Millman500
7 posts
Jun 17, 2021
12:26 PM
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Hi there!
Been wanting to get some ideas for cases that hold 12+ diatonics and a mic+cable.
If you had it custom made, please specify some measurements so that we can try it out too!
I currently have a bunch of leather cases, which are cool, but when you need to stuff 15+ harps and a microphone, it's not comfortable anymore.
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SuperBee
6976 posts
Jun 17, 2021
6:06 PM
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I'm still getting some use out of mine which I built 9 years ago. It holds 13 or 26 harps, a chromatic, 2 microphones, 2leads. I used to carry a couple of pedal in it and could do so again. If I only want to carry 13 harps I have space for pens, business cards, etc. Tubes, notebook
This started as a fairly budget model briefcase. I think it's "airport" brand. The sort of thing they used to provide to mid level officials in government departments. Cheap combo lock latches, pvc "leather look" exterior. It was on its way to be thrown out and I grabbed
I removed the pockets from the lid. I bought some balsa strip. It might have been 6.5mm X 25mm. I cut this into lengths to frame out 3 compartments in the case, one of which was sized to fit the length of a diatonic harp.. I could line up 13 diatonics resting with holes up in this compartment.
I found some scrap hardwood, tasmanian oak in my case, of suitable dimensions and framed a tray which would sit on top of that compartment. I used some scrap Masonite for the base of the tray. The tray also holds 13 harps sitting holes up. When in place this allowed the lid to close but was snug enough that the harps don't rattle about.
I lined the tray with felt.
I carved a relief into the side of the tray to fit around the hinge which stabilises and holds the lid open.
I bought some cheap gaudy fabric and pasted it in to cover all my "joinery".
The balsa is so easy to work with that it would all stay in place just pressed into place but I glued it all. Then adding the fabric with craft glue added more strength and protects the soft wood.
I put a sheet of small-cell bubble wrap in the lid before I covered it with fabric.
I guess this cost around $20 all up and took a couple hours to put together.
It took a little while for the glue smell to dissipate but really not long and it's far from the worst glue smell. You can get commercial harp cases that smell worse when new. Even leather stuff.
I like this case because it's very versatile. There's no foam involved, and I really don't like foam for several reasons. But also, the compartments mean I can load it up and things stay tidy and don't rattle around and I can change my mind about what I carry as appropriate. For me this is much better than a case with shaped cutouts and lots of filler.
I have some photos but tricky to post atm; maybe later tonight or on the weekend.
After 9 years it's still doing the job effectively but considering the case was on the way to the tip when I grabbed it I do sometimes wonder if it might be time for a revamp. Mainly just the handle and the corners are getting a bit tatty.
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jbone
3355 posts
Jun 17, 2021
8:31 PM
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Standard tweed Fender case, not t=really anything pic worthy. It does hold my gig kit. I have an old case like it but black which now ho9lds mics and such.
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Music and travel destroy prejudice.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1109912442677135/?ref=bookmarks
Reverbnation
Facebook
https://www.youtube.com/feed/my_videos
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Gabriel.Harmonic
81 posts
Jun 18, 2021
1:18 AM
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I use hardshell foam lined camera cases. Might be weird but I have full set + 1 or 2 back-ups of Marine bands that Richard Sleigh built for me 1997 & 2001 plus a few crossovers. I like the old paper Marine band boxes since they "breathe". I keep mine racked up across from Low F to hi F. My last band of 10 years since we had horn player (or 2) with me, plus a Soprano female vocalist in a night we would literally play in all 12 keys. Plus I keep a couple chromatics in there and odd minor tuned harps, etc. These cases are hard shell and I lay flat like briefcase and keep top open.
For microphones I prefer the Nylon heavy camera equipment bags, can be found great at thrift stores. They are padded and have padded dividers, like little "cubby holes" just the size of a bullet and with and outboard VC and adapter they can stand in those compartments. Mine holds couple crystal bullets, one CR/JT30, another CM in Shure shell (I hardly use either). The other nice thing is I use regularly a 585VC and 545 with bottom modified to plug straight into, and those can stand in case vertically. I never use more than possibly a delay or Kinder AFB so, those can sit on top if needed and padded "lid" folds over and latches. Then it has nice padded handle.
I use a large canvas grocery back with heavy strap handle (this is a $40 bag but thrift shop find again) just the size I can drop my harp case into, alongside a mic cable and power strip, etc. and then mic bag on top. Those straps on my shoulder and then '59 Bassman on other side and it's a "one-carry" walk into gig.
Sometimes I do carry amp in then just harps like briefcase and bag with the rest so it's 2 trips if loading behind venue.
Wow, all of this is like distant memories since past year plus some has been virtually no amplified gigs.
Last Edited by Gabriel.Harmonic on Jun 18, 2021 1:21 AM
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Millman500
8 posts
Jun 18, 2021
12:34 PM
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Sounds Great Bee! Mind uploading a picture of that setup somewhere on a free hosting site?
I have the fender case myself jbone, it's pretty good quality for the price with the velvet insides! I would like something with upright harps though.
Gabriel post up a pic! Sounds wicked
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KC69
618 posts
Jun 18, 2021
6:51 PM
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Can someone share with me how to share a picture our of my photos file on my computer.... I would like to show you the cases my leather guy transposed a drawing I received from an inmate that I was ministering too. Amazing art and leather work...
Not sure if this worked. first time sharing a photo???
----------https://www.dropbox.com/t/xamonI4OHJuaoi8Y
https://www.dropbox.com/t/3QUNOvDx1huGPdYR
And I Thank You !!
