jonsparrow
1901 posts
Jan 26, 2010
5:01 PM
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http://folk-instruments.musiciansfriend.com/product/Musicians-Gear-Hardshell-Harmonica-Case?sku=545178
its just like the fender case that goes for $99 but this ones only $41
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Kyzer Sosa
92 posts
Jan 26, 2010
5:07 PM
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I got one a few months back...Ive seen both up front and can say the fender case is of higher quality, but not so that would justify twice the price. Plenty of room for any mic and can easily hold a 15 foot cable. It's a good case.
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Kyzer's Travels
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jonsparrow
1902 posts
Jan 26, 2010
5:23 PM
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i dont have either but i might pick this one up cause its cheap, but the only thing i like about the fender one is that it comes in tweed which is nice.
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wizardputt
9 posts
Jan 26, 2010
6:21 PM
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I purchased that case. Know that it leaves a horrible taste in your harp if that they are left in there a while. I just let the sun take care of that terrible "new" taste/smell.
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rbeetsme
151 posts
Jan 26, 2010
6:49 PM
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A bootleg Fender toolbox! Looks like a good price. I wonder how long it will take to ship it?
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RyanMortos
579 posts
Jan 26, 2010
7:07 PM
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They sent me a huge catalog, I seen that & it's really tempting. Something about the design I don't really like though. But I guess anything would be an improvement over my backpack, lol.
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~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Stephen Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
Contact:
My youtube account
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Scrapboss
50 posts
Jan 26, 2010
7:17 PM
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Jon - Don't waste your cash. I bought one and had to send it back. The glue they use smells terrible and leaves a bad taste on your harps. I really was hoping this would be better than it was.
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"I have a high tolerance for boredom as long as it has a groove" - Scrapboss
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nacoran
884 posts
Jan 26, 2010
7:46 PM
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I am trying to find where I put an old suitcase my grandfather handed down to me to convert into a harp case. An old doctors bag or a small old suitcase might make a pretty cool looking case with some internal adjusting.
Ryan- I have two little 7-harp cases, and a two harp case, but they all fit in my backpack. It works, but I have enough harps now that it's getting heavy and every time I use it for anything else I have to empty it out so there is room.
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RyanMortos
581 posts
Jan 26, 2010
7:55 PM
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Nacoran, where did you get the 7-harp cases? I mean, my harps are in my backpack bouncing around in their hard shell case they came in when I bought them. Kinda annoying when some of them I can say I did more then 5hours of work on myself. I really like the one Jon has but I think that's a little too big and bulky (think it holds 19 harps, 1 effects pedal, and 1 mic from customharpcases or something like that) to carry around daily but I could definately see using that for SPAH or something.
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~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Stephen Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
Contact:
My youtube account
Last Edited by on Jan 26, 2010 7:57 PM
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jonsparrow
1906 posts
Jan 26, 2010
8:22 PM
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ya mine hold 20 diatonics 1 chromatic 1 effect pedal, but i keep other stuff in that spot, an 1 bullet mic. oh an a business card slot. its from customharpcases/cumberland cases. it is bulky but i like it. im thinking about getting a different insert so that it just hold all diatonics an 2 chromatics.
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jonsparrow
1908 posts
Jan 26, 2010
8:36 PM
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"They sent me a huge catalog, I seen that & it's really tempting."
yep thats where i seen it too. but im not gonna bother if its a smelly case.
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nacoran
885 posts
Jan 26, 2010
8:41 PM
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Ryan- They came with the Hohner Piedmont set! $20-$30 dollars depending on where you get them and low and behold, it comes with 7 harmonicas! Sure, they taste like plastic, and not in the Lee Oskar, 'Oh, I taste plastic' sort of way, more like the 'Oh dear god, what is that!' sort of way. Eventually the flavor wears off. The soft cases certainly makes less noise than all the individual cases. Some harmonicas fit better than others, but with a little pushing any 10-holer should fit. (I've got L.O.s, Blues Harps, Blues Bands, Blues Favorites, and GM's and they all fit.) After a while the gold lettering comes off of the Piedmonts.
http://www.amazon.com/Hohner-Piedmont-Blues-Harmonica-Set/dp/B000A2HDXA
Edit- I've also thought it would be really cool to find a old French Horn case to turn into a harp case. An old trumpet case wouldn't be too hard. There was a thread on here a while back where someone turned a power tool case into a pretty cool case.
