The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: blazian
Date: 2009-03-23 22:07
A zipper on my Buffet bass case broke today. I almost cried! I've only had the case for a few months and it's already having issues. Also, the black thing in the end of the peg slot is ripping out. I'm missing a foot too. I take GOOD CARE of my case and I hate how it's disintegrating before my eyes! It's the second case this Buffet (an 1180) has had too. Before, the right side zipper broke (as in completely came apart from the case) and the front lockable latch was bent.
It isn't mine mine either. It's my school's, so now that I finally bought my own bass clarinet (still waiting for it to arrive) I'm afraid I'll have to pay for damage to the case. Maybe some of the damage is my fault, but the quality is very cheap for something of that price.
- Martin
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2009-03-24 00:29
Yeah the little black thing that holds the peg in place came loose on day 2 of owning it for me too. Luckily it goes back on easily with Super Glue. So far (knocking firmly on wood) the zipper has been fine. My colleague has one a couple years older that seems to be fine too. It is much better than the old Selmer case. In that one the instrument giggled around so badly that I feared for its life! Eventually I bought a replacement case.
Oddly enough the alto case is beautifully designed and feels more secure. All the pieces fit in the case nicely and the peg sits in a very secure molded compartment. So, it can be done!
Eefer guy
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-03-24 00:54
Both my bass and basset horn cases are of this design, and the sax case for my S3 Prestige alto did more harm than good (although I didn't keep the case or the sax for long).
I can't believe such an expensive bit of kit has the indignity of being kept in a vacuum formed plastic tray rather than a well made and padded interior. At least these cases have both zips and a metal clasp to keep the lid closed rather than relying solely on zips.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Fishamble
Date: 2009-03-24 04:01
Interesting you bring this up, Martin. I have my Buffet bass only since January, and while I play it, I also listen the foam padding tearing itself away from the lid - seriously, I can hear it happening across the room. What you say about the zipper concerns me because I find the lock to be very unconvincing, and mine doesn't line up very well when I close it.
Definitely some quality problems there.
David.
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Author: jsc
Date: 2009-03-24 05:07
Do what I did for my Bb and A. I made my own double case. Didn't like what it came in nor what is available (or not available) on the market. I'd do the same for a bass or whatever if I felt it wasn't solid enough or somehow lacking.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2009-03-24 05:28
Yes, zippers usually get bad after a while, especially when they need to pass corners like on this case. I've had two of these cases, and usually after a few months the zippers start feeling resistant.
The peg "holder" never came completely off on mine but it gets loose, and it's fine if it doesn't come loose completely. Actually I've never even noticed it until now that I checked because of this thread.
I agree the case isn't good.
Re making your own case, I would make sure you also have shoulder straps since you probably don't want a suitecase type case, especailly for a a bass clarinet.
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Author: blazian
Date: 2009-03-24 20:27
I wish I could make my own case for it but my director is a trumpet player . I don't think he would understand.
Today I noticed the fabric is wearing thin. Thinner than it already is. How cheap is that!
- Martin
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Author: jsc
Date: 2009-03-24 21:53
Blazian,
If you were my student and you said you'd build a new case for one of the school horns, I'd so appreciate it. If you or others are going for your Eagle Scout project, guess what. I think you have a project - replacing old, beat-up cases. Here's my double clarinet case. I made it out of a gutted-out bassoon case I got from my repair guy.
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/download.html/1,1671/Double%20Clarinet%20Case.JPG
joe
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Author: blazian
Date: 2009-03-24 23:11
Attachment: IMG_0156.jpg (1725k)
Attachment: IMG_0157.jpg (991k)
Wow that's a VERY nice double case you've got there! I kinda wish I had saved the older Buffet bass case and put latches on it or something. It would've made a nice replacement case for something. I've made an alto clarinet case from a trumpet case before. Note: There's a mouthpiece slot opposite the neck, in line with the bottom joint.
I know the basics of making a case and could find out more if I needed to. I don't know if I'd actually want to make another case though. The current one still functions correctly, just not as easily as before.
- Martin
Post Edited (2009-03-24 23:18)
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2009-03-26 11:57
As I was playing my bass yesterday I noticed that there are places for two other pegs in a row next to the one with the black holder thing on the one at the far right. Do all of yours have this too? I'm wondering if they were considering or do make different peg sizes, assuming one size does not fit all. Anyway, curious.
Mine came with a big swab but I've never use it on the instrument as I have a silk drop swab that I prefer, although I am using it on my Selmer USA contra alto that comes with parts stuck together. Am glad i found a use for it!
Eefer guy
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2009-03-26 13:35
Eefer guy,
My buffet bass case also has these places for extra pegs. Because I'm not exactly tall the peg that came with is just fine!
What really irked me about the case was how much "give" there was in the slot for the lower joint. The joint could literally slide around a half inch or more inside the case. Bill Brannen cut off the right amount of a broom handle for me and cut it down to size...it fits in to the tenon and takes up the space appropriately.
You spend big $$$ on an instrument and the case doesn't really protect it...that's a bummer.
Aside from that my case has worn extremely well and I have no complaints. Now that the Euro has dropped, maybe I should be looking into a Wisemann case?
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: blazian
Date: 2009-03-26 20:47
My case only has one slot for the peg. Are both of your cases for the low C bass?
My neck moves around quite a bit in it's left side slot. I'm afraid it will end up being damaged somehow. It seems like the slot is made for the longer two piece neck instead of the standard 1180 one. Is the 1180 case the same as the one for the 1183? That would make sense.
- Martin
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2009-03-26 23:39
Yeah mine's a low C bass. I had never even noticed them before tis discussion. See what BBoard gives you!
eefer guy
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