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Amp head cases?


Cliff Fiscal

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$75? That's not too bad...

 

Used is always an option, check out the classifieds and talkbass...they come up from time to time. Shipping can be a killer on them though...so getting a case for $50 sounds like a great deal...but then you've got $25 to ship it and you're right back where you started.

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Buy once, cry once.


If this head is going to be gigged regularly, I recommend you invest the several hundred for a hard case, not a bag or an SKB/Gator type plastic job.

 

 

Hmmm...I was looking into the SKB type plastic ones......they seem pretty sturdy? :idk: Plus they're cheap......and I only spent a few hundred on the amp alone....I'm not going to spend a few hundred more on a case. :cop:

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Hmmm...I was looking into the SKB type plastic ones......they seem pretty sturdy?
:idk:
Plus they're cheap......and I only spent a few hundred on the amp alone....I'm not going to spend a few hundred more on a case.
:cop:

 

They aren't very sturdy, so it really depends on your needs. If the amp's gonna sit in a basement and be gigged twice a year, and you're the only one moving it, the SKB is okay. If other people will be handling it, get a flight case. It's not about the cost of what's inside, it's more about the importance of it working when you arrive at the gig.:idea::thu:

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They aren't very sturdy, so it really depends on your needs. If the amp's gonna sit in a basement and be gigged twice a year, and you're the only one moving it, the SKB is okay. If other people will be handling it, get a flight case. It's not about the cost of what's inside, it's more about the importance of it working when you arrive at the gig.
:idea::thu:

 

 

 

You know, I hear this all the time - but I've probably done over 100 gigs on the SKB rack case I use for my bass rig, and it's not showing any ill effects... I'd agree with the part about moving it yourself, but honestly - I haven't been all that gentle with mine, and it's been just fine...

 

 

 

- georgestrings

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I've used the hard plastic SKB and Gator stuff for years. Both have worked just fine.

 

The only difference between the two really is, when you strip out the screw bindings on the SKB you can replace them, as they have those pop-in/out pieces. The Gator you have to replace the rack.

 

I currently have a Gator 2U for my Aggy. I doubt I'll be adding anymore to my rack for a good while.

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The weight of the gear inside the case is a major factor. I have seen SKB's that were not too heavy to carry last for years. I have seel SKB's with 100+ lbs of gear (two big crown amps) that did not last two months.

 

 

That too. But if you're just taking your gigging amp from spot to spot, they should do just fine.

I used a rackbag for a while, b/c I wanted to keep the weight down with my lightweight head, but I didn't feel comfy throwing it in the back of a truck or my SUV with other gear and it being protected.

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I've used the hard plastic SKB and Gator stuff for years. Both have worked just fine.


The only difference between the two really is, when you strip out the screw bindings on the SKB you can replace them, as they have those pop-in/out pieces. The Gator you have to replace the rack.


I currently have a Gator 2U for my Aggy. I doubt I'll be adding anymore to my rack for a good while.

 

 

 

 

Are you talking about the mounting devices on the rack rails??? - 'cause if you are, the Gator racks I've seen used the same mounting hardware as SKB...

 

 

 

- georgestrings

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Are you talking about the mounting devices on the rack rails??? - 'cause if you are, the Gator racks I've seen used the same mounting hardware as SKB...




- georgestrings

 

 

Yeah, the little mounting brackets...

Interesting. The previous one and current Gator I have just screw right in to the plate. No hardware required.

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Until you've dropped a case several feet, you can't comment on the strength of a case.

 

OT:

I once dropped a QSC MX-3000 (70lbs.) off an 8' stack of speakers. It crashed, corner first, into the top of a road case. Split the case top into splinters, big mess.

 

44.gif

 

 

I stood there with a helpless look on my face while we hooked it up to test it. Darn thing fired right up and still works today.

 

I know those old things are boat anchors but apparently you can use them as an anchor and a power amp at the same time!

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I have a 2, 3 and 4 space hard rack bag (padded exterior, wood interior, metal rack rails) that I can sell to you on the cheap. I'm in Canada too, as I believe you are as well. Saves on duty costs.

 

I have my XS400H and a rack tuner in the 3 space presently.

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Oh, and this is a retailer you can trust. Mark is a Live Sound regular and he and Liz run a very good business, and the prices for their cases are great:


www.audiopile.net


http://www.audiopile.net/products/Cases/RUE-12_series_rack_cases/R2UE-12/R2UE-12_cutsheet.asp

 

I'd much rather spend $85 on one of these.......freaking rock solid. :eek:

 

Thanks.

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I'd much rather spend $85 on one of these.......freaking rock solid.
:eek:

Thanks.

 

May not fit. The site shows it as 12" depth and the XS400H is 15.5". You will get a little extra from the lids, and it should be enough, but worth looking in too first.

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May not fit. The site shows it as 12" depth and the XS400H is 15.5". You will get a little extra from the lids, and it
should
be enough, but worth looking in too first.

 

Yeah, I wasn't going to buy one right this minute.....I was going to go home and measure first. I think they have a 16" version also. :thu:

 

I really like the XS400H....man, it does just about everything.

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:)
Thanks.

 

 

You're welcome? :idk::D

 

I probably would have hated that GK if it was more of a clean-ish tone.

Although, it's new, I instantly gravitated towards a lower gain/tube settings, blended around 50/50 with the clean.....with a grinding mid-range, and smooth low end. I like to set the treble so I can get some "twang", but I can dial it out with my tone controls(on the bass).

 

I didn't care for the compressor......well, it's okay up until 11pm or so....then it is terrible. The limiter......I don't think I could tell you if it was on or off.

 

Love the tuner out and the effects loop......now I just need a footswitch.:cop: (probably just make one myself.)

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You're welcome?
:idk::D

I probably would have hated that GK if it was more of a clean-ish tone.

Although, it's new, I instantly gravitated towards a lower gain/tube settings, blended around 50/50 with the clean.....with a grinding mid-range, and smooth low end. I like to set the treble so I can get some "twang", but I can dial it out with my tone controls(on the bass).


I didn't care for the compressor......well, it's okay up until 11pm or so....then it is terrible. The limiter......I don't think I could tell you if it was on or off.


Love the tuner out and the effects loop......now I just need a footswitch.
:cop:
(probably just make one myself.)

 

Haha. If you knew where I worked my comment would make sense. PM me if you really want to know the joke.

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Yeah, I wasn't going to buy one right this minute.....I was going to go home and measure first. I think they have a 16" version also.
:thu:

I really like the XS400H....man, it does just about everything.

 

I linked one example. I'm hoping you actually visit the site and check out the rest of the racks...they have a lot of sizes and depths.

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Until you've dropped a case several feet, you can't comment on the strength of a case.


With the prices at audiopile, it doesn't make sense to buy an SKB, IMHO.

 

 

I have a 4-space and two 2-space SKBs. The 4-space holds the pre, comp, tuner & DD-301. The 2-spaces each hold a power amp: 1 QSC PLX1602 and 1 Crest CA4. The 4-space fell out the back of a pickup on the way home from a gig. I was in the car behind it and said..."Hey...that looks like mine!" when I saw it laying in the street. Picked it up, took it home, plugged it in and everything was fine. A few scuffs on the case, but that's all.

 

The driver of that pickup no longer has permission to move my gear.

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