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Author Topic:  Rack System
David Dixon

 

From:
Gadsden, Alabama
Post  Posted 20 Sep 2011 8:38 pm    
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I am dying to try a rack system. Are there any suggestations out there on where to start and what to include in the system.


Thanks

Butch
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77 Emmons Push Pull, Emmons Legrande II Nashville 400 (Mod), Nashville 400 (Fox Mod) Walker Stereo Steel, TC Effects, BJS Bar
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Dickie Whitley

 

Post  Posted 21 Sep 2011 2:27 am    
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Maybe a Revelation tube preamp, Stroborack tuner, a good lightweight power amp, Lexicon or TC Electronics effects unit.

Just a few suggestions, I'm sure there will be others.
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CrowBear Schmitt


From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2011 3:10 am    
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usually a power conditioner ( furman )
a tuner ( peterson stroborack, sabine or korg)
a preamp ( revelation, mesa boogie, telonics, etc )
effects unit ( lexicon, tc, etc )
amp ( peavey, mesa boogie, telonics, etc )


Last edited by CrowBear Schmitt on 21 Sep 2011 8:16 am; edited 1 time in total
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Fred Justice


From:
Mesa, Arizona
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2011 4:44 am     Rack Case & Cabinets
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David here is a good starting place, thanks for looking.
http://www.fredjusticemusic.com/id16.html
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2011 6:47 am    
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Yes, start with a rack case from Fred and then start looking for some "Tube Works" components.
I've tried a lot of rack units over the years and always go back to the Tube Works stuff; pre-amp, reverb, and amp.
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Paddy Long


From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2011 6:13 pm    
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Actually before you buy a rack case, you need to have a think about what your going to put in it...and how many rack "spaces" you are going to require ! Once you have that sorted, then I can definitely recommend Fred Justices rack cases - I have 2 of them - and he will build them with all the wiring and plugs you need too!

Then you need to think about what speakers you want Very Happy -- 2 x 1501-4 Peavey Black Widows is a good place to start !!!!
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14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases.
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Paul Warnik

 

From:
Illinois,USA
Post  Posted 23 Sep 2011 1:06 am    
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My rack system was engineered by Mike Cass.
1) Started with a Carlo Case 12 space rack with
with front and rear rails. I know it's larger
than most steeler's would want to haul around.
2) Evans D2PR (dual mono) pre-amp, has jumper on rear
panel to switch from top pre amp (E.Q. for steel)
to bottom (has E.Q. set for steel with Matchbro)
3) Peterson Strobo-Rack tuner with pro module
(Replaced Korg DTR-100 BIG IMPROVEMENT)
4) Roland M120 Line Mixer (all effects units go to
the Roland) has Master volume control and
headphone input.
5) Lexicon MX-200 Dual Reverb Effects Processor
(both channels set for reverb "large hall")
(Replaced Alesis Microverb-another good upgrade)
6) Yamaha GEP50 Guitar Effects Processor-set for
stereo pitch shift chorus with fine setting
changed from "default +8 -8" to Jay Dee's setting
+8 -6.
7) A.D.A. D640 Digital Delay (mono) weak link in rack
(I'd be better off with a stereo unit instead to
get the delay in both channels)
8)Rane SM26 Splitter-Mixer (converts signal to
stereo).
9) Raxxess 2 space rack drawer (holds cables,manuals,
and footswitch nicely)
10) Carver PM-900 Power Amp (450 watts bridged mono)

Rear panel:
has two XLR out's (to board)
Two Rapco 6 input power strips
line outs to use rack with external amps
input jack for delay unit footswitch (repeat-hold off/on)
several vented panels
all connections made with Switchcraft 1/4" jacks and Morgomi cable
Hubble plug (main) power connection with 20' grounded power cord (detachable)

Cush Case open-back speaker cabinets loaded with
Peavey Black Widow 1501's 4ohm (polarity switched on
left speaker)

When putting the rack together, I asked Mike "why do we need the mixers?"
Mike emphasized the importance of having the line mixer to get the proper "gain structure". None of the effects units are "Daisy Chained". Also, each of the effects units are dedicated to one thing and not set for multi effects. Even though Mike originally put this together for me back in 1996 and some of the units are old, I have reverb, delay, chorus, lots of clean power, and I.M.H.O... "Studio Quality Sound" That's even better now than when Mike first designed the system for studio or live giging.

Sorry for edits-Trying to make this read concisely
kept getting emoticons where not wanted Confused


Last edited by Paul Warnik on 25 Sep 2011 10:13 pm; edited 6 times in total
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Marvin Born

 

From:
Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 23 Sep 2011 7:16 am    
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Look at the Telonics rack system. Pre-1000 pre-amp, PA-200 power amp and a Lexicon 200 all in their light weight 3 bay rack. Including speaker cables it weights about 23 pounds.

If you want a tuner, order the Telonics 4 bay rack and add the Peterson Strobo-rack. The Pre-100 will feed signal to the tuner. You will be up past 30 pounds with the tuner.

To top off the system, add the Telonics volume pedal and a pair of Rick Johnson 12" ported cabinets with Peavey 1203-04 speakers with Neo magnets. Use one of my cable harness to tie it all together. And sit it all on Earnie's stands.

You can put the rack over you shoulder and carry the speakers in one trip.
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Paddy Long


From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
Post  Posted 25 Sep 2011 5:42 pm    
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Now Marvin if only you had a Red Lacquer Zum Hybrid to go with that rig - well you would be in heaven mate !!! Very Happy
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases.
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Marvin Born

 

From:
Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 26 Sep 2011 8:08 pm    
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Paddy,

Red Lacquer Zum's tend to be really shy and would never leave the house. However, brown mica Zum's really like to travel and go everywhere, for jams and steel seminars, especially when connected to Telonics equipment. They both like red led volume pedals to match, rather than the blue that clashes with the red or brown body.

Another touch of heaven is a Black 66 Emmons bolt-on connected to the Telonics with dual 15's.
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Paddy Long


From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
Post  Posted 28 Sep 2011 2:24 pm    
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Both my Mica boys have to fight to see who goes to the next gig ... I think I need the stay at home/special occasions red Lacquer lad to keep an eye on the house Very Happy
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases.
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Keith Davidson


From:
Nova Scotia, Canada
Post  Posted 29 Sep 2011 8:39 am    
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David, I have a 4U Gator Rack Case with an ART Power Conditioner with goooseneck light and a Lexicon MX 200.

I paid over $450 for the complete package. If you're interested in making me an offer, shoot me an email.

jkdavid@seaside.ns.ca

I'm in Nova Scotia Canada so I would have to check out the shipping charges.

These have never been out of my house and have only been used for about 2 weeks.

I can send you some pics through email if you're interested.
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Jeff Valentine


From:
Colorado Springs, USA
Post  Posted 3 Oct 2011 8:13 pm    
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All these suggestions are good ones. I have an 8 Space Justice Rack and couldn't be happier. It's designed by a steel player for steel players. If you can afford it I'd get one. That way you won't have to upgrade later.

-Jeff
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