Replacement Case Handle?

[EveryMann]

Hello--

I have a late '64/early '65 Mosrite bass with the original brown alligator tolex case. The handle has been missing for @30 years, and I'm considering one of those leather handles with the straps that wrap around the existing original in-line brackets on the case. Does anyone have experience with these handles? Are they intended for heavy-duty bass applications? My fear, of course, is that I will be carrying the bass and the leather straps will rip at an inopportune moment. For some irrational reason I'm apprehensive to bring the case to a luggage repair store and have them replace the brackets altogether and install the correct original-style handle. All suggestions/advice welcomed. Thanks!

 

[EveryMann]

Anyone know about this? The top photo is my Mosrite case in question. Is there a special tool required to remove the rivet-like bit in between each bracket?

 

[EveryMann]

Tough crowd.

 

[EveryMann]

No respect, I tell ya. No respect.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

If you mean the two round pieces holding the handles brackets on, they are rivets. You might be able to carefully cut or grind the heads off from the outside. Maybe a Dremel or similar tool. The other and maybe more typical option would be to drill them out from the inside which would require getting inside the case lining, drilling, installing the new handles then gluing the lining back down.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

No respect, I tell ya. No respect.

Hmmm....I don't know why Matt and I are the only ones answering you so far. Your question isn't difficult or uncommon. Replacing a handle on an instrument case is a routine repair. You can have it done at a luggage repair shop, or by most Luthiers, or you can easily do it yourself.

Replacement handles are available from many sources online. Guitar parts suppliers will carry some common styles, and other companies specialize in Case Hardware. Search around to find one that you like best. That Mosrite case probably had the same black plastic handle that almost all instrument cases of that age had.

This one from Stew-Mac will probably fit. It's a universal classic instrument case handle, made to replace broken handles on old cases. But check the dimensions to be sure. Many others available.

Case Handle - StewMac

The handle's brackets are mounted to the case by rivets; soft hollow rivets that are crimped in place. To remove them, drill straight through them from the outside with a bit the same diameter as the rivet shank. Those look to be 3/16 from here, but check.

To be authentic, you can attach the new handle with the same style of rivets. You can squash them in place with a small C-clamp and a couple of chunks of metal.

If you aren't as concerned about looking authentic, you can use pop-rivets. From the outside, with a washer on the inside.

Or, you can even bolt the new handle on with small pan-head machine screws and washers and locking nuts on the inside. That'll work fine too.

If you don't want to mess with the existing brackets, you can also make up a new handle from wood or metal or plastic that fits onto the existing brackets. Not a difficult project.

 

[EveryMann]

Thanks Matt & Bruce--

If I am understanding correctly, I will be able to remove the small 3/4" steel rivet-bar between each bracket, which will allow me to keep the current brackets? By contrast, the 1960s Fender case underneath the brown Mosrite case in question does not have this option.

Thanks once again...

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Just to be clear, I and I believe @Bruce Johnson are talking about the rivet that holds the handle on the case, circled in yellow. If you’re talking about the other piece, circled in red, you should just be able to cut or grind one or both peened over heads off of that bar and remove it.

As a side note, the other case should, in fact, have the same type of set up, the screws or rivet heads are just fully concealed inside the case under the lining.

 

[EveryMann]

Thanks Matt--

I appreciate the clarification. In a perfect world, I would like to take a dremel tool/small grinder and remove just enough of the mushroomed end of the pin (circled in red) in order to slide it out. Once the new handle is in, I would like to then put the pin back, and "re-mushroom" the end with a C-clamp or a ball peen hammer. Is this in fact do-able? I would like to keep the original brackets on there if at all possible.

As a side note, I have googled Mosrite alligator cases to find a picture of the original plastic handle. Nearly all the cases that come up have their handles missing just like mine, so it would appear the cheapie plastic handle that Semie opted for was not a great idea. Thus I will go with a steel-reinforced handle.

Thanks yet again for your advice.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Thanks Matt--

I appreciate the clarification. In a perfect world, I would like to take a dremel tool/small grinder and remove just enough of the mushroomed end of the pin (circled in red) in order to slide it out. Once the new handle is in, I would like to then put the pin back, and "re-mushroom" the end with a C-clamp or a ball peen hammer. Is this in fact do-able? I would like to keep the original brackets on there if at all possible.

