Roadcase for amp head and guitars!

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bileshake

bileshake

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I'm tired of all the clutter and mess of gear we have to keep track of when playin shows. I have to simplify things and make my gear easier to keep track of. Here's a basic plan for something I think would kill. A case that will hold my amp head, two guitars, pedalboard, and all other guitar related junk. This monster will from the side will be the size of a guitar case but only deeper. I have to keep the size reasonable or it's creates other inconveinences.
I know it'll be heavy, hence the centered position of the head. It'll have real h-duty handles like a roadcase and one set of wheels on the side to roll it when solo. Having help getting it out of a truck isn't a problem but you need to move it buy yourself. I'm also avoiding wheels on the bottom so when it's loaded in a truck or trailer it won't move. I've got a roadcase right now that I can use for material so it's just design I need to decide on.
I know the guitars are gonna be a challenge but I'm sure if I cut the foam to support the right areas, they'll be fine.



http://onfinite.com/libraries/594726/187.jpg

http://onfinite.com/libraries/594733/187.jpg

Just imagine walkin into a show with one case, a 412 cab and that's it.

is this crazy or what, any advice or suggestions welcome.

what I carry now...
two guitar cases
suitcase for cables
toolbox
pedalboard
mic stand
2 guitar stands
amp head
cab
skb 12U rack (can be downsized)

what I plan to carry...
one roadcase
412 cab
skb 4U
(gravy...)
 
I think this will be harder than you think it will be. Personally, I carry the following:

1 ATA Flight Case w/head and rack gear
1 ATA Flight Case w/4x12 cab
1 ATA Flight Case/Pedal Board
2 Guitar Cases

Not bad considering I put the Pedal Board on top of one case and the two guitars on top of another and wheel only those two around. Works very well for me.
 
I've got a pal who's a guitar tech from way back. I'm gonna talk to him and see what he's got up his sleeve. I'm sure he's seen some different kinds of guitar storage working with the big names. If I can just get the guitar storage to work, the whole thing will be golden.
 
Combo cases tend to have shorter use lives. All works well, until you get a different guitar or amp. Then you start over.

Having separate cases for each is easier, cheaper, and simpler to move and lift. It also packs easier when you haul using trailers with lots of other gear or if you have to haul in a smaller car.

Ed.
 
This is for my rig that never changes, two guitars and a head in the center. the pedalboard can can be swaped and changed, I don't get too carried away with pedals.
As far as moving we all have decent trucks and a trailer. Filling a trailer with a bunch of small stuff is insane. That's how we work now, the back half of the trailer is dedicated to unstackables, i.e. drum hardware. I'm planning to build a drum hardware case the same dimensions so stacking in a truck bed or trailer will be a dream.
The price for one big case is right, I've got all the anvil style hardware I need. I just have to disassemble the huge roadcase I have now and recycle everything. The only new constuction is the dividers and the foam maybe $50.
I'm a little dissapointed, I thought I'd find more support here. Where's your sense of adventure boys? I thought the whole DIY gearhead thing was build something cool you can't buy at the local guitar shop.
 
That will work fine, as long as you have stagehands to load and unload the truck. We deal with cases like that all the time. I've seen cases which had 6-10 guitars in them. But the case you've got there takes four guys to get it off a ramp.

By the by, unless you have a lot of experience making cases, buy it. DIY cases invariably fall apart very quickly.

Also, try and make it to standard case demensions, if you can. It makes the truck pack a lot easier.

Finally, if you are NOT going to have hands to move it, don't do it. You will be much happier if you don't. If you want to simplify, then get a Moridian double guitar gig bag to carry your guitars. Then it is just the junk bag, a pedal board case, and an amp (or a head and cabinets). That is a lot easier to carry than one big box. Also remember you have to have a place to store that box when you are playing, and then you need either room in your house or apartment or a dedicated storage facility for that box.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
The sole purpose of getting everything in one box is efficiency. We play underground original showcase style shows. The gear spends most of the night in a pile beside the dance floor or beside the stage atbest. Sometimes it's scattered all over if there's no specified spot for it all. Consolidating is also a major loadin con, when loading into a bar and your only a three peice and one body needs to stay with the open van. The less trips in and out the better.


The second picture I posted was a childs drawing of the case with big rubber wheels on the bottom corner. Much like a bass cab, the case will sit solid on the floor untill you lift it from the one end like luggage and rolls like a dream. This project will only be built with standard flightcase materials. I have tried everything else and it's not worth all the work to cheap out and make junk.

That's it, I'm gonna get some dimensions... I guess not, peavey was hit buy the hurricane somehow and thier site is down.

Ok, the head is about 11" deep plus an 1.5" of foam on both sides. The average guitar case is 4" think times two guitars. That's roughly 22" wide, the length of a guitar case and about 18" tall. Is that so rediculous?

You guys are gonna make me build this thing to show ya what I mean aren ya?
 
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