Popculture Chameleon
56 posts
Apr 06, 2015
6:50 PM
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Has anyone used my case builder.com for their case inserts. I tried contacting foam by mail and they said that it would be several months before they would accept orders again due to workload and maintenance.
I have though of trying this instead. Not sure of any other company that does custom foam inserts that are geared toward harmonica. If I use my case builder I will choose the closed cell PE foam they offer. But I want some opinions first- So gang- Yea or Nay on My case builder.com or something else entirely. perhaps a company I have never heard of?
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SuperBee
2522 posts
Apr 06, 2015
7:44 PM
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if you have your heart set on a case with neat cutout slots for your gear, i expect that's what you need. my own opinion is that a harp case needs air. you don't want things rattling around in there but neither is it ideal imho to have everything nestled in an airtight foam nest.
plenty of people like the very neat foam-filled cases though, so i perhaps my notion is rationalisation for an aesthetic which appeals to me.
my harps live in a tray which is lined with felt. the tray is full and the harps stay put. the tray is in a compartmentalised briefcase, which also holds my mics, pedals and leads. when i play i take the tray out and sit it on a table or on an amp or on the floor..
these days i carry fewer pedals. i can use the space for other items as required...brass knuckles, spare ammo, business cards, screwdriver, patch lead, power supply, spare battery...you know the kind of thing. likewise, i might want to mix up the mics i'm carrying...because the space is not too tightly defined, the case is quite versatile. the interior is padded and cloth-lined, and i put my mics in individual bags so they don't get chipped or scuffed where they might otherwise touch.
that's the way i think it rolls well, plenty of air for the harps and versatile protected space
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Fishlips
34 posts
Apr 06, 2015
10:02 PM
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I know there are some very nice cases based on foam cut-outs, but I have to say that every wind instrument needs to air out and dry when not in use. The only exception may be in regard to wood instruments in environments with extremely low humidity. Closing up wood, metal, and spit without ventilation seems like a poor idea.
I like the Hetrick cases and similar designs that allow air circulation. Cases with trays, or even plastic pencil boxes, also make sense. Rattling is only an issue if it is important to sneak up on someone to whack them on the head with a case of harps, and I doubt that is a goal of anyone here.
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SuperBee
2523 posts
Apr 06, 2015
11:10 PM
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what i mean by 'rattling' is more about harps falling around and getting mixed up. i think the case needs enough space definition to keep things tidy
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Diggsblues
1759 posts
Apr 07, 2015
7:25 AM
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Whenever I see a guy come into a jam with a fancy case filled with more harmonicas than I own I have to chuckle.
Usually they not very good I think why didn't they use all that money they spent on a fancy case on lessons.
I use Seydel soft cases. They hold 14 harp with no problems. Just throw it in my shoulder bag and of I go.
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rogonzab
681 posts
Apr 07, 2015
7:48 AM
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Y use the seydel belt bag for 12 harps. And my mics and pedals go into my backpack. I have all that I need in my backpack and no one can tell that I have more than $500 in gear in there.
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Sorry for any misspell, english is not my first language.
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isaacullah
2988 posts
Apr 07, 2015
10:40 AM
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You can convert almost any case, padded bag, box, or whatever to a divided case. Use these templates I made to make gridded dividers. They should make little "cells" that are 1 3/4" by 1 1/2", which should fit most harp models. Just print them out, cut on the lines, and then use them to transfer the layout to cardboard or something else more durable (thin "flexible" plastic cutting boards are great for this!). Adjust the total size and number of Long or Short ones to fit in your case.
Long-side dividers:
Short-side dividers:
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STME58
1270 posts
Apr 07, 2015
11:03 AM
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@Diggsblues,
Hey! I resemble that remark! :-)
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rogonzab
683 posts
Apr 07, 2015
11:17 AM
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+1 on Isac, DIY, is far more cheap, and is not rocket science. Find an old case and start making the slot and in a few hours you got your perfect case.
