Frank101
44 posts
Dec 20, 2014
7:21 AM
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I do understand the appeal of coming home from work some day to find a UPS box on your front porch & opening it to reveal a shiny new harp case custom made just for you.
However.
Given that this is a forum where everybody but me is constantly "gapping" and "burnishing" and "embossing" and other things I don't understand, why aren't people making their own cases (if they feel they need cases, me I just carry my harps around in a gunnysack).
All you have to do is browse the net for an attache case (hundreds of styles/prices available to choose from), order some gun foam (many suppliers on the net), cut slots for your harps in the foam (in any configuration you desire), put the foam in the case put the harps in the slots & voila.
That can't be any harder than retuning all your harps to A=444.3 , can it?
Last Edited by Frank101 on Dec 21, 2014 9:59 AM
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TmickyD1
8 posts
Dec 20, 2014
7:43 AM
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I have made a few cases myself. I actually got some inspiration from jewelry boxes and how they are made.
I made this one for about $20 worth of materials. The american flag box was $10 at Ollie's and then another $10 in felt and foam from a crafting store. Add copious amounts of hot glue and we got this!
Its not perfect, but it turns a few heads :D
EDIT: is there a way to shrink photos? or would I have to reupload them as a smaller size?
Last Edited by TmickyD1 on Dec 20, 2014 2:33 PM
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Littoral
1176 posts
Dec 20, 2014
8:17 AM
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Agreed, mine today.
Last Edited by Littoral on Dec 20, 2014 8:23 AM
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Frank101
45 posts
Dec 20, 2014
11:00 AM
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Except those are actually way cooler than I was talking about. Photo of one of those on a album cover = instant cred.
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SteveTech
13 posts
Dec 20, 2014
11:22 AM
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I love seeing what other people are doing to manage their gear.
Keep the pics comming.
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Dog Face
286 posts
Dec 20, 2014
3:39 PM
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A word to the wise-
Don't make your harmonica case too interesting looking... and leave it in your car overnight after a gig because you're tired and have other things on your mind. Someone may look in your car while you sleep and think, "wow, I wonder what's in that case." *crash* *open* "oh, never mind. ps- you're welcome for the broken window."
Sincerely,
the learned
...people suck
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Brad
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SuperBee
2289 posts
Dec 20, 2014
4:02 PM
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heres mine again, still going strong.
Last Edited by SuperBee on Dec 20, 2014 4:05 PM
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TBird
91 posts
Dec 20, 2014
4:09 PM
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Yeah, I second SteveTech. These are awesome. let's see some more!
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Be humble for you are made of earth.
Be noble for you are made of stars.
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SteveTech
14 posts
Dec 20, 2014
7:32 PM
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Not only case pics, but pedal/setup pics.
For folks like me who are improving our skills and beginning to perform on harp, it helps to see real wold examples of gear that is used in the field.
A pic cuts through theory and opinions and gets to the meat of what seasoned players are using every day.
As I shop for my first harmonica stage gear, this kind of thread has really helped.
Sure I search the archives, but a fresh thead from time to time is helpful, and has saved me time, money, and trouble.
Thanks to all who participate,
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Wendell
39 posts
Dec 21, 2014
5:04 AM
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 Here's mine !
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TBird
93 posts
Dec 22, 2014
11:05 AM
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Cool Wendell. What are you using as dividers to hold your harps?
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Be humble for you are made of earth.
Be noble for you are made of stars.
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2chops
310 posts
Dec 22, 2014
11:15 AM
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@TBird... Looks like they're the plastic boxes that the harps came in, with the ends cut off. Good idea for stiff partitions.
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I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
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gutbucket
11 posts
Dec 22, 2014
11:17 AM
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looks like sawn-off harp cases, yes?
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TBird
94 posts
Dec 22, 2014
12:03 PM
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Nice! Thanks. That was going to be my guess.
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Be humble for you are made of earth.
Be noble for you are made of stars.
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Adam Pritchard
46 posts
Dec 22, 2014
12:49 PM
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Here's mine - cost me £25.00 from Maplin and came with pick n' plug foam.
So you're probably thinking why did I bother ordering a Slim's Custom Case? I'm asking myself the same question!
Last Edited by Adam Pritchard on Dec 22, 2014 1:03 PM
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SteveTech
15 posts
Dec 23, 2014
4:44 AM
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@Adam Pritchard,
How has the foam treated you over time?
I've heard some people complain that it flakes off into their harps.
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Adam Pritchard
48 posts
Dec 23, 2014
4:59 AM
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@SteveTech. I've had this case for about 12 months and have had no problems. I've also used pick 'n pluck in the past without issue, however I have a tendency to keep changing my gear (a bad case of GAS) so have bought new pick 'n pluck on several occasions. If you kept it long term I guess it's possible it could degrade.
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MN
365 posts
Dec 23, 2014
6:08 AM
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Whether you want it to or not, every fancy case has a sign on it that tells junkies and scoundrels:
"CONTAINS VALUABLE STUFF .... STEAL ME!"
Maybe I ought to play a better class of dive, but I just don't like the idea of toting a bunch of hard-to-replace gear in a fancy-looking case. YMMV.
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FreeWilly
442 posts
Dec 23, 2014
8:38 AM
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I carry my case (would post pics, but don't have the means) in a back-pack, so I can put it an my back when I leave the stage (when jamming - on gigs it depends on the venue, amount of friends in the crowd etc). Call me tight, but 18 harps times 3 hours of work and times 55 euros... Call me tight all you want! Harp-cases are easier to steal than most valuable instruments and I won't take that change if I don't have to.
