DIY racks? SHOW EM!

[tdogg]

now that im almost done with my 3 jack12's, i want to build a rack to match. i know where i can buy rack rails and hardware, but i want to see some of your matching racks before i start cutting! thanks guys.

[sine143]

+1

This is relevant to my interests.

[David Carter]

Started off with a 4U rack...



But quickly built up to a 8U rack...



Now I've sold most of the rack stuff and bought a Yamaha 01V mixer to replace it, so I'm currently working on a slant-top case for the mixer.

My racks don't get moved around a ton, so I kept it simple. Open front and back. Rubber feet and plastic corners.

[sine143]

yeah.. the most I can see myself needing is 6u (2 amps, crossover/eq of choice) and then a slant mount for a mixer. but, seeing as I just rock the xti right now, I can put al that off

[tdogg]

how much weight can those strap handles hold?

[RubiconProSound]

Here you go...

The "big" amp rack:


The "Small" rack


The Mixer rack:

[RubiconProSound]

...and oh yes, the 12 volt "out in woods" rack.

[David Carter]

how much weight can those strap handles hold?

Haven't seen any published specs, but it held up just fine when I had two Crown XTi's in my 8U rack along with the DCX, two EQ's and power conditioner.

[Kapetol T]

It's not totally DIY, but it one of the best looking ones I have seen
http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=237635

[J_Dunavin]

RubiconProSound
What amps are those?

[RubiconProSound]

All the stuff in the "big rack" is AB International. (good ole heavy iron...) Back in the day they were used quite a bit by large and small sound companies. I still see them being used occasionally at various concerts/fairs, etc.

The top rack is a 600A for monitor duty, the middle is another 600A for tops, and the bottom is a Precedent 1100A for sub duty. The EQ's are also AB gear. The 1100A was one of the first class H amps to come on the market (so I've been told...no confirmation on that)

I had a buddy that worked there a few years back as a tech and as he described it; AB goofed a few years back and went overseas for production to reduce cost, the reliability took a big hit as a result. They fell out of favor and have never really recovered. One of the original employees/suppliers bought it a few years back (Bob Hennigie) and and is still plugging away. I talked to Bob on a few occasions and he's a great guy.

If you can find any of the amps on eBay I recommend them as a great buy. Not many people are familiar with AB so they over look them. Mine have been bulletproof and they sound great. The QSC amp(s) came along later because I wanted a 4 channel that was light.

more Info on Bob and AB amps...

http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?V ... amplifiers

http://www.abamps.com/

[J_Dunavin]

Sounds cool. I'm all about trying something different out, as I already have a Peavey IPS 800 and two 400's. And again with the overly heavy, but they sound good and so far seem to be fairly built proof.
Here's a picture of my rack, though it's time for a rebuild. I made it too tall, and it's cumbersome to carry. Plus I didn't make any provision for a cover.

[RubiconProSound]

Here's a picture of my rack, though it's time for a rebuild. I made it too tall, and it's cumbersome to carry. Plus I didn't make any provision for a cover.

nice rack... (did I just say that to a guy? )

Don't feel bad about the tall stature, I'm on my 5th or 6th version of the mixer rack and I'm ready to build another one...

The main thing I learned early on is to not put all the eggs in one basket. The first time you lug a big heavy rack up a flight of stairs you learn real quick. Now everything is split up so my back can get a break.