HarpNinja
3375 posts
Jul 05, 2013
6:18 PM
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Suggestions for belts, etc, that let you carry 7 harps without making it obvious. Like when you go to a gig and may get asked to sit in, so you want them on you, but you don't want to carry a case around.
Thanks!
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Mantra Customized Harmonicas
My Website
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FMWoodeye
722 posts
Jul 05, 2013
6:24 PM
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Discreet? It doesn't compute for me. I say wear crossed bandoliers like a (stereotype)Mexican bandit (we don't need no steenkin' batches). A sombrero would go well with the outfit. Hey, what part of the country do you live in? Maybe we could go out together. We could do Tequila together. I'd have to learn to say Tequila in Spanish, though, just to make it authentic.
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dougharps
413 posts
Jul 05, 2013
6:37 PM
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The Hohner 7 harp leatherette case would seem to fit what you want and protect the harps in separate slots. It wouldn't scratch the covers like cramming them side by side in a pouch like I sometimes still do when I want to be discrete.
I personally like the Seydel 12 harp belt case now, which can hold 14 if needed (High G and Low F). I can carry it separately or put it in a ballistic cloth pistol case with my 8 chromatics and repair kit.
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Doug S.
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Harpaholic
270 posts
Jul 05, 2013
7:25 PM
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I second the Hohner 7. I picked up mine on eBay for $15 shipped
it's a good quality 7 harp case and it looks look a man purse.
Last Edited by Harpaholic on Jul 05, 2013 7:26 PM
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Rick Davis
2053 posts
Jul 05, 2013
7:34 PM
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3rd on the Hohner 7.
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HarpNinja
3376 posts
Jul 05, 2013
7:45 PM
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That's what I use now... Was thinking even more discreet like a small belt?
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Mantra Customized Harmonicas
My Website
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1847
898 posts
Jul 05, 2013
7:50 PM
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i have a money belt i use to routinely carry around
hundreds of thousands of dollars with me everywhere.
i bet it would easily carry 7 harmonicas.
i just fed ex it to you. you can keep it.
just make sure i get all the money back.
if there is anything else i can do
just let me know?
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third times a charm!
Last Edited by 1847 on Jul 05, 2013 7:50 PM
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nacoran
6904 posts
Jul 05, 2013
8:02 PM
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Cargo shorts! (Or carpenters jeans). Or you could buy Hohner Pucks and retune them to a set of 7!
It really depends on the setting. I carry multiple harps in different pockets sometimes. I've even thought about sewing a stitch down the middle of the leg pockets on a couple pairs of pants so there are discreet mini-pockets so they don't rattle, but I haven't gotten that far yet. Of course, that look won't work for business formal, but then you've got vest pockets.
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Nate
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walterharp
1125 posts
Jul 05, 2013
8:40 PM
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is that a harmonica in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? :-)
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Reed Triller
131 posts
Jul 05, 2013
9:10 PM
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Belt case made for a pocket knife. Some are just the right size. Im making my own belt and individual cases with leather by hand soon. Easy to make and takes very little time or skills.
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"Bend it like Ricci" - Me
Last Edited by Reed Triller on Jul 05, 2013 9:14 PM
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Reed Triller
132 posts
Jul 05, 2013
9:13 PM
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Cargo pantd are dangerous for harps. In my personal experience anyway. They bang my knee if they are out of the case, they rattle like crazy if in their plastic clamshell case and sometimes you forget theye are in your pocket and end up smashing one. I squadhed one in my cargo pants just by squatting.
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"Bend it like Ricci" - Me
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STME58
488 posts
Jul 05, 2013
10:04 PM
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I usually have 3-5 harp in my pocket at any given time. I find the Crossover zipper pouches to be a good balance of protection compactness, and no rattling. My next favorite case it the Suzuki Promaster case. The velour liner rattles very little, the case gives hard shell protection and the rounded corners make it much more comfortable in my pocket that a Harpmaster or Marine Band case.
If I have several harps in Marine Band type cases in my pocket I sound like a tradesman on a construction job walking down the hall.
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KingoBad
1339 posts
Jul 05, 2013
11:15 PM
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Duct tape them anywhere you don't mind losing body hair...
You could also put them in rubber gloves, tie them off and shove them in your....
Wait.. was this harmonicas or heroine?
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Danny
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harpdude61
1733 posts
Jul 06, 2013
3:30 AM
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Wife's large purse is great, but I hate to just pop harps out quickly. Means I was expecting to be asked. I usually answer "cool, I have harps in the car, give me a sec".
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nacoran
6907 posts
Jul 06, 2013
4:23 AM
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Backpacks depending on the setting. In jam settings it can also pay to carry some of those little shaker eggs.
