 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-02-06 20:20
I have been wanting to treat myself to a nice reed case for a year or so. I remembered Ben Redwine (at least I THINK it was Ben) posting about the very fine cases made by Roger Garrett, so I looked up his website and checked them out.
Roger makes high quality reed cases to order for single- and\double-reed players. He will make them out of the wood of your choice, and will quote you a price based on the type of wood you want him to use. I had originally thought a case made of cocobollo would be nice, but he didn't have any in stock, and would ahve had to special order some to make the case for me, so I decided on spalted maple, instead. I got the case this week (the turnaround time from the time I placed the order was pretty quick!) and started using the case that day. It's very well made and absolutely beautiful to look at! The only (very minor) gripe ai have is that it won't fit in the interior of my ProTec Carry-all case, so I have to house it in the exterior pouch, instead. It's about 1/4" or so too wide to allow the case to close securely, and I don't ewant to strain the zipper closure on the clarinet case.
If anyone is in the market for a well-made and beautiful reed case, I can heartily recommend Roger's product. They are a joy to behold. Here is a link to his main page: http://www.garrettmusicproducts.com/Reed%20Cases.html
The usual disclaimers apply; I am in no way affiliated with Mr. Garrett, and have no financial relationship with him. I am simply a very satisfied customer.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2010-02-07 13:54
I find the case to be too large as the reeds are only on one side. On my Steuer reed case for 12 reeds the two halves folds so it take up less space in my clarinet case.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2010-02-07 16:18
Good price. They look like a great bargain and well designed and made. While this style of reed case is larger, on the other hand you can see and access all the reeds at once. It depends on what you like.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-02-07 23:28
Next time I get some time alone in the Photo Studio at work, I will try to take some shots of the spalted maple case Roger made for me. When I do, I'll post them online.
Jeff
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2010-02-07 23:42
If I were to have this style of reed case I would rather have two 6 reed cases than one 12 reed case. Then I could say have the best reeds in one and those that are being broken in and maybe those that are getting old in the other.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-02-07 23:44
As long as you have a system for where you place the reeds, I would think that you could work around that. In any case (pun intended!), since Roger's work is all custom, I don't see why you couldn't ask him to make smaller cases to accommodate your desires.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2010-02-07 23:44)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-02-08 12:50
Don't forget to mention he makes batons and .................PENS!!!!
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Bobby McClellan
Date: 2010-02-10 04:20
I have 2 of Roger's cases (bass clarinet and Contra Clarinet) and absolutely love them. Like other have said they are alittle large. He will custom make them if I remember correctly. I am wanting to get the Spaulted Maple Case for Bb. I would love to see how it looks.
I do they they are worth a look for the price.
Just my 2cents also.
Bobby
Bobby M. McClellan
Flowood, MS
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Author: RogerGarrett
Date: 2010-02-12 17:01
Thanks Jeff for posting your reaction to the case. To respond to a few thoughts......
The case is designed after those I used in college. I never knew who made them, but they were very inexpensive with a push button catch. Plexiglass inside, and they held 11 reeds. Same dimensions. The case had a fake leather wrap over hardboard, and I assume that they were less expensive to produce than wood cases - and less time consuming - you glued pieces together rather than start with a piece of attractive wood an mill it to specs, route it, then assemble and finish.
Anyway - I CAN make reed cases of different sizes. At the website you will see a picture of a three reed tenor sax reed case made of oak - (would also work for bass clarinet or even clarinet) that was special ordered by a person last year. A 6 reed case design wouldn't be difficult. I would simply have to create a new template for my current jig and use spacer blocks to fill in the extra gaps when routing - but the case would be the same basic style.
Keep in mind - I didn't make these for small instrument cases, large instrument cases, etc. I made them to function in a way I like them to - with at least 10-12 reeds available at a time, and they fit in the outer zipper pocket of my double reed case. I keep a couple on my table at school so that I am always moving reeds in and out of them.
They are wood cases - designed to look nice and function as a transport/storage device. That's about it.
Lots of reed cases on the market - this is just a choice.
By the way - I've been experimenting in mixed wood cases - spalted maple with rosewood or grenadilla edging, paduk with wenge edging. Very pretty. They are a nice choice because they don't cost any more than any other exotic wood used - despite the glue up time. I can use smaller pieces to make a full size reed case.
Anyway - thanks again Jeff for posting.
Best wishes,
Roger Garrett
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Author: RogerGarrett
Date: 2010-02-12 17:06
deleted because of accidentally double posting. Sorry!
Post Edited (2010-02-12 17:09)
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Author: Philcoman
Date: 2010-02-12 17:08
Personally, if I got a reed case *that* nice I'd buy a new gig bag just to accomodate it!
Of course, I'll buy new clarinet stuff at the drop of a hat. When my wife isn't looking...
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