building a small rack, need some advice

[Erock]

ok, could use some help, as I'm in the design stage of my first real rack rig.

First off, I've been jonsing for a long time to try a VHT/Fryette, so I figured this would be a good time. I am planning on a 2150 if I can find one, but what is the consensus on the best VHT poweramps?

Next I need a decent roadcase. I'm looking for bang for the buck, but not cutting any corners. It's going to need to house a 4 space preamp, a VHT poweramp whichever I get, an AxeFX or rack 11, and a GCX switcher with pedal tray. What brands should I be looking for?

I also have a question about where to position certain things in the rack. I see a lot of rack setups in pics where the poweramp is at the bottom of the rack. This seems a little counterintuitive to me, since I figured it would be best on top to vent heat. I could see it for stability if you're carrying it, but do most people use fans or something cool, or are most rack units hardy enough to handle a high amount of heat? I would feel a little uneasy cooking something like an AxeFX over a tube poweramp. Are there any crucial pieces of a rack that I'm not including? Maybe powerconditioner/voltage regulator?

 

[glpg80]

http://www.audiopile.net/products/Cases ... heet.shtml

 

[glpg80]

as far as arrangements go - i'd rack the poweramp by itself in its own 4-6 space rack. they are heavy, and will be a bitch to move with the other stuff once you get the wires ran - the weight will definately add up.

usually for organization purposes you go from top to bottom with the power supply and filtration, preamp, rack effects for reach and screen location, then pedals, and last the amplifier output to cabinets.

you can do it vise-versa, but thats following chain of command in terms of importance to your sound from top to bottom and will allow easier cable management and wiring.

if you keep the amplifier seperate you have no worries about heat ventalation for your other effects - the weight distribution will be easier to handle.

you can get a rack with dual front and back mounting options, and use the back mounting for a 1/4" pluggin set to plug/unplug the poweramplifier preamp outputs so you dont wear out the jacks of a line mixer or your last effects output in your chain.

the rack for your pedals can be bought at musiciansfriend pretty cheap - it will allow you to fit your pedals and the rack itself in 4 spaces, 6 if you want to leave some more room or depending on the pedals you use.

 

[nevusofota]

I can help by suggesting a sliding rack shelf. I went down this road a few months ago when I built my mini rack. I bought the shelf from the same dealer (proaudiostash) off of ebay. It works very well. The tray is very smooth when it opens and closes. The main reason for choosing this one is because it takes up only 1 space. It doesn't have a way to lock in place when closed so it won't open and close during transport. I made a small lock with a small piece of metal that you flip down when in transport. You can see it in the pics. I used a RoadRunner 6 space case. I purchased it used off of craigslist for $100. It was never used. I heard some negative things in the past about these cases but I found that for the price they seem pretty heavy duty.

https://cgi.ebay.com/1U-19-SLIDING-RACK- ... 58870cc0e8

 

[RedB4Black]

ok, could use some help, as I'm in the design stage of my first real rack rig.

First off, I've been jonsing for a long time to try a VHT/Fryette, so I figured this would be a good time. I am planning on a 2150 if I can find one, but what is the consensus on the best VHT poweramps?

Next I need a decent roadcase. I'm looking for bang for the buck, but not cutting any corners. It's going to need to house a 4 space preamp, a VHT poweramp whichever I get, an AxeFX or rack 11, and a GCX switcher with pedal tray. What brands should I be looking for?

I also have a question about where to position certain things in the rack. I see a lot of rack setups in pics where the poweramp is at the bottom of the rack. This seems a little counterintuitive to me, since I figured it would be best on top to vent heat. I could see it for stability if you're carrying it, but do most people use fans or something cool, or are most rack units hardy enough to handle a high amount of heat? I would feel a little uneasy cooking something like an AxeFX over a tube poweramp. Are there any crucial pieces of a rack that I'm not including? Maybe powerconditioner/voltage regulator?

Sounds like someone is gonna order a Mak 4. So am I.

I'm in the same position as you. I just got a Fryette 2/50/2 to run with my AXE FX. I figure I'm gonna get a 2/90/2 as well to give variety when I get the Mak 4. I'm just gonna buy a 12 space rack with casters. I figure 4 for the Mak 4, 4 for the 2/90/2 and 2/50/2, 2 for the Axe one for my ISP pro rack g and one for the furman voltage regulator/power conditioner.

