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Thread: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

  1. #1
    Registered User mandowilli's Avatar
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    Default Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    I was weary of chasing instruments down in closets, under beds, hutches, and on floors in various rooms so I decided to build a compact instrument rack to corral them. I am no carpenter but I gave it a go anyway with some ideas gathered around the internet.
    I set the instruments against the wall and literally built it around them as I went so that it would be as low profile as possible. Total cost was $12 and the only thing that I didn't have to buy was the paint which was leftover from the walls.
    In hindsight I see some areas for stylistic improvement, but I think I will leave that for someone else.
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    willi

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  3. #2

    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    I like it!
    Robert Fear
    http://www.folkmusician.com

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  4. #3
    Registered User Randi Gormley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    that's pretty cool.
    --------------------------------
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  5. #4

    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    I've been thinking about doing the same thing. What are the basic dimensions? Is that extra piece of wood to prop the guitar up?
    2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
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  6. #5
    Registered User mandowilli's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    It is W35"X24"X24". I just lined up my instruments against the wall and measured the width, cut a few 2X4's that wide and started building it so that the cases would not touch the wall. Yes Don, I added the extra piece of wood for the guitar.

    Perhaps I should have made it big enough for one more instrument, there always seems to be one more in the offing......
    willi

  7. #6
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    I really like the simplicity of it.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  8. #7
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    Um, don't you need to make it expandable?
    Bobby Bill

  9. #8
    Highly Lonesome Marty Henrickson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    Great job! Just use a board stretcher if you add to your instrument collection.
    Gibson Jam Master A-Standard #56
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  10. #9
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    I amnot very good with hand tools, but that looks like even I could build it.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  11. #10
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    For those not handy with tools I'll offer this as a suggestion. I came into a large number of wire shelf units when my wife's company was getting rid of them. I found the cross bars at the Container Store. This isn't the entire wall, there are a few more sections. It's mixed instruments and other stuff. One warning though. When the collection was spread all over the house she had no problem with it. When it was all in one place and she realized how many instruments I had I took some serious heat.
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  12. #11
    Eric Hansen
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    Mike, what is in those 'hat box' things on the top shelf?
    Eric H

    Aloha a hui hou
    mandolin no ka 'oi

  13. #12
    Brentrup Evangelist Larry S Sherman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    Nice job. I like the do-it-yourself nature of it.

    I did something similar with a table I found at a yardsale. I removed and extended the legs, and the cases fit snuggly underneath.

    Funny to see the instruments in the pictures...those instruments have all been passed on to new owners. I really miss the Michael Dunn.

    Larry

  14. #13
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    Quote Originally Posted by WireBoy View Post
    Mike, what is in those 'hat box' things on the top shelf?
    Hats.

    I got mine at a few different western stores in Houston when I was buying hats. They are marked with the store names. They are available on the web from dozens of places. Here's one. I have no experience with these folks. The carriers work great.

  15. #14
    Unfamous String Buster Beanzy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    One warning though. When the collection was spread all over the house she had no problem with it. When it was all in one place and she realized how many instruments I had I took some serious heat.
    I think we've just found out why some men are really messy..... it's really just sowing distractions to keep the contraband hidden.

    Also when a musician friend comes in the hall to be greeted by the missus and immediately goes "nice rack!" who pays for the hospital bill?
    Eoin



    "Forget that anyone is listening to you and always listen to yourself" - Fryderyk Chopin

  16. #15
    Registered User mandowilli's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    Larry,
    Nice job! I was actually visualizing some sort of table top on mine while building it but the instruments were too varied in size and I didn't want it to turn into a science project that would never be completed.
    Now I am thinking......
    willi

  17. #16
    Brentrup Evangelist Larry S Sherman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    Quote Originally Posted by mandowilli View Post
    Larry,
    Nice job! I was actually visualizing some sort of table top on mine while building it but the instruments were too varied in size and I didn't want it to turn into a science project that would never be completed.
    Now I am thinking......
    I think you have a good solution, especially with guitar cases in the mix. Mine accommodates cases up to Calton mando size, but I have a Hiscox that is too tall (my fiddle case is too tall too).

