The Case/Box for the harp/action (Stage 73)

[mattw]

So, I'm looking at picking up a used Rhodes.  One of the previous owners took the meat of the Rhodes and removed it from the case and put it in what is essentially a wood box.  It is missing all of the case bits (wooden outer shell, plastic case, front plate, etc. - it is just the harp/action assembly).

Has anyone reconstructed the case?  It is just wood, so it seems like it would be simple to do, but since I have never actually taken a harp/action assembly out of the box I'm not sure what I may be missing/whether it is worth it. 

This would allow me to add back in the pedal, maybe do tweed tolex or something on the case (it's not original, might as well have fun with it) - I'm still on the fence though.

[David Aubke]

http://ep-forum.com/smf/index.php?topic=8594.0

Also, I've modeled some cabinets in SketchUp.
http://www.shadetreekeys.com/ShopChart/items.php?models=1&description_filter=cabinet

Within a week or so I expect to have the model for the straight-side lower cabinet half done.

[mattw]

Thanks for the quick reply David.  Sounds like the answer is "nothing special about the box" - and with your sketchup files, nearly a monkey could reconstruct it!  For the $300 asking price, the parts alone are worth it, looks like I may be driving out to pick it up this weekend.

[David Aubke]

It is a pretty simple construction but does require a few power tools to do the rabbets and round-overs correctly.

[mattw]

I have a router that should suffice, although I have been wanting to pick up a dado blade.

[voltergeist]

The case is simple, but building one isn't exactly trivial.  If it were me, I'd look for a parted-out case on ebay.  The plywood in the original cases is a much higher quality material than anything you'll find at a home improvement store, and the cost of a sheet of equivalent quality ply would pay for a used case- they don't give that stuff away. 

Considering how many pianos are being parted out by people trying to make a buck, you may as well take advantage and save yourself a lot of hassle. 

Build one quick and cheap and you'll end up with less than the original.  Build one well and it won't be quick or cheap, and at best it will be as good as the original.  Believe me now or believe me later.

[David Aubke]

Believe me now or believe me later.

Thank you Franz.

[JanneI]

Hi guys. I just finished building a case for my stage/suitcase (don't know which it is since theres no electronics or case) using measurements from David's 3D sketches and some other. Here is some pics.


Cheers,
Janne

[JanneI]

A little background info... My brother owns a company that manufactures professional PA loudspeakers ( www.auraaudio.fi ), so my "case building" is more like him pressing the buttons of this huge industrial type of machine (error tolerance below 0,1mm), than me actually using a hand-saw. I only worried about the measurements, glued and nail gunned the whole thing.

Hat's off to those who will try to build the case without very good power tools. I wouldn't try it myself.

-Janne

[drpepper]

looks really good
looking forward to seeing this finished
what is your plan with legs? and electronics?

[JanneI]

Thanks! My plan is to make this piano a stage model with vv stereo vib preamp. Now I'm working on the harp and the keys. If all goes well I will finish the case with new tolex and hardware, add stage legs and pedal (from VV).

BTW, the first try of my case were little too shallow when I put the mechanics inside and tried to close the top case. It fit without the lid, but with the lid it didn't. My mistake was to use 15mm plywood instead of 12mm (sorry metric:)). The 3mm difference actually made the case to shallow for the piano, so there really isn't much room inside the case. You can try this by putting something on top of your lid and try to close the top case. Well, at least this was my experience. Try it before cutting the pieces, especially if you do it without power tools! ;-)