Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    	I get all my cases from Daneaton Cases and Stands.  And I have
    to say that they are the best looking, best fitting, and lowest
    priced cases I've found.
    
    	Dan (Who_never_has_the_money_to_do_otherwise_but_spends_a_lot_of_time_
    _in_my_Father_in_law's_basement)

    Gotta agree with Dan...
    
    Some 3/4 inch plywood, heavy-duty hardware and a ton of foam is
    the cheap way out. 
    
    Making a box isn't that difficult. Plus you can make it custom fit.
    
    Edd box_maker_deluxe

    I dont suppose you guys have basic 'plans'
    and a parts list and where to get same.
    
    I mean, this is DEC, just go *do* it. right?
    
    rr

    
    I can see teensy little anvil cases on the market
    soon for all those FB01's out there....
    
    sheesh.
    
    

    
    ANVIL CASES FOR A GUITAR PICK!
    
    ON A KEY CHAIN?
    
    another dumb 10**6 dollar idea, huh?

    Consider this a disclosure. Read and understood?
    
    Ronald J. Ross 
    1028 Hill Rd.
    Boxboro, Ma 01719

    Plans? You want plans? Where's your committee?
    
    Plans should be pretty easy to free-lance. First you gotta know
    what you wanna put in it.
    
    Hardware stores sell heavy duty corners, hinges, edges ect.
    
    Protection is proportional to weight.
    
    Edd

    3/4" ply workout ? I've seen summa you guys.. sure.. ya wrap it 
    in an old blanket..
    
    For another take on this, see note 404, Rackmounts and Patchbays...
    has several addresses for firms and vaporfirms supplying various
    bits'o'hardware.
    
    k moeller_the_beefy
    

    	I gotta respond to that 3/4 stuff, too.  You're asking for hernia
    material!  Even my lightest, the CZ-101, I wouldn't
    put in 3/4 plywood!  You don't need any more than 3/8" for any
    keyboard!  The protection is in the depth of foam!  I use 1 1/2"
    foam over and under all keyboards.
    
    	You want to know what makes an inexpensive but professional-looking
    outer layer for all wooden cases?  Wall-paper, vinyl wallpaper that
    is!  One day I was trying to decide whether to spend the money on
    formica laminate to cover the first case I built.  Then I was looking
    at my guitar case that had the outer lining fraying away - it looked
    just like vinyl wallpaper.  So down to the bargain section of the
    local paint and wallpaper store - I found a nice grey color (I'd
    never put it on my walls, but it looks great on the cases).  Now
    everybody asks me where I bought the cases - they really look nice!
                                                                   
    	Handy Dan

Re: all (!!!)

    Look, guys, anyone who's got the get_up_n_go to build his own remote
    kybd (using walnut, no less) certainly knows how to build his own
    cases. 

    I've already been the plywood & glue route.  What I'd like is a decent
    case with foam interior cut to shape - ie, my XA case is REALLY for an
    OB-Xa, not some Bob's bargain barn generic, or the famous old towel
    (which I've also been known to use).  My cases are very sturdy - but
    bloody heavy and splintery and constantly require paint. 

    Doesn't anyone out there use Anvil or Calzone or ...


8^(

    My fears in transporting keyboards aren't so much the kind that
    foam protects. When packing the truck, I wan't to make sure nothing
    gets at the keys... 
    
    Nothing like a lighting pole through the middle of the Mirage...;^)
    
    Edd

    If anybody is interested in professional quality road cases, my
    roomate is a partner in a case company out of Leominster, Ma. called
    Tour Case Co. They supply cases to Hall & Oates, Motley Crue, Bon
    Jovi, Til' Tuesday, Aerosmith, Judas Priest just to name a few and
    their cases are available at Lasalle's, E.U.'s and Daddy's. They
    make very high quality cases in both 3/8 and 1/4 inch. Prices are
    competitive with other major brands. If you want more info their
    number is (617)-537-8252.
    
    					Andre

    I have Anvil Anvilite cases for my Ludwig acoustic kit.  They are
    made out of some kind of tough but lightweight plastic and are lined
    with 1/2" of foam.  They are perfectly adequate for the kind of
    traveling my drums do.  I would not try to *ship* my drums anywhere
    in them, though.
    
    len.
    
    

    I have an Anvil ATA case for my Casio 202, a Calzone ATA case for
    my JUNO-106, and a home made jobber for my Roland SH-1000.
    
    I personally like the Anvil case the best.  The Casio fits in the
    case perfectly, as opposed to the Calzone which has some room around
    the Juno which can lead to some jostling around.  Also, the Calzone
    has one of the worst handles in the world: it is a piece of thin,
    round metal covered with rubber.  Put a synth in the case and carrying
    it around for any distance becomes painful as the handle digs into
    your hand.
    
    Homemade cases can be very nice, but I have neither the time nor
    the ambition.
    