    Larry

  18. #17
    Always learning something Mo Soar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    Bubinga and mahogany (left over from other projects). Holds the octave mandolin plus 4 regular mandolin cases plus the emando in a gig bag.

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    Also, because I just spotted it in the first post: Go Rogue Nation! Home of Dead Guy Ale, my personal favorite.
    Last edited by Mo Soar; Jul-07-2012 at 10:07am. Reason: added
    1918 Gibson A, "Lillian";
    1940s (?) Kay A style f hole - currently down for a refret and fretboard re-profile, my first attempts (with guidance) at lutherie.
    1981 Washburn M7SN (2 point);
    2011 Eastman 504, "Belle";
    2012 Lafferty mahogany octave mandolin;
    2012 Emando (Saga), "Hank"

    1 husband, 2 dogs, 4 chickens.

  19. #18

    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    Nice, Mo Soar! Any chance of some dimensions on yours too?

    Mike, you're my hero except there's too many guitars in your collection.
    2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
    http://HillbillyChamberMusic.bandcamp.com
    Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@hillbillychambermusic

  20. #19
    Always learning something Mo Soar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    If you look on the photo, you can see the brass caps on the bolts - the center-to-center spacing is 18" high by 7" wide. The bubinga end heights were set by how much wood we had left and what shape we could get out of them. He got artsy and made a shape reminiscent of the case shapes (which I think is very cute). The rack was built before I got the Lafferty octave (in a TKL banjo case) and the octave sits maybe slightly more upright than I would prefer, but the case is weighted so that it isn't really a problem. The mahogany rails are 1.5" x 1.5" because that is what size the nominal 2x2s were when they came out of the planer. The finish is linseed oil. The reasons he used the bolts instead of screws was in case I add more mandos to the collection and the rack needs to expand.

    We have radiant floors and I really wanted the cases up so that they don't touch the floor, so the cases sit up about 2.5" plus the 3/4" of the rubber feet.
    Last edited by Mo Soar; Jul-07-2012 at 12:21pm. Reason: dimension typo
    1918 Gibson A, "Lillian";
    1940s (?) Kay A style f hole - currently down for a refret and fretboard re-profile, my first attempts (with guidance) at lutherie.
    1981 Washburn M7SN (2 point);
    2011 Eastman 504, "Belle";
    2012 Lafferty mahogany octave mandolin;
    2012 Emando (Saga), "Hank"

    1 husband, 2 dogs, 4 chickens.

  21. #20
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    Quote Originally Posted by Don Grieser View Post
    Mike, you're my hero except there's too many guitars in your collection.
    Hey that cello should buy me some grace....

  22. #21
    Registered User mandowilli's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    I am already regretting not making mine larger. I have noticed since I placed all of my instruments there that it is easier to think about selling or trading them......
    willi

  23. #22
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    I made this three or four years ago from scrap red and white oak. The slot widths vary to meet the case dimensions of my instrments - I guess if you buy and sell a lot that could be a problem. Name:  empty_mandorack_websize.JPG
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  24. #23
    Registered User jim simpson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    Hey that cello should buy me some grace....
    There's always room for cello!
    Old Hometown, Cabin Fever String Band

  25. #24
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    There's always room for cello!


    #17 has me , [down market] thinking of closet rod, lag screws, and plywood, on a materials list.
    writing about music
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  26. #25
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument Rack Do it Yourself Project

    I bought wood years ago to build a rack for all my cases and never got around to it. The wire thing simply fell into place. You can buy wire shelf units cheap at Target and such and you can take them apart and reassemble them as needed. You get more than enough sheves and you can actually cut the cross bars out of the extra shelving, two from each shelf if you're so inclined. If you build with wood give yourself way to expand, cases sizes on new instruments are different and you know you're going to buy more instruments.

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