How difficult would it be to rig up a dolly for a cello+case? My daughter’s cello is almost as she is, and on music days she has a hard time managing both backpack(wheeled) and cello. I figured that the best solution would be to wheel the cello and carry the pack on her back. But the cello would have to be wheeled on edge because the sidewalk is so crowded at dismissal time.
I saw a folding cello dolly (they call it a Cholley) at https://s3.amazonaws.com/finewoodworking.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/04/27184143/about_1.gif. I am hoping for a cheaper solution, since it only has to last for eight months.
Janet
Replies
Looks pretty easy to make. You can get the pieces at http://www.mcmaster.com
Just be glad she doesn't play the harp.
Thanks for the link.I usually end up lugging the cello for her, but it's my own fault she chose such an unwield instrument. When she had to decide what to learn in Orchestra, I declared my aversion to "spit instruments." So all the small woodwinds and brasses were out.Janet
Most musicians I know make do with a regular old suitcase dolly, like you use when you go to the airport. I'd think one of these things, along with a few bungee cords or straps, would do the trick, and you can buy them just about anywhere.
View Image
Several of the professional cello players I have seen transport the instrument in a case with an integral wheel.
I don't know any, but there must be sites for music cases for the high end crowd. If you could track one down, I'll bet could find inspiration for affixing a stationary caster on your daughter's case.
In fact I just Googled "cello cases" and found this link:
http://www.bamcases.com/string_instrument_cases/cello_cases/index.php?l=en
Looks to me like it would be pretty simple: piece of wood bolted to the bottom of the case (assuming is it ok to drill two small holes in the case itself), with a couple of fixed casters with a plate attached to the wood strip.
********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Hi Janet,
Does your daughter use a soft case (gig bag), or a hard case to transport her cello? If she uses a hard case, attaching a wheel or two to the bottom would be straightforward, inexpensive, and fairly easy. If she uses a gig bag, just install a wheeled end pin, and roll away.
Wheeled end pins are available for basses (I'm a bassist) through http://www.lemurmusic.com for $75.00.
If the end pin for your daughter's cello is one of the following diameters, you're in luck: 5/16", 8mm, 10mm, 5/8". 3/4", and 9/16".
Good luck,
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
The bag is neither hard nor soft. It's a fabric bag with some reinforcement to make it sturdier, but of course that adds weight as well.Should have mentioned that this is a rented cello, so I'm not allowed to do anything permanent to the bag. On the other hand, everything's insured, so at the end of the year the bag could meet with an unfortunate accident, ifyouknowwhatImean...Good grief, I'm starting to sound like somebody from The Sopranos.
Hi Janet,
If you buy an end pin with wheel, neither the cello nor the carrying case will be altered at all. All you have to do is remove the existing pin (they remove quickly and easily) and insert the new one with the wheel attached.
Use the standard end pin when playing, the wheeled end pin for transport.
When the rental agreement expires, return the cello with the standard end pin that came with it. Here will be no damage. You can keep the wheeled end pin and sell or donate it.
Good luck,-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Jazzdog, thanks for the information on the wheeled endpin. After I give the home-made options a try, I'll probably end up buying one after all. Perhaps the music store would buy it from me--I know we're not the only ones trying to make the cello more manageable.Well, I *think* we still have a folding luggage cart like Stuart's. We also have a toddler's ride-on scooter. She still uses her Razor scooter and in-line skates, but we've got extra wheels for them. So I've got the basic materials; just have to assemble something unobtrusive (read: not embarrassing to use).Janet
I had it comparatively easy because I play fiddle. Seems to me you could just build something with two wheels, sharing about a 6" axle, into which you could bolt the existing end pin.
For example if you picture a standard skateboard, imagine using only the back third (including the back truck), routing a lengthwise stopped groove to accomodate the end pin, and using something to hold the extended end pin to the skateboard half.
Not sure how easy it would be to move it along this way, but it should be comparable to a wheeled end pin.
My mistake--the case has no hole for the endpin.
When I was in grammar school, I played the baritone (sp?). The hard side case was as big as I was. I used a "little red wagon" to transport the instrument and my books. Fortunately I only lived 3 or 4 blocks from school. Parked the wagon right next to all the bikes.
Remember when almost everyone rode a bike to school? Or did I grow up in a REALLY small town? lol
Just use a bungee cord or two across the case.
BTW, I still get comments from friends and the crossing guard about being the kid with "the little red wagon". Brings up fond memories.
Janet,
My friend's daughter was recently in the same predicament (cello case the same size as the child!).
I bolted on a set of skateboard trucks and wheels onto the lower corner at the end of the case. It works perfectly.
View Image
And my answer to my friend's daughter "No, I won't bolt on another set to the front so that you can ride it to school..."
Dan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled