Here are some of the questions Dusty Strings have been getting and the answers they know so far:
Will this case fit my harp?
This is the first and most important question, and the one that is hardest to answer! We know for sure that it will fit Dusty Strings 34-string and smaller harps. In order to be as useful as possible, we designed it to fit a variety of other harps as well, and we are working on compiling a list of compatible makes and models. We are also organising a way to determine for yourself if your harp will fit, and we'll have more information on that soon. Right now, we can tell you that if your harp is taller than about 124cm / 49 inches at the back (from the floor to the top of the neck where it rests on the soundbox) or about 130cm / 51˝ inches at the top of the column, it is probably too big for this case.
Can one case be used for multiple harps?
Yes, we hope so.The inner padding is designed to be custom-fit to your harp, but theoretically you could have multiple sets of padding that you swap out depending on which harp you're traveling with.
Will you be making a larger case?
We designed this one around our 34-string harps, since those are more commonly traveled with than our 36s, and have a better chance of coming in under the airline over-weight limit. It's not out of the question that we might design a larger case at some point, but the development costs are quite high, and it's not on our immediate list. We will be happy to gauge the interest in a larger case, so let us know what you're hoping for.
How much does it weigh?
We don't have an exact number yet, but it's around 9kg / 20 pounds. Our goal is for the harp and case combined to come in under 22kg / 50 pounds, which is where many airlines start charging over-weight baggage fees. Those fees can be in the $75 to $300 range, depending on the airline and the destination.
How does it work at the airport?
You check the harp just like you would a suitcase. If it's under 22kg / 50 pounds, you can expect to pay over-size baggage fees, but not over-weight fees. Generally with over-size baggage, there is an area near the ticket counter where you'll drop it off after it's paid for and tagged. Depending on where TSA inspections happen at that airport, you may be able to watch them open it, or you may not. We've tried to design the case to be as easy as possible to understand, so that TSA won't have trouble closing it back up securely. When your flight arrives, you'll pick up the harp at the oversize baggage claim, usually right near the regular baggage claim.
Does the soft case fit inside?
It's possible, but it will depend on the size of the harp and the thickness of the case. Keep in mind that the under 22kg / 50-pounds goal is much easier to achieve when the harp is caseless, or clothed in just a thin sheet or dust cover.
How easy is it to handle?
The case can be towed along behind or beside you on four wheels, and it basically glides effortlessly. It'sjust like a four-wheeled suitcase. You can also tip it up on the two larger wheels and push or pull it like a harp cart or hand truck, which is useful for going up and down stairs or threading your way through a crowd. The compact size means it will fit almost anywhere your harp would fit, so you shouldn't need to specify a van when you're calling a taxi.
Why this price?
We originally hoped to make a less expensive flight case, and we certainly could have built a plywood box much more cheaply, but those aren't much fun to steer through an airport! After trying a few different materials, we found that carbon fibre was the only option with the strength-to-weight ratio that would provide protection without pushing the whole package over 50 pounds. We wanted to make sure the case could be easily handled by a single person traveling to, from, and through an airport, and that it would be a classy travel companion that a professional harp player would feel proud to be seen with. We also put in some other desirable features like a temperature insulating coating and removable wheels, and we chose to work with a small carbon fibre shop right here in Seattle, WA,USA. All of those things are factored into the price, and we hope it will be a worthwhile investment in security and stress-free travel.
Do you guarantee that nothing will happen to my harp?
We can't make any guarantees, but we can assure you that we have put all our structural engineering know-how and our 30-plus years of harp shipping experience into this project, and we feel confident that it's a very good choice for flying with your harp. There will always be factors that are out of our control, and we highly recommend insuring your harp before you travel with it!