    After ruining a case-less Wurlitzer electric piano on the road,
    none of my equipment will ever get packed in a truck again unless
    it is in a good quality case.
    
    		Derek

    
    If you're going to do your own moving, they make some pretty nice
    bags with shoulder straps that do a fair job of protecting. They're
    lined with foam and they're pretty sturdy. I wouldn't want to have
    roadies throwing them around, but if you do all your own roadying,
    they're pretty convenient. You can carry a keyboard over each shoulder
    and have both hands empty to carry something else. They are kind
    of pricey, though: around $80 for a bag that'll fit a DX7.

Re: .14

    Yeah - I've thought some about bags, and a fellow I know uses a
    travel bag and likes it.

    Problem is, I need to stack my stuff in order to pack it in the
    (small) space that I have.  To boot, I think my OB-Xa weighs in
    around 50-60 lbs.  That's too darn heavy (and bulky) to tote around
    in a bag.  I guess it would work for some of the newer boards like
    the ESQ or the DX7 (which is no lightweight, either).  Thanks for
    the advice.

    For those who care, I'm probably gonna be building my own cases
    out of plywood (since *all* have said that it's cheaper).  Where
    do I get some decent packing foam to line these babies with?

8^)

    
    I get mine from the stockroom...they throw it out anyuway, so just
    ask them to save some for you!
    
    CdH
    

    
    Building #19 in Framingham had some large sheets of foam for cheap
    when I was in there last weekend.
    
    

    re: .17
    
    Unfortunately, Brad lives in Ohio, right?!!  8^)
    
    RE: .15
    
    I have a travel bag for my DX-7.  I will keep it when I buy/build
    an Anvil clone.  It will be good to take it too/from rehearsal.
    About your Xa, do yourself a big favor: DO NOT buy anything but
    a flight rated case, if you intend to buy.  If you intend to build,
    build with 3/8 or more (1/2 is probably better).  I got the Calzone
    case one less than flight-rated for my OB-8 and it does not make it. 
    Yes, you can have two people lift it from the ends, but don't try
    to carry it like a (very big) attache.  It bows the case from the
    handle.  I will be reinforcing that will metal bars in the top of
    the case and additional latches.
    
    Good luck building!
    
    /Andy
    

Re: .16-.18

    Yeah, I live in Ohio alright - and Mass is a bloody long way to drive
    for foam.  8-)  Speaking of which, do you all get the stuff in hunks
    (or bulk sheets) and cut it to shape yourselves?

    Point on case is well taken, Andy - but since I'm not too big, I think
    I'll stick to a good .25 inch (read: 5 or 7 ply).  Thanks for all
    the advice.

8^)

    RE: Xa case: Build it out of 1/2" and put casters on it.  THen,
    it doesn't matter how big you are.  Many moons ago, I built a case
    for my Wurlitzer out of 3/4" ply + 2" foam, and I put 4 casters on
    for about $20.  It was **well** worth it.
    
    I'm pretty certain that the Calzone that I have is 1/4 lawan.  If
    reinforcing it with two cast aluminum bars does the trick, I'll
    let you know.
    
    Isn't gigging (giggling?) fun?
    
    /Andy

    
    	Re; cases (Anvil et al)
    
    	What if you're *moving* rather than just gigging?  I assume
    that even an Anvil case will not help much if some bozo drops it
    5' off the back of a truck.
    
    	Advice, please, on packing expensive/fragile equipment (for
    example, my TX816) when you aren't going to be there to supervise???
    
    						Thanks, Karl

    
 	re .21		Ah hah, are you *REALLY* going afterall ?

    	If so be there when the packers pack it !  *DON'T* pack it
    yourself, else liability=not theirs.
    

    If you expect to have to move (as in change of residence) it, rather
    than just move (as to a gig) it, your best bet is to save the original
    packing material and use that.  After all, it was shipped that way.
    
    Otherwise, wrap it up in heavy blankets and put it in your car and
    move it yourself.
    
    I suppose you could hire one of those specialty movers that do
    electronics shows.  $$$$????
    
    len.
    

    re : Switzerland sans DEC:
    
    learn how to spell 'FRAGILE' in French, German and Italian.
    
    Post in LARGE letters on the outside of the case. Or maybe 
    
                  **** NITROGLYCERINE **** DANGER ****
    
    let us know how it's going !
    
    km

    re .24	Suisse ?   Nah, I thought he said somewhere on the river
    			   Amstel.
    

	To give an answer to the question brought up in 820.8, here's how I
build my cases;

	After working out the measurements (allowing for foam) I cut all the
sides and ends out of 1" (which really means 3/4" because it's planed) select 
pine.  These are fitted together with special cut ends, glued, and nailed.
Then the plywood top and bottom is cut (3/8" normal grade plywood) glued and
nailed.  Then comes the outer vinal layer (I used plain vinal wallpaper, as
stated earlier in this note).  This is attached with contact cement.  Next comes
the hardware (catches, corners, handles, ...).  Finally, with keyboard in hand
to custom fit, the foam is cut and glued, again with contact cement.  The foam
can be layered quite nicely for fitting around slanted keyboard designs.

