Philosofy
380 posts
Dec 13, 2010
8:23 AM
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I have a buddy who does leatherwork, and is going to make a case for me. He'd like to make a couple extra $: do you guys think there is a market for custom leather harp cases?
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toddlgreene
2205 posts
Dec 13, 2010
8:48 AM
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There is. The Cumberland guy is/was doing them, and I think a member here was too...forgetting his name at the moment. Arizona dweller, I think?
Edit:Nick, aka Sirsucksalot, if my failing memory serves me right...
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Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
Last Edited by on Dec 13, 2010 1:06 PM
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MP
1119 posts
Dec 13, 2010
10:32 AM
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he should really, really, do it to fill in the gap that cumberland left.
i keep my harps in leather cases. it helps absord moisture(or at least lets them breath) and they get a slight polish being pulled out and put away.
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MP
hibachi cook for the yakuza
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tleckie
6 posts
Dec 13, 2010
1:04 PM
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Definitely - been looking for something like this for a while!
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toddlgreene
2214 posts
Dec 13, 2010
1:13 PM
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Bingo. Found the thread. This is a bandolier, but I'm sure he could do cases.
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/537820.htm
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Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
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eharp
2074 posts
Feb 25, 2013
4:37 AM
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didnt pt recently post an ad about someone who is just getting into making single harp cases?
i think that leathersmith was going to expand.
but, phil, the first one to come out with a quality product at a fair value usually corners the market.
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mlefree
78 posts
Feb 26, 2013
10:09 AM
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@ eharp - That was me who PT kindly mentioned. I am Michelle LeFree, now also SilverWing Leather, located in Western Colorado. I am currently offering single harp cases and harmonica tool rolls (designed in cooperation with Richard Sleigh). In the coming weeks I will be announcing a couple of other styles of single harp cases, as well as multi-harp and chromatic cases. You can see some of my work here:
SilverWing Leather Harp cases and tool rolls.
My single harp cases are molded in thick leather for specific models of harmonicas for a snug fit. They are hand-stitched and lined with pigskin suede and are offered with leather belt loop or holster-style metal belt clips. Black or several shades of brown leather and brown or sky blue navy blue suedes. A snap or a couple of other options for closures.
PM me for further details.
And thanks for your interest!
Michelle
Last Edited by mlefree on Feb 26, 2013 10:10 AM
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Kingley
2361 posts
Feb 26, 2013
10:26 AM
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The "Cumberland" guy was Jeff Spoor. He's was a saddle maker by profession and made some great leather harp cases. He also ran Harp Mic Gaskets for a long time. He made some great stuff. Jeff was/is a great guy to deal with. As far as I know he's out of the harp business at the moment due to other things in life which he has rightly had to prioritise. I hope he comes back again soon making great stuff. I miss having Jeff around. He was always sending me cool pics of mics he's been powder coating and generally chewing the fat.
Philosofy - I'd say there is a pretty good market out there for your friend.
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LSC
371 posts
Feb 26, 2013
10:29 AM
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What I'm seeing on the sites mentioned are single harp cases/belt holsters. Where I think there might be more of a market is in multi-harp cases similar to the 12/14 harp Seydel and Hohner cases but obviously in leather. There was a great one pictured in the earlier thread. I for one would be very interested.
I've used a snakeskin covered briefcase as my gigging harp case for several years. It is not modified in anyway...well age and a couple of beer spills have given it a certain "patina". My Seydel folding case fits in along with a couple of pedals, cables,mic, as well as pens, business cards, set lists, etc. It works very well indeed but an upgrade to a tooled leather harp case to replace the Seydel case would be very cool.
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LSC
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Kingley
2362 posts
Feb 26, 2013
10:32 AM
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I agree with LSC. I'd probably be interested in something along the lines of the Hohner folding case that holds seven harps.
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orphan
258 posts
Feb 26, 2013
1:23 PM
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@ mlefree
Very nice site. Your craftsmanship is readily apparent. Please keep us posted on the multi-harp cases.
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Last Edited by orphan on Feb 26, 2013 1:25 PM
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HarpNinja
3227 posts
Feb 26, 2013
1:50 PM
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I like my Hohner 7 case. An upgraded version with custom branding (Buddha had one like that), would be awesome!
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Custom Harmonicas
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nacoran
6534 posts
Feb 26, 2013
6:34 PM
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My brother made me a chain mail harmonica holder. :)
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Nate
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STME58
363 posts
Feb 26, 2013
11:38 PM
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I find it interesting how many weapons related terms are in this thread, holster, chain mail, bandolier, Levergun. The relationship has been mentioned before in other threads. It may be more of a jazz than a blues term but "axe" for instrument comes to mind here.
I have been sent to secondary by TSA becuase the harps in my briefcase looked like ammo clips on the X-ray. I wonder if having them in a leather bandolier would have made it any worse!
I was just looking at tha Cabella's catalog and wondering how a hunting vest would work for managing harps, lots of pockets but probably few situations where the style would work on stage.