As a side note, I have googled Mosrite alligator cases to find a picture of the original plastic handle. Nearly all the cases that come up have their handles missing just like mine, so it would appear the cheapie plastic handle that Semie opted for was not a great idea. Thus I will go with a steel-reinforced handle.

Thanks yet again for your advice.

There probably is a way to do that. I don’t do enough of that kind of metal work anymore though. My first thought is if you could carefully grind or pry up just the edge where the pin is larger then the hole in the bracket and pull the pin back through and maybe bend the arm on the bracket a little if needed. Then you’d hopefully have enough material left to peen the end of the pin over again.

@Bruce Johnson or one of the other guys may have a better idea.

 

[Geri O]

Thanks Matt--

I appreciate the clarification. In a perfect world, I would like to take a dremel tool/small grinder and remove just enough of the mushroomed end of the pin (circled in red) in order to slide it out. Once the new handle is in, I would like to then put the pin back, and "re-mushroom" the end with a C-clamp or a ball peen hammer. Is this in fact do-able? I would like to keep the original brackets on there if at all possible.

I would be afraid of the original pin being weakened and unreliable if removed as you described and reused. (a little bit of experience there.....)

I like Bruce's idea of a small screw with a locknut and washer on the backside. I'd use a Dremel to cut off the excess screw on the backside and pad that area somehow to avoid the remaining nut scratching the instrument inside. I repaired my father's trumpet case many years ago in this manner when I replaced the complete handle on his Olds trumpet case that has to be nearly 70 years old now. Mom gave that horn to me when we lost Dad and I still have the horn and the case. With the handle still holding...(sorry for the sentimental detour...).

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Yes, you can do that too: Leave the original brackets on the case and knock out the pivot pins. Grind off the ends and pull them out. Buy a replacement handle like that Stew-Mac one. Pull out its pivot pins the same way, and discard its brackets. Mount the new handle in the old brackets with new pins.

The pivot pins are just long clinch rivets with the end peened over. Or, you can use a small machine screw, washer and locking nut.

 

[fhm555]

Find a piece of brass tubing in the brass assortment at your local hobby shop that is the same OD as the tubes you want to replace, cut them an RCH long on both ends. Grind the ends of your existing pins and remove them. Hold your handle in place and push the new pins through until the overhang is even on both sides. Next, take a couple of small steel balls and a C clamp and flare the ends of the tube on both ends of each new pin. If you can't find an exact match for the pins, get the next largest size then ream your bracket holes (and maybe your handle holes) to accept the new pins.

 

[EveryMann]

I should have realized my limitations here.

I successfully removed the axle pins with just a needle nose; I figured I was home free. Getting ready to put the new/old handle into place and re-peen the axle pin heads, I thought I would "adjust" each of the two slightly-bent bracket tabs in a dour moment so they were exactly perpendicular to the case. Guess what happened?

Like an idiot, I snapped one of the tabs off.

Is there any recourse at this point, or is my only option at this juncture to take the case to a luggage repair place, have them rip the lining from the inner edge of the case so as to access the handle rivets, and replace the entire handle assembly with a new repro?

I'm usually a laid-back person, but even 45 minutes after it happened now, I'm trying to resist the urge of throwing heavy objects against the wall. The tan color perfectly matches the case ends, too.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

I should have realized my limitations here.

I successfully removed the axle pins with just a needle nose; I figured I was home free. Getting ready to put the new/old handle into place and re-peen the axle pin heads, I thought I would "adjust" each of the two slightly-bent bracket tabs in a dour moment so they were exactly perpendicular to the case. Guess what happened?

Like an idiot, I snapped one of the tabs off.

Is there any recourse at this point, or is my only option at this juncture to take the case to a luggage repair place, have them rip the lining from the inner edge of the case so as to access the handle rivets, and replace the entire handle assembly with a new repro?

I'm usually a laid-back person, but even 45 minutes after it happened now, I'm trying to resist the urge of throwing heavy objects against the wall. The tan color perfectly matches the case ends, too.

View attachment 4846529

Well, the simplest thing now would be to put on a whole new replacement handle assembly.

But you could look for a replacement handle that has brass brackets similar in appearance to your originals. Swap those brackets onto the case, with that cool old red leather handle. Let the brass brackets tarnish and age, and they'll match the decor.