	Anything more than this for a description would require better graphics
or sitting down with pencil and paper.

	Any orders?

	Dan

    Where do you get your foam, and what kind of foam do you use?  I asked
    this before, but I can't remember anymore. 

    And DON'T tell me Korg ... %-}

8^)

< Note 567.27 by DYO780::SCHAFER "Is it soup yet?" >

	My first batch of foam came from looking in the foam -er- phone book 
under foam.  Which then directed me to look under plastics-foam.  There is a 
place in a nearby town (Millbury - Edd, did you get your case padding there?) 
that sold scraps.  Be prepared, even scraps can be expensive.

	You generally want a stiff foam that requires a good deal of pressure 
to squeeze.  Some foams are color coded.  I couldn't tell you the code or even
the grade that you'd need.  I went by feel.  If you can find a nice looking
color that is stiff enough, you'll make the insides look real nice without 
having to line it.

	Who said anything about Korg? Brad, you're getting paranoid.  Besides,
quality speaks for itself 8^).

	Dan

    I guess I got confused, y'know - polystyrene, polyurethane, Poly 800...

    Sheesh ... it's no fun when you have to explain it ...

8^)

    What are practical instrument size and weight limits for such a
    case?
    
    Richard_who_owns_a_caseless_pf80

RE < Note 567.30 by PHUBAR::WELLS "Left of Center" >

	I just finished building a case for a DX7.  It was heavy, but it was
quite adequate.  I'm now building a Polaris case.  They run a good ten pounds
(or more) heavier than a DX7.  I'll let you know how it fares.

	The kind of cases I build are generally not 'flight case' type in the 
sense that you'd put them through a parcel route like you would an Anvil.  I
could build those, but they'd take a good deal more time and more expensive 
hardware.

	Dan

    Thanks for the info on case-building. 
    
    I originally asked for plans (rather than a case) 
    since I live closer to Hampshire than New Hampshire
    (Reading, in fact!). I'll proceed with confidence and
    see how it turns out.
    
    Richard. 

    
    I built the first pass of cases for my system in the same basic
    way as Mr. Eaton did...except I used 3/4 birch ply. They are sturdy
    as heck but weigh a ton. I still use them for my amp cases, because
    when the amp weighs 70 lbs who cares if the case weighs 5. But for
    the rack and all the ret of the cases I went with Calzone and Roadie.
    They're not cheap but they weigh a LOT less and are almost as sturdy.
    There are a lot of tricks they use to make them light and strong.
    
    Dan, I invite you to drop by and take a look at them so you can
    get some ideas for your next generation products.

    Chris
    

RE < Note 567.33 by MELODY::DEHAHN >

	Thanks for the invite.  I might just take you up on it when time allows.

	Dan

Has anybody bought a case from Discount Distributors? They've got an ad in 
Keyboard Mag. Carpet-covered hardshell cases for all popular 61-note 
keyboards. All for $49.00. Can't beat the price. But are they any good?

Mike D

    
    
    RE .35
    
      I'm interested. Got the phone # for them?.
    
                                  Thanx in advance.
    
    
    RichC
    
    

Rich,

the number in NY is 516-563-8326. Out of state 800-346-4638. They take 
Visa, Mastercard and Am. Express.

When I called the woman quoted me $59 on the phone. I told her the ad said 
$49, so she gave it to me for $49 of course. She said the price was going 
up real soon. So, if you want one for $49, I'd call soon and tell them you 
saw the ad in Keyboard mag. It cost $12 to ship (UPS), so the total for me 
was $61. 

Mine arrived yesterday. It took a week to get here (over the long Memorial 
Day weekend).

It is made out of 1/4" plywood. Not real strong. Covered with grey carpet. 
Inside it has foam about 3/8" thick. The hardware is cheap and not sturdy.
But all that aside, I'm satisfied with it. It will still protect your gear 
better than a gig bag IMO, but I wouldn't drop it out of your equipment van. 
It's fine for my needs. But you may want to be sure it fits your needs before 
you order, because the packing slip said "No Refunds" on it.

    
Mike D

    
    
      Thanks Mike.
    
      My Vz1 is a pretty heavy board. I don't know if 1/4" will cut
    it, especially with all the gig's we have lined up this summer.
    I may have to go DIY.
    
    
    
    RichC
    

    Rich,

            Yeah, that's a decision you'll have to make. FYI, the case I 
bought was for a VFX. I don't know what the weight difference is between a 
VFX and a VZ1. But you could still be OK if you are carrying the keyboard 
yourself (Read  not being handled carelessly by an inebriated roadie).

Mike D
    

    
    
      Yes, we do occasionally use roadies, usually in various stages
     of inebriation.=8^).
                                                          
    RichC.