 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: agiurado
Date: 2004-04-21 16:03
I am considering purchasing a BAM Trekking Double case. I am curious if anyone has any feedback regarding this case.
Is it durable?
Is it user friendly?
Is their room for reeds, music, and a tuner?
Does it stay open when you put your instrument together?
Does the zippers work well?
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
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Author: mw
Date: 2004-04-21 16:21
I am a BAM Dealer but this is not a plug. BAM really is a fine company, from their sales people here in U.S. to the company in France. They say "bon jour" & I think they mean it. They take case problems seriously, although you have to work through proper channels (your dealer) to get an occasional problem corrected. BAM is truly after designing the most rugged & hi tech case on the market. They had some problems a few years back with the "inside straps which connect the bottom to the top" coming undone & minor separations between outside liner & zipper - I call these minor as I have never seen a BAM case truly disintregrate. No excuses, some of the bigger mail order outfits stopped buying BAM for a time. NOW, anyway, I think they are on track.
BAM has some new/neat (smaller but protective) stuff coming out that everyone will really like. Price points are better for all - more affordable. Stay tuned to your catalogues, the BAM website & your favorite online dealer.
mw
Post Edited (2004-04-21 16:21)
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Author: OpusII
Date: 2004-04-21 19:11
I still have got one of the first trekking cases and never had any trouble with it (really great case). The newer cases that i have seen seem to be stronger en have a better zipper.
Eddy
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Author: Joe B
Date: 2004-04-21 20:55
I recently bought a BAM Trekking case (single) for my Buffet Festival clarinet. My original Buffet case protected my clarinet as well as a $10 Craftsman tool box plus had no accomodations for the second barrel that comes with the Festival. I guess you're supposed to put it in your pocket! The BAM case protects my clarinet better than any I've seen and has a cavity for a second barrel. It also insulates the clarinet very well from outside elements. The zippered expandable storage area has plenty of room for all the stuff I like to carry and then some, including my salami sandwhich and small deli. It has a nice comfortable handle, an adjustable shoulder strap and of course the back-packing straps, which is another storage area for possibly music or other paper work. When you open the case it is somewhat awkward but I'm getting used to it. The case is somewhat pricey, but when you see how well it protects your instrument, it is well worth it. I have had no problems with zippers or seams coming apart although I've only had the case for a couple of months. I hope this info helps.
Joe
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2004-04-21 23:28
I've had a BAM double trekking case for about 6 months now.
It's pricey, but, worth it. To me, this is the case of cases. If you're serious about keeping your instruments protected, you get one of these babies.
They're not too heavy, has the convenience to use as backpack or otherwise, and comes in a couple of colours (I swear I'm the only one in the world with a blue one!)
As to your questions...
Is it durable?
Yes - you can clean it too. I've done so several times after getting caught in the rain with it.
Is it user friendly?
Erm... If you can zip up your fly you can zip up your BAM case (I'd hope..)
Is their room for reeds, music, and a tuner?
Yes! There is heaps of room, I keep 3 reed cases, tub of the Doc's cork grease, my Bonade ligature in it's little plastic box, sandpaper, pencils, cigarette papers, and they're all sitting there loosely. I keep my swap in the outer pocket - it's better for the instrument this way.
Does it stay open when you put your instrument together?
Yes but not at first. It's all material, and thus requires a bit of 'training' to work properly. It needs a little time to adjust to the shape of your clarinets aw well - since I have Leblanc clarinets the shape is ever so slightly different from Buffet but the has accomodated to a snug fit.
Does the zippers work well?
On mine they do, but I don't have an early one. I haven't experienced any problems yet, the case is so well made that everything is tight and in it's place, not like a cheap back-pack where you can easily jar the zips.
Hope that answers some questions for you!
PS. There's a front area, the main area the clarinets are kept in, then a back music storage bit, then the part where you fold out the shoulder straps.
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Author: John Morton
Date: 2004-04-21 23:34
I have considered a BAM case for my Eb bass. Looks good, but I am always annoyed when designers of soft cases add pockets to the outside. It increases the overall thickness and is prone to catching on obstacles. A bass clarinet case could be 7" or even 6" thick (the bell is the limiting factor) - BAM cases are 9".
