LittleJoeSamson
405 posts
Aug 16, 2010
9:02 PM
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Sooo....I've outgrown the standard harp cases. Went from bag, to fishing box, then had some dear friends volunteer a nice Samsonite attache/valise. That worked great for a few years until the arsenal expanded.
I bought a collection that included a Hohner hard case. I customized with zebra pattern felt on the outsides. Bought Seydel's when they were new and got a softcase for 14 thrown in for the bargain. Expensive case. ( Don't use the harps anymore . Can't even swap plates. Factory is unresponsive . )
GOOD News, though! I found a vintage cosmetic case at a local thrift store: A 1940's-'50's Cream Leather double sided train grip. Complete with key chain and keys. Mirror and frame. And ( I have NEVER seen this before ) a cover of Blue duck and matching cream leather, with side zippers. VERY Retro. Looks like Audrey Hepburn just stepped off the plank ! OR a bowling convention !
I search for these vintage items, and these cosmetic cases makie GREAT harp cases. The early TWEED versions are almost GONE!
Bad thing--- in the old days, I would have ripped out the toile satin "girly" things to convert it to harper Bluesman use. Not thought about it again.
Today...not so.
I can convert to cash much better than ripping for personal use. Cash is king.
That being said, strolling into a local jam with a "Cream leather and Lilac fittings" harp case would be incredibly existential. How confident would that be ?
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N.O.D.
103 posts
Aug 16, 2010
10:03 PM
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Bro i would call the fashion Police if you didn't walk in with a matching dress:)
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Cheers Big Ears:)
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Joe_L
543 posts
Aug 16, 2010
11:06 PM
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Sounds like a purse to me. ;)
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LittleJoeSamson
406 posts
Aug 16, 2010
11:25 PM
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Go eff yourselves kindly, J 5&10's " ;) "
Last Edited by on Aug 17, 2010 1:01 PM
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nicewrk
12 posts
Aug 17, 2010
2:59 AM
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I get been using my custom faux alligator "cosmetic case awhile now . Slide out drawers room for all harps little mike. Im good , need matching boots hat and guitar strap
Half blind mango
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toddlgreene
1675 posts
Aug 17, 2010
4:33 AM
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You're stylin' and profilin' Joe-I like that. For years I have wanted someone with some good woodworking skills to build me a case laden with exotic woods, inlays, etc.-something uniquely MINE that I can pass down to my kids that isn't a generic plastic case. Those old cosmetic cases would fit the bill, too. Methinks I need to go thrift store shopping.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
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KingoBad
326 posts
Aug 17, 2010
4:48 AM
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I think the Mojo is the more important thing.
Was it used to kill a man?
Did you find a bloody straight razor in it?
Did it at one time hold a human head?
Does it have a cup holder or matching gun holster?
You might need to post a picture so we can see if it IS too Audrey Hepburn...
I would hate to doc man points per performance...
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toddlgreene
1677 posts
Aug 17, 2010
4:50 AM
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Thanks kingo. My next case will have to hold my .40 as well. Never leave home without it.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
Last Edited by on Aug 17, 2010 4:50 AM
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htownfess
143 posts
Aug 17, 2010
4:58 AM
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Makeup cases are pretty common harp gear where I live. The one I've used for a decade is a tweed Amelia Earhart brand case, which would be cooler if so many people didn't need glasses to read the logo. The other problem with the Amelia Earhart luggage is it's pretty much impossible to find :)
A big advantage over attache cases is that makeup cases open vertically rather than horizontally, so stuff isn't trying to slide to one side while it's carried.
The mirror in mine was long gone so I made a "Tips" sign in there instead. It works.
Last Edited by on Aug 17, 2010 5:01 AM
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toddlgreene
1678 posts
Aug 17, 2010
5:07 AM
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A question for you guys/gals using these train/travel/makeup cases from yesteryear:do you fabricate some sort of slots or inserts to keep everything sorted, or use pull-out trays? If so, what did you use? A while back, we had a 'show us your case' thread, but I don't recall seeing too many of these old travel cases on there.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
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toddlgreene
1679 posts
Aug 17, 2010
5:49 AM
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Hey Fess:
http://cgi.ebay.com/VTG-AMELIA-EARHART-LUGGAGE-TRAIN-CASE-w-MIRROR-MINT-/390227065062?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
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htownfess
144 posts
Aug 17, 2010
7:21 AM
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Yow! That one's too nice to take out of the house, Todd, but my cat wants to be interred in it, says it looks perfect for lying in state :)
I played mainly Oskars early on so three planks of eight of those boxes make a good system for arranging a couple dozen anchor harps in there, apart from having to inform people there aren't many Oskars in there anymore. Other harp boxes can also be stood on end in there and the free space filled with pedals/mics/cables to stabilize things, and if I don't overfill it, I can usually find what I need in time. Organizer foam might work fine in there but I've relied on the LO boxes for organizing.
