Taking the Roadster into Battle!

[rockanomicon]

Ok, so I started doing some vox in a metal band with my buddies. Sooner or later I will also start serving as a second guitar player. Right now I have a Roadster head, and one of the over-sized Mesa 4 x 12's. I am thinking about picking up another 4 x12 and different head for gigging, for a few reasons.

1.) Dont have the time to be lugging a full rig back and forth to rehearsal every week.
2.) Punishment... While I am not as concerned about the cab, I am scared that gigging with the Roadster head is going to shorten its life span. Playing in Washington state means moving gear from 80 degree clubs into 40 degree vans, with various changes in humidity. Factor in the jarring from riding around in a van constantly...

Ive considered getting a road-case. Will this protect from impacts, jarring etc??
Second roadcase question.... I noticed there are two main types, a live-in, and the kind that has the lid that lifts off. I like the idea of the live-in, but wouldn't the top cover up the vents on the top of the amp???

I was thinking about getting a basic one or two channel tube head in the $500ish ballpark. Not that I dont like the Mesa, I just don't want to destroy it by putting it through hell. I am not questioning Mesa's durability or reliability, by the way, the Roadster seems like a well built amp, I just want to be careful before I send my baby out into battle.

 

[screamingdaisy]

A road case will help protect an amp from weather extremes. Basically, the internal air cools down slower and heats up faster than if you were to walk outside with an unprotected amp.

Beyond that... what's the point of owning a nice amp if you're just going to gig junk? I could understand it if you're gigging in seedy areas, but if theft isn't much of a concern then I don't get it...

 

[Rkorn]

Buy a live in roadcase. I bought one for my markV... and i love it! sometimes I wonder because of the extra weight but it compensates while gigging!
Maybe travel will shorten the life span of your tubes... but if that's the case... then who cares!!! At least you have a great tone and that´s what its all about!!

 

[fluff191]

Dude get a live-in if you are going to be gigging alot, but otherwise a lift-off style will be just fine.

And life is too short to own a great amp like the Roadster to have it sit at home. Play the sh!t out of it!!!

Washington FTW! 8)

 

[espboogie123]

bought my live-in case for my roadster head from safecase on ebay. He's based out of houston,tx. I've purchased many cases from him. Good quality stuff. I think it was like $270. And yes, he makes them with vents on top which are not blocked.

 

[GuitarGuy503]

If you can afford it buy a roadcase for sure. If not, bundle the head up in some blankets (maybe even some foam) and transport it in a sturdy box (better than nothing). I think amps are tougher than we realize anyway. I knew a few guys that would gig in the Portland area with a Fender Twin Reverb and Vox AC30 in the back of a Toyota Tacoma without roadcases. I would venture to guess that you would be just fine as long as you didn't expose your gear to the weather anymore than absolutely necessary (to and from gigging). There was a guy on a forum that left his Fender Tube Amp a storage unit and condensation got to it. That is the kinda thing you really need to be concerned about...

 

[boss4]

Dude get a live-in if you are going to be gigging alot, but otherwise a lift-off style will be just fine.

And life is too short to own a great amp like the Roadster to have it sit at home. Play the sh!t out of it!!!

Washington FTW! 8)

+10

 

[droptrd]

I gig about three times a week (electric). My heads ride with me on my front passenger seat. I used to throw them in the back of my truck or van and have had many many problems. not sure if thats the reason but I now keep them in the cab of my truck with me