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Sorry for any misspell, english is not my first language.
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isaacullah
2989 posts
Apr 07, 2015
12:21 PM
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BTW, I use those inserts with a cheap mens travel toiletry kit (like this one). I set it on top of my amp when I'm out playing, and it works pretty well. An alternative would be a kit like this one, that could hang from your mic stand. That would be pretty handy.
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Harmlessonica
115 posts
Apr 07, 2015
3:05 PM
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When looking for a case recently (mostly for storage at home) the purpose built soft cases were more expensive than I expected... In the end I bought a cheap little aluminium flight case.
It came with a foam insert with serrations, so you can just pull out little chunks at a time to suit whatever size gear you want in there.
Turned out to be a neat solution, and now I can ensure my low key harps are oriented correctly for long term storage.
I only realised this style of case was available through broadening my initial search on eBay...
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Fishlips
35 posts
Apr 07, 2015
11:07 PM
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This Harbor Freight aluminum case is very much like the shell of the Hetrick case. And, with the addition of the kind of grid that Isaacullah described above, one can have a good harp case for a little over $15 depending on the material used for the grid. It takes a lot of work, of course, to make something of the quality of the original.
http://www.harborfreight.com/11-in-x-7-in-x-4-in-aluminum-case-69316.html
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eharp
2267 posts
Apr 08, 2015
5:15 AM
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Isaac- if you are using a shaving kit, you may find the Seydel Gigbag works better.
http://www.seydel1847.de/epages/Seydel1847.sf/en_US/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Seydel/Products/930012
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rogonzab
684 posts
Apr 08, 2015
7:41 AM
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eharp, that is the one I use!
You can get 12 harps in there and is the zize of your hand.
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Sorry for any misspell, english is not my first language.
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isaacullah
2991 posts
Apr 08, 2015
8:45 AM
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@eharp: Long have looked at that Seydel case. I've even had it loaded in my electronic shopping cart, only to chicken out at the last minute. While it seems like the absolute best harmonica case one can get, the problem is that I'd need at least two of them, which would run me on the order if $50. Thus far, I've not been able to justify it. The current shaving case I'm using works quite well, and, laying it on its side, it fits in the left-hand compartment of that "Mississippi saxaphone" case I got from you a few years back. So its a pretty good modular system for me. Could be better, but works well enough to dissuade any additional purchases for the time being!
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dougharps
896 posts
Apr 08, 2015
9:03 AM
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I really like the Seydel belt bags because they store the harps well and can be used flexibly.
I have 2 Seydel 12 harp belt bags (you can actually slide in 2 more, one on each end, to make 14 harps) and one 6 harp belt bag (holds 8 in a pinch). I have several different larger cases/bags I can put them in, or just carry the Seydel bag.
I use the Seydel bags as modular harp storage that I can switch around according to my needs and whether I may need backup diatonic harps at a gig. The fabric protects the harps and lets them breath.
I found this to be more flexible for my purposes than one dedicated case. I have other carrying arrangements for my keyed chromatics, depending on how many keys I may want with me and which case or bag I am using. I can bring a partial set of diatonics in the smaller Seydel bag, or a full set in a larger Seydel bag, and just put the one bag in a jacket pocket. I can choose to carry no chromatics, one, or any number up to 8 keys of chromatics, depending on what music I may be playing, by putting the Seydel bag in a larger bag or case with chromatics and a repair kit.
I have an old trumpet case with internal dividers removed(smelled funky!) that can hold all my gig worthy diatonic and chromatic harps (50 or so), a mic, and a cable. I also have two sizes of fabric pistol cases, a larger one having pockets for 8 chromatics, a mic, and a cable, with another pocket that will hold a large and a small Seydel belt bag with my repair kit underneath the bags.
I usually use my smaller belted fabric pistol case to hold 8 chromatics, 14 harps in a Seydel bag, the repair kit, and a couple specialty harps tucked in. This can be slung over my shoulder or put on a table, and covers almost all the bases if I don't need a mic and I don't think I will need backup harps.
