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...