Klarinet Archive - Posting 000109.txt from 2008/07
From: "David Kumpf" <dkumpf@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Bam double Trekking case review
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:39:20 -0400
Someone posted on the BBoard regarding a question on Bam cases. Having
just hauled my double trekking case around ClarinetFest, I replied with
a review. I'm posting it here as well, in case anyone is considering
such a case; that way, it will be in the Klarinet archives as well. I
invite any feedback or questions about the case.
--------
Well, I just got back from ClarinetFest, where I carried around my Bam
Trekking double case.
I got the case because both my new Selmer Bb and A's came in single
cases. Weird, but that's what happened. When the Bam case arrived, my
reaction was "well, that's much bulkier than I thought it would be". As
in - I wasn't sure that the Bam case was going to be the solution. (My
old clarinets are in a double pochette case inside an Altieri bag, so
that's my reference.)
But there is a lot behind that bulk. In particular, the foam padding
inside is dense and deep, and hold the pieces pretty securely. (I say
"pretty securely" because tightness of barrel fit in the case will
depend on barrel length and design.)
There is room for two barrels per instrument. Only one mouthpiece slot
but the storage tray can fit extras. As it is, I have a 2nd mouthpiece,
reed cases, swab, cork grease tub, and pencils in the tray without a
problem.
The external sheet music pocket (on top) is plenty large. I had a few
books in there plus music folder for the clarinet choir, and was able to
fit in other books I bought at fest, plus the program guide, without any
problem.
The back pocket has a double-zip arrangement. That is, there is an
external zipper which yields an expanding nylon pocket (full size of the
case) with a 2nd zipper. Threw more stuff in the back when it was
needed, carried my metronome back there, and so on.
The case has top and side handles and a single shoulder strap, plus
backpack straps that tuck away hidden into another pocket when not
needed. I used the shoulder strap in moving through airports but
switched to the backpack straps in walking back and forth from the hotel
to the university at ClarinetFest. It's pretty comfortable on the back;
this would be affected if you had odd-shaped pieces inside the back
pocket, though.
Overall, I like the case better than I thought I would. It's really not
heavy at all. Certainly lighter than my computer briefcase. A couple of
additional pros and cons:
Pros
1. No worries about damage to the instrument inside this case. Bam did
an excellent job of surrounding the instrument with foam and velvet.=20
2. I got caught in the rain walking back to the hotel. Everything inside
the case remained dry.
3. The case allows complete disassembly of the instrument, i.e. bells do
not stay attached to the lower joint.
Cons
1. The double case doesn't balance quite so nicely in an open position
on one's lap while assembling or disassembling an instrument. This is
pretty annoying, really, but I don't think I would ditch the case on
this factor.
2. There are a couple pieces of thin nylon (taffeta or similar) that are
used in the case. One is in the back pocket mentioned above. Another is
in a short internal strap that keeps the case lid from opening more than
90 degrees from the bottom. Both have been snagged by the zippers, and
it required some irritating fiddling to get the zippers unstuck. This
can be avoided just by being careful not to rush when zipping or
unzipping the case or pockets.
While I sniffed around ClarinetFest for a potential pochette case (to
use with my Altieri bag), I really didn't see anything useful - and some
of the alternatives are really expensive - just as much as the Bam case
or more Also, the pouchettes usually have more limited storage - you
HAVE to have a bag - and require that the bell stay on the lower joint,
which is not as nice in terms of helping that joint to dry out.
I remarked to a friend that it would be interesting to see the camera
bag manufacturers - LowePro, Tamrac, etc. - get into this business.
They're used to designing flexible solutions to carrying precision
instruments, so it would be nice to see what they cooked up for the
musical instrument world. (For what it's worth, the search for the
perfect bag drives photographers nuts - most have several.)
Hope this helps.=20
Dave Kumpf
dkumpf@-----.com
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