 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-03-20 10:49
I have a Selmer bass clarinet to low C (bought in '86) and I love the horn but REALLY hate the case. None of the pieces really fit securely in it nor is there any place for the neck and mouthpieces other than in this big open compartment. It really isn't good for the parts to be jiggled around that severely!
Has anyone bought a replacement case lately that filled these needs?
Eefer guy
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2006-03-20 11:13
I've been using a BAM Trekking case for the past 10+ years. It's been to Europe and Asia (and all around the US) and still looks like new! I paid about $300 for it at Roberto's in New York back then -- the price has gone up a bit since then but well worth it! The case comes with a shoulder strap and knapsack straps (which I've never used), also a "raincoat". There are nicely designed compartments inside for all the instrument's parts; also exterior pouches for music etc. -- also a small exterior zipper pocket that's just right for a small camera case in which I keep the reeds, cork grease, screwdriver, reed clipper, plaque and rush that I take on stage for emergencies.
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Author: crnichols
Date: 2006-03-20 11:55
The Wiseman cases are also outstanding. They also offer an external pouch for music and a detachable exterior pouch for tools. A unique bonus for the orchestral player who plays soprano clarinets often, the case has room for Bb and A clarinets as well. It carries a lifetime warranty for repairs, so this is the last case you'll ever need to buy.
Christopher Nichols
1st Infantry Division Band
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-03-20 12:00
> lifetime warranty
What is lifetime warranty? Some say "as long as the manufacturer lives", some other say "as long as the buyer lives" while company lawyers say "usually five years or till withdrawal from marketing".
I know this is not strictly clarinet related, but it isn't strictly unrelated either. ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
--
Ben
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-03-20 12:13
With the Wiseman you have to ship it to England for repairs. Also, it is pretty difficult to actually put a bass plus two soprano clarinets in the case. Just a bass and one soprano clarinet works good so it does help.
Is the Bam case the same as the case the new Buffet basses come with? If it is then I would recommend it since it is very good. The Wiseman is even better but very expensive.
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-03-20 12:19
Thank you so much for your suggestions! They all sound much better than the Selmer case supplied with the horn.
Why you make such an expensive (and great) instrument and put it in such a crappy case? I understand the newer Selmers do have a better case than this one I bought in '86 but I'm going to keep this horn as the sound on it is HUGE. Projects beautifully in the orchestra, where so many do not.
Eefer guy
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2006-03-20 12:37
clarnibass wrote:
> With the Wiseman you have to ship it to England for repairs.
> Also, it is pretty difficult to actually put a bass plus two
> soprano clarinets in the case. Just a bass and one soprano
> clarinet works good so it does help.
My bass-playing buddy with the Dallas Opera puts a bass + 3 sopranos (clarinets, not singers or mafia wiseguys) in his Wiseman without difficulty (A, Bb, and C or Eb). Did you have Wiseman design yours for the bass + 2 sopranos?
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Author: Merlin
Date: 2006-03-20 12:50
The current Buffet bass case is by Winter, I believe. It's definitely not a BAM case. I don't think that much of it, since I've seen broken latches on them new.
The Wiseman case is great, but REALLY expensive. The BAM case is terrific, and also pricey, but more affordable.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-03-20 12:52
Mark, mine is the model A which you can see on the website, which is the bass + 2 sopranos if I understand correct.
I personally almost never need more than bass + Bb but I have a lot of things to put in the case so with one soprano it is already a little crowded.
My Bb has two barrels, and the bass bell doesn't fit into the case with the peg or even the screw (the Buffet has a big plastic screw) attached, so they take some of the space in the soprano clarinets part too. Plus 2 swabs, and 2 or 3 boxes of reeds and some other small things.
Can you please give me your friend's email, I will ask him how he arranges the clarinets in the case? I can't see how I would be able to fit bass + 3 sops in there.