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Nate
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2chops
141 posts
Jul 06, 2013
4:48 AM
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I usually have a C harp in its plastic case in my pocket. Times when I'm going out where there's a band that may ask me to sit in. I have my gig bag in the Jeep so it's close. My wife and I were out last night and the house bands sax player recognized me and asked me to set in for the last few numbers. No prob. All my gear was only 50' away. Nice end to the evening.
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robbert
212 posts
Jul 06, 2013
6:54 AM
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Yeah...I've had that same issue for mobile acoustic playing, and ended up choosing the Seydel belt pack for 12 harps. It's very compact and discreet, especially if you have a loose shirt over the pants style of dressing. The 6 harp belt pack is probably even more discreet. The only thing I don't quite like about the 12 pack is it tends to sag a bit when open. Not a big issue, and I'm sure a modification of some kind would handle that.
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Martin
400 posts
Jul 06, 2013
7:12 AM
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Do you want pictures or how to- instructions?
My ... eh, girl/lady (I´m past the "girlfriend" age) made me several for one harp, four harps, six harps etc, a while back. She´s good with the sewing machine but it wasn´t that complicated. She said.
Very discreet things. I´m a "conservative" dresser and always wear a jacket and hate those harp belts. Wtih these you can´t see that I´m "loaded".
Ed: I see now there´s a way to upload pictures, but -- of course! -- I don´t understand it.
Last Edited by Martin on Jul 06, 2013 7:30 AM
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dougharps
414 posts
Jul 06, 2013
7:12 AM
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I have the cases I described above, but often put the harps, a mic, and a cable in a backpack and leave it in the car. If I have an open invitation from the band to sit or it is winter or extremely hot out I bring the backpack in with me.
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Doug S.
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RyanMortos
1462 posts
Jul 06, 2013
7:47 AM
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Too funny Mike, I had been asking someone else this same question for the exact same reason only a week or so ago!
Up to this point I always carry a C harp in its original hard case in my pocket. I try to find out beforehand if there's probability of the band asking me up, if so I bring my harmonica case. At SPAH or other festivals I tend to bring a backpack, throw my harmonicas case and all kinds of other stuff in there.
I was thinking something like the Seydel smart-belt and wear it under my shirt. This would be cool for SPAH too but no room for chromatic :( . Maybe belt plus some other case for chromatic?
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~Ryan
See My Profile for contact info, etc.
Last Edited by RyanMortos on Jul 06, 2013 8:25 AM
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Martin
401 posts
Jul 06, 2013
8:05 AM
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A backpack? Discreet? You gotta be kidding.
Backpacks should be forbidden (outside of Norway, where it´s a national costume). They are clumsy, ugly and EXTREMELY annoying. (For the rest of the world; you guys who wear them never seem to care.)
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rogonzab
335 posts
Jul 06, 2013
8:23 AM
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I make this for my self some time ago, is an old CD case. I can put 7 harps on it, and it is perfect to go to my Jam.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
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blueharp1
5 posts
Jul 06, 2013
8:42 AM
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Please, just leave 'em in the car. It's presumptuous, disingenuous and a little bit needy to say, "Oh, what n amaaaaazing coincidence, I just happen to have a full set of harps on my person at this very moment!" Why not just walk in the front door with your Bassman in tow?
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nacoran
6908 posts
Jul 06, 2013
9:07 AM
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How about a hollowed out book?
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Nate
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dougharps
415 posts
Jul 06, 2013
9:56 AM
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@Martin and blueharp1
The backpack isn't particularly discreet, just useful for hauling gear.
Since I am located in a college town, backpacks are everywhere. Having a small backpack/bookbag does not separate you from the crowd in most venues.
If a band has given me an open invitation to sit in anytime I attend a gig, OR if the car will be extremely hot or cold and not good for the harps, I bring the backpack into the club. I do not take out anything without specific invitation.
Some bands have even suggested I should always bring an amp when I come out. For those occasions I have a 10" Lil' Buddy in a small cab I can carry in my vehicle, and I bring the EH 44 Magnum "sit in" amp. I don't bring the amp and speaker into the club without a specific invitation at that time, even if I have been given a previous standing invitation to sit in and to bring an amp.
If I don't have expectations of sitting in I may have some harps in a pouch in a jacket pocket, but I would not bring the backpack. Since I play harp in a number of genres and am well known in this town, there are quite a few band that welcome me and always ask if I have harps with me. I am trusted to not mess up the music. If I can't add positively to a specific song, I lay out, and the bands know this.
Regarding the OP, Mike, what about cutting the 7-harp case into 2 pieces that would fit pockets? Or you could buy two of the Hohner 3-harp cases?
I did like nacoran's hollowed book idea...