John Morton
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2004-04-22 06:27
I'm now on my second BAM case. The zipper broke on the first one. This has happened to a lot of people I know. The cases are really great, but I just wish they would make the zippers more durable.
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Author: OpusII
Date: 2004-04-22 06:39
Liquorice:
Quote:
I'm now on my second BAM case. The zipper broke on the first one. This has happened to a lot of people I know. The cases are really great, but I just wish they would make the zippers more durable.
They have fixed this problem in the new cases!
LeWhite:
Quote:
They're not too heavy, has the convenience to use as backpack or otherwise, and comes in a couple of colours (I swear I'm the only one in the world with a blue one!)
hmmm.. I thought that I was the only one with a Blue Bam Case ![[toast]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley15.gif)
Eddy
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Author: mw
Date: 2004-04-22 07:07
Zippers generally have their own warranty. BAM is not a zipper company, they don't manufacture them. They use the best that $$ will buy. If a zipper fails within a reasonable period of time, your dealer should handle for you. What is reasonable - depends on dealer & how bad they wanjt to earn & keep your business. I have a 10+ year old BAM double case laying around here somewhere. It has seen lots of use. Zipper used to "snag" * & occasionally would come apart in an area where it had been closed. A $10 trip to a specialty shoe repair shop got it fixed.
http://www.bamcases.com/case_care/index.php?l=en&p=1
Blue cases are a hard-er sell. Green is darned near impossible. BLACK is the mundane choice of clarinetists everywhere.
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Author: Brad
Date: 2004-04-22 16:06
Best case out there for the money. After 2.5 years of heavy abuse, all of the features of the case work like they were new. Plenty of room for stuff, I carry a couple of large selmer reed cases, tuner, and a metronome, and still have room left over for music and other stuff. I just bought the Bass Clarinet treking case and love it as well. I recently had to travel by air with all of my clarinets and the backpack straps on the Bass case were a godsend.
I only wish they made a triple case so I could haul around my Eb with my A & Bb.
Brad
PS: I would have bought a green or a blue one over the black one I have, which was the only choice available to me at the time.
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Author: mw
Date: 2004-04-22 18:13
Hmmm, didn't think we'd have takers for the Green. DSFDF, black can be boring. I would say for anybody interested in Green or Red/Burgundy - check with the online catalogues for deep discounts. Muncy, IMS, WEINER, etc. They might make you a deal, if they have any available stock in these colors that don't sell well - mostly what is available is "singles" though. [Those who have sold out & have no off-colors have no doubt learned their lessons!] mw
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-04-22 18:21
I am continually mystified by the BAM mystique. Why anyone would spend that kind of money when you can put your already encased clarinet in a real backpacker for less than $40.....and use the backpacker for other duties when you don't need the horn.
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Author: mw
Date: 2004-04-22 19:07
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, usefulness of anything is always a value judgment & personal to an individual.
How will youl achieve for $40 what BAM wholesales for much, much more. How will you competre with their double case? Waterproof, shock proof, cold temperature proof. What kind of clarinet case are you going to use inside the back pack? I've seen some $25-30 cases my dog wouldn't want to use - no real support for tenons. Also, BAM cases are not "backpacks" per se - the added feature of the extra "suspenders" which accomodate wearing them backpack style was added to appeal to just a part of the marketplace. The BAM Handle is 100% top quality, made to last - the BAM ballistic style rubber handles are #1 in my book with a terrific feel.
People are as different as the abilities of their pocketbooks. SO, if its merely a question of money, fine. If it's because of perceived quality - I would respectfully disagree. Prices were raised this year on account of the fall in value of the USD against the Franc/Euro. I don't think there was a price increase outside North America, though.
BTW: real quality backpack with bells & whistles for $40? I have 3 kids & Walmart or Target or the local Sports Discount warehouse all charge more for a backpack that will make it more than a year laden with books. I feel like I get raped every year on backpacks & lunchboxes. Sheesh. I've asked the question @ home - how many kids do we really have?
BBTW: Protec is about half the price of BAM & even cheaper than 50% on double cases. BUT, everybody thinks they are bulky & ugly.