Edit. Maybe not. I just realized it would be insanely heavy.

 

[Erock]

Sounds like someone is gonna order a Mak 4. So am I.

I'm in the same position as you. I just got a Fryette 2/50/2 to run with my AXE FX. I figure I'm gonna get a 2/90/2 as well to give variety when I get the Mak 4. I'm just gonna buy a 12 space rack with casters. I figure 4 for the Mak 4, 4 for the 2/90/2 and 2/50/2, 2 for the Axe one for my ISP pro rack g and one for the furman voltage regulator/power conditioner.

haha, great minds and all eh Matt.

yeah, I'm going to order one, I couldn't resist. So those VHT poweramps are only 2 spaces then? yeah, 12 space sounds right with all that stuff. I guess I could sub the GCX and tray for one of those poweramps to come out with the same number. Forgot about the ISP, but that's probably a good addition along with the Furman. Have you heard anything about the poweramp he's designing, and have you ever used the 2150? Where do you keep your poweramps, at the bottom also?

Man, this thing is starting to add up, and I haven't even gotten the preamp yet, lol.

 

[Erock]

as far as arrangements go - i'd rack the poweramp by itself in its own 4-6 space rack. they are heavy, and will be a bitch to move with the other stuff once you get the wires ran - the weight will definately add up.

usually for organization purposes you go from top to bottom with the power supply and filtration, preamp, rack effects for reach and screen location, then pedals, and last the amplifier output to cabinets.

you can do it vise-versa, but thats following chain of command in terms of importance to your sound from top to bottom and will allow easier cable management and wiring.

if you keep the amplifier seperate you have no worries about heat ventalation for your other effects - the weight distribution will be easier to handle.

you can get a rack with dual front and back mounting options, and use the back mounting for a 1/4" pluggin set to plug/unplug the poweramplifier preamp outputs so you dont wear out the jacks of a line mixer or your last effects output in your chain.

the rack for your pedals can be bought at musiciansfriend pretty cheap - it will allow you to fit your pedals and the rack itself in 4 spaces, 6 if you want to leave some more room or depending on the pedals you use.

ahh, that's a good point man, might be the way to do. Thanks for the tips!

I can help by suggesting a sliding rack shelf. I went down this road a few months ago when I built my mini rack. I bought the shelf from the same dealer (proaudiostash) off of ebay. It works very well. The tray is very smooth when it opens and closes. The main reason for choosing this one is because it takes up only 1 space. It doesn't have a way to lock in place when closed so it won't open and close during transport. I made a small lock with a small piece of metal that you flip down when in transport. You can see it in the pics. I used a RoadRunner 6 space case. I purchased it used off of craigslist for $100. It was never used. I heard some negative things in the past about these cases but I found that for the price they seem pretty heavy duty.

https://cgi.ebay.com/1U-19-SLIDING-RACK- ... 58870cc0e8

that's a pretty killer setup man. Thanks for the advice, I'll look into those.

 

[Digital Jams]

Hey bro,

Your right that it does not sound right to place the pa on the bottom but the biggest reason is where the weight is, a 2150 on top would be stupid top heavy and a pain to carry. VHT stuff is front to back cooling unlike a normal head so the bottom does work, either place a pedal tray about it or leave 2u above it open.

Can't go wrong with any of the VHT amps you listed but if you really want something "different" and monsterous sounding look out for a Mesa Coli 300

 

[Erock]

Hey bro,

Your right that it does not sound right to place the pa on the bottom but the biggest reason is where the weight is, a 2150 on top would be stupid top heavy and a pain to carry. VHT stuff is front to back cooling unlike a normal head so the bottom does work, either place a pedal tray about it or leave 2u above it open.

Can't go wrong with any of the VHT amps you listed but if you really want something "different" and monsterous sounding look out for a Mesa Coli 300

yeah, I was thinking about that being a factor, I was just concerned about baking stuff. That's great to hear about the 2150, that makes a lot more sense for the rig pics I've seen. And yeah, I remember hearing about those Coli amps too, forgot about all those old mesa poweramps. Thanks for the suggestions DJ.

