 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Robyn
Date: 2003-11-02 21:13
Hi all,
Here's my situation: I am a junior music performance major, so I play a lot, and I move my stuff around a lot. I am currently carrying my two Buffet R-13 clarinets in the Pro-Tec double clarinet case, but in the past year or so I have become very tired of lugging the big, heavy, ugly thing around. So I'm looking for a new case. I have seriously considered the BAM X-Light case, but would like to explore other options (90% of the time I am carrying my clarinets, I am also carrying a backpack, making the backpack case not so practical). I know that I will probably be carrying two bags, no matter what...one for the clarinets and one for my music and accessories. My stuff usually lives in a locker at our music building, but maybe once a week I need to carry it with me on the 15-20 minute walk to and from campus. So...
I'm looking for ideas. How do you carry your stuff?
Thanks so much,
Robyn
P.S. I am especially interested in hearing about anyone's experiences with the soft sided Yamaha double case.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2003-11-02 21:18
I use a pochette double case inside a Lands End attache. It holds tons of accessories and wears like iron. i have used this for years and am very happy with the set up.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-11-02 21:27
Pro-tec single case which contains far more than a womans handbag. I generally only carry one clarinet but I am often saddled with an alto or tenor sax and stand. I look upon it as exercise, it save paying for membership of a gym. I have two double cases, a selmer hard case which is heavy and only has a handle and the double case which comes with the Yamaha oehler systems which looks like a briefcase. There isn't any easy solution although pro-tec do make other lighter varities than the one you are using, BAM are also good.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-11-02 21:34
Camera bags are nice, and readily available secondhand.
I especially like the 'Domke' brand, in heavy canvas.
Get one slightly larger than the single Protec case, and everything will ride.
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2003-11-02 22:49
I have a BAM trekking, and it has room for music, an expandable section for books, as well as carrying 2 clarinet and your reeds/accessories. And it has 2 handles, one in the normal position, one at the top (so you can carry it long-ways in crowded situations), it has an optional shoulder strap, AS WELL AS becoming a backpack - the shoulder straps just fold out!
Even though this can get VERY VERY heavy, the backpack style is still better for your shoulders and spine than carrying uneven loads.
By the way, most people get the black... But between you and I, I think the blue is the nicest colour!
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Author: fmadison
Date: 2003-11-03 01:28
Hi,
I would recommend the Trekking Double Bam Case. I use a digital temperature gauge and humidy gauge. In Miami it keeps my Clarinets at 50% humidity at all times inside the case.
I found that of all the cases I owned Bam keeps my Clarinets at a good 70 degrees and 50% humidity at all times. This stable enviroment is perfect for storage and moving my Clarinets around.
The price is high but worth every penny when it comes to protecting your Clarinet from extreme changes. I like the backpack straps or the 2 handles on the case.
Please note that I live in a warm enviroment year round. So for the folks up North I would not recommend leaving your Clarinet overnight in a trunk during Winter. No mater which Clarinet case you use.
-Frank
It's the wood that makes it good!
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-11-03 02:00
Yamaha makes a double case out of a good computer bag. It's very light weight, durable, and doesn't look like an instrument case (good security feature for NYC). It sells for $100 here, and many of us use them and like them.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: William
Date: 2003-11-03 02:16
I have that Yamaha double case that JM referes to and use it frequently, but expecially when traveling by air. It hs plenty of room for extra mouthpieces and barrels, an outside pouch for concert size music, is small for carry on storage and has extra light shoulder weight for those long treks around O'Hare International. For most of my local gig'n, however, I just use a LeBlanc double case (that my Concerto A came with) inside an Altieri case cover. Medium heavy but compact and good protection for my instruments.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2003-11-03 04:04
JJM,
Do you have any more info on this Yamaha? I've not seen those yet.
FWIW, I use either my Buffet Pochette double case or my BAM XLight (single)case depending on the gig. When I was in school I used a Land's End attache for the Pochette. However, I do have a word of caution about that particular combination...In school, with repeated locker exits and entries, the Land's End bag DID wear out. It did last about 3 years Undergrad and one year grad though. The BAM XLight so far is the best case I've owned. Well, other than the need to have 2 mp slots...
Katrina
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Author: Robyn
Date: 2003-11-03 04:14
Thank you all for your suggestions (and to anyone else who would like to offer suggestions).
For those of you who have the BAM trekking cases, have you had any trouble with the case falling apart? I have heard stories in the past of the zippers falling apart, but perhaps the problem has been fixed?
I live in Eastern Washington state, so it gets pretty cold in the winter. The longest I would ever be carrying the case outside is the 15-20 minute walk home. Does the Yamaha case have enough protection for this brief stint in the cold?
Thanks again,
Robyn
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2003-11-03 05:21
Robyn,
Here's a link showing a pic of the Yamaha soft sided double case -
http://www.weinermusic.com/CASES/CLARINET/casesFrameSet2.html
It's just one of many accessed by typing in "Clarinet gig bags" in my search engine.
RT
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-11-03 13:20
"SOFT-SIDED CASES from Yamaha:
New soft sided cases combine the sporty looks and convenience of a gig bag with the protection and durability of a hard case. Featuring black Cordura covering, velvet-like plush interior, heavy-duty shoulder strap and large exterior pocket.
SSC-CLCPRO- Professional Double Clarinet Case CYSPRO $110.00
I think Weiner's here in NYC has them in stock, also try WWBW in the
mid-west, they must also carry the Yamaha cases.