Last Edited by on Jan 26, 2010 8:43 PM
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jonsparrow
1909 posts
Jan 26, 2010
9:17 PM
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that was whats is face with the pignose amp that did the power tools case one. it inspired me to make my own case. as you can tell it didnt work out very well.
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Randy G. Blues
155 posts
Jan 26, 2010
9:25 PM
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I got a Hetrick 24 case as a gift:
http://www.harpcase.com/
it sells for $100.
PLUSES: Holds a lot of harps, conveniently in a small space. I currently have in it: 16 harps, two mics, reading glasses, a few small tools, a small microfiber towel, a 1/4" female to 1/4" TRS female adapter, a small bottle of hand cleanser, and some business cards. The dividers are cut from Lexan and are very sturdy.
MINUS: The harps rattle against the Lexan, but I have not seen it having any affect on the harps' finish. The case itself is the small Chinese case from Harbor Freight with their metal logo plate glued on (Hetrick verified it is the same case when I contacted them). The case is not that sturdy. A dancing, drunk blonde dunderhead fell on mine on stage one night and bent the case and it was never quite the same after that. The foam lining stunk so bad that I had to line the bottom of the case with heavy plastic sheet cut from a vacuum sealing bag. After two years it still smells, and the harps which I seldom use along the left side (backup spares) still smell like the foam. The logo plate is not smooth, and one would have to be careful about sliding it against fine fabrics.
It was bought from a supplier other than Hetrick. That supplier asked me to write him a review and I did. [following etails from memory]. The letter had my publishing Sig attached to the review. Hetrick got a hold of it (I don't remember if I sent it to them or the supplier did), but I got a pretty nasty letter from Hetrick stating that I was the only one who complained, and why didn't I write them before writing the review, etc. I told them that I did not publish it and that the supplier had it, and I told him he could use it any way he saw fit. Suddenly their attitude changed and they were nice. Huh! Imagine that!
And yes, two + years later, it still has an odor and the plastic liner is still covering the entire floor of the case. And yes, I aired the thing out for days after I got it- I had to.
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Nastyolddog
95 posts
Jan 26, 2010
9:29 PM
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Hi Bro's im not after a fancy harp case or a solid shell case,,is there a Harmonica case that holds 14 Harmonicas,,I run Lee Oskars and SP20's a case like the lee Oskar case would be great easy to carry at Jam nights in a Shoulder Tote.
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nacoran
886 posts
Jan 26, 2010
10:00 PM
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My Piedmont case has a fuzzy liner. I think it's foam under that, but it doesn't smell at all. I have a trumpet case (smells sort of brassy!) but no other bad smells. I think a fuzzy liner, felt or whatever it is, is probably a step up from just foam. It has a pretty good zipper, but it also has a Velcro flap. I zip it for transport in my backpack but the Velcro will hold it shut for less rigorous handling. I haven't looked at enough harp cases to recommend one, although I'm pretty happy with mine. I don't think it would protect them from something big falling on them but for just carrying them around it works.
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jonsparrow
1911 posts
Jan 26, 2010
10:19 PM
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@randy: jason ricci has a case like that with the lexan, he just put a peice of foam on top an that stops them from rattleing around.
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mdazc
5 posts
Jan 27, 2010
2:01 AM
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Check out Hal Iwan's cases at
custom harp cases
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Matt
Last Edited by on Jan 27, 2010 6:21 AM
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toddlgreene
612 posts
Jan 27, 2010
4:55 AM
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Randy G-The Hetrick cases are in the EXACT same case that you can buy without the dividers or fancy lazer-cut badge at Harbor Freight for 12 bucks-mine was on sale for 9.99!
