Rack-O-Sound?

Non-Rickenbacker Guitars & Effects

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bartyclue
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Re: Rack-O-Sound?

Post by bartyclue »

CJ that is awesome. 2 Questions:

A:What would something like that cost?
B: Would you make one to sell?
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cjj
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Re: Rack-O-Sound?

Post by cjj »

bartyclue wrote:CJ that is awesome. 2 Questions:

A:What would something like that cost?
B: Would you make one to sell?
I'll answer the second question first:
In it's present form, no, I could not make one to sell. The main reason is that this is designed to have a direct "mains" power connection (120/240V AC), and in order to legally sell it, it would have to undergo extensive (and expensive) testing and certification to meet UL, CSA and CE standards.

A lot of the stuff you buy has a "wall wart" transformer, just for the reason that if there are no high voltages present inside, you don't have to have all of that testing/certification, and the only thing that needs it is the power unit, which is done by whoever makes that (and they make millions of 'em so the cost is spread out).

As for cost, I didn't really keep track, but just the parts alone are probably in the $150-$200 range (the rack box was something like $60, the power transformer was $40 so there's $100 right there).

Now, if you add in MY time for doing the design, circuit simulation and building it, well, it would be FAR too expensive to make a single unit worthwhile. If I were to do it again (meaning to make some to sell), I would really have to do a PC Board layout and have those fabricated since the point-to-point wiring method I used, while OK for a prototype, is just too time consuming to be viable as a product. The same goes for the rack box, hand drilling and cutting holes, lettering, etc. just takes too much time...
I have NO idea what to do with those skinny stringed things... I'm just a bass player...
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whojamfan
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Re: Rack-O-Sound?

Post by whojamfan »

Looks great CJ,let us know when you have it done and do a video if possible! :D
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cjj
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Re: Rack-O-Sound?

Post by cjj »

Here's a pic of it in the rack. Works perfectly!
:D
IrTheRack.jpg
I have NO idea what to do with those skinny stringed things... I'm just a bass player...
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jps
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Re: Rack-O-Sound?

Post by jps »

It needs more knobs!
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cjj
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Re: Rack-O-Sound?

Post by cjj »

jps wrote:It needs more knobs!
:shock: :lol: :lol:
Nah, I'm actually kind of a minimalist...
:lol: :lol: :lol:
I have NO idea what to do with those skinny stringed things... I'm just a bass player...
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whojamfan
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Re: Rack-O-Sound?

Post by whojamfan »

Would love to hear it in person with you saying "Is that loud enough for you Mike?" haha Great rig, wish my bassplayer cared as much about his sound.
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jps
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Re: Rack-O-Sound?

Post by jps »

I don't think it gets too loud, I see no power amps in sight! :lol:
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cjj
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Re: Rack-O-Sound?

Post by cjj »

Jeff's right, that just makes the tone...

This makes the loud:
Amp.jpg
I have NO idea what to do with those skinny stringed things... I'm just a bass player...
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jps
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Re: Rack-O-Sound?

Post by jps »

That's better! 8)
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bartyclue
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Re: Rack-O-Sound?

Post by bartyclue »

cjj wrote:Here's a pic of it in the rack. Works perfectly!
:D
IrTheRack.jpg

Nice unit CJ.. I am just waiting for my 2nd RBI to arrive. I am using a dbx266 for compression and I have the same lexicon unit. I use a QSC 1850 for power. I keep it all in two separate racks..lighter that way,
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cjj
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Re: Rack-O-Sound?

Post by cjj »

bartyclue wrote:
cjj wrote:Here's a pic of it in the rack. Works perfectly!
:D
IrTheRack.jpg

Nice unit CJ.. I am just waiting for my 2nd RBI to arrive. I am using a dbx266 for compression and I have the same lexicon unit. I use a QSC 1850 for power. I keep it all in two separate racks..lighter that way,
Interesting. I'm kind of considering selling the RBI and replacing it with another RPM. I'm not sure I really like the RBI, but maybe I just haven't figured out the right settings. I find the RPM easy to get a nice tone, but the RBI, not so easy.

Care to share what sort of settings you use with a Rick?
I have NO idea what to do with those skinny stringed things... I'm just a bass player...
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bartyclue
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Re: Rack-O-Sound?

Post by bartyclue »

cjj wrote:
bartyclue wrote:
cjj wrote:Here's a pic of it in the rack. Works perfectly!
:D
The attachment IrTheRack.jpg is no longer available

Nice unit CJ.. I am just waiting for my 2nd RBI to arrive. I am using a dbx266 for compression and I have the same lexicon unit. I use a QSC 1850 for power. I keep it all in two separate racks..lighter that way,
Interesting. I'm kind of considering selling the RBI and replacing it with another RPM. I'm not sure I really like the RBI, but maybe I just haven't figured out the right settings. I find the RPM easy to get a nice tone, but the RBI, not so easy.

Care to share what sort of settings you use with a Rick?
Absolutely.. I first start with this...yer basic SVT sound..or what Tech 21 thinks it is..
rbi.png
and then I tweak it depending on the cabinet I am using, the room I am in etc. I am pretty fortunate in that a lot of the guys I play with are very adept at sound reinforcement and can help me dial it in pretty quickly in most situations. I am also very fortunate in that I play with the the owner of a recording studio who has made a nice live performance area and we have a former pro sound man who comes out every Friday night and mixes us for beer! The sound man has worked with just about everybody and really knows his stuff after 35 years of doing it.
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