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What size rack should I get, and should I get a back up head.

F

FighttheSilence

Apr 5, 2009
249
1
Jasper, MN (southwest corner)
#1
Right now my rig is a GK 2001RBP and a Carvin DCM1500 in a 3space gator rack. Since I'm going to start gigging a bit more I figured I should get a bigger rack to fit a power conditioner, a wireless unit, and a blank spot (hard to get to the foot switch plug). That would be a 6 spacer, but now I'm not sure. Would it be a good idea to get an 8 spacer and look for a 2 or 3 space back up head.

If you answered yes on the idea of getting a back up, what head? I'd like it to be cheaper, maybe a Peavey Tour 700 or something would work. I play metal, the head would need to put out at least 600 watts at 4 ohms.
 
#2
I'm kinda like a boy scout about backups. I would consider a backup. However, I would get something that would be close to what you have already. Probably in your case, a GK of some type like a 1001rb. If for some reason your other preamp goes out, you will keep the same sound.

I get my sound out of aguilar amps and I have DB680/Stewart Power 1.6, DB 750 and DB359. Large, medium and small. This way I have the same sonic signature everywhere and for every size gig I do... Keep it in the same family... get a GK worse case you can always use the poweramp to have extra power when needed
 
#3
I'd say get at least an 8 space rack and i'd look for a used svt3 or something along those lines. Keep at least 2 rack spaces between your head and the next closest item in your rack for air to flow across your head to keep it cool, IMO of course.

I have a 10 space rack, on wheels, with an svt4pro, 2 spaces for air flow, a drawer for cables...etc, rack mount wireless, rack mount tuner, and a power conditioner.
 
#4
been there, done that. gutted it. remember you have to carry that rack and it will be heavy. just sayin.

i can tell how much a drummer gigs by how many drums he brings. most working cats bring a 4 pc, sometimes a 5. Ditto for guitar players - small combo. bass player? a head and one or two cabs. that happens after the 150th time you drag the rack out....
 
#5
Save your money, and buy a decent surge strip instead of wasting it on a power conditioner... Get a 4U rack, and use that to put your wireless receiver in - big racks look cool *at first*, but soon lose their allure...

Regarding a backup - a decent DI box is all you need...



- georgestrings
 
#6
I've got well over 100 gigs on this setup, and wouldn't change a thing:


Rackpics001.jpg


Also, you haven't mentioned anything about a tuner...



- georgestrings
 
#11
"What size rack should I get?" - The question every man dreams his girlfriend/wife would ask.

In all seriousness - Back up head, up to you. I would base that on how frequently you play. Personally I would stick with the rack case you have now for the essentials, and then put any extra goodies in a separate case. That way, if you only need the bas(s)ics, pardon the pun, you will never need to faff around with taking things out and putting things back into one case.
 
#12
I have an 8-space SKB roto-rack right now and love everything about it, except the weight from all the stuff I put in it. This is going to sound lame, but if I could go back, I'd get a couple 4-spacers instead and split the weight up a little bit. The worst thing about any gig I've every played is reloading everything into the van, and that rack is pushing 60 or 70 lbs. and I'm too young to feel this old hauling this stuff around. No matter what you decide I'd suggest getting at least 2 more spaces than what you know you need right now--it's easier to get a blank panel and get rid of it when you don't need it than it is to change to a larger rack when you run out of space (and cheaper, too). Good luck with whatever you decide!
 
#13
Speaking as someone who went from a heavy combo to a still-heavy racked head + cabs setup, the weight in that rack adds up way faster than you think. You don't need a rackmount power conditioner, as said before; just snag a decent surge protector and stay with the smaller rack. Trust me, it will save you some pain, effort, and money.
 
#14
I myself am going to go up to a 10 space rolling. I have no problem lifting the darn thing on top of my cabs, and now that it will have wheels and is bigger I won't even need to do this anymore. Also, since my guitarist uses a heavy Mesa, he helps me with everything and I help him with everything. Moving a 80+ lb rack isn't hard if it rolls and there is an extra person to help with steps.

For a backup head, I'm actually going to buy a second identical amp. Heavy, yes. But the ability to be able to hook up a second set of cabs plus the knowledge that both would have to fail for me to be in trouble is much more pleasing than the weight.
 

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