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Todd L. Greene, V.P.
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toddlgreene
614 posts
Jan 27, 2010
5:20 AM
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Here's a link. They're generally cheaper in the stores.
harp case at HF
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Todd L. Greene, V.P.
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mdazc
7 posts
Jan 27, 2010
6:16 AM
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nastyolddog seydel has a soft 14 harp case
seydel
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Matt
Last Edited by on Jan 27, 2010 6:22 AM
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Nastyolddog
96 posts
Jan 27, 2010
6:26 AM
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MDC it looks cool worth a look thanks
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Bluzdude46
420 posts
Jan 27, 2010
6:41 AM
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I like the leather individual little slip in cases that Seydel does. With those I carry a Harp in my coat pocket every where I go. I could use a few more without having to buy a $100 harp to get it!
I still say a cheap leather laptop case from Walmart, some felt from Walmart a little super glue and 1/2"x2" to make dividers is the perfect design your own case. Mine cost a total of $35 I think and about 2 hours work. Been using it for about 2 years now. Lots of pockets for small mics, effects, cords, biz cards, emergency tools and mine holds 24 diatonics nice thing is you can cut the dividers any way you want to hold diatonics, chromatic, mics cords whatever. line everything with felt. use a super glue the smell disappates after it dries. there that solves everyones gripes I think.
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The Original Downtown Philadelphia Fatman... Accept No substitutes!
Last Edited by on Jan 27, 2010 6:46 AM
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congaron
462 posts
Jan 27, 2010
7:46 AM
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I like that. I like the do it yourself approach too. Mine is seat foam from a motorcycle project..standard high density upholstery foam...in a briefcase purchased at Staples a few years ago for another purpose. All stuff laying around. Cutouts made with an exacto knife frequently resharpened with ceramic sticks..the foam dulls the blade quickly.
Last Edited by on Jan 27, 2010 7:48 AM
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bluedogg
46 posts
Jan 27, 2010
10:49 AM
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i like the piedmont blues case for $20 with 7 harps that are fine for vehicle or emergency backups. the case has to be worth the $20 that musicians friend sells the whole ball of wax for.
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congaron
473 posts
Jan 27, 2010
11:02 AM
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The piedmont blues case is also just right for 12ax7 tubes..two per slot, and el84 one per slot...and inline impedance transformer, chapstick, pocket knife, screwdriver....if you don't need it for harps anymore.
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isaacullah
620 posts
Jan 27, 2010
12:04 PM
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With this post I do not wish to step on anyone's toes. I fully understand that many folks (most?) will not wish to spend the time/effort to do what I recommend, and as such will be forced to buy (expensive) harmonica cases from retail. Doing so is perfectly fine.
That being said: In my mind, this is just a crazy thing to do. There are so many cool old suitcases, briefcases, hat boxes, make-up cases, attache cases, you-name-it cases floating around out there that I personally would never consider buying a new "made only for harmonicas" case.
I got an old, hard-sided ladies makeup and hat case from a thrift shop for like $2. I got some cool red velvet drapes from the same shop for another $2. I had some left over bits of wood that I used to make some custom fit dividers. I cut up the drapes and used some good quality, non-stinky glue to upholster the case and the dividers. This took me all of one hour. In the end, I have a unique, one-of-a-kind harp case that I made myself, and that fits everything I have with room to grow. It looks cool, and it cost me $4. Not only that, but using old luggage is super cool and gives you Mojo! ;) It also saves stuff from the landfill, which gives you GREEN Mojo too!
Here's what mine looks like:
Now I know not everyone is handy, so the DIY route is out for some folks. If so, then I guess you are limited to small number of cases out on the market.
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The magnificent YouTube channel of the internet user known as "isaacullah"
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toddlgreene
620 posts
Jan 27, 2010
12:12 PM
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Isaac-I nominate you to build a DIY cajon...
