Okay gang,
Let me know what you think of this idea.
All this talk about head shell cases has got me thinking again about building a few for my ADA gear. So, I'm looking into materials to build cases specific to the Pre-amps and Power amps, so they can be placed on top of the speaker cabs like a traditional amp head.
I've looked into the RMC rack heads that were built for Tom Scholz's Rockman gear which is a cool concept, but they are too shallow for ADA gear, the back of the pre-amp would stick out the back of the head. Plus, they don't have any kind of lids for the front and back, offering no protection for your gear. They also have a power section to the right side with a switch on the front panel, but when I asked about that, I found out that they are nothing more than a switch that is wired to 14 outlets in the back that are wired parallel to each other.
So here is my idea: I'll build something similar to that design, but a 4U rack design. The Master power switch on the front panel would be a good idea, but it will need to have power conditioning and protection built -in, so there will be no need for an external power conditioner like a Furman. In fact, I'll buy a couple of Furmans, and take out all the guts and transplant it in the new case.
I've located a supplier for the electrical boxes in Michigan, who can make these to the size and dimensions I'll need for a maximum of 8 conditioned outlets.
I've also located a supplier for Gray Ozite covering for the cases, which I'll order in bulk.
I can also get #2 Pine in 3/4" thickness, which will keep it lighter than plywood.
Black Amp corners and rubber feet are available everywhere, no problem.
As for handles, I'm undecided between a surface mounted handle, or recessed ABS handles in the sides, or maybe spring-loaded handles on the sides.
The cases will be built with removable front and back covers, for transporting to gigs, and they will be just deep enough to accommodate standard ADA rack gear.
Let me hear your thoughts on this project please. I'd like to know if anyone besides myself thinks this would be a practical idea, especially if you have a rack case dedicated to your effects gear.
Just for additional information, the reason I'm thinking of building a few of these is so I can load a preamp, power amp, and one or two effects processors in a head case and plug it into any type of speaker cab. This is why I decided on a 4U configuration. Pre-amps can be 1 or 2 rack spaces, and so can power amps, unless you go with a bigger one at 3U.
Thoughts, and/or suggestions?
Harley