Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags?

Posted by: tfabris

Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 06/10/2007 22:54

Imagine something very close to the same size and shape as the current Empeg bag. But with the following differences:

- High quality textured leather - Really thick sturdy stuff.
- Empeg slides in from a clasp closure on top, instead of the current zip-around design. (Think of a binocular bag, and you've got the basic idea.)
- A bit more room in the accessory pocket.
- Memory-foam padding. (Padding can be designed to fit Mk1 or Mk2.)
- Optional shoulder strap, or just a handle.
- Optional color choice: Brown or Black. (Or just about any color you like for a bit extra.)

My girlfriend makes high quality leather purses and other similar items. We're currently building me an empeg bag with those specs. She's cutting the leather for the prototype now.

Based on materials and time, we'd probably have to charge about $150 US, but they would be AWESOME. And they'd last longer than the nylon bags. (I'm on my second nylon bag at the moment.)

Anyone be interested in one?

Trying to gauge how many she might be able to sell.

Pictures of the prototype to come when it's done...
Posted by: caseyse

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 07/10/2007 01:08

They sound very nice. I would be interested, if available.
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 07/10/2007 01:14

Excellent!

The work on the bag continues, the initial results are quite promising. Quite luxurious, in fact.

Pictures soon.
Posted by: spider

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 07/10/2007 06:40

"its not a purse, its European!"

sorry, I couldn't resist!
Posted by: julf

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 07/10/2007 10:53

Definitely interested. Can she color match the leather to the car interior?
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 07/10/2007 17:43

Sure! Within reason, of course... Hard to color match *exactly* without having the real car physically present, plus there are limits to the available leather colors, but we can certainly try. Probably will cost a bit extra, though, because it means another trip to the leather supplier. (We got a large quantity of brown and black, assuming they'd be the primary choices.) If you're lucky, it might be something she already has on-hand and she can just do it with existing materials, then it wouldn't be extra.

What color are we talking about? Have you got photos?
Posted by: LittleBlueThing

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 08/10/2007 14:27

Sounds interesting....

I'm thinking light grey to match the car.

Pics are good - especially whilst she's working on it
Posted by: julf

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 08/10/2007 15:46

Quote:
What color are we talking about? Have you got photos?

In my case, a reddish brown ("burgundy"). I'm sure there are pics of the Morgan somewhere...
Posted by: andy

Tuscans - 08/10/2007 19:17

Quote:

I'm thinking light grey to match the car.



...which reminds me, my 1000 mile drive in the Tuscan was stunning, so now the search is on to find a 2005/2006 Tuscan 2 Convertible in an inoffensive colour scheme
Posted by: frog51

Re: Tuscans - 08/10/2007 20:22

Does that mean one colour, or the usual 3-colour mix option?

:-)
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 08/10/2007 21:42

Dark red and light gray leather may both be possible. We will have to check with the leather supplier once we've made some bags with our existing stock of brown and black.

Ran into a technical issue with the construction of the prototype last night, we're working on making it better. More reports as things happen.
Posted by: schofiel

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 08/10/2007 22:04

Yup, think I'd be up for one!
Posted by: andy

Re: Tuscans - 09/10/2007 02:58

Quote:
Does that mean one colour, or the usual 3-colour mix option?



I can't imagine finding any of the three colour mixes acceptable. However the car we hired was a two colour mix, with two different dark greens. That actually worked quite well.

There also seem to be far to many cars with very light interior colours, ideally I want an almost totally black interior.

Add to that the fact that there are only 80 or so Tuscan 2 Convertibles with the right spec (i.e. not an "S" and with the later "curvy" dash") and it looks like it will be a long search.
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 09/10/2007 03:21

Awesome, Rob.

I'm excited about this project. Hope that doesn't jinx it!
Posted by: andy

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 09/10/2007 03:40

This is great news, I'll probably be interested in one or two.
Posted by: FireFox31

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 16/10/2007 00:44

Quote:
(Or just about any color you like for a bit extra.)

Can we do it Maybach style where I have my private jet flown to you for leather matching the seats, only to fly it off moments later? Except, I have no private jet.

Realistically, what will the interior be? Leather also? Or something more durable against those harsh 1mm steel edges? Or maybe crush red velvet!
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 16/10/2007 16:51

Our goal is to have the interior be either a durable suede lining on some surfaces, and on other surfaces it will be the inner surface of the leather (the soft fuzzy side of the leather). We're still poking at the design and trying prototypes to come up with something that works the best.

Durability is an important goal for us as we design this, it's one of our primary concerns.

Warm up that jet.
Posted by: Taym

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 16/10/2007 20:19

Ok, I'd be interested too No need to say, I can't wait to see pics of some prototype

Thaks to you both, Tony.
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 17/10/2007 19:21

Excellent. We are still working on getting a good prototype. Found a good solution to one construction issue recently. More to come.
Posted by: rob

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 19/10/2007 12:10

Without meaning to hijack the thread, I wonder what happened to the one and only leather carry case we made... perhaps Hugo has it?

We didn't go into production due to the "European Man Bag" aspect.

Rob
Posted by: Schido

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 19/10/2007 13:13

"How very dare you"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hfZqbZtT6E
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 03/11/2007 19:14

Update: Second prototype made. Still awesome, but still not quite ready for photos yet. Final details getting worked out. More to come, watch this space.
Posted by: FireFox31

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 04/11/2007 17:54

Quote:
soft fuzzy side

Mmm, soft... fuzzy... side.

Would static be a concern? Honestly, is static EVER a concern? I work on my PC on my carpeted bedroom floor wearing socks and it's never bothered me.
Posted by: tman

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 04/11/2007 18:49

Quote:
Honestly, is static EVER a concern? I work on my PC on my carpeted bedroom floor wearing socks and it's never bothered me.

Yes. You might not kill it straight away but you will still be damaging it.
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 04/11/2007 23:58

Static wouldn't be a concern for a leather bag for the empeg I dont think.
Posted by: Charles Beer

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 05/11/2007 07:42

longtime lurker here but i'd defintely be interested in 2.

I been using my empeg just in my office but now I'm getting ready to install my spare unit in a car finally. For the 1st time in 4 yrs of ownership I'll actually be using the Riocar ... in a car..
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 06/05/2008 16:55

Update: Final (third) prototype completed, looks great.

I have been living with the second prototype for a few months and it's working excellent. There were some specific things we discovered about the long-term live test with the second prototype that we've incorporated into the final design. I'm very happy with the final design. It fits Mk1 and Mk2 players equally, the player is nice and snug inside the padded case, yet it's fairly easy to get in and out of the case with one hand once you get the hang of it.

We're working on getting pictures up, and her web site will be linked from this thread as soon as she's ready to start taking orders.

We're planning on offering a few options for the bag. The clasp hardware can be either black or chrome, and there will be optional d-rings on the side for a detachable shoulder strap. The color options will most likely be as I described above: Brown or black for the base price, and and extra (not sure how much extra yet) if you want a custom leather color.

For those who are thinking of getting a custom leather color to match their upholstery, please keep in mind that the place it's going to be most visible is when you're *carrying* it. So matching the car's upholstery, while clever, might not be what you truly want.

One thing: Remember that she's going to be making these things as you order them, so there will be a lag time between the placement of the order and the time it gets shipped. But her work is pretty awesome and it's worth the wait.
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 06/05/2008 17:00


Oh, also, what should we call it?

Her ideas are:
Embag
Ec^2 or Emc^2 (for Empeg carrying case)
or just call it what it is: Empeg Carrying Case?

I'm partial to embag, myself...
Posted by: JBjorgen

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 06/05/2008 17:23

We could call it the Fabris Empeg CArrying Luggage, or FECAL for short. smile
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 06/05/2008 17:42

Hm. Susan's leather-bag company is Bansai8 Creations (laugh while you can monkey boy), and her last name is Lanphere, so it could be...

LECH (Lanphere Empeg Carrying Hardware)
BEST (Bansai Empeg Support Transporter)
BET (Bansai Empeg Transport)

smile
Posted by: JBjorgen

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 06/05/2008 17:47

Is the price point still around $150?
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 06/05/2008 18:11

Final decision not made yet, but so far it seems likely that it will end up in that neighborhood, yes.
Posted by: tman

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 06/05/2008 19:18

Originally Posted By: tfabris

Oh, also, what should we call it?