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Todd L. Greene, V.P.
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isaacullah
621 posts
Jan 27, 2010
12:18 PM
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Todd: I most certainly have thought of it! I even downloaded some plans a while back. Now all I need is a nice long weekend, and my wife to be too busy to notice what I'm up to out in the shed... ;)
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The magnificent YouTube channel of the internet user known as "isaacullah"
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toddlgreene
621 posts
Jan 27, 2010
12:19 PM
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haha, and a craigslist-special cheap snare to strip the wire out of.
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Todd L. Greene, V.P.
Last Edited by on Jan 27, 2010 12:20 PM
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jonsparrow
1916 posts
Jan 27, 2010
12:25 PM
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thats a really cool lookin case.
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Grillslinger
70 posts
Jan 28, 2010
6:02 AM
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I have hat black cse and have no trouble with it. It had that "new smell" for the first few days, then it was gone.
It fits all of my harps, some tools, my mic, and my Honeytone amp.
It does the job quite well.
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congaron
474 posts
Jan 28, 2010
7:21 AM
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"haha, and a craigslist-special cheap snare to strip the wire out of."
Or just use old guitar strings..or new guitar strings.
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howling hound
15 posts
Jan 28, 2010
8:25 AM
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Im in the starting stages of making an old cigar box into a harp case , I thing it will do the job nicely and look cool too. I will try and post pics when its finished
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jonsparrow
1929 posts
Jan 28, 2010
8:33 AM
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i wanna make a cigar box into a guitar.
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howling hound
16 posts
Jan 28, 2010
8:46 AM
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Thats how I got the idea, Im just waiting on the frets right now , I will be making the neck this weekend. Its gonna be a three string , cant wait to make those dirty slides.
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jonsparrow
1931 posts
Jan 28, 2010
8:47 AM
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i have every thing i need, i just need a cigar box.
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Rick Davis
97 posts
Jan 28, 2010
9:45 AM
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-Rick Davis
Blues Harp Amps Blog
Roadhouse Joe Blues Band
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Buzadero
283 posts
Jan 28, 2010
9:49 AM
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Cute popper. Did that fall off your charm bracelet into your harp case?
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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Big Nancy
6 posts
Jan 28, 2010
10:28 AM
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Guys, back in the early 1980's a Hohner rep happened to be in the Cout Tavern one night when I was playing. I had been working in a sporting goods store and bought a gun case to house my harps. The rest is history... their gain ... and my loss I suppose.
But you can still get a low cost pistol case for around $19.95 that holds around 25 - 30 diatonics.
They are not as good for those that carry bullet mics... but I don't use one. The Iwan case looks very insteresting... and I would investigate it if I were looking. But the GunGuard case that I bought back in 1978 is still going strong!
P.S. I got Sonny Rhodes one for his lap steel... he ran it over with his van... no problem! Sadly, he lost them both in a fire... but that's what it took to kill a GunGuard case.
Last Edited by on Jan 28, 2010 10:41 AM
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nacoran
902 posts
Jan 28, 2010
10:56 AM
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What's up with the gangsta harpers?!
