 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: mandyH
Date: 2010-08-16 04:46
I'm in High School and am looking to get a double case to start college in a year. I play a Tosca Bb and R13 A so I have some very precious cargo. Can anyone recommend a good case or case cover that is very very durable and holds misc. items and that has backpack straps? Currently, I own the Buffet attache case cover but it has seen better days. I've looked at the BAM Trekking case but I would like some other opinions. Also, has anyone heard about Nahok cases? They're really cute! But they look quite unpractical.
-A
Post Edited (2010-08-16 04:57)
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Author: DixieSax
Date: 2010-08-16 07:35
Lots of options available. The BAM is a good one, but look around. Even some of the standard Buffet cases are pretty good.
A lot of double cases require that you leave the bells assembled to the lower joint I guess to save space, but I would not recommend any cases made in this configuration. If you do go that route, I'd recommend that you dissasemble the bell and lower joint and dry the tenon and socket before reassembling for storage. Inside the case should at least allow enough room for some type of humidifier - dampit or some other solution.
Just about any case that meets the above specification will work well with an Altieri cover which provides some insulation and the backpack straps. My prized set of full Boehm Buffet BC-20s ride in a custom case (tough to find cases these days that will accomodate a full Boehm "A") with hard sides, a music pocket, and a custom Altieri bag, and I've been very happy with the results. I also built a custom case for my C and Eb clarinets out of a briefcase and some craft store materials which also lives in an Altieri bag.
You are in Florida, so your primary concern is insulating against the heat. Up here in the north, we have to worry about cold and heat, but there are lots of good options out there. Don't skimp because you have great instruments. Since you already have the Buffet double attache, you might want to first just call Altieri - they probably stock a bag for that particular case, and it will serve you well for years.
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Author: Simon Aldrich
Date: 2010-08-16 14:26
The Bonna case is the smallest, lightest and best-designed double case I've owned in 20 years.
If you look at the picture of the open Bonna case in the link Ed sent, you will notice two dividers in the accessory section. These dividers are not fixed so they can be removed. When the dividers are removed, that side compartment is perfectly-sized for an Eb clarinet (or C clarinet), making this case effectively a triple case (yet smaller than a normal double case).
The photo shows blue and red cases but they also come in black.
They are a bit more expensive than other cases but well worth it.
Twigg Musique in Montreal sell them for around $350 CDN.
------------------------------------------------------------
Simon Aldrich
Clarinet Faculty - McGill University
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre Metropolitain de Montreal
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre de l'Opera de Montreal
Artistic Director - Jeffery Summer Concerts
Clarinet - Nouvel Ensemble Moderne
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Author: ddavani
Date: 2010-08-16 19:06
I prefer the BAM Trekking Double, but that's just me. I have however seen many artists using the Marcus Bonna case recently and the concept of the case is interesting. I would look on the websites of these companies and find out the features of their cases and see what you like.
Once you find a case that you like, try to go to different distributors and try to get the best price possible.
My suggestion:
http://shop.weinermusic.com/Bam-Clarinet-Cases/products/1236/
-Dave Davani
http://allclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: kdk
Date: 2010-08-16 19:30
I can't tell from the picture - where do mouthpieces go in the Bonna case?
Karl
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Author: skennedy
Date: 2010-08-16 20:56
I have the same setup that you have plus two more, and the Wiseman triple/quad case would give you maximum protection. With two clarinets it would provide plenty of space for all your clarinet toys at the same level of protection.
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Author: xarkon
Date: 2010-08-16 21:22
Mandy, see my post about the BAM double case in this thread:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=277606&t=277602
Dave
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Author: BobD
Date: 2010-08-16 21:54
Great idea double cases. If it gets stolen you just lost two horns.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Simon Aldrich
Date: 2010-08-17 01:49
Several complaints I hear from my students regarding their BAM Trekking Double cases are:
1) The zip breaks in short order
2) It is too big and they are constantly knocking people with their case in the subway and bus
3) Their accessories swim around in the large single music pouch on the outside
4) The cutouts in the foam that hold the clarinet pieces in place eventually enlarge, resulting in the clarinet joint rolling around in the cutout.
Dave wrote: "I have however seen many artists using the Marcus Bonna case recently"
That might be because it is small, light and well-designed. When you are traveling constantly with a case, a few inches less and a pound or so less really help.
Also, one can't tell from the picture on the Bonna website but the fixtures that hold the clarinet pieces in place are secured with a strong velcro, which means you can alter their position. If you are traveling, as is my case at the moment, with a modern clarinet and a classical-era clarinet (whose joints are of different length than a modern clarinet) you can alter the case's interior to securely hold the instruments with which you are traveling at that moment.
Karl asked: "where do mouthpieces go in the Bonna case?"
The case comes with two leather pouches intended to hold your mouthpieces. The size of the pouch is such that the mouthpiece be stored in it without ligature/cap. This is not entirely practical. I store my mpcs in the accessory section, buttressing the divider up against the mouthpiece cap, then putting a square foam (as found in Vandoren mpc boxes) on top of the mpc to prevent it from moving in transit.
Bob added, "Great idea double cases. If it gets stolen you just lost two horns."
I do a residency every year that has, in the past, required I take 8 horns (Bb, A, Eb, C, Bass, alto sax, tenor sax, boxwood classical clarinet). Transporting 8 individual cases is not feasible. Double cases (or triple or quadruple) are a necessity.
