Nord User Forum

I had seen somewhere previously (too lazy to look up the post) that another forum member had used a rifle case to make a Stage 3 case. I’m happy to report that I have attained more than satisfactory results as well. It took me a couple hours of careful planning and cutting, aided by a brand new blade in my razor knife. Of particular note, I was able to cut a slot in the back for the legs!

I am coming from the Nord gig bag, which I found inadequate. At first I liked that I could throw my music rest, tri-pedal, volume pedal, Vent, song book, and all cords, and have an all-in-one bag (seat carried separately). But by the time I had it all loaded up, it was WAY SERIOUSLY heavy. In addition, it was unwieldy. There aren’t enough handles in the right places on the Nord bag (NONE on the sides!). Plus, the Nord gig bag doesn’t really offer significant protection. If you drop it, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine the Stage sustaining some damage. The wheels are kinda tiny, and the stupid little molded wheel protecting fenders drag up and down stairs. AND IT’S EXPENSIVE. There was something romantic about having a complete Nord rig, but not completely practical. I confess, there’s the prestige factor in having all red. But for the money, the Nord should be a *CASE*, not a bag!

The Pelican Vault itself is made up of plastic that’s a bit thinner than a normal piano case, but with the foam providing a snug fit, I think it will remain safe. I wouldn’t want to throw it down a flight of stairs, but I now feel that I can fly and check it. The latches are quite nice, and there are six of them. The handles are quite heavy duty, and they are on three sides, so it’s easier to manage than the Nord gig bag. Finally, the wheels are MUCH nicer than on the Nord gig bag. Bigger and roll better. When it’s all closed up, it’s fairly rigid and strong. I don’t think it would be possible for the entire thing to be any lighter.

Everything else, *including* the seat, fits into the On-Stage bag. I don’t know the model number, and I can’t find it on the unit. I can’t remember where or when I even bought the thing, but I’ve had it for years and never even used it. In fact, I almost sold the thing a couple of months ago when I sold my Yamaha CP4 and Hammond SK1 73. I think it was specifically designed for a keyboard stand.

Now I have a rig that is much easier to move about. I open the case, screw the legs onto the bottom, flip it right-side-up, plug the pedals in, plug into the pa, and go! Overall it’s the same weight, but now it’s distributed much more evenly between two easily transported chunks.

I’m thrilled with the results, and can’t wait until my first gig with my new rig!

Amazing job, well done.

I bought a Thomann customized for my NS3 compact, but it weights a lot.

Yours? 200$ https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/c ... vault/v800

neomad wrote:Amazing job, well done.

I bought a Thomann customized for my NS3 compact, but it weights a lot.

Yours? 200$ https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/c ... vault/v800

Thanks! It was a fun little project.
YEP. That’s the one