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Author: OpusII
Date: 2004-04-22 19:44
Brad,
Quote:
Best case out there for the money. After 2.5 years of heavy abuse, all of the features of the case work like they were new. Plenty of room for stuff, I carry a couple of large selmer reed cases, tuner, and a metronome, and still have room left over for music and other stuff. I just bought the Bass Clarinet treking case and love it as well. I recently had to travel by air with all of my clarinets and the backpack straps on the Bass case were a godsend.
I only wish they made a triple case so I could haul around my Eb with my A & Bb.
Brad
PS: I would have bought a green or a blue one over the black one I have, which was the only choice available to me at the time.
Believe me, the green one is really green...I don't think people will buy that colour!
For the Eb cases we did start sending a mail to BAM and we received the following answer:
Quote:
thank you very much for your inquiry.
Most unfortunately, our double clarinet cases are only for Bb & A clarinets.
So far, we have not felt such a big demand for this combination (Bb and Eb b) and it is not part of our projects in a very near future. We never know, maybe one day...
Sorry for now !
Maybe sending following email to 'bamcases@aol.com', give us a chance in the near future,
Quote:
Dear Sir/Madam,
On a clarinet-forum I regret to take notice of the fact that BAM does not plan to make a double clarinet case for Bb and Eb clarinet. There are a lot of clarinettists looking for such a case, but unfortunately they cannot be found, or they are much too expensive.
To convince you of the fact that there will be a market for such a case, each clarinettist of the forum will send this email to show that he'll be interested in such a case. Please reconsider the fact of producing them in the near future.
Kind regards,
ps this email was started by Tom, administrator from klarinet.pagina.nl.
Eddy
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Author: RAMman
Date: 2004-04-22 20:13
I own a BAM triple case...no really I do.
I play R13s, and so usually only carry around 2 barrels. I also don't need the small-ish pocket on the inside of the case for storage.
So...after some lengthy discussion for with my repairer, he managed to pretty much re cut the inside of the case so that there is enough room for B flat, A and E flat.
You can't just take out the pocket, where would you put the E flat bell?
As for the cases themselves, I have the broken zip as well, but that didn't stop me buying a single case (for those EASY gigs, hehe!) and EVERY other player I know who owns a BAM case has had the same thing fail.
Danny.
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Author: OpusII
Date: 2004-04-22 20:24
Danny,
Don't you have a photo from your tripple case, I would really like to see it!
Eddy
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Author: RAMman
Date: 2004-04-22 20:27
Eddy...
I would like to show you, but I don't own a digital camera...been spending all my money on case modifications!!!!
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2004-04-23 05:00
I have a BAM single XLight. Got it 3 years ago when I had a European gig which only required one horn. The thing fit in my backpack which also had to carry 2x the diabetic supplies which my trip required (just in case something happened)...
The horn survived, the case is EXTREMELY light and I love it.
I really wanna get a double XLight, but don't have the funds now. I wouldn't care if it were green, even! Not sure I'd want the Trekking, though.
LOL!
Katrina
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Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2004-04-25 03:42
My daughter uses a "GIG" backpack case for school. It does a great job of protecting the clarinet and holding her gear. Looks cool too.
But as was said already "Beauty is in the eyes of the beer holder."
Regards
Mark
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Author: skye
Date: 2004-04-25 20:39
I have a blue BAM case, my friend has a green one! I have had mine for about four years and it's still going strong. The first one I purchased had a separation between the lining and the zipper, but when I took it back to the shop, they replaced it immediately, and, like I said, the one I have has lasted four years with no obvious deterioration, and yes, I have two mouthpieces in it, a tuner, and loads of other junk as well. I sometimes find that the lid falls down when I'm trying to put the clarinets away, but that's not a major problem. I think it's a really good case (although it WAS a bit pricey) and lots of people have admired it.
I would like an Eb/Bb case as I do a lot of wind band playing and currently I carry around my BAM case and an Eb case ( I do have a single Bb case but I find with the BAM case there is loads of room to carry my band music as well, plus stick in my clarinet stand).
Tell a lie, it didn't actually cost me a bean as I was given it in a present but I think it was a bit pricey for the giver!
Post Edited (2004-04-25 20:40)
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