blues
10 posts
Mar 18, 2012
2:22 PM
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I'm trying to find a good, affordable case for my harmonicas but I'm having some trouble doing so. I've tried a number of things, I first started off with just a tiny little case that was previously used to hold handheld game devices, and that worked but then I got too many harps to fit them in there. I then moved on to a large leather suitcase type of thing but it didn't work very well because my harps would not stay in place. Right now I'm using a brown case that I believe was used for old casettes or CDs or something. My diatonics almost fit perfectly but not quite. I have about 15 diatonics, two chromatics and one tremolo. I've definitely run out of room in this little case. I've looked at some cases online but it seems like ones that are actually worth anything cost over a hundred dollars.
Does anyone have any recommendations on an affordable harp case? Something where each harp would have its own compartment would be great, the worst part is them getting all scratched up every time I carry the case.
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Willspear
86 posts
Mar 18, 2012
2:35 PM
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Seydel has a nice 14 pocket zipper case for around 20 bucks. I am outfitting some old suitcase as a gig case. My current case was a cheap pistol case that cost around 30 bucks but is pretty decent.
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eharp
1759 posts
Mar 18, 2012
2:40 PM
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blues- make your own.
take a cool suit case as the base. go to s smoke shop and buy some cigar boxes. glue boxes into case. drill out holes for the harps.
or-
use that foam pipe insulation you get at homedepot. cut the insulation to cover @ 2/3 of harp. glue insulation pieces together like a honeycomb. glue the honeycomb into the case.
aint gonna get much cheaper.
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gad wagon
5 posts
Mar 18, 2012
2:45 PM
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My mom gave me a tackle box at Christmas that is AWESOME It was $12 at Wal-Mart. It holds my harps, cables, pedal, mic, random guitar stuff, and a bunch of other junk.... I'm a redneck.
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-- "To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself." - Soren Kierkegaard
http://www.youtube.com/user/gadwagon/videos
Last Edited by on Mar 18, 2012 2:58 PM
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harp-er
54 posts
Mar 18, 2012
3:01 PM
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I took my lead from Steve Harvell's youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0k6EuHRjUc
Bought a good used brief case at a thrift store for $8, then bought a square of firm foam at a fabric store for about $12 if I remember right. Fitted the foam inside the case snugly, cut out slots for individual harps using a sharp blade, and there you have it. They fit snugly, don't move around, are protected by the foam.
Mine holds 14 harps plus some extra room available for whatever. Don't know if this is a better idea than the Seydel soft case or not. For about the same total cost you could go either way and carry 14 harps.
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Matthew
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Hobostubs Ashlock
1745 posts
Mar 18, 2012
9:07 PM
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I found a old lunchbox cooler and cut the ends of my harp boxes and put them in the cooler it holds 18 harps right now but it,has a couple spaced in between boxes and cant hold any more,but it probelly wouldnt work for a tremelo or cromatics
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SuperBee
137 posts
Mar 19, 2012
3:17 AM
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this wasn't free (cost me about $20), and it took a couple of evenings to do but i think its pretty cool and it works well:
room for 2 mics and cables in the left hand section, couple of pedals and power supplies in the middle, chromatic, spare valves, batteries, patch leads, ipod, etc under the shelf and 13 harps in the shelf
i had to carve the shelf out to fit around the hinge. not too hard, just a bit of work with saw and chisel
the dividers are balsa wood. i lined the lid and base with thin bubble wrap, fitted the balsa frame then glued the fabric on. the fabric was the most difficult part, but its only for looks so you just need to do it as well as you're willing to put up with. Shelf is made of tassie oak, masonite base and lined with felt
Last Edited by on Mar 19, 2012 3:49 AM
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FMWoodeye
272 posts
Mar 19, 2012
12:35 PM
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@gad wagon....re: the tacklebox, it looks like there would be room to put each harp in it's original case, too. Very cost effective.
@Super Bee...I like the tray set-up. The foam rubber would seem to be a breeding ground for germs....or maybe I'm just paranoid. Fat, old and paranoid is no way to go through like.
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HawkeyeKane
790 posts
Mar 19, 2012
1:59 PM
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if you're looking for affordable, I have both of these...out of the two of them, I'd recommend the Musician's Gear one over the Hohner.
Hohner C12
Musician's Gear Hardshell Harmonica Case
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Hawkeye Kane
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eharp
1762 posts
Mar 19, 2012
2:54 PM
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i always thought this would make a nice harp case. close to a tackle bax but with a bit more mojo.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Makeup-Cosmetic-Train-Case-Aluminum-Lockable-Handle-Double-Open-Box-Bag-Silver-/190655392573?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c63f26b3d#ht_1997wt_1311
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SuperBee
139 posts
Mar 19, 2012
3:38 PM
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@FMW: thank you! Tray! That's the word. Senior moment! I played with the foam idea, but I just didn't like it.
