Rack Help Please?

[glpg80]

ive got a few questions, as im in territory that i havent fiddled with in almost 3 years. basically just simple questions of opinion from other RT guys that have owned/own rack gear and their opinions.

first - whats the best racks that are reasonably priced but withstand roaduse? i have a truck and would haul this in the back tied down, so i need stuff that is pretty stable just dont want to go looking at price tags and deciding that way, or stuff that is just going to collect dust in a practice area or basement.

as far as the rack is concerned im looking to keep this expandable but im a cheap person, so i cant get all pro gear. just really want to put most of my investment in the power amp and the preamp, and keep the rest reasonable...within reason.

heres the rack ive got in mind so far-

Furman M-8D
2 space rack drawer: Boss Chorus CE-5, Boss Reverb RV-5, MXR-10 band, power block of some sort.
master MIDI controller of some sort
JMP-1 voodoo modded
peavey 120/120? or Mesa simul-class 395?

this will then be run into two marshall cabinets left and right running 75's with a wet tone in each.

then up front on the floor, TC nova delay in the loop manually (the very last thing before the singal goes to poweramp), MIDI controller-pedal of some sort, a zakk wylde OD for solo boosts, and last my 535Q.


signal chain as follows, but im having problems thinking about how this can be setup:


guitar > chorus > wah > OD > JMP-1 > MXR 10 band > Reverb > Delay > Poweramp > Cabinets


lil help?

 

[stephen sawall]

Keep in mind you well need to move this thing around ... well it take 2 people to load it ? This is a question a lot of people forget about when it comes to the real world.

I have owned the Peavey and the Mesa power amp. The 395 is a great power amp .... one of the best. I had a JMP 1 / Triaxis rig years ago.... It was cool , but I went back to heads for most of it. If you build this rig you may find yourself getting a head for your basic sound and using the rack for a lot of versatility. That is what happened to me. The tone is just better.

I would look for a used rack ... a little beat up for this is fine. This way you well not be afraid to use it and you can keep everything inside clean and protected. .... I picked up my 12 space Anvil case with wheels for a $100 that is less than 3 years old. After I cleaned it up a bit it was in very good shape.

I would put the OD and delay in the rack also. Just the Wa and midi controller out front.

i would also put the chorus after the OD.

I have a 2 GCX and a GCP and like it very much.

Being able to do all the routing and loops with this was way better. No tap dance / no guessing what is on or off on a dark stage. It also helps with noise and tone because things that are not on are out of the signal path.

I would also try out a few different cabs / speakers with the rig to see if it does what you want.

You may find a used Axe Fx standard / ultra may be cheaper and more control..... for the preamp / effects or just the effects than all the other stuff. I would do all the math and take your time checking out a few things with your guitar.

 

[glpg80]

Keep in mind you well need to move this thing around ... well it take 2 people to load it ? This is a question a lot of people forget about when it comes to the real world.

I have owned the Peavey and the Mesa power amp. The 395 is a great power amp .... one of the best. I had a JMP 1 / Triaxis rig years ago.... It was cool , but I went back to heads for most of it. If you build this rig you may find yourself getting a head for your basic sound and using the rack for a lot of versatility. That is what happened to me. The tone is just better.

I would look for a used rack ... a little beat up for this is fine. This way you well not be afraid to use it and you can keep everything inside clean and protected. .... I picked up my 12 space Anvil case with wheels for a $100 that is less than 3 years old. After I cleaned it up a bit it was in very good shape.

I would put the OD and delay in the rack also. Just the Wa and midi controller out front.

i would also put the chorus after the OD.

I have a 2 GCX and a GCP and like it very much.

Being able to do all the routing and loops with this was way better. No tap dance / no guessing what is on or off on a dark stage. It also helps with noise and tone because things that are not on are out of the signal path.

I would also try out a few different cabs / speakers with the rig to see if it does what you want.

You may find a used Axe Fx standard / ultra may be cheaper and more control..... for the preamp / effects or just the effects than all the other stuff. I would do all the math and take your time checking out a few things with your guitar.

thanks for your qucik reply steve - much appreciated

the rack advice makes sense, i like that alot. for some reason that didnt dawn on me.

the TC nova i need out front because it has 9 stored preset options interally with delays plus tap-tempo control right on the pedal. i didnt want to design it in the rack through the midi control just in case i wanted to change a patch, kno what i mean?

also i really really really hate MIDI user-panel stuff and looking at a small window to set all my presets. i wouldnt mind the JMP-1 because the menus arent 4 deep and needing alot of navigation or have insane controlling options. with this, all the effects pedals are essentially analog with knobs - and i can adjust them or even change them out for other models as i like. i owned a G-major for almost 3 years and hated messing with it interally. its a great sounding unit, but that isnt for me.

i didnt think about the OD in the drawer either, thanks for the suggestion ill definately design it like that.

the power amps i could swing either way, i would rather get the peavey for money reasons, but i found out how versatile the 395 is after someone on the board sent me a PM and realized it might be worth its weight in gold big time. thats cool that you also recommended that one of the two, i might just take a swing at one. just do a bias-mod on it so that i can adjust the bias to nominal settings for tubes and after tube changes.

