 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dana
Date: 2005-04-12 21:09
Does anyone own one of those GIG Clarinet Gig Bags? I am looking for one for my clarinet and alto saxophone. I was wondering how the quality is. Does it protect the instrument well enough for a 5th and 7th grader taking their instruments to/from school on a bus? Thanks for any info you can give me.
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2005-04-12 21:49
A clarinet or saxophone in a GIG bag would only be safe with a careful child. I've heard that repair techs love gig bags in general because they get more business that way. :o)
I'd stay with the hard shell case protection until the child is older or until the child can afford to pay for repairs to instruments. Your child's music teacher can probably give you graphic examples of what has happened to some of his student's instruments that were in gig bags.
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
Post Edited (2005-04-12 21:50)
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Author: Frodo
Date: 2005-04-13 03:27
Hi Dana,
Yup I have one for my clarinet. The only advantage it has is its light weight. While it provides the instrument some protection, it’s not the same as that of a sturdier but heavier hard shell case.
If you’re taking it on a bus, be careful about banging it against seats, handrails, other students, etc., dropping it, sitting on it, etc.
In other words, you still have to be extra careful.
Hope this helps.
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Author: Dana
Date: 2005-04-13 17:31
Thanks. This is probably not a good idea for a 10 and 12 year old then. I just thought they looked nice and would be easier for them to carry with all the texbooks, but I'd rather have the protection of the hard cases.
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Author: msloss
Date: 2005-04-13 17:40
Look at some of the cases from companies like BAM and WolfPak as well. These cases are lightweight and much more protected than a gig bag for a sax or clarinet. WolfPak even has an alto case with straps as well as wheels, which might be perfect for a 10 year old.
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2005-04-13 19:16
Isn't GIG really expensive? Bam is definately around $100-$200.
For a younger child that may or may not continue clarinet, I think Protec or even Gator would be an affordable and safe enough for a clarinet.
--Contragirl
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Author: msloss
Date: 2005-04-13 19:24
CG -- the issue is really the sax, though, isn't it. Clarinet is small and light even in the "factory" case. At least BAM makes the combo with the Hip Hop where you can bundle the sax and clarinet together.
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2005-04-13 21:35
ah, I didnt realize it was for both. Protec does make a triple case, even tho you dont need to use the flute part.
--CG
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Author: Frodo
Date: 2005-04-15 02:36
Just the other night I had a potentially disastrous experience which one should remember when using a gig bag, particularly a bag that zips all-around.
I was putting away my clarinet immediately after a church service (we have a small band with keyboard, two guitars, bass guitar, Bb clarinet, and 12 vocalists) when someone asked me for help on something urgent.
Unfortunately I didn’t have the presence of mind to ensure that the gig bag was zipped closed before responding to help. When I went back to pick up my gig bag I was behind my own schedule (had to catch the bus, etc) and in my rush I picked up the bag by the handle only to have every part of my precious instrument spill on the floor. Needless to say I was shocked for a moment. Fortunately the only damage was a bench key (the part which extends/overlaps from the top joint to the bottom joint) which I fixed easily with a pair of pliers.
Lesson is when you use a gig bag always double check that it’s zipped tight before even picking it up.
Of course, this can also happen with a hard case but with them it’s easier to spot when the locks are unlatched.
This is not to scare anyone from using a gig bag but it always better to be more careful.
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Author: bflatclarinetist
Date: 2005-04-15 03:02
Haha frodo, that key got bent once to me too and I fixed it with a pair of pliers too! That's such a coincidence, but mine happened because I was trying to impress a new teacher and when I was assembling the top and lower joint I twisted them by accident and the "thing" got bent. Yeah then for the rest of rehearsal I had to sit and watch other people have fun =(. And helplessly try and bend it back with my own hands all rehersal.
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2005-04-15 12:38
Frodo:
That's one of the nice features of the ProTec bag. It has two handles - one on the upper section of the case, one on the lower section. If you forget to zip the sections will still fall out of their cubby but they won't fall on the floor.
I'm a big fan of the ProTec bags. I have the large single bag that has room for everything I need to carry.
MOO,
Matt
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