Whats out there for keyboard shells/facades/desks for live use? Anyone ever made their own?

[Pantshappened]

I’m looking to get a keyboard shell or facade sort of thing for my Nord (Electro 6D 61 key) for live use. I want something with a front face to it so it looks cool when facing toward the crowd. I’ve found a few companies that do them (namely The Piano Shell Company and Circle Three. Gator makes more at home desks and don’t have a face) but they’re unfortunately way out of my budget. And all of those companies primarily are just a top shell unit with 4 legs and no face, or a giant upright shell. I’m probably looking for something in the 3-4 ft tall range.

I thought about trying to build one, but it might be a loftier project than I’m capable of. BUT might be my only option given that the cooler ones are a lot of money haha but just figured I’d reach out here incase there’s a different phrase or word for it that I should be searching or a company I’m overlooking. And to see what other people have done!

I’ve also thought about repurposing an old organ cabinet or something. But the front of them generally look boring, since they were meant to go up against a wall. Or they’re just ginormous haha

I’ve attached a picture of what I’ve seen out there that is kind of what I’m going for

Any help is much appreciated!

 

[Biggles]

You could use 1” square aluminium tube to make three Rectangular frames then fasten hinges to each of the smaller frames and fix these to each end of the larger frame.

Fittings are available to make the 90 degree corners.

Once finished cover the frame with your chosen fabric.

This will be far lighter to transport around than a timber cabinet.

 

[Pantshappened]

You could use 1” square aluminium tube to make three Rectangular frames then fasten hinges to each of the smaller frames and fix these to each end of the larger frame.

Fittings are available to make the 90 degree corners.

Once finished cover the frame with your chosen fabric.

This will be far lighter to transport around than a timber cabinet.

View attachment 3453

Hmmm interesting. I’d honestly prefer a wood style enclosure. But I’ll keep this in mind! Thanks much!!

 

[Biggles]

Hmmm interesting. I’d honestly prefer a wood style enclosure. But I’ll keep this in mind! Thanks much!!

No problem, cover it with sheet laminate or make it out of square section timber.

A laminate clad aluminium frame would be lighter in weight.

 

[RI Guy]

I’m looking to get a keyboard shell or facade sort of thing for my Nord (Electro 6D 61 key) for live use. I want something with a front face to it so it looks cool when facing toward the crowd. I’ve found a few companies that do them (namely The Piano Shell Company and Circle Three. Gator makes more at home desks and don’t have a face) but they’re unfortunately way out of my budget. And all of those companies primarily are just a top shell unit with 4 legs and no face, or a giant upright shell. I’m probably looking for something in the 3-4 ft tall range.

I thought about trying to build one, but it might be a loftier project than I’m capable of. BUT might be my only option given that the cooler ones are a lot of money haha but just figured I’d reach out here incase there’s a different phrase or word for it that I should be searching or a company I’m overlooking. And to see what other people have done!

I’ve also thought about repurposing an old organ cabinet or something. But the front of them generally look boring, since they were meant to go up against a wall. Or they’re just ginormous haha

I’ve attached a picture of what I’ve seen out there that is kind of what I’m going for

Any help is much appreciated!

 

[happyrat1]

I'd use Aluminum angle from a scrap yard, stove bolts from a hardware store, and a sheet of masonite for the facade.

You could knock that together in an afternoon.

 

[RI Guy]

I’m looking to get a keyboard shell or facade sort of thing for my Nord (Electro 6D 61 key) for live use. I want something with a front face to it so it looks cool when facing toward the crowd. I’ve found a few companies that do them (namely The Piano Shell Company and Circle Three. Gator makes more at home desks and don’t have a face) but they’re unfortunately way out of my budget. And all of those companies primarily are just a top shell unit with 4 legs and no face, or a giant upright shell. I’m probably looking for something in the 3-4 ft tall range.

I thought about trying to build one, but it might be a loftier project than I’m capable of. BUT might be my only option given that the cooler ones are a lot of money haha but just figured I’d reach out here incase there’s a different phrase or word for it that I should be searching or a company I’m overlooking. And to see what other people have done!

I’ve also thought about repurposing an old organ cabinet or something. But the front of them generally look boring, since they were meant to go up against a wall. Or they’re just ginormous haha

I’ve attached a picture of what I’ve seen out there that is kind of what I’m going for

Any help is much appreciated!

I’ve been looking for a portable façade since buying my first Nord. The keyboard has nice big warm sounds, but its on-stage footprint is literally thin.
I’m not willing to drag around a heavy faux Hammond or Piano. I use a table stand, and think about getting a hi-res printed screen- a photo like some of the latest kick drum heads- to wrap around the top of the stand, attach it with magnets maybe? The reality is, I’m not willing to add more hassle to my set-up.
Good luck on your quest.

 

[Pantshappened]

I’ve been looking for a portable façade since buying my first Nord. The keyboard has nice big warm sounds, but its on-stage footprint is literally thin.
I’m not willing to drag around a heavy faux Hammond or Piano. I use a table stand, and think about getting a hi-res printed screen- a photo like some of the latest kick drum heads- to wrap around the top of the stand, attach it with magnets maybe? The reality is, I’m not willing to add more hassle to my set-up.
Good luck on your quest.

Definitely! I’m with you there haha I have an idea for one. It’d still be cumbersome to carry around, but it wouldn’t be a giant B3 or an upright you have to wheel around either. Just gotta bring it to fruition

 

[Biggles]

Definitely! I’m with you there haha I have an idea for one. It’d still be cumbersome to carry around, but it wouldn’t be a giant B3 or an upright you have to wheel around either. Just gotta bring it to fruition

What ever you decide we need to see images of it or it did not happen ;-)

 

[Old No7]

Check out the really nice Hammond Organ "chop" cases at Vahalla Woodworking or BB Organ to get some other ideas of what's possible.

