Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Harp Case stories
Okay, Grant....I think Jerry's probably have the best current 'Mojo' you're
going to find...but I did, finally...take photos (at SPAH) of my own home
customized 'harp' case. I have to get the photos downloaded - probably in
the next couple of days - (I'm still a neophyte at this)....and will post
them along with the photos of Chris' most beautiful harps.
I'd found on EBay a Mexican hand-tooled leather 'train case'...nabbed it
for somewhere around $17 (if I remember) a couple of years ago. The inside
vinyl was in sad shape - didn't matter, I had other plans for it - at some
point will replace all the vinyl inside the top lid, and the handle was
ripped (I knew I could replace it fairly easily). The case is gorgeous...and the
dimensions perfect: 12x7x5" deep.. ..I could have diatonics standing
upright.
I ordered pick and pluck foam inexpensively. Originally I used a simple
block of regular upholsterer's foam which I completely butchered in a hurry
for Buckeye, and it looked terrible....but for this SPAH I finally got
around to setting the case up properly. It held (because my needs are quite
different from most players since I play primarily chromatics ...and then
different keyed CX-12's):
- 5 CX-12's, 1 16-hole chromatic, one thinner 12hole Bb chromatic (a
Seydel deluxe); one 260 chromatic (10 hole) Hohner in its leather case; 11
diatonics (including my 4 custom Chris Michalek's harps.
My favorite 2 chroms are usually with me in my pocketbook anyway - so I
could still make more room.
Since I don't really play 'out' I haven't had need for other
configurations. I just bought the 'bottle o' blues' mic/amp set up at SPAH (loved LD
Miller's and his Mom let me try it out, it works surprisingly well for the
CX-12, so I bought one.) It fits into the case with some maneuvering...I can
reconfigure the case with fewer chroms...rarely play the F and don't really
need the 260, or the extra Bb. A purely diatonic player could fit as many
diatonics as he/she would need with judicious planning, as well as a bullet
mic with cord.
I used the 'eggcrate' 'lid' insert which comes with the pick and pluck set
as simply a cover over the harps pressing it down to protect them before
zipping the lid (for Air Travel) - the lid is too shallow to hold the insert
properly in place but worked for me this way. The case is compact and easy
enough to carry despite its more concentrated weight now (I had a newer
soft leather handle attached at my local shoe repair; cleaned, polished and
buffed the entire bag myself with leather cleaner and shoe polish).
I've had offers to buy it from just about everyone who saw the case, but it
now has major 'Mojo'... and suits me perfectly :)
Other 'train cases' come up on EBay fairly frequently and make perfect harp
cases to my mind.
this next is somewhat along the lines of the kind I've seen lately:
_http://cgi.ebay.com/vintage-Leather-TRAIN-CASE-Vanity-Accessories-Keys_W0QQ
itemZ290342855951QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4399c8650f&_
trksid=p3286.c0.m14_
(http://cgi.ebay.com/vintage-Leather-TRAIN-CASE-Vanity-Accessories-Keys_W0QQitemZ290342855951QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?
hash=item4399c8650f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)
Mine is very different, smaller and zippered...but this particular one
looks like a good buy. Lots of Samsonite cases are available which are much
deeper.
While I was scanning these I just came across another vintage 'faux
alligator' samsonite leather train case with key, in remarkably good
condition...a bit bigger than the case I now use and couldn't resist bidding on it. I
just won the bid. It cost a wee bit more than the case I now use, but will
allow me to transport more items when I'm travelling locally in the car and
save wear and tear on my smaller case, which I'll now save strictly for
flying.
