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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Two interesting non-standard harp case ideas.Help!
Two interesting non-standard harp case ideas.Help!
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isaacullah
3101 posts
Dec 08, 2015
8:04 PM
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Howdy folks! Yes, it's once again time for a cases thread!! Only this time, I'm looking for opinions on two totally non-standard options that I found on Amazon. The two cases are technically for other things, but the measurements all seem to work out to be perfect for harp. Don't ask me how I found out about these two things -- they are both for hobbies I don't partake in! Lol!
Okay, contender #1 would hold 30 diatonic harps in an upright position. It's padded, and you'd just zip back the cover, and they'd all be there. My spec 20's are all exactly 4" long, and that's how deep the pockets are. It's $23 on Amazon, and here's a pic:
The other case would hold somewhat fewer harps in total, but is much more configurable, could also be arranged to hold larger harps (chro's, bass harp, octave harps), and would also hold mics and cables and stuff. The gridded elastic area gives this flexibility, and the whole girdded section comes out of the case to go on a gig stand or whatever. It's $20 on Amazon, and here's a pic:
So, I've got 35 diatonics, a bass harp, a couple of chromatics, and some octave harps. I've got a little 8-harp zipper case a DIY upright case, and a mississippi sax fender case currently, but I'm looking for a better total solution. The fender case is okay and looks cool, but it actually doesn't hold nearly enough harps in it, and it really can't be configured in all that many ways. I mainly use it now for pedals mics and cables, and I'm happy with that. I like the "upright" idea, as I label all my harps on the ends, and I like the efficiency of storing them on end. That case is all padded and nice, but it would be just for diatonics. It would hold pretty much all my diatonic harps, and I could use the other little 8-harp case I have to hold the rest. I'd need another solution for the larger harps in my collection. The other case is pretty awesome, and really flexible. I think I'd need two of them, though, to hold all my harps, which is probably fine. If you were me, what would you get? Or should I get one of both? Is that a no-brainer? I guess the prices are pretty damn good and I should just stop equivocating and pull the trigger! Opinions will help me a lot!
Am I being dense here? Should I just buy both!?
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Last Edited by isaacullah on Dec 08, 2015 8:06 PM
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isaacullah
3102 posts
Dec 08, 2015
8:47 PM
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OK, totally overrunning over thinking this, but the second case has one possibly major disadvantage in a live situation: you'd have to work to get a harp back under an elastic strap. Probably you'd just throw a harp down when changing key or tuning, and things could get disorganized... Case number one would keep you organized, because you can easily slide various in and out... Hmm....
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Mirco
338 posts
Dec 08, 2015
9:00 PM
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Both look great. Point taken about having to work to get harps back under the elastic strap. I have one of those Seydel cases that holds 16 (8 to a side), with elastic straps. Sometimes, it's too much work for me to harps under the strap and it gets disorganized.
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isaacullah
3103 posts
Dec 08, 2015
9:33 PM
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Thanks mirco! Still searching around on amazon, and finding some other options. These "essential oils" cases seem more and more like the way to go. Here's one that could hold 40 harps, and seems sturdier: link to better bigger case, costs $38.
Hmm... Lots to think about! I'll keep searching through these tours of cases, but this is looking more and more like the way to go!
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Last Edited by isaacullah on Dec 08, 2015 9:50 PM
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jbone
2086 posts
Dec 09, 2015
4:19 AM
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Personally I like a hard case for drop/ crush protection, "just in case". I also depend on location of harps for grabbing the right key, high, low, whatever.
Interesting ideas though.
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Littoral
1309 posts
Dec 09, 2015
4:41 AM
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Put choice #1 inside a hard case. I use a vintage tweed travel makeup case. Endless options on Ebay. Now you got me thinking about changing out my foam inserts for this one because I can keep it clean.
Much thanks.
Corrosion? I've been concerned with the moisture staying on my harps too long with them inserted tightly into foam. Whatever might fester is one thing but general corrosion is another. Case #1 looks like it would allow some space around the sides of the harp and maybe dry out better.
$23, worth finding out.
Last Edited by Littoral on Dec 09, 2015 5:48 AM
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2chops
456 posts
Dec 09, 2015
5:46 AM
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Isaac... Go to Lowes and check out these.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_552552-1492-1L-22225-1_1z0zu65__?productId=50175635&pl=1
The one I have is similar to this one. When at a gig I put my harps most used in the outside pockets on 1 side for quick access. The main compartment holds a full set of diatonics plus same number of spares, 3 chroms in hard shell cases, bullet mic, SM57, 2, 25' mic cables, 1, 10' mic cable, power cord for amp, extension cord and still has room to spare. It's an open top case. So I had to make a slip in lid for protection from the elements. Cost for the case when I got mine a few years ago was $30.