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Doug S.
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robbert
213 posts
Jul 06, 2013
1:17 PM
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So, the Seydel beltpack for 12 harps works well and is nicely discreet; add to that a cheap document case(I got mine at K-Mart for under $10.00)for your 16 hole chromatic, also equipped with a belt loop, and you are good to go. The vertically oriented document case is a little more conspicuous, however. It doesn't feel that weird to me,though,as I am performing when I use it.
If I were going to a jam, I would just take whatever case of harps I regularly use. After all, its a jam. Same would apply to open mics.
If I wanted to be under the radar, the beltpack or a nice little soft harp case would be my choice.
I've also found decent looking soft cd cases in thrift stores, complete with shoulder strap and belt loop(strangely enough) that work well.
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A440
91 posts
Jul 06, 2013
1:54 PM
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I use the Lee Oskar flat zipped case, holds 7. Its cheap and widely available. I took a black marker over the white Lee Oskar name to make it more discreet (sorry, Lee - but it's full of Hohner SP20s and crossovers.).
I grab it when heading out to local watering holes, in case my friends with guitars show up and we start a spontaneous jam session.
I'm not a fan of belts.
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eharp
2118 posts
Jul 06, 2013
6:27 PM
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cant you just use their harps?
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Tweedaddict
72 posts
Jul 06, 2013
6:34 PM
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Simple...
Full length leather trench coat.
Sawn off shotgun in one side and full complement of harps in the other.
NO-ONE will have a clue.
Open up the coat and chu gonna say hello to my little friends!
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2chops
146 posts
Jul 07, 2013
1:42 PM
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My main core philosophy revolves around portability and multiple usage. I really like both the CD case idea and that utility belt. The belt would work great with an untucked shirt.
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You Tube = goshinjk
I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
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Reed Triller
133 posts
Jul 07, 2013
3:42 PM
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This is something like I had in mind. Looks just like a pocket knife case used to carry pocket knife on your belt.
http://silverwingleather.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SDiatonic3.jpg
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"Bend it like Ricci" - Me
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SuperBee
1284 posts
Jul 07, 2013
4:29 PM
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Houndstooth sports coat. Lapel pocket, watch pocket, phone pocket. This thing has 6 pockets and a sub pocket. Sometimes I find harps in it which I'd forgotten I owned, it's so discreet. Expensive though.
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JellyShakersTipJar
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BronzeWailer
1057 posts
Jul 07, 2013
5:41 PM
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When travelling light I sometimes take a hard plastic sandwich case (designed for kids' lunches) I bought at the supermarket for a few bucks. It can hold 8 harps comfortably. I have also been using a pool-cue case I found in the council clean-up pile. It can hold a dozen or more harps but is the opposite of discreet.
BronzeWailer's YouTube
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Jim Rumbaugh
882 posts
Jul 07, 2013
7:47 PM
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I vote for the belt with an untucked shirt.
I know a recent thread said belts have a dweeb factor, but I've done the untucked "carrey and concealed" for years
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theharmonicaclub.com (of Huntington, WV)
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AirMojo
356 posts
Jul 08, 2013
5:14 AM
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The cordura and leather multi-harp belt cases that Jeff Spoor (Cumberland Leather) used to make were the bomb... I have a 6-harp and a 7-harp case... too bad no one makes these anymore... glad I have mine !
But, depending on the weather, if I do not have a jacket, I will often just carry a single harp in a cordura folding knife sheath that has both vertical and horizontal belt carry... and leave my multi-harp cases in my vehicle... often just use the Seydel 7 harp or 14 harp zippered cases.
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chromaticblues
1427 posts
Jul 08, 2013
7:05 AM
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@rogonzab
Hohner makes a poch that is very similiar to the one you made. Hohner sells a special 20 pack of five harps. The harps come in a poch that holds 7 harps.
It's not very cool looking or anything, but it holds 7 harps, it's light and doesn't scream; I'm carry harps and I know how to use them!
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mlefree
100 posts
Jul 08, 2013
8:10 AM
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I have developed what I believe to be the smallest, lightest 7-diatonic harp case out there:
 
I describe it in this blog post: New Compact Multi-Diatonic Case
And on my Gallery page entry: Multi-Diatonic Cases
$79.95 plus shipping. Any color you want as long as it's black. (Various shades of brown available at additional cost.)
It has d-rings to attach a shoulder strap or belt loops (add'l cost or re-purpose your own). I could put a belt loop on the back and eliminate the d-rings.
The case is 7 1/4" wide, 1 1/4" deep and 4 1/4" tall. Weighs 7 1/8 oz. Prolly fit in your coat pocket.
