Music

Vintage suitcases up-cycled as unique boomboxes

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Brothers Ezra and Alex Cimino-Hurt marry classic electronics with vintage luggage to produce stunning, hand-built, one-of-a-kind Case of Bass portable sound systems
Close up of the Aunt Bee model
Aunt Bee pretending to be just another vintage suitcase
If the speakers don't give Aunt Irma's game away, the volume and tone dials on the top probably will
The Baby Baltimore model has a 50-watt amp powering a 6-inch woofer, 4-inch mid and 1-inch dome tweeter from KLH
Almost every side of the Bumpkin has speaker drivers pointing out
Front view of the Case of Bass Bumpkin model
The Burlap Banger features an 80 W amp and a combination of 4.5-inch woofers and 1-inch dome tweeters
Colonel Ty was once a trumpet case and now packs an 80 W amp, a 10-inch woofer, 5-inch mid and 3-inch tweeter
The ex-Samsonite Death Star holds a 200 W amp, 12-inch woofer, 6-inch subwoofer and 1-inch titanium dome tweeter
MuuRay that packs a monster 12-inch woofer with LED backlighting and a 150 W amplifier that should command immediate respect from anyone in the locale
Johnny Five is alive - and with a full set of Yamaha floor speakers and a powerful 200W amp, it may very seem that way
The stand-out feature of Little Thumper is the gorgeous 10-inch Fisher woofer
Brothers Ezra and Alex Cimino-Hurt marry classic electronics with vintage luggage to produce stunning, hand-built, one-of-a-kind Case of Bass portable sound systems
The creatively-named Norman Rockswell American Tourister case
The business end of the Norman Rockswell
Brothers Ezra and Alex Cimino-Hurt marry classic electronics with vintage luggage to produce stunning, hand-built, one-of-a-kind Case of Bass portable sound systems
The classy Sherlock model comes with an 80 W amplifier, two 5.5-inch full range drivers from Bose, a piezo horn and a 1.5-inch clarion tweeter
The marbled finish of Uncle Don is supported by cream vinyl corners and brass fittings
Perfect for the office: Uncle Jimbo
Jimbo holds a 50 W amp with tone controls and an illuminated volumes control
The tailored dusty blue Cousin Lou has two matching 5-inch full range drivers and two 5-inch subs surrounding a piezo horn
The back of Cousin Lou
Uncle Sal features a whopping 300W amplifier powering two 8-inch woofers, twin piezo horns, and a 1-inch titanium dome tweeter
Top view of Uncle Sal
Close of the Case of Bass branding on Uncle Sal
View gallery - 25 images

I would hazard a guess that most readers haven't given very much thought to what happens to trusted and faithful luggage when it's retired from frequent use. If they're not exiled to the basement for storage of odds and ends, old suitcases could very well end up just being dumped in the trash. If they're lucky though, brothers Ezra and Alex Cimino-Hurt might get hold of them for conversion into stylish and powerful Case of Bass boomboxes.

Whereas recycling breaks down waste materials like plastic and glass bottles, tin cans and newspapers so that something entirely new can be produced, up-cycling gives whole objects a new lease of life as re-purposed products. That's precisely what Portland's Case of Bass does. The company brings together classic electronics and vintage luggage to form stunning, hand-built, one-of-a-kind portable sound systems.

Johnny Five is alive - and with a full set of Yamaha floor speakers and a powerful 200W amp, it may very seem that way

Some models are complete and ready to ship as they are, but others can be custom-configured to include buyer-specified inputs, amp sizes, power sources and personal detailing. The designers say that they use tried and tested classic electronic components that were built to last rather than throwing in the very latest that technology has to offer (and perhaps falling foul of early bird faults and foibles). The Cimino-Hurt brothers also state that where vintage electronics are no longer available, newly-made substitutes will be used but for the most part, vintage is best.

There have, of course, been many positive modern developments that it would be foolish to ignore, such as advances in battery technology, and the Case of Bass boomboxes are currently powered by lightweight Li-ion battery packs.

MuuRay that packs a monster 12-inch woofer with LED backlighting and a 150 W amplifier that should command immediate respect from anyone in the locale

Models have been organized into four classes that roughly matches cases of similar size and speaker capacity. Notable examples include the Baby Baltimore model with a 50 W amp powering a 6-inch woofer, 4-inch mid and 1-inch dome tweeter from KLH, and a repurposed hat box known as MuuRay that packs a monster 12-inch woofer with LED backlighting, a pair of Bose 2.5-inch full range drivers and two 1.5-inch clarion tweeters and a 150-W amplifier that should command immediate respect from anyone in the locale.

The classy Sherlock model comes with an 80 W amplifier, two 5.5-inch full range drivers from Bose, a piezo horn and a 1.5-inch clarion tweeter. The creatively-named Norman Rockswell American Tourister case is powered by a 50 W amp and sports a full complement of Fisher drivers in the shape of a 10-inch woofer, 4.5-inch mid and 3-inch tweeter. If you're looking for style and immense power then look no further than Uncle Sal, which features a whopping 300 W amplifier powering two 8-inch woofers, twin piezo horns, and a 1-inch titanium dome tweeter.

Uncle Sal features a whopping 300W amplifier powering two 8-inch woofers, twin piezo horns, and a 1-inch titanium dome tweeter

Models vary between 10 and 20 pounds (4.5 and 9 kg) in weight, depending on the setup, and would typically take about a week per unit to build. Each model description is accompanied by an indication of exactly how much of the product is up-cycled. Prices start at US$275, and availability is through a small number of local retailers or direct from Case of Bass.

For those concerned about potential damage to all those exposed speaker cones, the designers say that they can discuss options that offer the best protection without significantly impairing the aesthetics.

Source: Case of Bass

View gallery - 25 images
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5 comments
Ben Gruselle
hmmm, not really "new": http://blog.theboomcase.com/ now, who's the originator and who's copying....
Ezra Cimino-Hurt
Oh come on Ben really, when did your get your originator police Jr. deputy badge? I've talked to Simo and we both agree that he didn't create the boombox suitcase, he is just doing good work for the creative world. Maybe there should only be one of every medium, one painter, one musician, etc. I created Case of Bass and I'm simply filling a niche of people who want what I have. Don't hate, create.
JPAR
Nice product - surely the obvious no-brainer is the guitar case boombox. Saves carrying separate amp equipment. If you could build in storage are for battery, then perfect for street busking - although given the weight of a 12V car battery, you might want to put some wheels on the bottom of that guitar busking boombox.
DrPepper59
Nobody cares about the sound if its good, but if it sounds like crap then you hear about it. How you package the sound is another thing. There must be a market for this "look" as long as it sounds good too.
Wade Wellborn
Check these out, i've been building them since 2005. www.thesonicsuitcase.com