kniteracy | My new, custom-made, perfect, perfect, *perfect* Harp Case from Glenn Cronkhite

My new, custom-made, perfect, perfect, *perfect* Harp Case from Glenn Cronkhite

It arrived today, not long after I wrote the growly post about calling ParcelFarce. (I like that name,

dyddgu!) In fact, I admit I half wrote that post as insurance. You know, like hanging clothes means it's going to rain and carrying an umbrella is a talisman against rain? Yeah.

I know you want to see some pictures.

	My new Glenn Cronkhite Harp Case! My harp case arrived today. It fits the harp like the cliché glove. The bulge you're seeing in the front is actually from items in the pocket. The case is black and blue-- the sides are blue, and the straps and zipper panel are black. In one sense, it's amazing this case happened at all-- J and I had spoken with Glenn over the phone, and we'd taken measurements and drawings of the harp, which J dutifully sent off to Mr. Cronkhite-- without putting our name or return address. He tracked us down (we thought we were waiting for the very slow US Postal Service) by noting who'd called from London in the last few months requesting information on a harp case. In the end, it took about two weeks for him to make the case, and it shipped on 10 July and arrived here just eight days later (ParcelForce attempted delivery yesterday for the first time).
	Harp Case With Shoulder Strap Not only does the case come with a very sturdy hand carry handle (which snaps apart for opening), but there's also a standard shoulder strap, which hides in that zippered pocket on the front.
	Harp Case Front Pocket You can put a lot in that front pocket, by the way-- here, you see my fabulous frog bag (a never-forgotten gift from filker Crystal Paul, who saw it and thought of me), an accessory bag that Glenn included with the case, and the shoulder strap.
	And-- it's a backpack! That's right! I asked Glenn if we could make the case a backpack, and he said it should be doable, given the size of harp I was talking about. Ha! No more bumping the harp into things while manoeuvering around Tube stations and crowded clubs and festivals! I will be more mobile than ever before with the harp.
	The harp inside the case Have you ever seen a happier musical instrument? It fits perfectly. Perfectly. The lighter-coloured padding on the inside protects the top and pillar of the harp and cushions it carefully, and the dark blue patch on the inside (mirrored on the other side) will protect the case from harp pins and protruding wire strings. Every detail of the case is exactly as I would have wanted it. Well, OK. I would have wanted brighter colours. When I initially requested purple, Glenn informed me that he doesn't offer it. "Only harpists ever want purple," he said. "No self-respecting trumpet player would want a purple case." I disagree, but hey. I like my sober black and blue harp case. I love it, in fact.