I can get a picture up but maybe not today, will bump if needed when I do.
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toddlgreene
1680 posts
Aug 17, 2010
7:27 AM
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I do regret all the LO boxes I've discarded over the years too-their interlocking feature is nice.
I like the depth of those old travel cases. They would seemingly allow a lot more storage room. Plus, they just look cool.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
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Joe_L
544 posts
Aug 17, 2010
8:54 AM
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Joe - I was just messing with you, man. I use an old laptop bag, because I had it laying around.
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Steve Harvell
113 posts
Aug 17, 2010
8:58 AM
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Here is a link to a YouTube video that I made on how to make a harmonica case from a "DeWalt" screw gun case.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=SteveHarvell#p/u/45/I0k6EuHRjUc
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KingoBad
327 posts
Aug 17, 2010
12:58 PM
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+10 man points for the DeWalt case. They are great drills too...
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LittleJoeSamson
407 posts
Aug 17, 2010
1:00 PM
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"Joe - I was just messing with you, man. I use an old laptop bag, because I had it laying around." Joe_L
I know, I should have put a smiley emoticon to indicate that I took it with humor. I'll edit that .
Get this...in going over this, cleaning and de-mustifying, I discovered that the mirror is removable. When out, it is not so obvious, but there is a flap that can make it stand independent. I opened, and here were ten Silver Cerificates from 1957 !
Not the first time I've found old hidden stuff.
The bottom compartment would be great for mic's, cables, and just big enuff for other items mentioned.
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toddlgreene
1683 posts
Aug 17, 2010
1:04 PM
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Whoa! You can probably buy a whole set of Amelia Earhart luggage if you cash those in. Very cool find.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
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Joe_L
546 posts
Aug 17, 2010
2:19 PM
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If they end up being worth something, let me know. I have several.
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htownfess
145 posts
Aug 17, 2010
5:30 PM
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As promised, front view first. This was well-worn when Jonn Richardson gave it to me in 2000 and most of the edge trim is gone, a bit visible on its way out at the lower left:
The top view shows overfull interior left over from Adam's Houston visit, more loose boxes than usual. I can tell all of these apart, though. It is possible to snake harps out of the LO boxes & the boxes are drilled for ventilation. Point the sign at the crowd instead of yourself and money may magically appear inside. The AFB+ has a travel pad to protect the knobs.
The old-school Earhart logo. I tried shellacing the box to even out the scratches but it didn't help; the pale box is where original owner F.B. Sanders of Galveston, Texas is screened on in gilt letters--the "F" is still fairly visible.
In a hurry, say at a jam, stuff in the way gets dumped onstage so I can get at harps better, and dumped back in afterwards, to be sorted at leisure. It is hard to avoid the temptation to store all the best harps in there, hence the overfilling problem.
Bernard Purdie walked off with this case once but that's another story :)
Last Edited by on Aug 17, 2010 5:30 PM
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KingoBad
328 posts
Aug 17, 2010
8:13 PM
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Now that doesn't seem bad htownfess. Not a bad harp case...
Now here is a bad boy with mojo:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280535237267&ru=http://shop.ebay.com:80/i.html%3F_nkw%3D280535237267%26_in_kw%3D1%26_ex_kw%3D%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_okw%3D280535237267%26_oexkw%3D%26_adv%3D1%26_udlo%3D%26_udhi%3D%26_ftrt%3D901%26_ftrv%3D1%26_sabdlo%3D%26_sabdhi%3D%26_samilow%3D%26_samihi%3D%26_sadis%3D200%26_fpos%3DZip%2Bcode%26_fsct%3D%26LH_SALE_CURRENCY%3D0%26_sop%3D12%26_dmd%3D1%26_ipg%3D50%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1#ht_1398wt_924
Well looks like it is too late on that one... it went for five bucks!
Last Edited by on Aug 17, 2010 8:15 PM
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