 

[stephen sawall]

Gloryhog is borrowing my Mark IV tomorrow morning .... he was talking about selling his Nova delay not to long ago ... I know he takes very good care of his gear. Keeps everything in cases. I think he bought it new. He is a very honest straight up guy. You may ask him about it. Knowing him it probably is in as good of shape as the day he got it.

As far as where things are floor / rack / what ever .... the cool thing is you can try it a few ways and see what works best. just do not put it in solid right away. My stuff is all on sliding shelf's. I just put the stuff I adjust more or on the fly near the front so it is easy to get at without pulling out the shelf's.

 

[The_Kid]

not sure if you need the 75's, i have 6, 16 ohm 12T75's that I'm not using.

I also have a 4 space drawer i'd part with for pretty cheap.

 

[glpg80]

not sure if you need the 75's, i have 6, 16 ohm 12T75's that I'm not using.

I also have a 4 space drawer i'd part with for pretty cheap.

you plan on getting rid of them within a certain time limit? if not, we will definately keep in touch. dont need the 4 space rack drawer - im going to split this build up into 2 6 space racks so no room for a 4 rack space unfortunately.

i expect it done by christmas sometime, then early next year i will be searching for unloaded cabinets or cabinets already sporting 75's.

but yeah bro. if you dont plan on moving them anytime soon im interested

 

[Digital Jams]

Look on HCAF and here for the rack and Furman, lots of times they are sold together and go for 50 cents on the dollar. I bought my 10u SKB and Furman with lights for $110 shipped in mint condition, not shock mount though.

If you go with a 395 imo you will need at lest 10u and it will be heavy.

Drawers are also always popping up used on the cheap, just wait and it will come.

 

[glpg80]

Look on HCAF and here for the rack and Furman, lots of times they are sold together and go for 50 cents on the dollar. I bought my 10u SKB and Furman with lights for $110 shipped in mint condition, not shock mount though.

If you go with a 395 imo you will need at lest 10u and it will be heavy.

Drawers are also always popping up used on the cheap, just wait and it will come.

yeah i've already got the furman from my previous design. its worked excellent and i ran an entire stage (PA and all) off of this single furman before so i've been really impressed with it. i doubt ill need another

i have been going back and forth on splitting this design up into 2 different 6-space racks, or going with a single 10 space rack. really dont want any gaps that are un-needed. so that i save space/weight.

if i leave the power amp 1 space to breathe with a rack spacer on the front it will fill the 10 spaces full. so i can imagine it will weigh close to 150 lbs once its loaded.

are SKB cases that loaded safe for travel? i have a 2 space SKB that i use but the holes arent tapped for threaded screws and i have to use those clips for each rack piece. i wouldnt want to do that for a full rack. i've been looking at anvil cases like steve recommended and those seem like they are very well made and would work well.

i highly doubt i need the spring loaded/rubber loaded cases that i see some rack guys use. i looked those up and found out a 10 space rack of one of those is extremely expensive, but what about cases with wheels - like yo uwould see with a bookbag that rolls. does something like that exist?

if i have to get one with 4 wheels i can do that because i have truck ramps that i use and have used in the past. but the other way seems more economical

i will be going with the 120/120 most likely. the mesa was just out of my price range - but the guy that owns it here on the forum is an excellent guy (thanks Jeff) and said if i ever changed my mind we could talk later. i dont blame him for wanting to hang onto it and he's real down to earth about it
does anyone

 

[Digital Jams]

Yeah, if your going with a 395 Dave may have a point and rack that seperate because that sucker has to be at lest 50 pounds. My 2/50/2 is heavy as hell.

Hand truck with air tires and skidrails on the back will work better as that will go up stairs with minimal bumps, casters you have to carry.

This is what I have, guessing around 80-90 pounds at least.

 

[glpg80]

My one contribution is get a rack just for the power amp. It will be the heaviest piece. I put my Marshall 100/100 in a 4 space rack. It is a 3 space unit and I have a vented spacer on top. I also took off the poweramp top to to let the tubes breath.

hmmm, that makes sense. i bet it made servicing alot easier...

what about plugging/unplugging the line out cables? did that waste any time? wear out the line input jacks?

im sure people know what i mean by saving time hooking things up live in band contests and stuff, 15 minutes to get everything setup including our drummer's setup is tough.

 

[Digital Jams]

Home Depot sells different clored electrical tape that you can use, yellow to yellow, etc.

Yeah, mine is overkill btw, not a gfigging rig by any means. Just stuff that I could not afford back in the day. You could go way cheaper and still have good tone.

 

[glpg80]

anyone know where i can buy bulk connectors cheap?

im going to buy 300Ft of mogami cable and make all the cables myself for about $110. which is a good deal considering the amount of cable it is.

any specific ends you would recommend to use?

btw all these tips are awsome. really helping me out

 

[glpg80]

Home Depot sells different clored electrical tape that you can use, yellow to yellow, etc.