I also have an old Samsonite make up case like Littoral mentioned that holds everything too.
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isaacullah
3104 posts
Dec 09, 2015
8:40 AM
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Thanks folks! Good ideas and good options. I'm pretty much convinced that the upright style case is the way to go. Definitely leaning towards the bigger, more expensive one, but do have one of those vintage travel cases I could but the smaller one into if needed.... Not in a huge rush, but will pull the trigger soon, and report back with a review...
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Popculture Chameleon
116 posts
Dec 09, 2015
8:58 AM
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pretty cool ideas- you can use one of them to store all the old harps that you never use or extra harps if the ones you are currently using blow out on you
I am modifying a pelican 1450 case to hold my harps and gear I can use the pluck out foam to store the blackstar mini amp I just got as well as the mics I have. I plan to make a custom harp holder out of some cork board- it wont damage the harps- Its a pretty cheap option to do my only catch is making the dividers for it haven't figured out how to do that yet-harps will be standing upright- I will remove the foam from the top of the case to add an old laptop sleeve with the help of a little Velcro it will help hold sheet music and a book or two. I will also add an old eagle creek shoe package to hold my cables once its all finished I should have enough room to add a few pedals in there as well
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SuperBee
3053 posts
Dec 09, 2015
12:16 PM
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Im opposed to the idea of snugness and the idea of storing end up.. i also believd those cases with the precut foam cubes are prone to tearing themselve apart at times of stress. Im sure i recall someone telling how they dropped the case and suddenly had a boxful of loose cubes mixed up with harmonicas. Storing on end seems practical and probably doesnt matter so much but the use of snugness and especially foam...id never be ok with that. How much do 38 harps weigh? I think its a little too much to store them all together, personally. I have 50 now i think, and i use 4 locations for them.
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Popculture Chameleon
117 posts
Dec 09, 2015
12:33 PM
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@SuperBee I wont be using the foam to store my harmonicas. I will be using cork board made into shelving units to store my harmonicas. I will then stuff the cork board shelves into the pick and pluck foam I suppose I could do that with the amp as well but I don't see a need for it. I only plan to have 2 sets of harmonicas in this setup- along with 2 different mics- a set of Hohner rockets and a set of thunderbirds- If I add pedals at one point to this case I will use a lightweight wood to use as a pedal board and mount them on it and then place the wood block in the foam as well. I only plan to have 3 or four pedals included- so as you can see this will be a very light set up. not heavy at all and pelican cases have a rep of being very reliable. They are used for camera and gun cases.
I plan to use this as a gorilla style busking kit set up. I don't like shoving my harps into foam for the very reason you just stated hence the cork board set up
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isaacullah
3105 posts
Dec 09, 2015
2:01 PM
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isaacullah
3106 posts
Dec 09, 2015
2:02 PM
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Hmm.. ok. Re-read everyone's suggestions and concerns, and these are things that are holding me back too. I don't want "snugness", but rather "rattle-ness". Airflow is important, and the thing will need to be sturdy. Right now, like I mentioned above, my very slim DIY upright case holds 30 harps. It's not too heavy. There's no rattle. But it's all a pretty tight fit, and if I take one harp out, the others will lean over. If I take more than one out, then they might even fall down in the slot. Have a look:
My current harp case:
I clearly need more dividers, and I'd like the harps to be spread out a bit more. There's no lid, so I have to put this in something. I had a zipper bag that fit around this thing pretty well, but it ripped on my last trip. What I want is pretty much exactly like the first case in my OP, but I'm gun shy of that particular one because a lot of the reviews say it's flimsy, and it' apparently made out of fleece. I want a nylon exterior that can take some abuse. I like modular, but I really want a "total solution." If I could have one big nylon zipper case, with a couple of interior inserts that I could swap around, that'd be ideal. Again, not totally "snug" chambers for each harp, just some dividers so that they stand upright.
Might have to DIY it again! Lol!
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Popculture Chameleon
118 posts
Dec 09, 2015
2:13 PM
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@ isaacullah I have actually thought about getting some type of white foam board that you can get at an art store for dividers while using cork board as the main base. I love your case idea think it looks cool but if what you are saying about how everything moves by taking out a couple of harps I can understand your concerns and dilemma The sturdier your materials the better off you are but you also have to consider weight as well. You may have to redo the interior but not the whole thing- Hope that gives you a few ideas- to bad Hetrik doesn't sell their divider system separately anymore
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hvyj
2866 posts
Dec 09, 2015
5:40 PM
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Are u looking for harp storage or harp carry? I play 30+ gigs a year ( not counting being in a house band for jams ) and I cannot fathom why one would need to carry. 30+ harps. I use a Seydel hard case to carry a 13 harp performing set and 7 spares in the most used keys. Never been caught short needing anything else. Btw, the Seydel case has a slot for each harp so if you drop the case or it falls the harps generally don't spill out. Get 2 of them and you can carry 40 diatonics and 4 chroms.