KC Bluz
Givin the devil the Bluz
Last Edited by KC69 on Jun 19, 2021 4:51 AM
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SuperBee
6977 posts
Jun 18, 2021
8:37 PM
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dimensions:
internal width of base 420mm before framing. after framing and covering, about 405mm
internal depth IE front to back 295mm, framed section on tray side around 270mm
height, floor to lid, internal, around 70mm (50mm in the base, 20mm in the lid
width of "harmonica compartment" underneath tray is 110mm
height of same compartment is 28mm
depth is 270mm as noted above.
the framing material is heavier in this section. appears to be 10mm x 28mm. the rest of the framing maybe 7.5mm x 28mm. its hard to say exactly how much width is added by the fabric. I'd say ive used heavier stock because ir has to supoort the tray.
i built the tray with 10mm x 30mm hardwood with a 5mm or 6mm sheet of masonite for the floor. This is all just glued and nailed together butt joints. I've rounded/shaped the edge which fits into the hinged side of the lid, and cut out a relief for the internal side hinge. The timber dimesions are not crucial to anything except making a good fit and its just fortunate that this case will hold a double stack of harps very neatly with enough spare mm to allow the appropriate filler materials ie the masonite and fabric. You can make your compartments whatever size you think suits you, but just splitting the difference is probably as good as anything for a starting point.
There's enough depth in the compartment to take a CX12/super 64 in its case, and fit a mojo pad pedal across the end, for instance.
Last Edited by SuperBee on Jun 18, 2021 9:01 PM
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Gabriel.Harmonic
82 posts
Jun 18, 2021
8:58 PM
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Following the question above from Millman500 does anyone know how to insert a photo here? I see SuperBee shows a Jpeg, is that a Dropbox link?
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SuperBee
6978 posts
Jun 18, 2021
9:05 PM
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im hosting them on box and then using box's "embed widget", because its easy when you know how.
you could have them on another hosting site like dropbox and share a link or write some html code. i think theres a guide to doing that under "practice your forum skills" but it may be out of date.
i had to wait until i could get on my laptop to do this as the boxapp for mobiles doesnt seem to have the embed widget option.
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SuperBee
6979 posts
Jun 18, 2021
9:06 PM
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SuperBee
6980 posts
Jun 18, 2021
9:07 PM
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SuperBee
6981 posts
Jun 18, 2021
9:10 PM
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oh yeah, thats the other thing about the compartments, is that ive only framed the lower half so there remains the possibility of allowing things like cables or notebooks to fit across the space.
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SuperBee
6982 posts
Jun 18, 2021
9:20 PM
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obviously i have not spent a lot of time on achieving a retail standard finish. I've left it rustic but fully functional. I've used salvaged material where possible. these are old photos but its still in good shape internally
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KC69
619 posts
Jun 19, 2021
5:05 AM
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I think the link to open my photos has worked. Sorry I don't know how to embed the pictures.
The story behind the Leather Case showing the Devil with His fingers in his ears: I am involved in Prison Ministry and play Harmonica on the Band that goes inside to minister. I was given the "Nickname" of "Given the Devil the Bluz" I always wanted a Leather Case that showed the Devil with his fingers in his ears as we gave him the Bluz! One of the inmate who is an amazing artist drew the design on a napkin during lunch. I took the napkin to my Leather guy and he transposed as best as possible. He didn't get every intricate detail of the pencil drawing from the inmate's napkin, but I think he did a great job!!! What You Think???
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https://www.dropbox.com/t/xamonI4OHJuaoi8Y
https://www.dropbox.com/t/3QUNOvDx1huGPdYR
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And I Thank You !!
KC Bluz
Givin the devil the Bluz
Last Edited by KC69 on Jun 20, 2021 5:56 PM
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Spderyak
384 posts
Jun 20, 2021
3:42 AM
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I'm not good with photos, but my current favorite set up is a soft Craftsman tool bag that has a zipper to close it.
I keep my harps in 3 Hohner waist belts. Each belt holds 6 harps. I stand the belts upright in the bag and still have room for a couple of mics etc.
All the harps are labeled on the ends and always facing the same direction. So I simply have to look in the bag and grab what ever harp I want for a song.
The whole set up came about this summer...with the warm weather I practice in the garage/barn. I didn't want mice running all over my harps or mics at night so I zip up the bag and actually the harps never have to leave the bag cept when I'm actively playing them.
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Troni
15 posts
Jun 21, 2021
8:26 AM
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I have a Seydel hardcover case, look here:
https://www.seydel1847.de/Hardcover-case-for-20-harmonicas-with-belt
It's good, but every harp is put in a kind of small synthetic pocket, so I always make sure the instruments are really dry before putting it in. It's also not the best price for that... But you can put a mike in!
A better solution, in my opinion, is my second case, a Seydel softcase:
https://www.seydel1847.de/Seydel-Softcase-14-Harmonicas
The instruments are hold by elastic bands and aren't surrounded by synthetics. It's also quite cheap and very comfortable to handle. Furthermore, there is a fluffy foam or something like that in between the two rows of harmonicas so they don't take damage. I really like that case! 14 harps are enough, I usually don't need more at one time. The only problem is that you can't place a mike or chromatic/tremolo in it. Usually I take the mike separately, so it's not a problem for me. I haven't tried putting a chromatic in a small beltbag or case in it, maybe it will work, I just don't have a fitting beltbag for it. I have a Suzuki chromatic and the case is BIG...
And for my tremolos I have an old laptop case from aluminium. I often play folk music, so I need some tremolos to carry around. It also was my very first harp case:)
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Soap Music
70 posts
Jun 22, 2021
3:06 AM
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The most expensive court case l paid out for was 10 years ago when she divorced me for 'unreasonable behaviour' (whatever that is).
Last Edited by Soap Music on Jun 22, 2021 3:12 AM
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