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harmonicanick
1823 posts
Feb 27, 2013
12:58 AM
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@philosofy
Yes definitely, I have a 14 harp, black leather case, made by Cumberland some years ago.
It is the most admired part of my rig, and never goes out of my sight at gigs.
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logansays
105 posts
Feb 27, 2013
3:14 AM
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@ LSC The Revolver Harp leather cases was made by this excellent artist from Croatia, Silvio.
U can see more of his works here..he does a lot of custom work..
https://www.facebook.com/SilkfatbluesCustomLeather/photos_stream
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MP
2670 posts
Feb 27, 2013
1:26 PM
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i have two Hohner 7 pouch leather cases. best case for the price and function on the market.
i like small. i don't care for clutter on the stage.
i can fit my 64 chro, my main harps and spares, four cables, four mics, a harp tray, harp mic attachments,set lists, wallet, cell phone, flashlight,knife, keys, tape, water bottle,keys, tool kit, tuner, etc etc into a small back pack because my Hohner cases are very compact.
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MP
affordable reed replacement and repairs.
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you can reach me via Facebook. Mark Prados
Last Edited by MP on Feb 27, 2013 1:27 PM
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clyde
304 posts
Feb 28, 2013
5:26 AM
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Mp, sounds like you keep it tight, I like that! The places I used to play ..... Well I always kept my wallet and keys in my pocket.
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eharp
2075 posts
Feb 28, 2013
6:31 AM
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mp- would you describe or post a pic of your harp tray?
does it secure to a mic stand?
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isaacullah
2353 posts
Feb 28, 2013
1:23 PM
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While we are on the topic of cases (yet again), any love for the Seydel 12-harp soft case? It looks pretty darn efficient. I'm wondering if it will fit in my Fender case (instead of the tray insert it has now)...
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rogonzab
243 posts
Feb 28, 2013
3:56 PM
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Isac (and all),
I have that Seydel soft case and is great (and cheap), you can put 12 harps, and is very small!.
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isaacullah
2354 posts
Feb 28, 2013
6:14 PM
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Thank you rogonzab! That's very good to know. I searched around and found the following dimensions:
16cm x 8cm x 11cm
or
6.3" x 3.15" x 4.2"
A quick measure of the "tray" area of my fender case shows that this one would indeed juuuust fit in there, with a little room end to end (perhaps an inch), but no room side to side or top to bottom. The only thing is that it would mean a net reduction in harp capacity (currently, I can fit 10 harps per tray for a total of 20 harps). The trade off is better organization, ability to have the harps "end up" for easy sort and grab, better protection, and "modularity" (I could grab out just the 12 harps and go)... I'm seeing prices in the $25 for this case. Seems quite reasonable... Hmmm... Lot's to think about... :)
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K Williams
27 posts
Feb 28, 2013
7:21 PM
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@ STME58:
From what I've read, and documentaries, blues musicians & weapons went hand in hand for decades. LOL
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K Williams
28 posts
Feb 28, 2013
7:45 PM
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@ mlefree:
How do I place an order? There's no PM option on this forum. Thanks.
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rogonzab
244 posts
Mar 01, 2013
3:49 AM
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Isaac,
I bought this case to my girlfriend camera for his birthday:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Camera-bag-Case-for-Canon-PowerShot-SX500-SX50-SX40-SX30-SX20-EMS-M-T4i-T3i-T2i-/300808339413?pt=UK_Camera_Cases_Bags_Covers&hash=item460992ffd5
And, to my surprise and joy, the Seydel case fit perfect!!, is even more handy, and you get extra pockets for batterys, tools, one more harp, and so on.
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isaacullah
2355 posts
Mar 01, 2013
10:17 AM
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Cool! Good to know... There's so many great options out there these days, the only hard thing is trying to pick which one to go with! :)
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mlefree
82 posts
Mar 01, 2013
10:29 AM
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@ Orpan - Thank you for the complement!
@ K Wilson (and others interested) - How stupid of me! I thought I had my Account Settings adjusted so that everyone could view my email address on my Profile Page by clicking on my Dirty South user name (mlefree). I've now fixed that.
For your convenience, here it is:
mlefree@silverwinggraphics.com
Incidentally, my upcoming SilverWing modular leather case for diatonics will be laid out somewhat like the new Seydel "Beltbag" fabric case (pictured above) in that the harps will stand on end. They will be modular in that the harps will reside in two removeable 7-harp sections.
The removeable 7-harp modules will each have their own protective front flap so that they will also be able to function as flat stand-alone 7-harp cases. That way one could remove a 7-harp section for a gig where the full complement of 14-harps wouldn't be needed. The 7-harp sections will also be offered separately.
These 14-harp modular cases will be announced in the coming weeks (not months).
Thanks for the interest!
Michelle
Montrose, Colorado
Last Edited by mlefree on Mar 01, 2013 10:59 AM
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