Post Edited (2006-03-20 12:54)
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Author: CJB
Date: 2006-03-20 12:55
I have the standard Wiseman case. I find it holds the bass and either Bb and A or Eb and Bb easily. The only issue I have with it is weight but that level of protection doesn't come light and once it is on my back I can carry it comfortably. (I have walked upto 1.5 miles at a time with it a few times and only suffered from slightly aching shoulders the following day)
When I spoke to Mr Wiseman when checking it would hold the Yamaha low C bass ok he assured me that the lifetime warrenty related to his lifetime - but that he intended to be around for a long time to come.
Yes it is an expensive case but when you consider the value of the instruments it protects and the inconvenience of carrying multiple cases.
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Author: Katherine Handcock
Date: 2006-03-20 17:34
Regarding the Wiseman case--there are two versions, tubular A, which fits the bass and one soprano (two if you keep no other accessories in the case); and tubular B, which fits the bass and two sopranos (three if you keep no other accessories in the case.) Tubular B is longer to accomodate the additional instrument. There are some good, much clearer pictures on the newest version of his website, www.wisemancases.com. Hope this helps!
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-03-20 18:05
Katherine, have you actually checked this yourself by comparing the two models, or just by the pictures on the website?
Do you mean to put some parts of the clarinets (barrels, mouthpieces) in the extra space of the B model? I don't know about putting them in that space where they can move around too much....
Even if you put the mouthpiece(s) and barrels in the extra space, the paded rows for instruments are exactly the same length on the A and B models.
I will ask and will get an answer from someone that actually got three sops and bass in there. Will report back.
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Author: Katherine Handcock
Date: 2006-03-21 20:54
Hi again,
I don't have one of these cases myself, but a friend of mine does; I think this picture best shows how you would get the fit:
http://www.wisemancases.com/bassclarinet_pics/l_b_3.jpg
The two joints of each instrument in each section (where the flute, picc/associated parts, and clarinet are in the image); barrels/mouthpiece (he only used one mouthpiece and one barrel for both A and B-flat) wrapped in cloth in the accessories compartment; C/E-flat bell on the instrument, A and B-flat bells tucked in various nooks and crannies. I think the accessories compartment in the Wiseman B is what makes the difference, because it provides space for the barrels and mouthpieces.
Now, I will say that I don't think I'd want to transport my instruments that way for a long stretch of time; I was never completely comfortable with the way the barrels and mouthpieces fit, or the way that the instruments lie against each other in the two halves. But if you normally only need B-flat/A, and have the occasional gig with a third soprano, it can work. Myself, I opted to keep my Buffet bass in the Bam trekking it came in, and get separate B-flat/A and E-flat cases. Sure, when I need all four, I look like I'm fleeing the country with all my worldly possessions, but it feels safer for the instruments. Besides, I have a very patient husband who helps me lug my horns from place to place ;-)
If the person you contact uses a different placement to fit the three, let me know; I'll pass the info on to my friend so he can try it instead.
Thanks!
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2006-03-23 12:01
Another (much cheaper) option is to modify the original case. I did that with the case for my Selmer alto clarinet, which had the same problems you describe with the bass case. My main beef with that case was that the bell rattled around in a space much too large for it, and there was no separate compartment for the neck or mouthpiece. Leaving those parts loose in the lidded compartment risked damage.
By coincidence, I'd recently purchased an empty, small Bundy case at a flea market for $2. I bought the case to modify it for an early 20th century Albert system Bb clarinet that came with no case. (That keywork doesn't fit into modern cases.) The black plush lining had deteriorated in the lower part of that case, but the lining in the top was in excellent condition. I re-lined the whole case with new fabric after modifying it, but saved the black lining from the top, because it matched the lining in my Selmer alto case.
Using heavy, bookbinder's cardboard and foam (for seat cushions), I fabricated a new section in the alto clarinet case for the neck, next to the narrow end of the bell. Adding the padded compartment for the neck also secures the bell so that it no longer flops from side to side. The parts compartment in that case had been crowded, but with the neck out of there, I had room to add a heavily-padded bag for the mouthpiece. Covering the new construction with the black plush from the Bundy case lid disguises the modification completely.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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