Thanks,
Michelle
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SilverWingLeather.com
email: mlefree@silverwingleather.com
Last Edited by mlefree on Jul 08, 2013 8:44 AM
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MP
2815 posts
Jul 08, 2013
12:01 PM
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very nice rogonzab!
i have a similar case that holds seven harps, a toolkit, and a tuner. it is half the size of the Hohner 7 slot cases i use primarily.
it is my spare/repair/tuning case.
very nice mlefree! now that is gorgeous!
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MP
affordable reed replacement and repairs.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
click user name [MP] for info-
repair videos on YouTube.
you can reach me via Facebook. Mark Prados
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logansays
110 posts
Jul 08, 2013
12:07 PM
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Last Edited by logansays on Jul 08, 2013 12:17 PM
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atty1chgo
663 posts
Jul 08, 2013
7:14 PM
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I agree with blueharp1. If you are asked to play, they can't wait a minute while you get your harps out of the car? If you are going to a club and have to park your car far away, that's different. But who is really looking at what you placing on the seat next to you anyway?
Last Edited by atty1chgo on Jul 08, 2013 7:15 PM
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2chops
149 posts
Jul 09, 2013
9:32 AM
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Michelle, I was looking at the carrier like you posted in the list above. That would be a great way to organize my harps in my gig bag. Plus the added benefit of them being ready to grab and go for when I don't need all my riggings.
Saving up.
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You Tube = goshinjk
I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
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Georgia Blues
70 posts
Jul 09, 2013
10:05 AM
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OK... I can't believe we are talking about concealed carry for harmonicas. What is this forum coming to ?:o) But seriously, you got to watch yourself. Late one night I was out on the street in a bad part of town and a couple of Chicago's Finest decided to haul me over and question me. I looked like a suspect in the area... yeah, right. So after some Q&A they asked if I was armed and could they pat me down. Of course officer. Well they felt the harps in my vest pocket and I was spread eagled up against the wall in a flash. Haven't carried harps in my pockets since 1970.
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Alex
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MP
2827 posts
Jul 10, 2013
11:22 AM
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OK!!! Hands down winner for coolest leather case is....dot dah daaah daaaah!
logansays! lemme hear yah say yeah!
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MP
affordable reed replacement and repairs.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
click user name [MP] for info-
repair videos on YouTube.
you can reach me via Facebook. Mark Prados
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Philosofy
471 posts
Jul 10, 2013
7:10 PM
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Seconded. All in favor???
Logansays, where can I get one?
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harp-er
417 posts
Jul 10, 2013
7:29 PM
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I don't know..............I kinda like Michelle's small leather case. Compact, not bulky, "prolly fit in your coat pocket". If I were in the market for a primo handmade leather harp case, I'd sure give that one a look see.
Last Edited by harp-er on Jul 10, 2013 7:30 PM
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Reed Triller
140 posts
Jul 11, 2013
12:34 AM
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Just make sure you don't lean against anything with that pocket. They'll get crushed into eachother.
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"Bend it like Ricci" - Me
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HarpNinja
3382 posts
Jul 12, 2013
8:44 AM
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Here are two examples of why I posted this:
Blues Traveler concert - I was sitting in on a song, but didn't know which one, so I brought a Hohner leather case with 7 harps...each was customized to some level, so worth a lot of money, and I had to carry the case everywhere with me...then after the show, I sat in with a band and had to lug them around the bar.
I was out of town for work and was looking to jam (I ended up not jamming as I, ahem, wasn't in condition to drive pretty early in the evenings, ahem). I am lazy and would be highly likely to forget I set my harps down.
Basically, I only carry them around when I know for sure I am going to play. I almost never carry even one harp some where in the hopes of playing...only when I know for sure.
The belt idea seems best...I like many options, including the Seydel 12 harp thing, but they move around in there. The 3-6 harp leather belt attachments might be the best route and look totally badass.
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Mantra Customized Harmonicas
My Website
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mlefree
101 posts
Jul 12, 2013
11:02 AM
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Reed Triller, I beg to differ if it my Compact leather case to which you refer. That inner Kydex plastic liner system is very rigid. Lean away!
Thanks, Michelle
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SilverWingLeather.com
email: mlefree@silverwingleather.com
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robbert
216 posts
Jul 12, 2013
2:24 PM
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The Seydel 12 or 6 beltpack have fabric separators for each harp. It's a good system. When the zippered top is fully open for access on the 12 pack, the pouch sags a little on your belt. That's the only issue I have with it.
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BAG
144 posts
Jul 13, 2013
6:49 AM
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I like Jim Rumbaugh's suggestion of belt with an untucked shirt. I once brought 6 beers into a Kicks Soccer game utilizing that technique with baggy shorts and baggy surgeon shirt. These days cargo pants work best for me.
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