• 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.

What can a rack give me?

#62
Racks protect gear much better than any other setup. I don't have one now but I'm just starting a band up so I don't need one. Before we start gigging I'll get one to house my wireless and possibly a back up amp.

My gig rig is unbelievably heavy anyway so I don't fret ovet weight. I have a real good dolly, a nice sized cart that breaks down into pieces and several straps so load in and out, while a little time consuming, is not too hard on the old body. I play heavy stuff so I feel my rig is important to my bands sound even though I think most here would think it was overkill.

So yeah, I like racks. Stacks of racks!

Cheers!

MJW
 
#63
I use a 3 space SKB roto rack. It holds an eta power conditioner and a Hartke LH1000. I'm guessing it's about 60 lbs altogether. Which isn't that heavy, I don't get the aversion to carrying around something moderately heavy. If you've got serious back issues then i get it, but if you're otherwise healthy occasionally lifting 40 pounds will do you more good than harm.

No offense meant to anyone, just my $.02...
 
#64
BurningSkies said:
My rack is an amp and preamp (Monique + 7lb IPR300) . My old rack was an amp and preamp (Kern IP-777 + IPR 3000). Once I realized that what I really liked was TRUE tube preamp tone (with quality transformers) plus open ended headroom for clean reproduction, I gave up on hybrid amps or anything I could fit in a shoulder bag. No effects, no compressors no additional EQs, none of that. I tried everything along the way...SVTs, Mesa 400+, GK, Hartke, Markbass, etc. etc etc.

I'm willing to carry my rack (4 space now, or 3 space with Kern) because its a one hand haul. It costs me no more effort and I get the benefit of the tone I want at the volume I want. I also have a plan B or C for gigs where I might find ugly PA surprises and I can lend a channel to monitors if needed, or at worst, use my LMII backup from the car and use my power amp for PA altogether. It takes me no more effort than a standard head to setup. Everything is wired I just plug it in along with the speaker cables. To most of us, racks are not anything more than what a integrated amp is to others.
Click to expand...

+1. An excellent reason to use a rack. I don't know why ken had to make that crack about " decent player who knows how to use an eq does'nt need a rack these days ". I have seen and heard some local players who have technique up the wazoo use rack mounted gear with their rig. Sounds pretty damn good to me ! The major reason I used a rack system was I was playing 4-5 nights a week in a corporate/party dance band for 20+ years, and all equipment, PA, etc, traveled and stayed in a van at all times. Of course, the lightweight stuff was just starting to appear at the tail end of that period in my playing days. Now, with a much more relaxed gig schedule, where I am hauling my own stuff, and playing in a much smaller, low volume group, I have switched over to the lightweight heads and cabs, for the most part. Worked both ways for me.
 
#65
In my case (no pun intended :) I've been playing an SVT-3 PRO for the last 10+ years. IMO, there's no other practical way to use this amp other than a rack. I like having the tuner in-line and set-up's a breeze with just the power and speaker cords to connect at a gig. It's protected during transport, out of danger from rainy load-ins/outs, and kept dust free. It's a hefty (51 lbs), but this amp has been such a reliable workhorse that I'll probably play it until it dies. At that point, I might look to down-size and go class D SS.

Rack_zps17c98164.jpg
 
#66
Vince Klortho said:
Yes. Additional cost. My rack was not free. None of the stuff I have HAS to be in a rack. I could have the same stuff piled on top of my cabinet(s) but I prefer to have them in a rack. YMMV.
Click to expand...

Fair enough... if you want your gear in a rack - you gotta have a rack. I gathered from the thread that some feel they have to pay some margin of "extra cost" to achieve equivalence in a racked system versus a head... apparently that was not your point.
 
#67
Stone Soup said:
Protection. A rack offers protection, for those of us who constantly transport their rigs.

If your amplifier fits in a 2 space rack, and you travel with it, even if you don't need more gear than just your amp, put it in a 2 space rack. The plastic roto-molded type are very light and offer great protection against falls or bumps.
Click to expand...

Oh, heavens yes! I don't use gig bags when transporting basses, either. Heck, I use a "ransom money" attache / hardcase for my pedalboard.