I'm planning to build a "fake B3-like case" for my Hammond SK Pro 73 later this summer. I'm still in the preliminary design phase, but am leaning towards thin and lightweight, and easily foldable -- with a veneer or printed skin to make it look just like "Hammond wood", or maybe I'll just "Paint It Black". (Don Airey's Hammond on the 3 new Deep Purple videos now on YouTube looks really cool all dressed in black.)

It will be for stage-use only -- and not for transporting the 2 boards. Since it will be mounted on a stable table stand, it will be a facade for the looks, but also to hold the lightweight lower manual * I just added in position. So, not too much inherent strength (with all the associated build costs or weight) will be needed.

Old No7

* Check out my recent posting in the Hammond Keyboards forum of this site...

 

[Pantshappened]

You could use 1” square aluminium tube to make three Rectangular frames then fasten hinges to each of the smaller frames and fix these to each end of the larger frame.

Fittings are available to make the 90 degree corners.

Once finished cover the frame with your chosen fabric.

This will be far lighter to transport around than a timber cabinet.

View attachment 3453

If I did something like this, how could I fasten the facade part? Like, if I used Masonite or something to that affect? Any idea?

 

[happyrat1]

Best way to secure masonite to an angle frame is standard metal pop rivets. Buy a gun with 300 rivets for about $15 at your local hardware store.

 

[happyrat1]

What I'd do is build the angle frame, drill and install the masonite with pop rivets every 10 inches. They will ad structural stability to the whole rig. Buil it with an "L" footprint you'd just slide under the keys from the front. Then I'd approach a custom printshop to create a poster to fit, with the band's logo, and if I really wanted to go to town I'd install an LED Lightshow into the unit to really jazz it up at showtime.

Or instead of masonite, buy a milk white sheet of plastic lucite and project a laser light show on the screen from beneath the keys.

Either one can go as far as your budget and imagination allows.

Everyone from Kraftwerk to David Byrne to Taylor Swift puts as much effort into their light shows as they do their music these days.

 

[Biggles]

A different option would be to make a lightweight hinged frame and cover it in material.

Attach velcro to the material and glue the other part of the velcro to the frame.

 

[RI Guy]

I’ve been thinking the same: Nords sound so big and heavy but look so thin. I’m reluctant to add something bulkier or fragile to set-up. I use a table stand. Am thinking of having a design printed on light fabric (don’t want to block sound on smaller stages), attaching it (tautly I hope) with either velcro or sewn-in magnets. There is such a thin line between cool and cheesy…
Alas, haven’t lifted a finger due to inherent laziness. Which is one of the reasons I carry a Nord.

 

[Old No7]

Old No7:
I'm planning to build a "fake B3-like case" for my Hammond SK Pro 73 later this summer. I'm still in the preliminary design phase, but am leaning towards thin and lightweight, and easily foldable -- with a veneer or printed skin to make it look just like "Hammond wood", or maybe I'll just "Paint It Black". (Don Airey's Hammond on the 3 new Deep Purple videos now on YouTube looks really cool all dressed in black.)

It will be for stage-use only -- and not for transporting the 2 boards. Since it will be mounted on a stable table stand, it will be a facade for the looks, but also to hold the lightweight lower manual.

Gee, now I am quoting myself...

I'll attach some images of the "Hammond B3" cabinet I built for my SK Pro 73 and lower manual (an M Audio Keystation 61). I had deliberately selected a MIDI controller with 5-pin MIDI and very few knobs, sliders, or pads as they won't be used in this application. It works really well for pianos and pads, and the piano tones sound better than when the Hammond keys are used (different feel and velocity settings, without any tweaking on my part).

I designed and built the cabinet myself, starting with a foam mock-up to check feasibility and dimensions, and I designed the "B3 legs" too (based on B3 images, but the bottom square block is the same size as the top block, whereas a B3's legs are smaller at the bottom, but this made it easier to align the hinges on the same plane so the legs fold in.) The Vahalla shop quoted me about $175 "per leg" -- ouch -- but I had all 4 legs custom-turned to my specs by a seller from PA off of eBay for the same price, shipping included. They are maple and rock solid.

I'm really happy with how this "shell" came out -- and she looks great in my studio or up on stage!

Old No7

 

[Old No7]

Some more of the B3 build...

Old No7

After one practice session at our drummer's studio (up stairs), I decided to split the lower base to make it easier to transport. It bolts together tightly and is rock solid though.

 

[Old No7]

Finally, you'll see it all fits into my SUV (even better now, since I split the base). Total weight of the 2 pieces, base + cabinet (with lower manual) is about 30 pounds each -- not too bad at all. My SK Pro 73 is removed (the top comes off) and is carried in a hard case. Ever since 1980, all my Hammond cabinets have been in basic black.

Cheers!

Old No7

Red LEDs (6v battery pack powered, with remote control) added for use on dark stages.

That's all!

 

[Pantshappened]

Finally, you'll see it all fits into my SUV (even better now, since I split the base). Total weight of the 2 pieces, base + cabinet (with lower manual) is about 30 pounds each -- not too bad at all. My SK Pro 73 is removed (the top comes off) and is carried in a hard case. Ever since 1980, all my Hammond cabinets have been in basic black.

Cheers!

Old No7

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Red LEDs (6v battery pack powered, with remote control) added for use on dark stages.

View attachment 3723

That's all!

Woah that’s so sweet!! Good on ya! It’s a bit too ambitious for me I’m afraid. I’m not the most handy and don’t have a space for any sort of wood working. Not to that extent anyways haha but wow, that’s awesome!