Advice for traveling with a larger instrument?

[NatashaVelvet]

Have any advice for traveling with a larger instrument?
I play the harp, it's a half sized harp so it's only 26 strings and I can carry it easily on my back and it's great for busking but it's not nothing, it gets heavy and It's also hella expensive so I'm worried about breaking/getting it stolen. I think it might make me too paranoid bringing it but if anyone has traveled with a larger/pricier instrument let me know what that was like for you and if it was worth it.

 

[creature]

def a rubbertramp proposition, BUT.....

go to a thrift store & look at a good used pull-along golf caddy..
ONE WITH METAL WHEELS!!!
sorry about the yell, but that's the main thing that will prevent it from becoming just another piece of shit to eject, somewhere along the road..
so.. metal wheels...

i use these things in the field to cart equipment doing construction surveying... a good one will be *all metal* (check the wheel bearing area. avoid any kind of plastic, at all).

you'll have to be creative with padding, but i know the instrument you're talking about, so if you're traveling mostly on pavement, it would be a good deal, though it adds room (even though it folds) that any ride would need to pack.. i don't know what kind of case you have, but maybe you could drop wheels onto it, somehow.

i'd suspect part of the issue in carrying is load distribution..
something like that on your back probably pulls you backwards, so you might want to look at straps running over your shoulders & attaching to your hips/waist-strap/belt in front, and somewhat to the side, for better vertical positioning.
post a pic of the case & how you ordinarily carry it.
i suspect designing something better than strapping wouldn't be too difficult.

C

 

[psychofoamer]

Get a lap harp. Smaller. Made of wood, not as heavy. You can find them cheap in music shops...

 

[NatashaVelvet]

Get a lap harp. Smaller. Made of wood, not as heavy. You can find them cheap in music shops...

Yeah I've been looking at some on Ebay, they're pretty cheap I'm probably going to do it! Kind of sucks I won't have as many strings to play with but it will make traveling much easier

 

[Matt Derrick]

do you have a case for it?

 

[NatashaVelvet]

do you have a case for it?

I do! It works fine but it still might be a hassle just because of the weight and size. Someone suggested getting a lap harp so I'm looking into that

 

[Matt Derrick]

can you get the same sound out of a smaller harp?

 

[NatashaVelvet]

can you get the same sound out of a smaller harp?

Nooo way but it might be the price I have to pay I guess! And it's not so bad! I could still do some pretty sweet stuff even with just 12 strings!

 

[Toasty Tramp]

Nooo way but it might be the price I have to pay I guess! And it's not so bad! I could still do some pretty sweet stuff even with just 12 strings!

That's the fuckin' spirit!!

 

[Matt Derrick]

hey, are you traveling with your band? are you coming to the StP Jamboree? we could use more music out there...

 

[NatashaVelvet]

I'll definitely be there!
I'll ask them, I'm sure they'd be down for it.

 

[NatashaVelvet]

It' isn't my band just my best buds who asked me to play on their album, I was hoping to meet some fellow musicians at the jamboree who might want to start something with me! If they come we would definitely play tunes all the time and I'd actually be able to bring my harp since they have a van hmm...

 

[Matt Derrick]

Heh, well go try to convince them, cause if we could make it official I'll announce it on the stp Jamboree thread :-D

 

[creature]

how much does it weigh?

 

[NatashaVelvet]

That would be sick! We went screen printing today and talked about it, they have to see how tour goes but closer to the end of tour (early September) they'll know for sure

Heh, well go try to convince them, cause if we could make it official I'll announce it on the stp Jamboree thread :-D

 

[Matt Derrick]

well, keep in mind the jambo is oct 1st to the 4th!

 

[NatashaVelvet]

Gotcha! I'll let you know as soon as possible

well, keep in mind the jambo is oct 1st to the 4th!

 

[BrianC503]

Get a lap harp. Smaller. Made of wood, not as heavy. You can find them cheap in music shops...

thats like telling a clairnet player to buy a recorder.