-style plastic, I think Gator makes a shallow case with a "normal" rear lid that is better than the SKB.

 

[mattpnolan]

I'll add to that and say the shallow ones with those twist latches, IME, are flimsy and break easily. The best shallow cases I've "found" have been ones custom made for me by Procases.com, using 1/4" plywood covered in a durable plastic or fiberglass surface, with metal hardware. Not nearly as heavy as most "Anvil" style carpeted wood cases, but a lot more durable than the low end of plastic cases. Plus they can be made in any height and depth that suits you.

If you prefer the SKB-style plastic, I think Gator makes a shallow case with a "normal" rear lid that is better than the SKB.

I got the gator, but it has latches on the case instead of the lids, and I don't want them to rattle when I play. I'm exploring other options. Thanks for telling me about procases.com. I'll check them out.

Thanks for the pics Passinwind and for the info Anderbass and Mcrelly!

 

[Slink]

Hey Mcrelly, were you able to fit your WT-550 into that X-back.

 

[Passinwind]

Thanks for the pics Passinwind and for the info Anderbass and Mcrelly!

I agree that the SKB (all of 'em, actually) is flimsy. I'm talking to nycasecompany.com right now, they say no problem making something at the depth I want (~12 inches rackable would be perfect). I also found these guys on eBay, theirs is 14" overall, and 12 1/2 rackable depth. I'm waiting to hear on the weight right now.

1/4" ply laminated with plastic is generally heavier than I'd prefer, since my QSC only weighs 13 pounds, and I'd like to reap some benefit from that. The SKB in my picture weighs 7 pounds, as a benchmark. I think it's actually stronger than the regular ('effects') SKBs, except for the back piece, which is a joke.

 

[mattpnolan]

I agree that the SKB (all of 'em, actually) is flimsy. I'm talking to nycasecompany.com right now, they say no problem making something at the depth I want (~12 inches rackable would be perfect). I also found these guys on eBay, theirs is 14" overall, and 12 1/2 rackable depth. I'm waiting to hear on the weight right now.

1/4" ply laminated with plastic is generally heavier than I'd prefer, since my QSC only weighs 13 pounds, and I'd like to reap some benefit from that. The SKB in my picture weighs 7 pounds, as a benchmark. I think it's actually stronger than the regular ('effects') SKBs, except for the back piece, which is a joke.

I can't find anything on the nycasecompany, and the ebay company has latches on the case - not the lids - so they won't work or me

 

[Passinwind]

I can't find anything on the nycasecompany, and the ebay company has latches on the case - not the lids - so they won't work or me

Oops, shoulda gone for the caffeine first!

http://www.newyorkcasecompany.com
They claim that they'll do anything you want in custom.

 

[Nick Ioannucci]

heyy Road Ready makes shallow racks, theyre 12 or 13" deep, and look really solid, i was thinking about one for my swr, its only 10" deep i think. theyre something like 140? i think. theyre at music123.com

 

[bongomania]

...the ebay company has latches on the case - not the lids - so they won't work or me

Notice that the latches' frames cut into the lids just as much as the body- so it should be no big deal for the company to flip the latches around, on request.

 

[mattpnolan]

I decided to go with the SKB Deluxe, because I can get it very quickly through the same company I am sending the Gator back to. Thanks guys for all your help!

 

[Mcrelly]

Hey Mcrelly, were you able to fit your WT-550 into that X-back.

I sold my xrack and I doubt it would fit since the 550 is at least 12" deep. the rack is only about 10.38" deep.

I bought the eden bag. trying to reduce weight anyway...

 

[Mcrelly]

I agree that the SKB (all of 'em, actually) is flimsy. ... The SKB in my picture weighs 7 pounds, as a benchmark. I think it's actually stronger than the regular ('effects') SKBs, except for the back piece, which is a joke.

I've only used SKB US rotoracks (x racks shallow and normal size) and they've served me well. my shallow xrack was even run over by my car!!! and survived and even more important protected my amp!!!

sorry PW I reread your post and realized you were dissing the older roto design. I think the newer "x" shaped molding is stronger too!!

 

[Passinwind]

sorry PW I reread your post and realized you were dissing the older roto design. I think the newer "x" shaped molding is stronger too!!

Nope, sorry I wasn't clearer. I was actually referring to the standard depth full-ATA non-roto racks with the 'clamshell' front and back lids, which are called effect racks on the SKB website. But yeah, the X shaped ones are mo bettah, IMHO, whether in the shallow format or the deeper X-Rack one. There was an older shallow one too, which was shallower than the current X shaped ones. I have one of those as well, and am underwhelmed, FWIW.

 

[whacker]

I recently got the SKB 2-space X-rack for my GK head, and it's fine for my application, as I don't anticipate any super-heavy-duty action. I wanted it as shallow as would fit the GK, and it's the one.