Custom case for a modular?

[Dave.Peachey at natwest.com]

Jim & list,

 . . . my Euros worth . . .

> I'm trying to design a portable case for the modular I'm assembling. I'm
being real picky - I want something with a
> multi-sectional, angled front, sort of like the old Buchlas - the lower
section at about 15 degrees, the center section
> at about 70, and the top, vertical. I've built a cardboard mockup - it's
two tiers of 25 (19") spaces on each side and
> I gotta say it looks awesome.
>
> There's just one problem. If I build this out of any material that will
hold up - minimum 3/8" plywood - the damn thing
> will be too heavy for two people to lift, when fully loaded. This is
important - I may be crazy, but I wanna play this
> thing in front of people.
>
> So I may split it into two cases - more effort to build and set up, but at
least it's movable. But I guess the real
> question is, does anybody make a rack case that is angled like this -
concave, rather than convex?

I've done (am doing) something similar for my own DIY modular project.  This
one is (will be) four boxes - two base units sloped at about 70 degrees and
two supplementary units standing vertical - one each atop each one of the
base units.

The original single base unit - designed for 60 Digisound-sized (9"x3")
panels as four rows of fifteen modules - was built of 3/8" plywood, as
you're suggesting, with cabinetry corner support blocks.  It is some 4' by
3'6" in size - not very portable, but just about moveable by one person when
fully populated (bearing in mind that the keyboard and PSU are both in
separate cases).  I have designed the additional cabinets (another 60 module
base unit and two 45 unit supplementary ones) as just that - additional -
due to the size/weight of the thing as I don't feel like toting around a
single case the size of Klaus Schulze' Big Moog  ;-)

I've not come across any off-the-shelf designs like this (although isn't
your design similar to the Serge cabinetry I've seen?) so I suspect you may
be looking at a bespoke design (and doing it yourself if you can't find a
tame cabinet maker to do it for you - actually, my tame cabinet maker is my
father!).

Not, I'm afraid, that any of this helps you very much - just sharing my
experiences.

Cheers for now

Dave Peachey
* Home: 0(44)181-643-8036
*Home: 16 Clowser Close, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 4TP, England
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