Now, I don't play chrom. If I did I'd probably carry 2 or maybe 3 (a 12 hole, a spare 12 hole and a 14 or 16 hole.
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isaacullah
3107 posts
Dec 09, 2015
6:00 PM
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hvyj: I play alternate tunings. I have a pretty close to full set of richters down to Low C, and then at least a 7-harp set of Natural Minor, Easy Third, and Dorian Minor, plus a few in several other special tunings for particular tunes. I need to have a case to carry these all when I go out. I'm not really doing much playing out these last few months, but looking to getting back into it. The big Seydel case does look nice, but it's not for me. I *have* considered buying a couple of the larger Seydel 12-harp "belt bags," which hold the harps upright. I'd need three of them, however, and I really would like to have them all in one case, so I can set it down, and just go (not fumble between three cases, where various tunings are in one or the other of them...).
Yeah, I know, I'm weird and have weird needs! Lol!
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isaacullah
3108 posts
Dec 09, 2015
6:20 PM
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Ok, to make it a little more clear what my current situation is, here is my Fender case, packed to the gills with all the harps I take with me when I go to play:
As you can see, with some creativity it all "fits." There's still some rattle, but it definitely all gets in there. There's almost no room for growth, though, and I will eventually want to expand some of my alternate tuning sets. Also, this is how it looks like when I set it up to play:
Not the most organized, and not easy to keep organized during a jam session or an impromptu set where I can't figure out what I'll exactly need in advance.
Thing is, while I do go out and play reasonably often, I'm no where near a gigging professional or anything like that, so I don't feel it's worth it to pay for a truly custom solution (and neither would my lovely wife). But I am looking for a cost effective solution that would work, or work with a little modification. But it would HAVE to work, which is why I've asked for ideas and feedback here (and THANKS everyone for really great ones too! You guys really are the best!)... Still not 100% convinced for any of the options we've hashed out in this thread, but some of them are soooo close!!
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Last Edited by isaacullah on Dec 09, 2015 6:21 PM
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Chris L
95 posts
Dec 09, 2015
10:02 PM
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Hi Isaac! Keep your eyes open at flea markets , etc. for hard shell brief cases, photo equipment cases, etc. I picked up a like-new grey briefcase for $5. The dividers you can make easily from 3/8" pink insulating foam held together, and covered, with gaffers tape. (You may have a little left over from making valves. I had just a smidgen left after my valves...like the other 24.9 meters) Neither of these out-gas or stink up your harps. You can design the dividers any way that works for your collection! Cheers!
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mlefree
475 posts
Dec 10, 2015
5:34 AM
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FWIW, here is a 14-harp hybrid leather/plastic case that I make. I also make similar 7- and 21-harp models. I have several that I keep different sets of diatonics in (different temperaments, etc.). I grab one or two, depending on the nature of a gig.
Small, light and inexpensive, too. The 14-harp model is about half the size of a six-pack and the 7-harp model is well under $100.
Contact me for details.
Thanks,
Michelle
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SilverWing Leather - Custom leather creations for musicians and other eccentrics.
Last Edited by mlefree on Dec 10, 2015 5:41 AM
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MindTheGap
855 posts
Dec 10, 2015
5:43 AM
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Isaac. From what I read above, I think you're never going to be satisfied with a half-way house repurposing of something. I think the only answer is a custom leather case.
Michelle's case looks exactly right.
But...if you get into leatherwork yourself it's very rewarding as you can make all kinds of things you can't buy in the shops, and they work really well. It's the traditional equivalent of a 3D printer.
My sons and I got into it and we had people queuing up asking for this and that.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 10, 2015 5:45 AM
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isaacullah
3110 posts
Dec 10, 2015
2:52 PM
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Michelle, your leather cases are beautiful, and are pretty much the kind of thing I'm looking for. I've had my eye on them for a while, but alas, I am post-doc, married to a public school teacher, and I must live within my means! One day, however. One day.
Also, as MTG has succinctly pointed out, I'm a DIY kind of guy. This is partly out of necessity, and partly because I like making things. I do have a leather punch and a stitching awl, and I have done some really basic leather work in the past. I couldn't make anything approaching the kind of craftwomanship displayed by Michelle's wares, but I could probably make something serviceable that will last me until I can afford to purchase something like Michelle's cases, that will last a life time.
