KentuckyBlues
53 posts
Mar 20, 2014
2:13 AM
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So went to the blues open MIC with my new harps.
was like 292 or somthing and came with 7 special 20's, a case and a belt.
case is crap, but I knew that before hand, and bought it for the harps mostly, the belt is actually really well put together but didn't use it.
so I decided after looking at some other harp players cases tonight, I'm not spending 300 on a case, sorry, that's silly
I want to know the best DIY case sources.
meaning, where could I buy insert foam I can cut to size.
I guess I'm Craigslist searching for a small briefcase thing, but id spend 30 on a nice plastic one or somthing..
what I have to store, 10 harps, a bullet MIC, and a shaker mad dog MIC.
id like to be able to carry that plus 12 more harps, and 1 more big bullet MIC, possibly cords. No pedals, if I add those I'll make another case.
what do you guys use, what works best
I want it to look nice, possibly even vintage nice, but I don't wanna spend more than 80 to 100 bucks tops. Less would be better, its a case, and I'm careful with my stuff, so it doesn't need to be a bomb shelter.
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SuperBee
1784 posts
Mar 20, 2014
2:38 AM
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any excuse...
this is mine...made from an old briefcase which was no longer cool enough to hang with the fast crowd i guess...
i'm still using it, i dunno how long its been...3 years probably.
removed original pockets, glued down some padding, installed some balsa to create dividers, made the removable box from scrap (masonite bottom, tas oak frame). glued the fabric to line it. its not a perfect job with the lining...about as good as my patience compromised with what i found acceptable. 13 harps in the box, room for chromatic, tools, pen, tubes, patch leads under, space for 2 pedals, power supplies, 2 mics (edit: there are actually 3 in there in the photo) and 2 leads. one of the best night's work ive done in terms of usefulness. i picked up the case for nix. about $20 for the rest.
Last Edited by SuperBee on Mar 20, 2014 2:48 AM
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sonny3
139 posts
Mar 20, 2014
7:14 AM
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You can get one with the pluck foam at all ready to go at harbor freight.Like 28 bucks or something.of course it doesn't look vintage.
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HawkeyeKane
2397 posts
Mar 20, 2014
7:26 AM
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Here's the case I use, and I'm happy with it. Admittedly, it's not as high of quality as the old Fender harp cases, but it still gets the job done, and for a very reasonable price.
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Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
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Littoral
1050 posts
Mar 20, 2014
7:33 AM
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I spent years working this out and harps standing up is (I think) the way to go.
Do a forum searh -lot's of info. Here's plenty:
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/5242663.htm
Here's my harp case sitting IN my pedal case
-which is and old harp case like Hawkeye's above that I did not like (loose harps etc.)
The case is an old cosmetic travel case, vintage look and not real hard to find. Pretty cheap on Ebay.
I have 3-4 and was thinking about putting together some cases to sell.
The one in this set would be an awesome case:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-RETRO-ALLIGATOR-TWEED-LEATHER-HAT-MAKEUP-TRAIN-SUITCASE-LUGGAGE-TRUNK-/321333625882?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ad0fa041a
Last Edited by Littoral on Mar 20, 2014 7:43 AM
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sonny3
140 posts
Mar 20, 2014
11:18 AM
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That one for 99 looks to be the same one I got for under 30.
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atty1chgo
878 posts
Mar 20, 2014
11:30 AM
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I bought a set of those cheapo worthless Hohner Piedmont Blues harp sets for like $12.00 a few years ago during one of those door buster Black Friday sales at Guitar Center. Tossed the worthless harps into a bag to be given away to charity, and kept the case. It is a great little zip-up case, water resistant, and fits 7 harps. Even if you paid $25 for it, it's still a bargain little case.
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Slimharp
256 posts
Mar 20, 2014
11:45 AM
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Bout 5 years ago I bought a aluminum case ( from Home Depot - $25.00 ) got some heavy foam and craft board. I cut out the tracing of my bullets and in the main section cut and slotted the craft board. It holds 24 harps and has plenty of room on either side for other gear. The underside of the lid has a flap and I put all my chords in there. The case is VERY sturdy . The cutting of the craft board was a pain and took some time but worth it. The harps sit end up, easy to see the key and in the correct position to play when you grab them.
Last Edited by Slimharp on Mar 20, 2014 11:48 AM
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harp-er
543 posts
Mar 20, 2014
1:35 PM
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I used this method in a briefcase that I got at a thrift store. It came out very nice, holds 14 harps with a little extra space.
http://youtu.be/I0k6EuHRjUc
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KentuckyBlues
54 posts
Mar 20, 2014
4:12 PM
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I like the ideas.
eBay time. Thanks guys.
will probobly make balsa wood slots in a briefcase in place of lots of foam.
should I cover the wood to protect the harps?
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mlefree
147 posts
Mar 20, 2014
5:08 PM
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Kentuck - My friend and mentor Grant Dermody has an old tattered clarinet case that his woodworking dad made nice figured hardwood inserts for in the very manner you suggest. You might think of scouting garage sales and ebay for an old case of a kind that tickles your fancy and is more expressive of your stage persona and then fitting it with you balsa cutouts.
And please do let us know what you come up with.
Thanks,
Michelle
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SilverWingLeather.com
email: mlefree@silverwingleather.com
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nacoran
7635 posts
Mar 20, 2014
5:09 PM
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Wood should be enough softer than the harps so it won't scratch or anything, but depending on how snug you make it, you might want to deal with something to keep it from rattling.
I've had a bunch of crazy things come up so far this year, but I've got three or four harp projects on the proverbial workshelf. One is turning an old Darth Vader action figure carrying case into a harp case. It works as is, but the different chambers are slightly different sizes and some hold the harps easier than others. I've also got a vintage leather suitcase I'm going to convert for any shows where Darth Vader might not be the appropriate style signifier.
I don't have the link handy, one of my friends is into collecting pewter figures, and he uses a company that will very precisely cut foam inserts for fairly reasonable prices. They probably would be easier to look up in hobby categories rather than musical instruments.
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Nate
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KentuckyBlues
57 posts
Mar 20, 2014
5:25 PM
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Nacoran, I should be able to find the foam cutting guys with the info you gave, just gotta google.
I honestly wouldn't mind wood, but if I can get cheap foam and have it cut, id be a happy guy.
my fiance has some older jewelry boxes.... Maybe I could assimilate one...borg style.
mlefree currently on the lookout for just that! EBay has quite a few, though now I'm thinking I need something star wars. Haha
littoral that is basically exactly what I want. Harps facing that way, everything looking vintage is cool too. How much are you gunna sell those for, would they look the same, or are the boxes different, any pics?
id buy one from you if the price was right.
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