Last Edited by FreeWilly on Dec 23, 2014 8:40 AM
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poitouharpin
17 posts
Dec 23, 2014
11:15 AM
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Maybe this thread should be renamed HOME BREWED !Always love to see one offs.
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Steve Harvell
178 posts
Dec 23, 2014
12:08 PM
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Here is a video that I made a few years ago converting a "DeWalt" screw gun case into a harmonica case. I prefer to carry my mics etc. in my back pack than my harp case but you can make room for whatever you need in this project. Merry Christmas everyone :)
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SuperBee
2296 posts
Dec 23, 2014
12:15 PM
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with you on the security thing. my case is just an old black briefcase but its too easy to pick up and walk off with $1800 or so to replace...
in that sense, maybe its better to make it eye-catching so there is a chance someone will notice a cat walking out of the venue with it. it seems to me i usually hear about these things ripped off from car break-ins though.
yah, i dunno.
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TmickyD1
10 posts
Dec 24, 2014
9:37 PM
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Well, Since I read a bit on here about flashy cases, I decided to make a new one. I bought a cheapo combination lockbox and turned it into this. Its bland on the outside but cool on the inside. It's not quite done yet but I'll post it anyway
'Merica Box v2.0
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TBird
95 posts
Dec 25, 2014
12:25 PM
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Check out this little gem of a case Grant Dermody has in this video:
http://youtu.be/kRKqgsBN5oQ
…And merry Christmas of course!
[Edited: Replaced embedded video with url so as not to further clog up this thread already burdened with big pictures! :) ]
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Be humble for you are made of earth.
Be noble for you are made of stars.
Last Edited by TBird on Dec 25, 2014 12:31 PM
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Kaining
71 posts
Dec 25, 2014
4:37 PM
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TmickyD1, it's cool but... i'm having a very hard time seeing harp in there. Do you have any problems when trying to pick up a harp quickly with this one ?
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TmickyD1
11 posts
Dec 25, 2014
5:36 PM
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Yeah I accidentally made it a half inch too tall lol. I suppose I have so many different brands of harps that I'm less likely to get confused than someone with a complete set.
Another thing I do is arrange my harps around the circle of 5ths so I can easily find the key I need. If they were scattered It might make things harder.
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Wendell
41 posts
Dec 26, 2014
4:59 AM
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Found the case at a hamfestfor $5
The harps are stored in sawed off harp & reedplate boxes stuck together.
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Wendell
42 posts
Dec 26, 2014
4:59 AM
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Found the case at a hamfestfor $5
The harps are stored in sawed off harp & reedplate boxes stuck together.
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zackattack
16 posts
Dec 30, 2014
10:06 AM
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TmickyD1 - I also arrange my harps by the circle of 5ths and it really helps me easily grab what I need, as well as locate the alternative positions I might like to use instead of 1st or 2nd.
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Philosofy
628 posts
Jan 01, 2015
2:56 PM
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I tend to collect and make harp cases. I gave a bunch away at SPAH this year made from wooden cigar boxes. Here’s the ones I have in my collection right now:
First, a standard aluminum briefcase with dividers made from Spanish Cedar. Its where I store my old harmonicas I don’t use anymore:
Next is a Smith & Wesson pistol case. It holds 16 harps, a BlueBlaster Mic, a Shure SM 57, a flashlight, and a screwdriver. The harp compartments are color coded.
Next up is a fishing tackle box I stole from my father-in-law. Its where I keep partial harps: reed plates, combs, and covers. It has three layers for storage.
This is a harmonica belt made from duct tape. There are four compartments, each hold four harps. The compartments are lined with Spanish cedar veneer, and the flaps close with rare earth magnets.
This little thing is sized to fit a compartment in my car. It holds 8 harps in the front, another three in the back. Its made from thin craft cardboard and duct tape. Its been retired since I now use a Seydel case in the car.
These are pistol clip cases I got for $1 each at a local gun show:
This is a nice little leather case I got at a motorcycle leather shop. It has 4 compartments: 2 in front, one for 1 harp, one for two. There are two middle zipper compartments that hold about 4 harps each, and a small thin zipper compartment on the back for business cards.
Last Edited by Philosofy on Jan 01, 2015 3:00 PM
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Thievin' Heathen
458 posts
Jan 04, 2015
2:18 PM
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I am always stopping into thrift stores looking for potential harp cases & light tables, etc. A couple of months ago I was in a Goodwill, along my way to a Ray Wylie Hubbard show, and spotted a couple of unusual looking cases that looked to have high potential for harp cases. These were stacked on top of some kind of exercise equipment. Both had $25 price tags. I opened the one on top first. Inside was a King Coronet. It looked like a student model, and my daughter being a high school trumpet player, I have no shortage of student model horns in my house. The second case I opened contained a silver plated Yamaha trumpet. I pulled out my cell phone and called one of my kids, who I correctly suspected would be sitting at a computer, and asked him to Google "YPT-790T" (or something like that). His reply was, "it looks to be a Yamaha trumpet and there's one on ebay right now with a $1500 buy it now price".
I am still looking for a harp case, but I do have a another trumpet to trip over and a classic Thrift Store Find story.
Last Edited by Thievin' Heathen on Jan 04, 2015 2:20 PM
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