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Buzadero
284 posts
Jan 28, 2010
11:30 AM
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Harp gangstas:
About five years ago, I was driving down the 110 freeway near the rough part of the tranquil hamlets of Inglewood/Watts/Compton when a festively painted car with ruthlessly effective sub-woofers very purposefully fell in alongside of my obvious whitebread pickup truck. Like an idiot, I made eye contact with the occupants (kind of unavoidable, since the one in the backseat was a good way out the open window and clamoring to achieve my attention). Once I looked over at them, I saw the driver give me the hard stink-eye. We continued on down the lanes with them hanging right next to me. This was about 3 in the morning. My mind was trying to figure out a graceful way out of having to address this at any kind of interactive level, figuring if I tried to pull away (in a 4x4 diesel dually, no less) I'd fail miserably and just aggravate the situation and if I slowed down I'd be playing right into the ambush. As I was contemplating my limited tactical options, the decision was made for me. Right behind the driver, the overly animated idiot in the open backseat window opted to lift a sidearm just high enough to display it to me. I decided I was about to have a real issue. So, I tried something. I reached over onto the passenger seat and picked up a harp. I pinched it between my thumb and forefinger like it was the slide of a semi-auto. Then, I lowered the electric passenger window and very aggressively pivoted my elbow and stuck the thing straight-armed right at the other driver across my passenger seat like I was about to pull a trigger through the open window. The stupid harp couldn't have been more than eight or ten feet from his face. But, in the dark and rolling down the road he couldn't really tell what I was holding. It was chrome and on top of my fist. He locked up the brakes so fast it was like the car disappeared. Who knows what the fool in the back seat did when that happened. All I know is that I accelerated as best as my pig of a truck would and kept going. In the mirror, there were a couple of other sets of headlights and I really couldn't tell what exactly took place. But, no lights looked like they were closing ground on me. For all I know, somebody rear-ended them. Who knows. All I know is that it actually worked.
Later I thought about it and had very mixed feelings. What if they had taken it as aggression and "returned fire"? Worse, what if we had each been in different lanes with them on my right side instead of on my left? If I'd stuck the thing out the window I might have blown my illusion when the reeds started humming in the wind and really had a situation.
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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eharp
466 posts
Jan 28, 2010
12:48 PM
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"What if they had taken it as aggression and "returned fire"?"
are you saying that what you did wasnt showing aggression? lol
if you were in the other lane you simply make the off ramp.
though if it did start to blow bend...that would have been funny!
glad it ended without violence, though we dont know if the other lights had become part of the cars back bumper or trunk.
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Airdale
15 posts
Jan 28, 2010
1:12 PM
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Jon,
Go to www.mimf.com for all of your guitar building needs.
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nacoran
904 posts
Jan 28, 2010
3:01 PM
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Buzadero- It has never come up, but I would sure tell a cop that I had a harmonica in my pocket before I pulled it out. Chrome is chrome when people are panicking.
People can be nuts in cars. My friend and I had some jerks in front of us once. We were at a stoplight and they kept flipping us of. My friend thought maybe they thought he had his high beams on, so he flicked them to show them they weren't that only made them madder.
We got on the thruway and they kept slamming their brakes on in front of us. We eventually did get around them and leave them in the dust, but what boggles my mind to this day is they were doing this in a tiny little sub-compact, without seat belts, to a very large, very redneck looking pickup truck.
My friend didn't have any guns in the truck (that day) but he did have a blackjack, a katana (he was taking it over to a friends house to show of) and a machete he had brought along for clearing some brush.
You've actually got to be very careful displaying a firearm, depending on what state you are in; even displaying a harmonica as a gun could be considered brandishing (and an implied threat), although given your choices in a situation like that it probably wasn't that bad an idea.
And back to topic- My personal tastes is for something silly. I'd love to have some sort of funny shaped harp case, whether it's a French Horn case, or a box painted to look like a cinder block. I'd actually love to get my hands on one of those giant harmonicas they have on top of some display cases, although they look like the plastic might be a little to flimsy to make a good case.
An old doctors bag, like you'd see a doctor using for house calls in old movies would be cool. You could build an insert to hold the harps end up and probably get a bunch in there.
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jonsparrow
1934 posts
Jan 28, 2010
3:51 PM
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"Cute popper. Did that fall off your charm bracelet into your harp case?"
LMAO!
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Big Nancy
8 posts
Jan 29, 2010
12:28 AM
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I think it's a pretty good idea....!
That way he can shoot himself next time somebody calls Mustang Sally!
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Big Nancy
www.bignancy.com
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toddlgreene
641 posts
Jan 29, 2010
4:36 AM
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Haha, Nancy-you're onto something, only I'll use at least my .40 for that so I don't chance surviving the song...
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Todd L. Greene, V.P.
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