I've also come across an artist who buys the 60's style hard Samsonite
rounded upright makeup train cases who cleans them up inside and out, uses
black pen and ink to draw trees and other designs on them and resells them for
$80+. This is the kind she uses:
_http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-RETRO-SAMSONITE-TRAVEL-TRAIN-MAKE-UP-CASE-TRAY_
W0QQitemZ380152719414QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLuggage?hash=item5882de2836&_trksid=
p4999.c0.m14_
(http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-RETRO-SAMSONITE-TRAVEL-TRAIN-MAKE-UP-CASE-TRAY_W0QQitemZ380152719414QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLuggage?hash=item5882d
e2836&_trksid=p4999.c0.m14)
And just in case anyone's interested, here's another still open for
bidding:
It mentions some 'spotting' ...but that seems to be on the fabric - which
can be cleaned...and besides - a new bottom is relatively easily installed
after cleaning and then the pick and pluck (or other foam)
inserted...it''ll never be seen. Anyone interested should just make sure it isn't mildewed
(ask the seller) - or it'll have to be removed and relined. Still very much
worth it...this is an especially deep case..even 12 hole chroms could
stand upright, methinks. Questions to ask are if the handle is intact and if
the latches work.
_http://cgi.ebay.com/GREAT-LARGE-VINTAGE-TRAIN-CASE-HERCULYTE-US-TRUNKCO_W0Q
QitemZ380142115414QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item58823c5a56&
_trksid=p4999.c0.m14_
(http://cgi.ebay.com/GREAT-LARGE-VINTAGE-TRAIN-CASE-HERCULYTE-US-TRUNKCO_W0QQitemZ380142115414QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_
0?hash=item58823c5a56&_trksid=p4999.c0.m14)
Elizabeth
"Message: 8
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:38:36 -0700
From: Grant Walters <grant@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Harp Case stories
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Another subject I guess...
but the nicest case I have ever had:
My cousin had one made for me (he is a professional player) out of Koa
wood in hawaii.
It was a beautiful work of art...
over a short period of time and travel it began to get ruined...
Drunks at gigs (not me..really) would bump into the stage,( table top
at best) and the case would fall.
Wood cases cannot take the beating...
I have had three others custom made by loving friends...out of sacred
100 year old wood or cabinet grade oak...etc.
These also fell apart after hard road use...eventually i even made
cases for my cases...
twice, they have been stolen at city gigs... they must look like a gun
case or drug case in the back seat.
Lately, I just use the plastic case from Hohner. Problem is when I go
to gigs with other harmonica players...some guys give me the rookie
treatment...
Not a big deal...
but I would love to see a collection of harp cases...wish I would have
photographed me long lost ones.
If you don't go on the road...there are great antique silverware cases
that are easily customized for harps...
The dark red velvet can get grodie, remove and refinish before making
the wood inserts...
Don't use for traveling set as it will be real noisy.
It does promote better air flow after playing...
Maybe I will bolt a cool graphic for the dorky front of my Hohner
plastic model...or maybe I will just be a dork...It is just a case.
The best case I have ever seen was a leather one made for Ralph
Shine.. calve skin leather...fit all new Meisterclause harps (when
first came out) work of art.. masterpiece.
Two sided and folded over itself...
Grant
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:00:16 -0700
From: Grant Walters <grant@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Need Harp Case Suggestions
To: _harp-l@xxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx)
love the pics ...this is really great..
grant
we should make a museum...mojo museum
On Aug 28, 2009, at 7:10 AM, Jerry Deall wrote:
> If you want something w/ some MOJO, check these out and contact me.
> Jerry
>
>
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=82639443&albumId=2392837
>
>
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=82639443&albumId=2970846
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Opus314" <opus314@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Friday, August 28, 2009 7:12:09 AM GMT -07:00 US/Canada Mountain
> Subject: [Harp-L] Need Harp Case Suggestions
>
> OK, I'm now getting to the point that I need a case for my harmonicas.
>
> I've seen soft and hard cases.
> I've seen cases made just to hold harmonicas.
> I've seen cases adapted to hold harmonicas.
>
> I'm considering getting both a soft case (for my favorites) and a hard
> case to hold everything...
>
> 1 - What do you guys suggest I look at first in standard "off the
> shelf" harmonica cases?
>
> 2 - What about using standard briefcases or other commonly available
> boxes... and adapting them to hold harmonicas...
> what suggestions are their in this category?
>
> 3 - What about soft cases to hold a small sub-set of favorites?
>
> Oh, please include sources if you know them.
>
> Thanks for any help.
>
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