nacoran
7437 posts
Dec 26, 2013
12:10 PM
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Okay, so I've had a storage shed on my mother's property which unfortunately my mother had a tendency to store stuff in, which kept me from getting to my stuff. Finally I convinced her it was in both of our best interests if I could get in to my stuff to weed out some junk to create more space. (If this is the biggest family drama I have, I can count myself lucky!) Anyway, being able to get in there finally meant I was able to find these two gems, which I have wanted to get access to for a long time. Behold, a fairly standard Samsonite suitcase (sadly, it's mate went to my brother and was destroyed by water damage). And, another possibility for a harp case (it held 24 action figures in it's heyday and might not be 'blues' but certainly would get the attention of a certain demographic.
So, keeping in mind that on the craft building skill scale I'm about a 4, what are people's suggestions for how to proceed in building one or both of these into swanky harp cases?
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Nate
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nacoran
7438 posts
Dec 26, 2013
12:12 PM
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(That splash of red in the corner is my 1963 Cavalier Coke machine, which from time to time I consider turning into a stereo rack since the compressor is shot).
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Nate
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Reed Triller
174 posts
Dec 26, 2013
2:31 PM
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"Bend it like Ricci" - Me
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harpfox
15 posts
Dec 26, 2013
4:54 PM
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Trace your harp on peice of paper..
cut out the shape into foam...glue the foam into a case..
and there you go.
just make sure to make the foam walls thick enough between each harp. so that the walls are sturdy enough.
ill try to post a pic of my homemade case soon.
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messy ventura
108 posts
Dec 26, 2013
8:50 PM
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Not so easy cutting foam accurately Nate. You might wanna check out the foam inserts Dave has at harp gaskets .com, I've built some cases utilizing Daves' inserts and have also hand built velvet lined wood frame inserts. I'm fortunate to have accumulated, through my wifes' vintage business, quite a few cases ready for conversion. Get creative. Have fun wit it !
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nacoran
7439 posts
Dec 26, 2013
10:15 PM
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Messy, I was debating about getting someone else to do the foam. I've messed around with it before, and I know it can be a pain. The trick with the Darth Vader head is the figure spaces are all slightly different sizes. They are all roughly rectangle though, so I guess I could measure them each up without too much problem. I'm worried that the plastic clasps may not last for the long haul and they could be tricky to upgrade.
I'm leaning velvet on the old suitcase. I'm leaning towards making it a harp case, but a little part of me likes those suitcase amps too.
I suppose if I get Darth Vader set I'll need to work out the rest of Star Wars (I can play the little snippet of the main theme that everyone recognizes, but have never sat down and learned the rest of it.)
Thanks for the feedback. Keep it coming. :)
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Nate
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harpfox
18 posts
Dec 27, 2013
12:54 AM
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If you use an exacto knife, you can cut pretty accurately.
heres a pic...its not perfect, but hey!
http://i39.tinypic.com/n5ses.jpg
i used foam only for cushioning the harps so they don't rattle.
for the harps themselves i used a hard type of Styrofoam..
Last Edited by harpfox on Dec 27, 2013 4:41 AM
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Reed Triller
175 posts
Dec 27, 2013
9:32 AM
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You could go the precut foam route but you could also buy sections of foam that are like the perforated foam inserts you see in camera cases where they are sliced into 1/2inch or so squares and you remove just enough to fit your equipment in to hold it snug.
But having been a cook for 20+ years and having to be certified in food safety and sanitation I would go with the partitioned case route with dividers. If you play your harps hard and put them away wet, so to speak,then do not play them for a few days, having them incased tightly in foam can help bacteria which could make you very ill, grow inside the harps. The foam might not let enough air circulations through to let them dry out better. With dividers the harps get plenty of air circulation.
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"Bend it like Ricci" - Me
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messy ventura
110 posts
Dec 27, 2013
9:56 AM
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Xacto knives & razor blades can only cut evenly maybe 1/2" deep. Best tool for cutting foam (other than a water jet) is a sharp electric carving knife. A local harp guy here converted a violin case into his harp case. So yes, Darth does have potential in spite of its non rectangular shape. You could have some fun rigging up a little lite system inside Darth too. Gotta be thinkin outside the box sometimes. heeehee!
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pharpo
726 posts
Dec 27, 2013
11:01 AM
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I'd use pick and pluck foam. That red case looks like it would clean up nice. Use some saddle soap on it.....it will look great.-------
Procrastinator Emeritus
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nacoran
7441 posts
Dec 27, 2013
12:24 PM
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Messy, yeah, I was thinking about some lighting!
