 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: William
Date: 2010-06-06 22:13
Any opinions--plus or negative--regarding these cases (other than they are toooo expensive)??? I'm primarily interested in any of you that may have experiance with a low C bass/double clarinet case. Do you like them--hate them, etc???
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2010-06-07 01:02
I don't personally have one, but my teacher is a symphony clarinetist/bass clarinetist and uses a Wiseman case for her Selmer low C. She raves on about it; says how protective it is, and how much more convenient it is than some others, as it works well as a backpack for her.
I'm sure others can provide much more useful information, but that's my two cents!
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Author: USFBassClarinet
Date: 2010-06-07 01:07
I know a few people who have them but don't own one...yet
The only 'complaint' I have ever heard is that...if you show up to rehearsal late or you are backstage, it makes way to much noise when you open the velco.
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Author: Bill Patry
Date: 2010-06-07 03:14
A friend has one for his Buffet Low C. I liked it so much I ordered one for my 1969 Fritz Wurlitzer Low C (because the original case was falling apart). It is very expensive, though if you get referred by a friend you get 10% off, which amounts to about 53 British pounds.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-06-07 03:20
I've owned one for about five years now, I love it. Compact, easy to carry and keeps the horn very secure. The horn has no room to move in the case and the case is very strong Mine is made for one clarinet and the bass. I don't use it to carry my clarinet for two reasons. One is that I often need both my Bb and A, so many bass parts are also 3rd clarinet on one part, and the other reason is that I have a portable bass clarinet stand that folds up neatly in the slot that the clarinet would go. I carry my double case on my back in a clarinet bag and my bass on my shoulder and I find it very easy to walk several blocks that way, (I'm 70), I think it is impractical to carry two clarinets and a bass plus the pegs and equipment, mouthpiece, reeds etc. The one made for a single clarinet has enough room if you wanted to carry them that way. It's a good size too. Well worth the money, besides, it's a tax deduction if you declare income from performing. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-06-07 03:25
I use the Wiseman bass clarinet case (model A) to carry a bass (low C) and one soprano. I think it's great there is no need to carry two cases plus it's a bit smaller than the original bass clarinet case and a bit more comfortable.
I don't remember what the case is supposed to fit but maybe up to bass and two soprano clarinets. I think it's boarderline to put two sopranos there and have enough space for everything you need for them (but it could possibly work).
There are some negatives which don't prevent me from using it:
- The noisy velcro. It is noisy, but for me almost never a problem even when arriving while others are playing. In the rare occasions that it is, I open the velcro before entering the room.
- There is a seperate sheet music "pouch"(?) that you attach to the case. You can only put a certain amount of paper in there, or else you can't attach it anymore. You also can't put hard back books etc. in case you need that. It depends what each players need but I've never had a problem with needing more than I could put there (sometimes I don't even take it to save weight if I don't need sheet music).
- It looks a little too posh IMO but I easily tolerate that because it's so comfortable.
- With a big bass clarinet bell like the new Buffets it fits better if I remove the peg screw (this screw is also bigger than usual with the plastic head). Other models might not have this problem. I usually don't use this screw so prefer not to have it on the bell anyway.
I'm just being critical, none of these issues would prevent me from buying it. To fix them (except the look) would mean to compromise in worse ways anyway. I haven't used the original case since the day I got the Wiseman, even when I took the bass clarinet only.
Post Edited (2010-06-07 03:33)
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-06-07 12:59
Ed -
Which model bass stand do you carry in your Wiseman case? Is it as sturdy (i.e., un-topple-able) as the one you use for "home" concerts?
Ken Shaw
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-06-07 15:43
Ken, I had it made years ago by my repairman of that day, in the 60s. He converted a snare drum stand into a bass clarinet stand. Mine works great, folds up easily and fits in my Wiseman case. It is not as sturdy as some of the commercial ones but I love it. You have to actually walk into it to knock it over, which happened once many years ago by our second clarinetists, no damage though. I wrap my swab around it when I walk away from it so it can't fall off the stand. I use it for everything, light, strong and secure. ESP
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Author: graham
Date: 2010-06-08 07:29
Well, I have used my Wiseman bass (low C) case to transport the pair and the bass many times, which is how I am using it for some rehearsals and concert right now. I visited Wiseman himself and he said that was how he had designed it. I don't think there should be any ambiguity over that.
