 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-07-19 13:55
Just wondering. I feel very worried about my instruments when they're not in my house, and I prefer to keep them locked in a locker if possible. However since where I am there are no lockers, I tend to use the little wierd keys and lock the case buckles. Anyone else use 'em? or any horror stories about needing to play and losing your keys or them breaking?
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: rsholmes
Date: 2007-07-19 14:27
I would've guessed the answer to your question was "practically no one". After all they don't keep anyone from walking off with the case. Most I've seen have silly little keys and could probably be picked in moments. And most of the keys get lost pretty quickly! It seems to me the main point of the locks is not to keep the instrument from getting stolen, but to ensure the latches don't pop open at the wrong time and dump your instrument on the floor. But I've never had that happen.
My one horror story is something I've never quite figured out -- I never lock the latches -- but one day I couldn't open one of my instrument cases; one of the latches was locked! I forget exactly how I got it open; I think I found a little key (probably not the one that came with the case, but it didn't matter much) that opened it. But how it managed to get locked in the first place I have no idea.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2007-07-19 14:50
Horror story!
At distict band I was first chair (ages ago). I locked the case. I came to the rehearsal the next day (with almost no face left) and I had not brought the key.
The event was at my high school, so I went down to the band director's office and borrowed a screwdriver (small musical kind)...and jimmied the locks. (Saving me from an embarassment worse than death)
To this day I have no idea how.
James
ps...I never use the locks. Anymore.
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-07-19 15:45
"but to ensure the latches don't pop open at the wrong time and dump your instrument on the floor. But I've never had that happen."
I would have to second that as like others have said, whats the point of locking a case when someone can just walk away with it? you can tell the locks are Schalage locks (of superior locking strength) as a screwdriver is all that is needed to get access. the only time i would see the locks as practical is if you put the key on a key ring and attach it to your car keys (or house keys, something you KNOW wouldn't be able to live without) then i suppose the security would be worth it?
keys were meant to be lost =)
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-07-19 16:12
On my sax cases I'd probably lock them if they're going in an aircraft baggage hold (as well as strapping the lid down), but other than that I don't bother locking my cases at all. I do keep a Yamaha case key on my keyring, so I can lock or unlock Yamaha cases with the same lock for people that want their cases locked.
One of the alto players found her alto case (Selmer) had somehow locked itself when we arrived in the US, and it was easy enough to pick with a screwdriver which I kept in my emergency repair kit for such purposes. I had the opposite trouble with the Selmer case I took - the locks had engaged while the latches were open, so the lid wouldn't close securely - again a quick flick of a screwdriver sorted that out.
As for combination locks, they're easy enough to solve if you happen to forget (or don't know) the combination.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-07-19 16:13
My case has number locks. I use them to prevent the kids from using my precious horn as a baseball bat or a plunger.
--
Ben
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-07-19 16:22
I never thought of using a clarinet bell as a Dalek plunger!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2007-07-19 16:49
I can tell that you people do not frequent the "seedy" places that I do because theft from the backstage rooms is rampant so a Master Lock cable lock with combination (bike lock) threaded through the shoulder strap rings and handles then around a support post or immovable object is a must to keep the added accessories or even the empty case from being lifted. Locking the case would only invite someone to take the whole thing. A little scrap of paper reading "empty" might also be useful.
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
Post Edited (2007-07-19 16:51)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-07-19 17:13
I usually find my bari sax case used as a drinks table when I've left it stood on end - it's just the right height for other players - usually the brass - to rest (or spill) their pints on during intervals.
What I usually do with my bari case once my bari is on it's stand is to put my jacket and keys in the case - having a set of keys on you while playing isn't ideal as they get in the way, and as I keep my wallet in my left pocket means there's no room for keys, and I don't like keeping my keys in my DJ pocket (should I happen to be wearing a DJ) as they rattle. I suppose I could keep a case key in my wallet so I can lock my keys in my bari case with my outdoor jacket.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-07-19 18:10
A new Sax student showed up at my home 4 years ago and went to open his case - it was locked.
He couldn't figure out how it had happened, but somebody had locked the case. He thought about it and then opened it based on the date.
It was April 20
Younger students (over legal age) possibly would know what/why the combo was set at, as he suspected......
the Partying fool ........
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: return
Date: 2007-07-19 19:26
David Blumberg wrote:
He couldn't figure out how it had happened, but somebody had locked the case. He thought about it and then opened it based on the date.
About a year ago I inherited a new Buffet Prestige eefer from a deceased friend. The case has combination locks which have never been set, and there are no instructions on how to do it. Each time I've taken the clarinet to a rehearsal or concert I've been concerned that someone would set the locks. Does anybody know how I input my own code so it can't be done by a 'friend' to confound me?
Thank you!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-07-19 19:45
I think on the Buffets you set the combination by moving the release button in the opposite direction (than you'd normally do when opening the case) and while holding it there, set your code.
If there is access to the back of the locks from inside the case, slide the small metal projecting lever to one side and hold it there, and again set the code.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-07-20 03:32
Quote:
It was April 20
Younger students (over legal age) possibly would know what/why the combo was set at, as he suspected......
the Partying fool ........ Hmmm . . . never really a "legal" age for that date . . . .
US Army Japan Band
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-07-20 15:28
Silly embarrassing story: When I was in high school, I got my first new wooden clarinet (a Yamaha). I locked the case. Then we went to the beach for a month and I hadn't brought the key. I couldn't open it. My parents had to go home a week later for a club meeting or whatever, so I told them to pick up the key. Most embarrassing part was, I had to tell them it was under my pillow. Now isn't that sentimental and silly? :-)
So, I don't use the case locks anymore. Another embarrassing story: my instruments (Buffet A and Bb) dumped out on the hard floor when the case wasn't latched and I stood up after a quartet rehearsal in front of my teacher. No big damage done, just a chip and a bent key, but embarrassing. Doesn't have to do with not using the lock, though. I simply forgot to close the case properly and got distracted.
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Author: joeyscl
Date: 2007-07-20 21:07
"As for combination locks, they're easy enough to solve if you happen to forget (or don't know) the combination."
ya... you just have to try all the 1000 or 10000 numbers what not...
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Author: jane84
Date: 2007-07-24 17:56
"Another embarrassing story: my instruments (Buffet A and Bb) dumped out on the hard floor when the case wasn't latched and I stood up after a quartet rehearsal in front of my teacher."
Yeah, we've all been there;)
"It was April 20
Younger students (over legal age) possibly would know what/why the combo was set at, as he suspected......"
Is this some American date, or....(checks wikipedia)...-aha! Those saxophonists....
-jane
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Author: marshall
Date: 2007-07-25 03:33
My current case doesn't have keys or a lock...but even when I use cases that do I never lock them. The main reason behind them is to keep them from popping open and having your instrument fall everywhere...not to keep them safe. People can rip off your instrument even if it is locked...it's not that hard to break into a locked case. I actually picked my friends Attache with a paper clip when he left his key home. Also...seeing as I have an Altieri bag I really don't have to worry about it falling out.
Having a bag or a case with a shoulder strap also eliminates the worry of leaving it unattended outside of a locker and you still have two free hands while carrying it.
There are only three places where I keep my instruments...in my practice room, in my locker, or on my shoulder...so I see no point in keeping my case locked.
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-07-25 04:36
"I do keep a Yamaha case key on my keyring, so I can lock or unlock Yamaha cases with the same lock for people that want their cases locked."
Or you can go around locking other peoples cases just for fun =D that would be pretty evil huh?
that sounds like an awesome prank for clarinetists.
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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