Her ideas are:
Embag
Ec^2 or Emc^2 (for Empeg carrying case)
or just call it what it is: Empeg Carrying Case?

I'm partial to embag, myself...

So long as its not man bag! laugh
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 06/05/2008 19:45

It's such the running joke that I think we COULD call it that...
Posted by: tman

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 06/05/2008 21:32

Nooooooooooooo
Posted by: Boelle

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 09/05/2008 09:26

Originally Posted By: tfabris
I'm partial to embag, myself...


i will vote for that too
Posted by: andy

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 09/05/2008 10:50

Bag of holding blush
Posted by: tman

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 09/05/2008 11:26

Originally Posted By: andy
Bag of holding blush

Just don't put one bag into another...
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 09/05/2008 14:04

I forget what was supposed to happen if you did that. Was the DM supposed to make it explode, losing all your items, or something?
Posted by: andy

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 09/05/2008 15:01

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bag_of_holding
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 10/05/2008 21:13

Some pics of the new embag for you all.

Bag is shown with a Mk1 player, but it will fit a Mk2 player equally well.

The padding pictured inside the bag is memory foam with a light blue suede covering it for durability.

Bag is shown with black plastic clasp, but a nickel-plated clasp is also available.

Bag is shown with only the single carrying handle. But for a small extra charge, it will have D-rings on the sides and include a detachable shoulder strap.

Susan is leaving town for a couple of weeks and won't be ready to start assembling bags until she gets back. So she won't be taking orders just yet. I'll post here with a link to the sale page for the bag when she's ready to start taking orders.
Posted by: lectric

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 11/05/2008 04:39

I like Six Demon Bag.

Quote:
Jack Burton: What's that?
Egg Shen: Six demon bag.
Jack Burton: A six demon bag. Sensational. What's in it Egg?
Egg Shen: Earth, wind, fire, all that kind of thing.
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 11/05/2008 05:14

heh. Only works if you've got some Earth Wind And Fire albums on your empeg. smile
Posted by: lectric

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 11/05/2008 12:58

You DON'T?!?!
Posted by: LittleBlueThing

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 11/05/2008 19:22

That's a yes from us too...

Light grey still sounds good smile
Doesn't need to be colour matched - as you say it'll be out of the car most of the time.

The other option is purple though... maybe not.

Nb 3rd version - shouldn't it be RioBag by now <grin>

I like Ec2 - plus it's easier to stitch an Ec2 logo in contrasting thread <hint>
Big lower case e (from empeg) small lowercase c and superscript 2?

Are you coming over for the 10th Tony?
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 11/05/2008 19:41

Not coming over for the 10th, I'm afraid. Wish I could.

Light gray: Noted. I think that color *is* available from the leather supplier. The amount of extra charge needed to do a custom color hasn't yet been decided, hopefully that will be quoted on the web site when she's ready to take orders.

Stitched logo: No plans to do that, specifically. Can't, really, leather's too thick to do fine logo stitching. Something like this is more like what would have to be done. The only thing is, those custom leather-stamping dies aren't cheap, and I'm not certain there's enough quantity of possible orders here to justify the cost of the die. Anyway, I much prefer the bag to be clean without a logo, although I'm sure others might prefer the logo...

Posted by: mlord

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 12/05/2008 11:35

Mmm... a woodburning/soldering iron could also be used to add a logo -- a possible DIY task for bag owners!
Posted by: Boelle

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 12/05/2008 20:45

i have seen howe they burnmark cows and horses... the same thing could be used for a logo, just be sure to hold down the bag so will not kick you :-)
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 12/05/2008 20:51

That's actually exactly how they put logos on leather, with a heated metal stamp and a lot of pressure.

Leather doesn't really kick that hard, so that's not much of a worry.
Posted by: LittleBlueThing

Re: Feeler: High quality leather empeg bags? - 14/05/2008 12:28

So who's going to be the first to mod their bag wink

I think I'll need a practise swatch with mine....