Reed Triller, I've wondered about a slightly looser holding foam. Darth has plastic guards in there. If I put a thin layer of foam on the inside I might be able to make it snug enough to hold in place without rattle, but still get some airflow.
I've also wondered about UV lights.
Pharpo, saddle soap! I knew I knew something for leather. I was blanking on what it was called.
Harpfox, nice, except you covered the map! (I was looking at some suitcases that had old maps. I used to collect old maps.)
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Nate
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Littoral
1014 posts
Dec 27, 2013
3:49 PM
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Couldn't be happier with mine. This was after I first put it together a couple of years ago.
Last Edited by Littoral on Dec 27, 2013 3:52 PM
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harpfox
19 posts
Dec 27, 2013
11:37 PM
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@nacoran glad you like! I actually glued the map myself and only covered countries like Kyrgyzstan lol...
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Reed Triller
177 posts
Dec 28, 2013
9:52 AM
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Nacoron, think of foam as a sponge. It will hold onto dampness in a closed case and breed bacteria and possibly mold in time loose or not. Foam also breaks down. It can take years for that to happen but I would hate to grab a harp in a dark gig settings and end up with a chunk of old foam in my lungs :)
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"Bend it like Ricci" - Me
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gmacleod15
228 posts
Dec 28, 2013
12:20 PM
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Here is my case.
I needed something to take to an occasional jam or from house to garage. The case is an insulated nylon lunch bag. The insulation makes great padding. It will hold more than 20 harps, 2 pedals, cables, bullet mic and a few small odds and ends.
The best part is that the harp holder lifts out of the case for easy access, it also spins on a built in "lazy Susan". The harp holder is a re-purposed remote control holder which are available cheap at many department stores. The harps fit close enough that I don't use any padding.
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
Last Edited by gmacleod15 on Dec 28, 2013 12:22 PM
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Fishlips
9 posts
Dec 28, 2013
1:03 PM
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I like designs that let the harps "breathe" and dry in the case. The grid of vertical slots used in the Hetrick cases is good in that respect. Hetrick used acrylic, I believe, but other materials could be used as well.
I've also seen short sections of PVC pipe put together in a honeycomb configuration, though that may be a less efficient use of space if you have a lot of harps.
For overflow storage, I like to use pencil boxes from the office supply store. They cost about $2 and hold 10 harps. They are easy to stack, have no absorbent surfaces and they would be easy to clean if one ever felt the need.
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nacoran
7444 posts
Dec 30, 2013
2:40 PM
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Does anyone have any experience with spray on flocking? Would that work for a case interior? (I'm thinking for Darth).
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Nate
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nacoran
7451 posts
Dec 31, 2013
7:10 AM
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And also, I know it's sacrilege in terms of memorabilia terms, but what do people think of the idea of cutting the front of a harp rack off and hooking Vader up with a harp?
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Nate
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MP
3020 posts
Dec 31, 2013
11:25 AM
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From Fishlips-
"I like designs that let the harps "breathe" and dry in the case."
I couldn't agree more. I use leather cases for my gig harps.
If moisture doesn't evaporate it tends to attract dust, and it also causes the brass to oxidize and creates a build-up that hardens around the reeds and eventually causes the reeds to seize.
I've freed up the reeds on many, many harps using a shim to cut through this build-up.
I am totally anti foam. foam acts like a wet sponge. I you must use foam, be sure to tap out the moisture from your harps and let 'em dry out before putting them away.
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i still have a little Hohner stock for reed replacement in three common keys.
when these are gone i'm out of the biz.
click MP for my e-mail address and more info.
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nacoran
7452 posts
Dec 31, 2013
2:20 PM
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Shoot, the internet ate my post!
Philosfy, that's the very video that made me remember my Darth head was sitting in my old shed!
My camera battery is dead. I was going to show the insides of the Darth head. There is a press in place bar to hold things in, which comes out easily but might wear out if that was done a lot. MB's fit in any slot. Lee Oskars have to go in at a bit of an angle in the shorter slots and I might have to cut a little notch for my turboslide. There are 30 slots, but a couple on the edges are a little squeezed off because of the shape. I think it should easily carry 26 harps though, and I think I can keep airflow decent, at least considering it's a plastic case.
I think at some point the hinges will have to be upgraded, which may be tricky, but not undoable.
I've got an idea for how to make the suitcase slots breathe, a sort of modified vertical slot that pinches the covers but leaves the front and back open. I'll have to try a few experiments to get it just right.
Anyone have any idea where spray on flox falls on the continuum for holding microbes? It's fluffy, but it's nylon I think. I always liked the look of old velvet lined instrument cases, although I understand they aren't always hygienic.
When my battery is charged I'll upload some shots of the insides.
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Nate
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