I had these old briefcases, seemed a block of foam was the simplest way but i found it tricky to work with neatly and it felt a bit grubby. It took me a while to work out a good way to do it. Main problem was how to secure the dividers and support the tray. Balsa worked out well, I used 6.5mm and just cut it with a craft knife. That created a self supporting frame, but I glued it all in place. I had planned to use hardwood but there's no need. It's heavy and much harder to work with.
Balsa cost $5. Glue about the same. Used some fairly thick stuff which stayed on one side of the fabric. Smell dissipated over a couple days. I used it too soon and my chromatic tasted... Yechh! But it's all fine now. Just the space under the tray needed to stay open until the volatile elements dissipated. Fabric: I bought a piece, but it's only for looks really. I guess it adds some strength and protects the balsa. It doesn't have to cost much. Old jeans would do the job.
I dig how people take their own approach with this. The tackle box is cool, hobostubs cooler does the job. The suggestion to use cigar boxes in a suitcase, I hadn't thought of that. I guess cigar boxes are just the right size, but I think I've never seen one close up. I had a lot of fun making mine. I think if I bought one ready-made it would not be so good.
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Bluevooch
12 posts
Mar 19, 2012
4:28 PM
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clyde
250 posts
Mar 19, 2012
4:43 PM
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some cases like the ones eharp is showing are available at walmart at a very low price. go take a look in the cosmetics department
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eharp
1764 posts
Mar 19, 2012
6:32 PM
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thanks, clyde.
i thought they would make cool cases but sure wasnt going to plunk down some money without being able to see it with my harps in it.
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Kingley
1893 posts
Mar 20, 2012
11:34 AM
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I use a Lee Oskar soft case and then just chuck that along with my mic(s), leads, etc into a small backpack. Sometimes I forego the Lee Oskar case and just take my harps in their boxes along with the other stuff in my backpack.
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MP
2105 posts
Mar 20, 2012
12:06 PM
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what Kingley said, except i use two Hohner seven harp faux leather cases.
i like my harps be contained in an easy access small case because there is rarely much room on a stage.
also, with my harps and mics etc in backpack, my hands are free to carry my amp and a mic stand.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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HawkeyeKane
796 posts
Mar 20, 2012
12:11 PM
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I guess I'm one of the few out there today who uses a harp belt...
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Hawkeye Kane
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HarpNinja
2273 posts
Mar 20, 2012
12:23 PM
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I use the Hohner C12 with an insert from Hal Iwan.
I have a Hetrick case too, which is cool. I think you can get the same box and your own inserts, which is probably pretty affordable and efficient.
I am getting a custom 24 harp case from Slim done in a Ghostbusters theme (ghost trap). It ain't cheap, but it is awfully sweet in the mock ups!
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
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LittleBubba
206 posts
Mar 20, 2012
12:28 PM
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I'd be scared of that tackle box, unless you have alotta weight in the bottom. I've fished alot, and I've tipped them babies over in the boat a few times.
I've been using the good ol' Fender tweed harp case (it holds alot, for being small) for years, 'cuz I get about 20 harps in there (sitting on their bottoms), plus a Chrom,spare batteries,tube & tools in the middle and a bullet w/cable & delay,case light in the big hole. It holds enough.
For giggin', I gotta carry a gear bag anyway, for whatever extra cables,mics,etc., I might need.
you make it work out.
for my weekly jam, I put my vintage 515 & a cable in the front pockets of my soft-side cooler.. 'cuz I like the 515 for that jam better than my bullets. It's more versatile, imo.
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bonedog569
491 posts
Mar 20, 2012
7:53 PM
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Estate Sale faux alligator -$5 - plus foam inserts (a bit pricey - about $40 ?) . I've wired my fx boxes in and out so I can plug my mic into the side of the case , and run a cord out to my amp or the PA from the back.
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Last Edited by on Mar 20, 2012 7:56 PM
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Stickman
734 posts
Mar 21, 2012
2:30 AM
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@Bonedog---Sweet Klimt painting, I approve!
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bonedog569
493 posts
Mar 21, 2012
9:52 AM
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thanks Stickman. There had been a mirror there - heavey and of no use to me. Now the ladies think I'm a romantic - and not just the dirty old harp dude who sings 'Hog for You' - - "one little piggy went to Germany, one piggy went to France, this little piggy's comin over your house, - cant wait to get down your--- pants!"
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nacoran
5420 posts
Mar 21, 2012
1:17 PM
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Fat, old and paranoid is no way to go through life. -FMWoodeye
Eh, I have good days and bad days.
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Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
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MP
2111 posts
Mar 21, 2012
2:34 PM
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Gustav Klimpts 'The Kiss'. why you sentimental old dog you bonedog!
you coulda used the mirror to trim your beard at gigs.
or practice your smolderingly sexy harmonica player stare women tend to fall for.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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SuperBee
150 posts
Mar 21, 2012
2:39 PM
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Excellent suggestions, MP
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MP
2113 posts
Mar 21, 2012
2:51 PM
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thank you Bee. anything to be of assistance to our
fellow dogs.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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Destin
9 posts
Mar 22, 2012
10:42 PM
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Don't buy the hohner brief case, the harps don't even fit!
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