 

[RedB4Black]

haha, great minds and all eh Matt.

yeah, I'm going to order one, I couldn't resist. So those VHT poweramps are only 2 spaces then? yeah, 12 space sounds right with all that stuff. I guess I could sub the GCX and tray for one of those poweramps to come out with the same number. Forgot about the ISP, but that's probably a good addition along with the Furman. Have you heard anything about the poweramp he's designing, and have you ever used the 2150? Where do you keep your poweramps, at the bottom also?

Man, this thing is starting to add up, and I haven't even gotten the preamp yet, lol.

I'm not sure why you'd need the GCX anyway. If you want effects, just use the Axe or Eleven rack. I'm not sure an ISP is even necessary as well but I already own one - I don't use it much anymore though. I think the Furman AR-15II is a must when using tube amps - I already have one of those as well.

I haven't tried the 2150. The 2/50/2 I just got is really the first and only rack tube power amp I've ever played. Sounds great with the AXE. I haven't heard anything about Mako power amps. I'm gonna go ahead and pre-order the Mak 4 shortly though.

Your gonna be spending some serious $. You planning to sell anything to fund it?

 

[ericsabbath]

First off, I've been jonsing for a long time to try a VHT/Fryette, so I figured this would be a good time. I am planning on a 2150 if I can find one, but what is the consensus on the best VHT poweramps?

Next I need a decent roadcase. I'm looking for bang for the buck, but not cutting any corners. It's going to need to house a 4 space preamp, a VHT poweramp whichever I get, an AxeFX or rack 11, and a GCX switcher with pedal tray. What brands should I be looking for?

sup, brother

how's a 4u preamp + vht 2150 (3u?) + axefx + etc a small rack?

I would pick a vht 2/90/2 or mesa 2:90 instead and two different 1u preamps

 

[HMJ]

Here is my setup and arrangement.

 

[Erock]

I'm not sure why you'd need the GCX anyway. If you want effects, just use the Axe or Eleven rack. I'm not sure an ISP is even necessary as well but I already own one - I don't use it much anymore though. I think the Furman AR-15II is a must when using tube amps - I already have one of those as well.

I haven't tried the 2150. The 2/50/2 I just got is really the first and only rack tube power amp I've ever played. Sounds great with the AXE. I haven't heard anything about Mako power amps. I'm gonna go ahead and pre-order the Mak 4 shortly though.

Your gonna be spending some serious $. You planning to sell anything to fund it?

well, I'm kind of a diehard about my analog boost/drives, and I want to still use the switching and loops for my other amps. It is looking like some serious loot, I'll probably just focus on the preamp and poweramp initially. No plans of flipping anything, I'm done getting rid of amps I really like just to try new stuff. Going to take me a while to build it right though.

how's a 4u preamp + vht 2150 (3u?) + axefx + etc a small rack?

I would pick a vht 2/90/2 or mesa 2:90 instead and two different 1u preamps

sup Eric!
hehe, yeah, it's looking like it won't be that small anymore.
I definitely am going with the Mako preamp though, I really liked my old Dorado, and I want to try the Makoplex along with it. I figure it will be fun to mate my own powersection to it too. I am considering making 2 smaller racks though, one with my fx and switching, and one just for the preamp and poweramp. Guess it will come down to what I can afford first. Thanks for the suggestion man, I do like Mesa stuff, but I'm dying to try a VHT in some form or another.

Here is my setup and arrangement.

yeah, I've seen that man, killer setup.

 

[RedB4Black]

Here's a pic with my rack. I need to hurry up and figure out how I'm gonna arrange it too. The Furman and ISP are in the rack, the Fryette sits on top of the rack, the Axe on top of the cab and the ART SLA-2 sits on the chair - out of commission.

 

[Digital Jams]

You can still use your stomps with the axe-fx laying down the sauce in front, if you are looking for ultra clean set-up yeah I would still rock the GCX with the axe-fx.

Look up Mentoneman and Ed Degenaro's youtube pages to get some ideas of what you can create with the axe-fx as your main rack fx and dirty up front.