Good luck,
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: William
Date: 2003-11-03 14:24
As the Yamaha softside double case is a converted laptop computor bag, there are a few small pockets and a large storage pouch inside. However, I have found that these are not suitable for clarinet equipement as anything stored in them may damage the keyorks of the instruments--so I leave them pretty much empty. There are compartments for an extra mouthpiece and two extra barrels and a small compartment for extra stuff as might be needed (screw driver, pencil, duct tape, etc) The outter pouch is large enough for concert size music, my Seiko tuner and Harrison reed cases. The case is secured by a wrap around zipper and offers reasonable instrument protection, although you would not want it to be tossed about or strongly bumped into. The big plus about this case, however (for me), is its light weight and small size, which makes it just about the perfect double clarinet case for airline travel or situations where you must carry your case long distances. There is a comfortable shoulder strap and handels which I do not use very much. I have seen ("live") most of the other soft style, lightweight cases (ProTech, Bam, etc) and I prefer this Yamaha for size, price and practicality. I got mine for about $110.00 in a Chicago suburban music shoppe.
And, if this might be of additional help to any of you computor geek clarinetists, when you remove the stick-on Yamaha label from the inside of this case, the name/logo "TECH Traveler............." appears.
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Author: FrankM
Date: 2003-11-03 15:24
JJM....you mentioned a computer bag as good camouflage for an instument.....I use an Altieri bag, and always thought it's resemblance to a lap top was a negative....I always thought a laptop was much more of a "hot" item than a clarinet...I hope you're correct, though !
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2003-11-03 20:42
Does anyone have the external dimensions of that Yamaha soft-sided? The Weiner site doesn't seem to list them.
Thanks,
Katrina
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Author: Robyn
Date: 2003-11-03 21:20
It's beginning to sound like the Yamaha case might be the one for me, but...
I would still really like to hear from someone who has personal experience with it in respect to the cold. The whole reason for wanting a lighter case is so I can carry it home occasionally, but I am concerned that my clarinets will get too cold if I take them outside in 30 degree weather for about 15 minutes.
Thanks again,
Robyn
P.S. I have seen one firsthand, so I remember what it looks like in terms of dimensions, but had I known I would soon be in the market for a new case, I would have paid closer attention.
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Author: Robyn
Date: 2003-11-03 21:32
Hmmmm.....
On second thought, the more I look at the pictures, the more I'm concerned about the protection of the Yamaha case. If someone can tell me about the temperature protection, that would be great, but, to go a different route, if you have any information about the durability of the BAM Trekking case, that would be really cool too. I've heard stories of them falling apart and am curious if the problem has been fixed or not.
Thank you for all your help. It is really nice to be able to hear first hand experiences, rather than just reading the blurb in the catalog.
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Author: tinminer
Date: 2003-11-04 09:13
Robyn, as Christmas is coming, why not put out hints about the sort of 'flight case with wheels and telecopic handle' that airline staff use.
Doesn't have to be over-bulky, but should hold your existing cases etc., will also double up for holidays, and has wheels - so you don't have to carry it all the time......... You may start a trend.
Regards, Alan.
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Author: David
Date: 2003-11-04 12:47
I wouldn't be too keen on a wheelie-bin. If your pavements are anything like ours, the rumbling will have pinged every spring and backed off every screw in no time.
I use the old school leaden Boosey & Hawkes double coffin, and a backpack for the amazing amount of crap everyone needlessly takes everywhere.
Everything you need is already out there. When was the last time B A Baracus got locked in a barn that didn't contain a V-8, welding gear, and enough sheet steel to make a tank?
Exactly.
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Author: Gretchen
Date: 2003-11-05 02:08
Robyn,
I use an Altieri bag which has a big area for your clarinet, reeds, metronome, stand, and more, and then a zipper compartment in the front for music and a small compartment for extra things like a reed knife or reed cases, etc. It has 2 back pack straps, (and an area to tuck the straps into, but can use that to carry music as well) and two handles on the side in case you want to carry it like a suitcase. it has padding all around so it's soft for the clarinet to rest in, and protects it from the cold. (I've had to wait for the bus for about 25 min. in the cold before, and the clarinet was just fine inside.) The Altieri bags are a little pricy but they are very worth it in the end since they are so durable, and carry EVERYTHING. I even went over night somewhere and could fit some clothes along with all of my clarinet stuff. (it was a bit heavy, but it's good exercise.) 
Hope this helps.
Gretchen
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Author: wyatt
Date: 2003-11-05 04:50
if someone wanted to rip you off I believe they would rather get a computer then a clarinet.
I had my horn on the front seat of my car and when i got back someone had busted in and now i have four more horns.
on a positive note i would get something with wheels if i had to carry all of the stuff you do.
peace
bob gardner}ÜJ
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-11-05 13:29
The pros that I associate with seem to favor the Altieri bags. Maybe a larger back pack and a Sherpa to carry it?
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Author: wyatt
Date: 2003-11-05 15:14
i talked to a guy at fest who had a Altieri bag, it was so big he could carry everything he owned in it. he loved it, just couldn't lift it.o
bob gardner}ÜJ
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-11-06 04:43
"if someone wanted to rip you off I believe they would rather get a computer then a clarinet."
My friend, there are over 1,000,000 people in NYC carrying around computer bags that look like the Yamaha double case, and some get stolen right off the street. On the other hand, a Buffet, Selmer, or whatever double case, "screams" take me, because it looks different, and they get stolen all the time. If you travel to NYC, or perhaps any big city, keep your eyes open and put your clarinets in a bag of your choice...I like the Yamaha double case computer bag.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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