Hi there,

Im an industrial design student in Berkeley CA. Im working on a guitar equipment transportation device project as part of my degree. Just wondering if it would be ok to post a couple of very short surveys to gauge feedback on a couple of design directions I have.

I have no commercial interest in this project whatsoever but need as much feedback from real guitarists as possible in order to validate my design.

Let me know if that is ok admin. Thanks for any help!

So you are designing a travel case for guitars, amp, pedals etc. Correct? I'm sure the guys and gals here will be able to help you with that info.

To get you started. Durable, lightweight, extremely shock resistant (especially for tube amps), plenty of hand holds, maybe modular style for ease of storage and loading to maximize space for undiscovered musicians with limited cargo space.

Just a small list I think most would want in a case.

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the vacuum store is a lot like the guitar store. but they do not attract the same clientele as the guitar store, cause if they did, the vacuum store would be loaded with a bunch of broke guys who just wanted to run the new vacuums.

I don't think it'd be an issue to post your survey. And I'm sure a few of us will be willing to participate, myself included. Anything to help out a fellow music lover.

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Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

If you design a case for guitars or amps make it light, strong, and cheap. Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters are strong guitars and can take some hits, but amps with tubes are another story. If you want to market the masses you'll need a cheap product, and one that will fit more than just one amp or guitar. Currently and in the past, many inexpensive tube amps (under $400) do not come with covers/cases. Also most people own more than one amp, and if you had a product that would adjust to fit more than one amp it would be a hit. There is currently an adjustable plastic amp cover/case on the market that fit’s the 1x12 combo amp, and one for the 2x12 combo. Only problem with it is, no padding.

Hi Bass Cadet, welcome to the Forum.

Happy to help. The quid pro quo is that you have to share something of the project with us. No grabbing our data and then just disappearing into the ether...!

We want to know a bit about your ideas. That shouldn't be a problem if it's not a commercial deal.

Cheers - C

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Thanks guys

This is the short survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VKZFMDZ

If you have time please try this even shorter survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/56VH9SZ

Please excuse the crude 3D modeling but its meant give an indication of the designs I've come up with so far. I plan to use wheels like below for the main design. These allow movement up stairs and steps...




I will be using feedback to update my design, so thanks for any feedback whatsoever

OK... I wonder if anyone else has in fact filled out the survey?

You don't want to hear it I'm sure, Bass Cadet, but I suspect the design is a non-starter. Actually, the survey is problematic too, in as much as it doesn't really invite comments on points more fundamental than mere issues of detail. And I'm afraid I think the problems here are fundamental in nature.

Guitarists have two problems as far as transporting amps is concerned. First, they are heavy. Second, we want them protected.

Your cart doesn't fully address the first problem, in as much as it merely adds to the weight that has to be lifted on and off stages, in and out of cars or vans. If trundling amps along on the flat was all that was involved then I guess this might be slightly helpful - though no more so than merely fitting castors to the bottom of the amp, as many of us in fact do. The wheels you showed on the cart in your post above look very clever - till you remember that not all stages are flat. Those in traditional theaters in particular often incline towards the audience, so wheels that lock are a must if the amp is to stay on the cart whilst being played. If not, well then why don't we just get ourselves one of the carts pictured above and use it for all our gear?

As far as protection is concerned: for those of us as want it there is no substitute for a proper flight case. And in fact a flight case with wheels is the solution to all these problems, aside from the weight issue. Unless you can significantly improve upon the design of flight cases I suspect there is nowhere to go with this.

But then that's one of the things a design exercise is there to find out, right?

Not the result you were hoping for, I realise. Sorry. Good luck anyhow.

Cheers - C

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Most of the pro's (ie: The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Metallica, ets.) use this outfit Bass Cadet.

http://www.rrcases.com/

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

I took the surveys also, while the designs while interesting were not very practicle for use. The caster ideas on both designs seemed very unstable. Unstable is not something you want when carrying a very expensive tube amp. The mounted guitar stand also seemed impracticle, it looked as if you let go of either design and your guitar would crushed under your amp.

I hope the feedback helps.

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the vacuum store is a lot like the guitar store. but they do not attract the same clientele as the guitar store, cause if they did, the vacuum store would be loaded with a bunch of broke guys who just wanted to run the new vacuums.

Any design for cases should also be good for airline travel. They should be strong enough to absorb any rough handeling by the workers and protect the contents. Customs usually wants locks that are easy to get to, they get annoyed if they have to wait and it hold up their routine.

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I pooped all over it, too. Tactfully, of course.
The last question in the second survey is in dire need of another mutiple guess checkbox for "P/A System". Without a doubt that's what always consumes the most time. Setting up and sound-checking the P/A. I can have my rig set up in 5 to 10 minutes depending on stage size and freedom of movement restrictions.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

I completed the survey as well. I liked the first idea. Not for travel but for moving around before and after a gig. To and from my vehicle. The integrated guitar stand is a cool idea, that way you get on stage your amp and guitar need only to be plugged in. And you're set.

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Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

Thats good feedback Ceri. These however are my initial designs, very basic, very crude based on my own experience and some feedback from a few guitarists. With the feedback I've gotten so far from these designs and from intense observational research I've conducted, Im concentrating on a new design based on the responses to my surveys. From the two surveys Ive collected nearly 350 responses. All this points to design directions that Im hoping to convert into a more appropriate design. I will update my survey once I have a revised design in 3D for those of you who are interested.

Thanks!

I just did...my concern is narrow stairways which these 2 designs do not address.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I must say my views are similar to Ceri's views. Clever devices you have there. Our needs are simple but rather critical.

I guess if you are built like a brick outhouse, lugging is the best form or transport. But with tube amps, they are just as awkward as lugging tube flat screen televisions.

Castors are one way, but shock absorbsion from catsors are a problem on hard textured surfaces. So the most readily (and cheap) way is a hand trolley with inflatable tyres- to minimise shock whilst transporting.. which reminds me, I have to ask:

Where are you going with all that beer???

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