The shattering decibels of the velcro are far the worst aspect, but then again zips have other problems anyway.
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Author: William
Date: 2010-06-08 20:42
Thanks to all for you comments. Have any of you seen the Altieri soft-side gig bag for the bass clarinet?? Still wish Reunion Blues would make a leather one.......
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Author: Clare-net
Date: 2010-06-22 22:30
I bought one a year ago - double size, to house a Bb and an Eb because I wanted to be able to carry both in same case.
Yes, they're terrifyingly expensive. But I agree with clarnibass about the benefits and negatives. I would add that, for two sopranos, it is pretty bulky (much more so than my - Winter - Bb/A case). But the fact taht it is easy to carry as a backpack and is very protective of the instruments make up for this.
All in all, I'm glad I bought mine.
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Author: A Brady
Date: 2010-06-22 23:45
I am in contact with Wiseman cases right now, seriously considering ordering one for my bass. My friend and colleague Bohdan Hilash uses his on his frequent flights to Europe, Asia, etc, and raves about the case. Expensive, but a once-in-a lifetime purchase.
AB
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Author: A Brady
Date: 2010-07-13 16:42
I have received my new Wiseman case, the "B" bass clarinet model, and am extremely pleased with it.
It is beautifully constructed and ergonomically wonderful. My Selmer bass fits beautifully (I sent measurements when ordering), and I love the fact that there is space for my B-flat and A clarinets, along with room for accessories inside the case as well as in the removable strap on pouch.
The case is rather heavy, but is built like a tank, and considering all it can carry coupled with its quite compact exterior dimensions, it is well worth the weight.
I have had numerous adjustment issues on my bass for some time now, largely due to the elderly Selmer case I have been using, and this extremely protective and cushioned case should keep my instrument in top shape.
I bought the case directly from Wiseman in London; they were extremely helpful and courteous in our communications, and the case reached me in only 3 days from England. The price was also considerably below any of the prices I found from domestic sources.
All in all, a very worthwhile purchase. Expensive, but world-class!
AB
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Author: howarth
Date: 2010-07-15 09:34
They are going to have a booth at Clarinetfest next week, so you can go along and have a browse!
Donny
Howarth of London
31-35 Chiltern Street
London
W1U 7PN
clarinet@howarth.uk.com
www.howarth.uk.com
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Author: William
Date: 2010-07-15 14:52
Thank you for the "rather heavy" description. This is mostly what I am trying to get away from and why I wish Reunion Blues would product a leather gig bag for the bass clarinet. Altieri has one, but I'm a little skeptical of the protection factor of their material.
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Author: A Brady
Date: 2010-07-15 16:41
Yes, this is not a lightweight case, but the backpack-style shoulder straps make it much more practical to carry around "hands free". Considering the price of bass clarinets these days combined with the cost of frequent repairs brought on by nonprotective cases, the weight is not a factor for me, even working around the NYC area, as this will easily go onto the Subway, buses, etc.
AB
AB
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-07-16 05:51
Re the weight of the Wiseman, for some players a more realistic comparison is that the Wiseman only has to weight no more than all the cases they would otherwise need instead. For me it's bass clarinet and soprano cases. For some people it's bass and two soprano cases. Still any weight difference (and a lot of that comes from having another instrument or two inside the same case) is insignificant comapred with not having to carry more than one case.
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Author: eefer ★2017
Date: 2010-07-18 17:36
I don't play bass, but I do play Eb, C, Bb, A and basset horn. I have a quad Wiseman case that will fit any combination of four soprano clarinets, or my basset horn and one other clarinet. It also holds my music, tools, reeds and accessories. It cost me $450 US, and has been worth every penny I spent. I have hauled instruments around the globe in it for the last seven years, and it still looks new. No complaints here!
Nancy
Nancy Buckman
AACC Symphony Orchestra
Opera AACC
Early Music Society of Northern MD
(and a lot of other ensembles, too)
nebuckman@gmail.com
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