autoharp gig bags

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 01 Jul 07 - 07:20 AM

No but will now!

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 01 Jul 07 - 05:48 AM

My pleasure - happy autopicking. Have you been to the 'Cyberpluckers' & 'Autoharp quarterly'websites?

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 30 Jun 07 - 01:25 PM

Thanks to Greycap I now have a gig bag ordered from Elderly instruments. Took one week to get here and cost me £25 including post and packing!! Thanks Roger.

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 10:12 AM

Temporary solution-- because I can sympathize-- get a big-enough shoulder bag from the cheap luggage department, and insert foam stuffing material. Or, take the hardshell to a saddle shop and ask if they can add hardware for adding a strap.

~S~

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 09:26 AM

In Pete Seeger's How To Play The 5-String Banjo he describes in detail how to make a gig bag for said instrument.
I suppose you could adapt that (i.e. squarish rather than longish).

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 09:20 AM

Oh dear.
I sometimes wrap my fiddle in an old duvet and stuff all into a soft woven wool rucksack.
It hasn't got broken yet and it frees up both hands.
Any use?

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 09:14 AM

Punkfolkrocker I get fed up with people who when you ask for help don't bother listening to the damn question. I didn't ask for advice on cases (although I don't object to those who politely offer it) I asked if anyone knew a supplier in the UK. End of.

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 08:38 AM

I agree Bob. I do not understand why people feel the need to be deliberately offenive when you ask a perfectly sensible question.

We have an autoharp with a solid case. The case will protect it when it is in the car but is heavy and bulky. One constant problem with a hard case is that it still takes up the same amount of space after the instrument has been removed and is being played.
The case dimensions are 5 by 15 by 26 inches, the size of a small suitcase. It weighs just short of 8lb. The autoharp weighs a couple of ounces more than the case, so the combined weight is approximately 1 stone and 2 pounds plus the weight of any music/song books which might be slipped in with the instrument. All this is carried by a single suitcase type handle.

When we are at a festival we are accompanied by our children who need hands held when crossing roads, we have bags containing colouring books, waterproof coats, crisps and drinks, sandwiches and the like. I also have a 5 string banjo which in its case weighs about the same as the autoharp plus hard case. The banjo isn't a big problem because it hangs on my shoulder so I don't need an extra hand for carrying it.

What we need is a soft padded "gig bag" which will get the autoharp from car/caravan safely to the pub. Shoulder straps would free up hands and also mean that elbows have not been wrecked by carrying more than a stone weight. The soft case would then stow away under a table or stuff into a corner without taking up the space of a small table. These are all factors which will make the difference between the autoharp being taken out and played or it being too difficult to take it anywhere. Isn't that why they invented gig bags?

If nobody in the UK will sell us a purpose built padded soft case we have 2 options. Make one - but that's a hassle, or buy from America - but the shipping is as much as the price of the bag. That is why we would like to know if anybody DOES sell one over here.

Quack!
Geoff the Duck.

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 11:50 PM

i prefere hard cased logical materialism..
pragmatic functional utilitarianism
best hard case you can buy for your moneyism
getinmg well fed up wit hpeople who ask questions for help
but never listen to the answersism...



cough..splutter..choke..aaaaarrrgghhhhism

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: Songster Bob
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 11:44 PM

As someone who often carries MORE THAN ONE instrument, so that shoulder straps are really a plus, I'm in favor of having WHATEVER GODDAMNED KIND OF CASE YOU WANT, and no smart-ass can tell me otherwise, whether it be with feminine, masculine, or arthropod logic.

So get what you like, and don't listen to people who skirt very close to the edge of nastiness in their responses.


Song (pissed off) Bob

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 11:03 PM

hi garg..

f@ck knows..

i'm gonna burn my hard case
and carry my autoharp about in a supermarket plastic shopping bag..

f@ck knows why..
guess i just been worn down by f@ckwit unreasoning feminine logic..

regards..
pfr

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 10:56 PM

I cannot fathom WHY you want to abandon a hard-shell???? You can tune before and not worry.

Perhaps, you may really prefer a soft Peruvian style purse, to place your hard-shell in so you can carry it with ease...and still have it tuned as you please.

Think twice mamma and then don't look back.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 06:06 PM

Got mine from Elderly Instruments in the USA - not too expensive, they are totally trustworthy on their postal stuff.
Hope this helps,

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 04:27 PM

I still haven't managed to trace gig bags in the UK anyone know of any?

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 03:10 PM

As I have already said I have seen a lot of the ones available in the US but wondered if anyone knew a supplier in the UK. Hobgoblin only do the hard ones.

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 04:44 AM

Sandra - I'll catch up with him after the National.

Actually I also like the idea of a bag with shoulder straps that the hard case can fit in - if that hard case does not come with them.

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 03:27 AM

Robin - why not ask Evan Mathieson, unless you've already done so. His cases certainly look strong.

He & Lyn are currently on the road to the National.

sandra

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: harpmolly
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 10:18 PM

Not sure if you can get them in the UK, but in the US I am very fond of the autoharp gig bags sold by the Dulcimer Shoppe (makers of McSpadden mtn. dulcimers and Evoharps). They are nicely padded, have backpack straps and are a definite improvement over the Oscar Schmidt gig bags, which I am frankly unimpressed with. Plus, they only cost about $10 more.

Cheers,

Molly

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 10:09 PM

I have a nice Schmidt bag I like, vinyl over heavy foam. The nylon/woven ones are crap. Try D'Aigle Autoharps to see mine (google).

~S~

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 09:43 PM

i bought a hardcase from hobgoblins;
which i trust far more for out-of-house use
than any padded gigbag..


btw.. my Oscar Scmidt electric was supplied with its own padded gigbag,
but i really wouldn't depend on itfor providing much more protection
than just cheaply covering it with bubblewrap inside a plastic binbag..

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 09:24 PM

Hi Robin,

I'll do some research for ya and see if there is a place.

I made my cases. Baltic Birch plywood and pine frames. Foam interior.
Weighs less than the harp does and I have much storage. Total material cost in US $$ was under 25.00 each and they were the way I wanted them.

regards.

Don

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 08:28 PM

Any (polite!) suggestions where to get a hard case for an autoharp in Australia? I'm in Brisbane.

Robin

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: DonMeixner
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 04:59 PM

Hi Jane,

I have yet to see a benefit to a gig bag for anything except that they are light weight. A hard case can't be beat to protect your instrument.
When was the last time you heard about a really good Stradivarius Gig Bag or a plush vinyl bag for your Wheatstone Concertina?

Seriously, a case is the best bet to protect your instrument.

Don

Subject: RE: autoharp gig bags
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 04:16 PM

Jane, hardshell cases are not very heavy for autoharps, and are definitely better for your instrument. Unless you have a very heavy case, can't see the advantage. Mine is quite light, and is much better than a soft case for me.
Giok

Subject: autoharp gig bags
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 03:56 PM

I have just bought a new (to me) autoharp and it came in a great hardshell case but I would like to buy a padded gig bag. I have seen them on various American sites but can't seem to find them on sale anywhere in the UK.. In the US they sell for around £15 to £20 but it would cost me at least that again to get it shipped. Does anyone know where I could get one over here?