 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2003-01-08 04:37
Some time ago I posted a page on how to make a nice but very inexpensive case. <a href="http://pages.sbcglobal.net/thorlick/case/">Click here to go to my inexpensive case instruction page.</a> I hinted I was about to build a new case for my horns. I finished this case yesterday and have posted a page which will show you how to do it.
<font size="4"><a href="http://pages.sbcglobal.net/thorlick/case/index2.htm">Click here to go to my custom case page.</a></font>
If you are after a really nice case to fit a standard horn, I suggest you just go buy one. If you have an unusual need as I did you can sell your car and get a custom case, or do as I have done. Following these simple directions will give you a nice functional case which will actually protect your clarinets better than a purchased stock or custom case will. It will not be really inexpensive, but should cost about what a so-so standard case would retail for.
Terry
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Author: David Stringer
Date: 2003-01-08 12:48
Hi Terry,
I admit that I read your account quickly... did you have to make an allowance for the extra thickness of the velvet? It looks like you did a snug fit with the plastic wrap in place, then did the velvet. As you form the velvet into the cut foam, doesn't it sort of have to pleat? Don't the resulting wrinkles take a lot of extra space in the cut-outs?
Adding the velvet has always been the thing that made me figure I would ruin my first attempt completely!
David
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2003-01-08 14:02
David,
The beauty of this technique is that you can pull it out and try again with no damage. You do not need to allow for the thickness of the velvet liner. Notice that to go about 8" to hold the clarinets I used about 24" of velvet with the excess tucked in about 6" all the way around.
The springyness of the foam holds the instrument in place. If you feel it is too tight then pull the lining out and trim where it is too tight and then stuff the lining back in. If it is too loose just glue in a little of the foam scraps you have created.
This is my second case, this technique made the "inexpensive" case look impressive also. This is really simple, anyone with the coordination to play clarinet can handle this.
If you are still worried then I suggest you get a chunk of foam, a piece of velvet, and a cardboard box. Cut the foam to fit the box. Cut the foam to fit the clarinet. Tuck the velvet in. Insert the clarinet. How does it look? Easy enough? If you are now commfortable then go make your case. If not you have a nice shipping case... I'll give you my address so you can mail me that clarinet in the box.
Do I get my Martha Stewart award?
Terry
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2003-01-08 14:05
David,
I forgot to mention that when you get to doing the real case, divide all the hard flat pieces into small parts like I did. Then spread your tacky glue thinly and evenly and then stretch the velvet smoothly in place until it looks nice. If you mess up just pull it off before the glue sets and re do the piece. You have about a minute of working time with each piece, which is adequate. When the pieces look good then add them to the case.
Terry
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2003-01-08 16:14
Terry,
Awesome. Forget Martha Stewart - you did this without insider trading.
I built a custom case a couple of years ago for A/Bb/C combination, from an industrial case ($79) using high-density mattress foam from a local bedding store. I got two layers of foam - 1" in the bottom and 2" above it for the cut-out portion. It can be cut with a long Xacto blade, but after I was done a friend recommended using an electric carving knife to cut the foam evenly. I got an electric carving knife for $3 at a garage sale this summer - for the next iteration of this case.
Where do you get your velvet? The stuff I saw in local fabric stores was pretty cheesy.
Regards,
Ralph
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Author: donald nicholls
Date: 2003-01-08 17:07
kia ora
although not quite in the same league here are two other "DIY" case options....
- a plastic tube, depending on size of tube you insert the clarinet (set up) with bell on or off... first wrap the clarinet in a foam sheet. Then put "stopers" in either end. A shop for art/drafting supplies will have various size tubes and stoppers.
I have only ever used this for an E flat Clarinet- and it worked/s quite well (the eefer barrel and mouthpiece are stored separately). I guess that it might not be good for long term use if you were unhappy about leaving your instrument set up for long periods. When travelling you can usually get the plastic tube on the plane as well as your other hand luggage (in my case usually a pair of clarinets...).
- a plastic box or tupawhere (sp?) container... dissasemble the clarinet and wrap joints in foam sheet, the whole thing will fit into a laptop bag. This is a good temporary way to carry a clarinet while saving space for airline handluggage reasons. I can save heaps of space (and weight- important if you have to carry luggage around for hours on stopovers etc) doing this. Barrel/Mouthpiece/Bells go into various side pockets (wrap bells in a sock). It takes longer to set up your clarinets out of this case and it's certainly less practical for everyday use, but very practical for travelling- my double case is large and much heavier.
both "travelling cases" rather than for every day use (though the eefer refered to has been living in the tube for several years now)
see you later
donald
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Author: brenda siewert
Date: 2003-02-11 15:37
I have this same set up and have used a Bam case for the Bb to make it lighter to carry both cases. Then I use a rolling backpack for the two.
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