@Chri_l: Lol! Actually, I'm now on my SECOND roll of gaffers tape! Of course the first was used up mainly for non-valve purposes... That stuff is USEFUL! You should notice that my current "upright" case insert (pictured above) is made from 90% gaffers tape and 10% cereal box! :)
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hvyj
2883 posts
Dec 13, 2015
6:44 AM
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Issac: Personally don't use special turnings or carry very many tenor harps, but I recognize the logistical problem presented for those who do. I believe Tony Eyers uses multiple tunings and low harps. A while ago he put up a post raving about how effective he found using multiple Seydel hard cases to carry his instruments.
The Seydel hard case is under rated. I originally bought one for storage. but began to use it as my carry case. Very practical and intelligently designed. You have to use it to fully appreciate how practical it is. Somebody once posted that the slots/pockets were too tight to comfortably fit GMs. I gig with GMs or GM hybrids built with Suzuki plates. The fabric slots eventually stretch a little and fit the GMs just fine. No need to reinvent the wheel. A couple of these cases will do what u need. And they protect your harps pretty well and are also very durable. Highly recommended.
Last Edited by hvyj on Dec 13, 2015 6:53 AM
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dougharps
1070 posts
Dec 13, 2015
7:48 AM
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I use the Seydel 12 harp cases as modules I can put into other cases depending on what I need for any occasion, or just take one as needed. Each case can actually hold 14 harps in an upright position. If stored in another case I often leave the zipper cover flap folded back.
I think they are on sale at Rockin' Ron's.
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Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Dec 13, 2015 7:53 AM
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mlefree
478 posts
Dec 13, 2015
11:47 AM
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Isaac, knowing no more I'd guess that you are in advanced sciences or engineering. I am an engineer myself and know one when I see one. 8^)
Keep it up!
Michelle
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SilverWing Leather - Custom leather creations for musicians and other eccentrics.
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MindTheGap
864 posts
Dec 13, 2015
12:03 PM
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I thought Isaac was an archaeologist.
Dougharps - does that seydel case actually stand stably upright like that?
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 13, 2015 12:04 PM
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isaacullah
3113 posts
Dec 13, 2015
1:34 PM
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@hvjy: Hmmm... That's interesting. I'll certainly take another look at the seydel hard case. I certainly have thought about the 12 harp case posted by Doug. I guess modular might be okay if I can do it sensibly. Might be nice to have all the different tunings kept separately...
@Michelle: Yeah, mind the gap is correct, I'm an archaeologist. That means I definitely have an affinity for material culture, lol! I'm a bit of a born tinkerer too... I do love your work, and I do want nice things, but I'm not yet in a financial position to acquire such things... I may try my hand at making a poor imitation of your cases though, with the idea of upgrading if I land that dream tenure-track job!
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dougharps
1071 posts
Dec 13, 2015
10:59 PM
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The Seydel cases will stand up, or you can lean them against a tray edge (I have a percussion tray I clamp on my music stand.}
I have an old trumpet case that I gutted (the fabric was funky smelling) and I can load in modules, mics, and cords. The trumpet case can carry several modular harp cases.
I have a cloth briefcase that I can pack with multiple mics, lots of harp cases, and notebooks of lyric/chord sheets.
Or I have two different soft sided pistol cases with shoulder straps I can put modules into along with my keyed chromatic harps. My small fabric pistol case holds one of the 12 harp cases (14 harps putting one more on each end), my repair kit, six more backup harps in a front pocket, and 8 keys of chromatics, 6 in a padded pocket at the back and one on each side of the 12 harp case.
My larger soft sided pistol case has a pocket for each chromatic (designed for 8 magazines), space for a ball mic and chord, and room in the large front pocket for two modules and my repair kit.
Since I use them as modules for backups or specialty tuned harps, I can choose to take whatever combination is needed for the gig.
If I am getting paid I always have backup diatonic harps for frequently played keys.
NOTE: If you are flying you may want to NOT use a pistol case for your harps. Even without a pistol case I was pulled aside because the chromatics looked like ammunition magazines on the x-ray
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Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Dec 13, 2015 11:03 PM
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isaacullah
3115 posts
Dec 14, 2015
3:27 PM
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Well, fine folks, one last update: I was chatting last night with my lovely wife, and I mentioned that I was thinking about trying my hand at leather work, and could I borrow some of her tools (she makes leather jewelry as a hobby). She asked what I planned to make, and I said, "Oh, you know, a case for all my harmonicas." Well, she got this funny look on her face and said I didn't need to bother with all that because Santa might be doing it for me! Lol! I've had two of those Seydel 12-harp upright cases on my Amazon wishlist for a couple of years now, and I'd forgotten that they were there or that she occasionally checks that wishlist for inspiration. She almost never buys me music stuff, so I wasn't even thinking about this possibility. I guess my problem is about to be solved. She's so cool!
Thanks, everyone, for your input here. I do appreciate it! I'll probably make a comprehensive review of the Seydel case(s) in the New Year!
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