Roadcases for a Marshall sized Amphead?

[MrDan666]

What roadcases do you guys use for your amp heads?

Im thinking of picking up a case for my JCM800 as im always lugging it back and forth from band practice, and it gets bashed around in the back of the car. Already had a set of tubes die because it got rattled around one time in the car, on the way home after a band practice.

Cheers!
Dan

 

[MARK1970]

Check Evilbay, I have seen some really cheap. I recall seeing some for about $175.00.

 

[King Guitar]

What roadcases do you guys use for your amp heads?

Im thinking of picking up a case for my JCM800 as im always lugging it back and forth from band practice, and it gets bashed around in the back of the car. Already had a set of tubes die because it got rattled around one time in the car, on the way home after a band practice.

Cheers!
Dan

I've posted this before, but road cases are only good for two things IMO.

1 - If you're travelling alot (going on tour) and actually packing equipment away in a van or trailer, where things will be piled up on top of each other and/or jostled around alot (OT - I don't think I've ever used the word "jostle" before.)

2 - If you want more stuff to brag about online with your message board buddies (and make it appear you're a working musician)

I won't own another road case for my amps for any other reason than listed above. They add alot of weight and bulk, making it a huge pain in the ass. I just don't think it's needed for a guy that plays locally and stays in their own bed most of the time (like me.) I'd rather have a padded Tuki cover that only adds an extra 1/4 lb of weight. They do a good job of keeping the scratches off the amp/cab.

And whatever you do, don't get one of those "live in" road cases for your head. Those add even more bulk and weight to your amp.

They look cool for sure, but it's overkill 99% of the time. Again, IMO!

All or Nothing. Get what you like and dont worry about others. Head/Rack cases are cool to keep everything in one place and wired neatly. When you are taking it out, two covers and your done (Make sure you get the big 4" wheels that roll over anything). I use a aero cell truck with a ramp to transport gear and its perfect. Do I go out on world tour, nope. Am I happy I have the case, Yup

YMMV

ps: Call Mark at rockhardcases.com

 

[Anonymous]

All or Nothing. Get what you like and dont worry about others. Head/Rack cases are cool to keep everything in one place and wired neatly. When you are taking it out, two covers and your done (Make sure you get the big 4" wheels that roll over anything). I use a aero cell truck with a ramp to transport gear and its perfect. Do I go out on world tour, nope. Am I happy I have the case, Yup

YMMV

ps: Call Mark at rockhardcases.com

Absolutely! Do what you like.

I just don't know too many gigging musicians that like moving a refrigerator-sized rack in and out of bars/their homes a couple of times a week. It's a huge pain in the ass, even with a super duper fancy truck with a lift. And of course, it's bigtime overkill for most people IMO. It does "look" cool, which is why I think alot of it is just for bragging.

Now if someone only takes their equipment out of their house once a year, it's not that big of a pain in the ass. But if they take their stuff out that infrequently, why have big road cases anyway?

All IMO.

I always wondered how people lug those gigantic fridge racks in and out of gigs if they don't have roadies to help? I am a fairly big guy as you know and I can't imagine dealing with that every gig, seems like it'd get old rather quick.

 

[King Guitar]

You get a 2x12 combo in a rolling case and a pedal board for the Joes Taco Stand gig and the big rig for the larger venue when you get lucky enough to get that gig. I got to play at the Ntelos Ampitheatre in Va Beach a few years back and it was cool to have a big rig for sure.

 

[Anonymous]

You get a 2x12 combo in a rolling case and a pedal board for the Joes Taco Stand gig and the big rig for the larger venue when you get lucky enough to get that gig. I got to play at the Ntelos Ampitheatre in Va Beach a few years back and it was cool to have a big rig for sure.

I've played some pretty big gigs. Verizon Amptheater in St.Louis, the Pageant, Pop's....I never used a massive huge rig like that and never felt the need for it. But next time i'm playing Joe's taco stand, i'll remember my pedal board.

 

[Shiny_Surface]

All or Nothing. Get what you like and dont worry about others. Head/Rack cases are cool to keep everything in one place and wired neatly. When you are taking it out, two covers and your done (Make sure you get the big 4" wheels that roll over anything). I use a aero cell truck with a ramp to transport gear and its perfect. Do I go out on world tour, nope. Am I happy I have the case, Yup

YMMV

ps: Call Mark at rockhardcases.com

Absolutely! Do what you like.

I just don't know too many gigging musicians that like moving a refrigerator-sized rack in and out of bars/their homes a couple of times a week. It's a huge pain in the ass, even with a super duper fancy truck with a lift. And of course, it's bigtime overkill for most people IMO. It does "look" cool, which is why I think alot of it is just for bragging.

Now if someone only takes their equipment out of their house once a year, it's not that big of a pain in the ass. But if they take their stuff out that infrequently, why have big road cases anyway?

All IMO.

I agree they just aren't realistic for some gigging musicians in the venues they might be playing at. Narrow corridors, stairways, no ramps or elevators, etc. Most importantly, no roadies unless your bandmates help you out.

They sure do look impressive in pictures on internet forums though.

EDIT: I'm talking about the larger refrigerator type setups, not amp cases per se like the original poster was referring to.

 

[turmoil]

i always get cases for my heads period. i don't care about the dings and what not but if it's getting banged around in the trailer i'd rather have the foam absorb the impacts than the electronics/tubes.

for 4x12 cabs i would never get an ATA case unless i had a crew to lift it because they add sooooo much extra weight. my favorite solution is to take the cardboard box the cab came in and wrap it in duct tape. it works 1000 times better than any slip cover ever.

exhibit A:

exhibit B:

 

[Shiny_Surface]

for 4x12 cabs i would never get an ATA case unless i had a crew to lift it because they add sooooo much extra weight. my favorite solution is to take the cardboard box the cab came in and wrap it in duct tape. it works 1000 times better than any slip cover ever.

exhibit B:

That's pretty creative.

 

[turmoil]

i guess it also depends on how anal you are about the condition of your gear. some guys are absolute freaks when it comes down to trying to keep their gigging gear in as MINT condition as possible. for that, live in cases are just about the only way to go.