Author Topic: Amp Racks (Read 4836 times)

indysmith · « **on:** January 14, 2007, 06:50:56 PM »

I'm watching a Marshall 9005 power amp on evilBay (so i could actually use my Mesa V-twin preamp... it sounds hideous in front of the jcm800).
If i win then i'll be needing a rack to mount it in. Does anybody know the correct word for "amp rack" because googling it gave me very few useful results; as yu can probably tell i'm not usually one for rack setups, but the prospect of having three more brand new decent sounding channels to play my guitar through for (at the moment) quite a low price is irrefusable.
Which companies make good ones? how much should i pay for one to fit just this single poweramp? (i think it takes up 2 rack spaces) Can you even get racks that small? do yu guys think that perhaps i should get a larger one in case of the eventuality that i may want to expand it?
The only thing about getting a larger rack is that it may look messy until i fill it. Can i get blank rack plates just to cover the holes and keep everything tidy?
Thanks for any help, I'm pretty sure this is a subject that hasn't been touched upon before in the forum, which suprises me somewhat.

nfe · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2007, 06:54:51 PM »

errr, Rack is the only thing I can think of. Everyone that I can think of that manufactures them simply calls them Racks.

Maybe searching for the size one you need might garner better results, 2U rack/3U rack etc.

Maybe 19" rack?

indysmith · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2007, 06:59:40 PM »

Quote from: nfe

errr, Rack is the only thing I can think of. Everyone that I can think of that manufactures them simply calls them Racks.

Maybe searching for the size one you need might garner better results, 2U rack/3U rack etc.

Maybe 19" rack?

what does 2U and 3U mean? I take it i'll need a 19" rack then, lol.
I have no idea, catch my drift?

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2007, 07:05:32 PM »

A 9005 will need a 4U rack case or larger

Rack cases were originally used for old style computer mainframes and by the telephone companies (like the GPO - the forerunner of British telecom)

They were a standard 19" wide and each "unit" was 1 3/4" tall or multiples of that so 1U, 2U or 3U etc

indysmith · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2007, 07:08:43 PM »

ah, thats what i'm talking about - thanks guys. So I should probably be looking at 6U 19" rack cases. Can anyone recommend any good rack case manufacturers to me? It's probably going to spend most of it's time in my room til i get a driving license but then it's going to moving around a lot, so something with handles would be nice?

38thBeatle · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2007, 07:51:43 PM »

Indy you can cases for them too-often integral so that you would take off the front and back and then set the rack on top of your cab and connect up. It is best to get a rack a tad bigger than you need to allow for cooling plus you might decide, at some future stage, to get other rack items- tuner, reverbs or maybe effects.

38thBeatle · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2007, 07:59:31 PM »

I am not saying buy this but it'll give you an idea. Found in Pro Audio Equipt heading under Rack Gear in the musical instruments bit.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4U-FULL-FLIGHT-ALUMINIUM-MIXER-RACK-CASE-UNDER_W0QQitemZ330071786661QQihZ014QQcategoryZ23789QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

indysmith · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2007, 08:21:09 PM »

phwoar they don't come cheap do they?
Thanks a load though 38th- that looks like exactly the kind of thing i'm after!

Word Bearer · « **Reply #8 on:** January 14, 2007, 08:27:48 PM »

Do a search for Gator or SKB, you should be able to pick up an SKB 4U case for about £50.

As has already been touched on pretty much all rack equipment should be 19" wide, though you'll sometimes get half size units (Boss did a number in the late 80's early 90's).

I'd reccommend getting at least a 6U case to allow for cooling and also means you can get a rack tray and sit the Mesa V-Twin in the rack aswell. You should be able to get a fixed rack tray from Maplins.

Also I'm assuming you're JCM800 is one without an effects loop, but if I'm wrong have you tried putting the V-Twin in the FX Return?

indysmith · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2007, 08:29:49 PM »

yeah the '800 is a 1983 single channel, no effects loop, or any features at all really model.

Hell Hound · « **Reply #10 on:** January 15, 2007, 01:39:16 PM »

I personnaly use a Rackbag, still heavy but easier to move around.

http://www.thomann.de/fr/millenium_rackbag_6he.htm

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #11 on:** January 15, 2007, 02:04:11 PM »

I would actually suggest just getting a 4U one as the temptation to put more stuff in a bigger one will result in a too heavy to lift case.

Also - try to find one not much deeper than the gear going in as the handles will be closer to the centre of gravity and not break your wrist or twist when you pick it up

See my rack below - notice that I have the power amp in a separate smaller easy to move rack

maxingwell · « **Reply #12 on:** January 15, 2007, 02:21:01 PM »

I use a 4u rack bag now like Hell Hound which is loads lighter/easier to use. It still gives good protection too. I used to have a 10u wooden flight case which weighde a ton!!
Flightcase warehouse are quite good:
http://www.flightcasewarehouse.co.uk/music/main.asp?section=Rack+Cases

maxingwell · « **Reply #13 on:** January 15, 2007, 02:21:44 PM »

oops - double post!

indysmith · « **Reply #14 on:** January 15, 2007, 03:44:17 PM »

thats a great link maxingwell thanks.
Ha Jonathan i see yu've been bitten by the rack bug a few times :P that's quite a setup. I don't know whether the 9005 will need a shallow or regular case so i guess i'll have to wait until i get it (if i get it)