Re: [Harp-L] Hetrick Harp Case

["Matt Smart" <matthewsmart@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks for the nice review Mike.

Some comments in regard to your post.

Each case is custom made.  The dividers are cut by CNC machine and then the
edges are deburred by hand (so you dont get cut by the sharp edge).  The
metal label alone takes 45 minutes on the CNC machine.  We also offer a
custom case where you can have your name engraved on the label.  There is a
lot of labor and material in each one, hence the increased price vs. Hohner
cases.  We are still cheaper than Fender's tweed and Barrett's case.  Plus
our case holds more harps than most, if not all the cases in the market
place, at least for that size (I am sure there are some large suitcases that
hold more).  It also recently occurred to me that many of us pay $100 +
dollars for one custom harp, but a case that holds 42 harps seems steep at
$99?

We are considering a transition in materials from clear plexiglass to a
softer gray plastic.  The material is lense dense, which may reduce any
rattling noise.  We did not make the dividers smaller, snug because we
wanted to make sure all harp brands and shapes fit. They do with the
exception of turbo lids. We are working on a fix for that.

The slightly larger row of dividers is there for several reasons.  One, if
you cut out that row, it is perfect for some microphones and larger
chromatics.  We also left it larger for weird harmonica shapes.  The
original design was for 24 harps and 3 compartments, I convinced the
designer to make the 42 slots.  He mentioned that some people might complain
about the slightly larger row, but we left it for the before mentioned
reasons and also because redesigning the case would take several hours as it
is done with a computer program.  We may change it in the future, but the
small number of complaints dont seem to justify the change.

We are working on ideas for mike stand attachments, we just haven't found a
solution we are happy with yet.

One last statement regarding the value of the case.  This is the only
customizeable, alterable case in the marketplace.  A lot of people miss that
about the case.  We are working on some videos to rectify that.  The stock
configurations we sell are not set in stone.  Every divider can be moved
around or easily cut to meet your needs.  No other case does that.  For
example, I took my 24 case and altered it to hold 29 harps, a 12 hole
chromatic, a bottle of blues mike, small cord and smokey amp.  We have
altered other cases to hold microphones etc.  We designed it so you could
make the case what you want it to be.

Merry Xmas everyone.

Matthew
www.harpcase.com




On 12/22/06, Mike Fugazzi <mfugazzi67@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> My wife ordered the 42 harp Hetrick Harp Case for me
> for the holidays (we did Christmas last night).  I was
> amazed at how compact the case is, even compared to
> the Hohner case I usually use.  It is very
> lightweight, but really well made.  It is obviously
> designed by a harp player and easily meets all me
> immediate travel and storage needs.  Finally somebody
> makes a harp case that works for real harp players!  I
> can store a plethra of harps in a small package
> without feeling like I am traveling with an antique!
>
> I've done a lot of research into what I need for a gig
> worthy harp case.  This is case is as close to perfect
> as I will probably ever find!
>
> Things I really like about it thus far:
>
> The lid opens to a 90 degree angle, but there is no
> way, even harpless, that the case is going to tip.
>
> It holds 42 harps, which is more then I need it to
> hold!
>
> It is obviously well made and there is a lot of
> attention to detail.
>
> The website is 100% accurate in regards to what the
> case is really about (this is super important to
> me)!!!
>
> It looks really great.
>
> A few things I don't totally dig, but I am already
> over:
>
> One row of harp slots is slightly larger then the rest
> and the harps wiggle around a little more there.  If
> you go to harpcase.com you can look at the pictures
> and see what I mean. If those slots were a little
> larger, I'd probably be able to fit a harp, in its
> box.  There is really no way around this, as the
> dividers lock in place.
>
> There is no mic stand attachment, but that's my own
> issue and not a reflection of the design/time/effort
> put into the product.
>
> The dividers are plexiglass (but I was aware of that
> from the website), and if the harps are banging around
> there is a rattle.  Again, very, very minor, as I
> don't think a little (I mean little) shifting will do
> any damage to my harps.  If it does, then I am the one
> being reckless.  The only ones that really move are
> those in the larger row.
>
> And finally, I can hold too many harps.  What if the
> case gets stolen ;)  I'd be out 42 of 'em.  Lol
> _________________________________________________
>
> The case holds six to a row and is seven columns wide.
> I don't have much use for 42 harps for a show, so I
> currently have five columns filled (the furthest left
> and right are empty).
>
> Down row one I have, from top to bottom, a C, G, D, A,
> E, and B.  In row two I have F#, Db, Ab, Eb, Bb, and
> F.
> That pattern repeats for rows three and four.  In the
> fifth row, I have all my low harps.
>
> I currently don't play any special tunings or
> chromatic.  I have a set of seven harps I use for
> travel or sitting in, and decided to keep those in a
> harmonicamasterclass.com soft case.  Two of each harp
> is probably enough for my needs.  In the past, I
> haven't even had two whole sets at gigs!  While there
> is always a chance two could go down the same night, I
> know enough about other positions that I can get by
> without feeling like I am cheating myself.
>
> I could probably change the case to hold a mic or
> something, but that isn't what I want it for.  I have
> a gig case and what I need was an efficient, and well
> designed/made harp case.  Mission accomplished.
>
> Hope this helps anybody on the fence about getting one
> of these.  They're expensive compared to the Hohner
> cases, but the black Hohner holds half as many harps,
> is considerably larger, and not near as heavy duty. So
> for the price of two or three of those I can still
> hold at least another twelve pack of harps in a
> smaller package.
>
>
>
> Mike Fugazzi
> vocals/harmonica
>
> http://www.myspace.com/mikefugazzi
> http://www.niterail.com
>
> "Capitalize on your own strengths; develop your own style.
> The world needs another harp player doing Little Walter licks
> as much as it needs another Elvis impersonator."
> -Paul deLay
>
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