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The Basement
Unbelievable!
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<blockquote data-quote="Ryan Lantzy" data-source="post: 32438" data-attributes="member: 7"><p>Re: Unbelievable!</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I think you are wrong that American companies can't compete. And Mark, I realize you are reading so please don't miscontrue any of what I say as bashing either. I really do love the products you offer the market.</p><p></p><p>That said, I own somewhere between 15 and 25 different Audiopile EWI products. Mostly cases and snakes, because those are their biggest value products IMHO. Or at least, those products fill the biggest hole in the market. Over the years I've noticed some variances in quality, but then I was one of the first to buy their amp racks I think when they were first offered. So those ones are missing some small but useful features that later versions have. No big deal, everything is a learning process.</p><p></p><p>However, there are other issues that have developed over ~6 years of use. We by no means baby our racks and trunks, but the band does about 30-40 shows a year so the use isn't extreme. However, the truck they ride in has no air springs, a lift gate with a huge lip on it and is left outside in the cold with equipment, and yeah, the roof leaks here and there a smidge. The cases get a a spash of water on them every once in awhile, but equipment has always stayed dry and safe. The issues I've seen: Week wood panels, two have developed small holes from equipment running into them while loading the truck (1 to 1.5" in diameter). Bent castor frames, mainly from hitting bumps. I have no idea what the EWI castors are rated to weight wise, but our two heaviest trunks are probably 400-450 lbs. Those are the only two that have had this issue. Also, nearly every brake on the original set of amp racks has broken, and I've had to dismantle two wheels because of it. The trunk latches have been bent by other equipment hitting them, one of which has come clean off. That said, after six years, they still do a great job, and for the price I really should not complain.</p><p></p><p>I also have cases built by other companies (Olympic and others I don't know the names of off hand) and there is a pretty big difference in quality. <strong>That said, there is a definite difference it price</strong>. I've also bought case parts (to do repairs and to build speaker dollies) from TCH and Penn and the quality of those parts is very similar to the Olympic cases I've owned and used. </p><p></p><p>But for the price, and for what has broken on them I still think the EWI cases are a great value. Like I said, I do not baby my racks, trunks and cases in anyway and they have held up well enough that I would buy them again. I've found some good deals on Guitel castors elsewhere and if I have to replace all the castors after 6 years, so be it. If I have to replace one latch every 6 years (on one case out of 10) so be it. Would I rather not have to do these things? Of course.</p><p></p><p>The point is, if you want a good value on a case for a light to medium duty operation and don't want to break the bank, Audiopile cases are a good option. If you want a case thats built like a tank, is made from high quality materials, built by american labor to very high standards for use in a heavy or extreme duty operation, I think Olympic is a great option. </p><p></p><p>My guess is that we'll probably get another 6 years (12 years total) of of the EWI cases we have now. My estimate on the Olympic case... probably 20-25 years total.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ryan Lantzy, post: 32438, member: 7"] Re: Unbelievable! I think you are wrong that American companies can't compete. And Mark, I realize you are reading so please don't miscontrue any of what I say as bashing either. I really do love the products you offer the market. That said, I own somewhere between 15 and 25 different Audiopile EWI products. Mostly cases and snakes, because those are their biggest value products IMHO. Or at least, those products fill the biggest hole in the market. Over the years I've noticed some variances in quality, but then I was one of the first to buy their amp racks I think when they were first offered. So those ones are missing some small but useful features that later versions have. No big deal, everything is a learning process. However, there are other issues that have developed over ~6 years of use. We by no means baby our racks and trunks, but the band does about 30-40 shows a year so the use isn't extreme. However, the truck they ride in has no air springs, a lift gate with a huge lip on it and is left outside in the cold with equipment, and yeah, the roof leaks here and there a smidge. The cases get a a spash of water on them every once in awhile, but equipment has always stayed dry and safe. The issues I've seen: Week wood panels, two have developed small holes from equipment running into them while loading the truck (1 to 1.5" in diameter). Bent castor frames, mainly from hitting bumps. I have no idea what the EWI castors are rated to weight wise, but our two heaviest trunks are probably 400-450 lbs. Those are the only two that have had this issue. Also, nearly every brake on the original set of amp racks has broken, and I've had to dismantle two wheels because of it. The trunk latches have been bent by other equipment hitting them, one of which has come clean off. That said, after six years, they still do a great job, and for the price I really should not complain. I also have cases built by other companies (Olympic and others I don't know the names of off hand) and there is a pretty big difference in quality. [B]That said, there is a definite difference it price[/B]. I've also bought case parts (to do repairs and to build speaker dollies) from TCH and Penn and the quality of those parts is very similar to the Olympic cases I've owned and used. But for the price, and for what has broken on them I still think the EWI cases are a great value. Like I said, I do not baby my racks, trunks and cases in anyway and they have held up well enough that I would buy them again. I've found some good deals on Guitel castors elsewhere and if I have to replace all the castors after 6 years, so be it. If I have to replace one latch every 6 years (on one case out of 10) so be it. Would I rather not have to do these things? Of course. The point is, if you want a good value on a case for a light to medium duty operation and don't want to break the bank, Audiopile cases are a good option. If you want a case thats built like a tank, is made from high quality materials, built by american labor to very high standards for use in a heavy or extreme duty operation, I think Olympic is a great option. My guess is that we'll probably get another 6 years (12 years total) of of the EWI cases we have now. My estimate on the Olympic case... probably 20-25 years total. [/QUOTE]
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