Yeah, mine is overkill btw, not a gfigging rig by any means. Just stuff that I could not afford back in the day. You could go way cheaper and still have good tone.

thanks to both of you.

ill look at whats available and decide then as to how to set it up. im still partial to the 6space/6space because a 6 space with handles is something i can handle myself with or without ramps on my truck if i absolutely had to do it.

my 5150II is right at 57-60 lbs with the MM iron. as long as the rack isnt over 70lbs in either one of them i can haul it without any problems at all. before i got the hand trucks for my cabinets i used to lift them by hand

turn the cabinet upside down and carry it that way. made it so that you could walk without knocking your knees. then after the truck ramp/handtrucks it made much more sense

 

[guitarslinger]

anyone know where i can buy bulk connectors cheap?

im going to buy 300Ft of mogami cable and make all the cables myself for about $110. which is a good deal considering the amount of cable it is.

any specific ends you would recommend to use?

btw all these tips are awsome. really helping me out

http://www.redco.com sells bulk connectors.

For on the Cheap, Neutrik 201 sounds just fine. <$1 per plug.

 

[glpg80]

anyone know where i can buy bulk connectors cheap?

im going to buy 300Ft of mogami cable and make all the cables myself for about $110. which is a good deal considering the amount of cable it is.

any specific ends you would recommend to use?

btw all these tips are awsome. really helping me out

http://www.redco.com sells bulk connectors.

For on the Cheap, Neutrik 201 sounds just fine. <$1 per plug.

awsome, just the person i was hoping to hear back from

i remember vaguely you asking the same question but i couldnt find the post in the search function. thanks for the tip

 

[glpg80]

hey gene, they dont make those connectors anymore but redco makes their own brand of connectors for $1.75 a piece - im guessing that will be an alright subsitution quality wise correct?

 

[rsm]

I've used SKB ATA rack cases since the early '90s; back in the day doing club circuits, but I moved my own gear with a trusted friend acting as a roadie. I kept my rack at 6U or under, and would combine multiple racks, usually a 2 or 3U for the power amp, and a 6U for the Furman and rack processors. My bass rack fit into a 4U. Smaller racks made moving and packing easier, especially if help was not around. A full 6U was about as heavy as I cared to go without wheels or a truck to put it in!

 

[glpg80]

I've used SKB ATA rack cases since the early '90s; back in the day doing club circuits, but I moved my own gear with a trusted friend acting as a roadie. I kept my rack at 6U or under, and would combine multiple racks, usually a 2 or 3U for the power amp, and a 6U for the Furman and rack processors. My bass rack fit into a 4U. Smaller racks made moving and packing easier, especially if help was not around. A full 6U was about as heavy as I cared to go without wheels or a truck to put it in!

yeah that was what i was thinking in terms of smaller racks made packing easier. but i have to have a minimum of 10 racks and thats not allowing growth of anything. so i was thinking 12 rack spaces would be fine - just split it into two 6 space units.

i know it would make sense to put the poweramp in a 4 unit rack its own, but that leaves an 8-10 space rack to carry for the rest. so the weight would be applied across a bulky unit for me to carry due to its actual size. two 6 space units would be more managable because of the physical sizes of them - not necessarily the weight. small doors, steps, etc would be more managable.

again, i really want to say thanks to everyone that is helping me out it really means alot - keep'em coming

 

[glpg80]

Also, don't count out some of the cheaper stuff. I can make a KILLER rack with just a MosValve power amp, Peavey Rockmaster and a Rocktron Intellifex or Replifex. Finish it off with a Rane parametric eq and you can be done for under $400.

yeah i know what you mean. problem is, if im going to take time time to build it, i would at least like something that could woop my 5150 II's ass blindfolded lol. some people would say thats easy for a 5150, but you have no idea. after all of this i dont even know if it will come close.

plus im OCD and extremely picky about tone which is pathetic. i know what i like, and haven't liked about certain units and this is sorta a compilation of everything put together that i can actually use live.

like before when i owned my g-major, i never could figure out the timings/sync/storage stuff and even when i did something to get it to work the latency time for recall was terrible, nothing like what i could actually use. so live i just kept it on all the time to shape the tone.

this rig will be a mix of analog tuning with MIDI capabilities and everything is interchangable down to every effect. before hand, if i didnt like a chorus out of the g-major i was pretty much screwed to get a new unit or buy something else. with this, theres complete control over each individual thing

to me i would love to build the whole thing for $400

but i know how i am, and i can tell the differences in the most stupid areas of gain structure all the way down to the cables i use.

 

[stephen sawall]

You have 15 min to set up ?

Here in Seattle all the clubs that do original bands have changed over to a 8 bands a night format. That means you have less than 35 min. to set up / tear down and play .....

It sucks ..... but the clubs are making more money. With this economy I have seen a lot close.