I've pretty much resigned myself to using a pre / power amp combination as my cabs are notoriously power-hungry. I am at somewhat of an advantage as I drive a stripped-down service vehicle (lotsa room!) and usually able to park within 30' of any load-in. For those in the larger metro areas where mass transit is king and parking is at a premium: my heart goes out to you! In these circumstances, as I understand it, less is more.

Riis
 
#70
I used this since 1998. I have recently been experimenting with different micros. I use a clip on tuner and a Keeley comp. So much easier to carry. I have to admit,I do think it looks impressive though. IMO
2epj80x.jpg
 
#74
Foz said:
Fair enough... if you want your gear in a rack - you gotta have a rack. I gathered from the thread that some feel they have to pay some margin of "extra cost" to achieve equivalence in a racked system versus a head... apparently that was not your point.
Click to expand...

Right, that was not my point. The amp I have comes with protective corners and rubber feet so it can be used "stand-alone." It also has the rack ears built in and I have to take off the other stuff to put it in a rack. I went for the rack because it is more conventient and I like the protection it provides. It is an additional cost but really not that expensive. Actually, considering the shape I have seen some used amps in lately, I think it can effectively pay for itself. I was in GC today picking up a (cheap) used cabinet and I saw an amp similar to mine that was missing two of the EQ slider handles and its power indicator LED was gone too. To me, that devalues it considerably - by at least the cost of a simple rack in my opinion.
 
#76
The_Janitor said:
Used racks can be had for
Not much money. I got mine (3RU SKB roto) with the power conditioner for 50 bucks. A small, one time price to pay to protect my gear.
Click to expand...

And I bought my SKB standard 3-space for under 100 bucks new online. I have a number of other used racks that I've found dirt cheap, including a 4 space Grundorf that's coming my way for the cost of shipping.
 
#77
Stone Soup said:
Protection. A rack offers protection, for those of us who constantly transport their rigs.

If your amplifier fits in a 2 space rack, and you travel with it, even if you don't need more gear than just your amp, put it in a 2 space rack. The plastic roto-molded type are very light and offer great protection against falls or bumps.
Click to expand...

Exactly. I have a Genz Benz NeoPack 3.5 in a two space flight case. Sure, at first I was wondering why I took an 8.5 pound little amp and put it in the heavy case. But in the end it's safe, easy to carry, and I just pop the covers off, my power and speaker cord drop out the back and I'm set up. Plus, I can put my drink, tuner, picks, some business cards, and my phone on top, and my drummer still has space to park a small fan on it too.

Couldn't do that w/o the case.
 
#78
Last night's sub gig was in a small bar, the 4 piece band was crammed in a corner. I use a deep rack, but it was no problem to squeeze in.

Details:
4 space SKB standard rack containing:
Tech21 SansAmp VTRM preamp (<5 pounds)
Reiner amplification (JGR) all-tube preamp (10 pounds max)
Stewart World 2.1 power amp (17 pounds)

Cab is a Bergantino HS210

I love the flexibility of the rack. The Reiner pre is crystal clear and flat (though it can also get dirty). The SansAmp gives me Ampeg tube sounds without all that weight. I run the Reiner into the rear input of the SansAmp so I can use the SansAmp as a distortion effect. Or, I can plug into the front of the SansAmp if all I'm going to use is Ampeggy tones (doing this bypasses the Reiner pre).

Pardon the crappy pic
IMG_20131117_242003_275_zpsab399738.jpg
 
#79
I have a 4-space rack bag that holds two heads - ShuttleMax9.2 and SVT-7Pro. Probably 25 pounds total, and I have an amp and a backup nicely protected and easy to carry.

I also like being able to plunk the rack bag on my speaker, unzip the covers and plug in. I always hated pulling the amp out of the carrying bag. I don't know why, but it irks me.
 
#80
2 space rack here, Peavey power amp and SWR pre. Pretty damn light.
This and a 1x12 cab have served me well through subway commutes and tiny "stages".

One of my guitarists just got a 4x12 cab, so this will likely change my cab choice, but the rack will stay. Just too efficient to lose.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back