Sometimes I just do what rogonzab does, and put a Seydel case, mic and cable, one or two chromatics, and maybe some lyrics in a backpack.
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Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Apr 08, 2015 9:04 AM
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Littoral
1232 posts
Apr 08, 2015
9:14 AM
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Google Harmonica Case and the various approaches are all there. Make your own is the deal.
Me, I just pile my MB's in a bag and line them up on a table at the gig.
Last Edited by Littoral on Apr 08, 2015 9:15 AM
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dougharps
898 posts
Apr 08, 2015
9:24 AM
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Littoral, how early do you have to go to set them up for a gig?
I am sure you never pick up the wrong key, right?
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Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Apr 08, 2015 9:24 AM
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eharp
2268 posts
Apr 08, 2015
12:59 PM
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One of the first conventions I went to, maybe the Buckeye, a guy used an old, much taped FedX box. No separation. No cushioning. No organization. He did have a big rubber )-ring to keep it closed.
And a friend use to use just a plastic shopping bag. Some of the harps were in cases, some were not. He would sometimes spend 1/2 the song looking for the right key.
"If it rips, I can find another in a garbage can."
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eharp
2269 posts
Apr 08, 2015
1:04 PM
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Roganzab- Do you put your mics in any protected pouch before you put them in the backpack?
What about pedals?
And how do you keep your cords from tangling?
I thought of doing what I think you do.
Perhaps velcro each wound cord and then secure them together with a carabiner clip?
Mics in some over-sized Tupperware container?
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rogonzab
685 posts
Apr 08, 2015
1:12 PM
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eharp,
No, I dont have a special puch for my mic, I use a scarf to cover the mic. I havent found anything yet to use better than the scarf.
My pedals go in a DIY pedalcase, you can see the pictures here:
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/5482078.htm
For the cords I use Ziploc bags, one cord per bag. I was going for the velcro thing, but I found those ziploc bags in my house, and they work great.
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Sorry for any misspell, english is not my first language.
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mlefree
286 posts
Apr 09, 2015
9:41 AM
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I thought I'd mention that I make some very light and tidy hybrid leather/Kydex thermoplastic cases that I call my "Compact" series. They provide protection to and from gigs as well as during storage as they provide good air circulation around your harps. Snap it closed after storage and you are ready to go. Snap it open on stage on your amp or a music stand (they stand up unaided) and your harps remain organized and at your fingertips. Snap it closed and you are on the road back home.
My most popular models are the Compact-7 and Compact-14 (still $89.95 and $129.95 + shipping).
Thanks!
Michelle
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SilverWingLeather.com
email: mlefree@silverwingleather.com
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Littoral
1234 posts
Apr 09, 2015
2:21 PM
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"... I dont have a special puch for my mic, I use a scarf to cover the mic. I havent found anything yet to use better than the scarf."
Beer Koozie works very nicely.
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eharp
2270 posts
Apr 09, 2015
6:15 PM
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Good idea with the beer koozie.
Last Edited by eharp on Apr 09, 2015 6:19 PM
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The Black Pit
28 posts
Apr 09, 2015
7:59 PM
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I use a pistol case. It's lined top and bottom with that "egg crate" type of foam so nothing rattles around inside. Between the foam and the crush-proof plastic exterior, you could drop the case out a 3rd story window and nothing inside would get damaged. I already had them laying around, but either way, they're pretty cheap.
I like the MTM Case-Gard 808 which measures approx 14x9x3. Mine holds 6 harps (in their boxes), a tool kit and 2 mics. If you clear out the mics and tool kit, it will hold 17 harps (in their boxes). It also has a molded in handle and a hook hanger loop. To the average person it looks like any other hard shell case. It's also light weight.
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"The blues are the roots of all American music. As long as American music survives, so will the blues."...Willie Dixon
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