Simon
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Author: DixieSax
Date: 2010-08-17 06:53
I'm gonna stand by my original comment. The OP never stated her CASE was bad, just that her case cover has seen better days. A new case bag would solve that problem at a much lower price point than spending several hundred dollars on a new case.
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2010-08-17 15:14
mandyH:
The best case *cover* I have owned is from Altieri Bags (http://www.altieribags.com/). Moreover, if you buy directly from them you can send them the exact dimension of your case and they will make a custom fit cover for you.
I have tried may double cases.
I don't like the BAM, too bulky and material is sub par.
I don't like the Wiseman, it's too expensive and if you are carrying on your back for significant amounts of time (I cycle a lot to rehearsals) it will kill your back. Plus it's in leather so not the best weather resistance.
I could not get my hands on a Marcus Bonna to test and wasn't willing to pay almost $400 without seeing the thing.
My setup is Buffet attache case in Altieri bag, in Ortlieb Messenger backpack ( http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/images/large/messenger_group.jpg) for comfort and waterproofness when I cycle around.
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: bullittcar
Date: 2010-08-17 17:35
Here is my $0.02. I currently have the Marcus Bonna double case. The pro's; EXCELENT PROTECTION, more on that later. TONS of space for music and accessories. You can put way TOO much stuff in these cases. Smaller design than the Bam case and much more storage. Another perk is if the outside gets damaged you only need to buy a new cover (about $100) unlike the Bam. The only thing the Bam has that I would like on the Bonna are the clips that hold the case shut if the zipper fails,however, the zipper on the Bonna has never failed and like I noted I have filled the case to excess before. The BEST case I have ever seen and I own a Walt Johnson for my alto.
The ultimate test: I had my horns in the trunk of my car one day which I hardly ever do and was involved in an accident in the parking lot. I was hit in the rear quarter panel and moved my car about 1 1/2 feet to the left. The contents of my trunk were jostled to say the least. When I got home I took my horns out and to my surrprize they didn't even get knocked out of adjustment. That was over a year ago and they still haven't been to the shop.
That is my personal story.
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2010-08-17 23:46
As Farris Beuller said about the 1961 Ferrari GT California "If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up". I would say the same for the Marcus Bonna.
I've had mine for over a year and use it all the time. I use it as a double, a triple (with Eb) and a tripple with laptop and music AND my DB-88 metronome.
There's nothing that really compares. It is more comfortable on the back than the BAM. You can fit more things in the Bonna. All the things you put in it have a place and aren't constantly thrown around. You don't have to turn it over to get things out of the music compartment. The clarinets are held snug but not wrenching around on the keywork. It fits easily and comfortably under the seat of on a plane.
Before the Bonna I had:
1) Buffet pouchette double with Cavalerro case cover
2) Buffet pouchette double with Altieri cover
3) BAM Trekking Double
4) Customized briefcase (great, but no 3rd clarinet and no backpack straps)
A worthwhile investment! I'd rather pay for the bonna than pay a chiropractor!
P.S. Regarding the "if you have a double, then you'll have two stolen". I say if you have a double, you don't accidentally leave a clarinet somewhere when traveling and are actually better able to watch your stuff!
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Author: Adam W
Date: 2010-08-21 22:41
Are the Bonna cases able to hold (the clearly oversized) Backun bells / barrels? I can't quite tell from the picture.
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Author: ddavani
Date: 2010-08-21 23:19
I don't see why the Bonna cases can't hold the Backun barrels and bells, I know many people who use Backun equipment and have the Bonna case. The thing about BAM is that because of the material it forms to the shape of the barrels and bells which is why BAM is a good pick when you use all Backun equipment.
-Dave Davani
http://allclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2010-08-22 00:28
Backun stuff fits fine in the Bonna. I have a friend who has two backun barrels and two orsi barrels (all oversized) in her case as well as backun bells for both instruments.
In my case, I have:
-Two mouthpieces
-Two ligatures and caps
-4 Barrels
-1 business card case
-2 Vandoren 8 reed cases
- 2 9v batteries for my Dr. Beat
-Tuner
-Bay Ligature in its case (large plastic thing)
-Vandoren reed glass and ATG sanding block
- BG Neck Strap
In the outer pockets I have:
-3 Rico 8 reed cases
-1 Dr. Beat 88
- Stack of music
If I put the Eb in, then I have to shift some things around to the outside pockets (usually tuner, neckstrap, batteries, reed cases). Since I'm not using Eb right now, I have it spaced out.
I know you could fit that stuff in the BAM, but most of it would be in that outside pocket floating around in various states of disorganization.
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Author: W&MClarinetist
Date: 2010-08-23 04:01
The case I have currently is actually by a brand named Berp, which is based out of Spain. I have a triple case (A/Bb/Eb) and it can be a backpack or a shoulder strap. I primarily use it as a backpack and I love it! It's surprisingly lightweight, has a storage pocket in the front and the 3 clarinets fit perfectly. It has room for an extra mouthpiece, which is nice in case of an absolute emergency.
I asked for this as a Christmas present but found it to be very reasonably priced for the size/room/quality I received.
Here's the website in case you are interested: http://www.berp.com/bags/clarinet.html
As a college student whose clarinets travel a lot, I highly recommend this case. My only complaint is that sometimes I underestimate how wide I am with it and knock over a stand coming into rehearsal, but that's not necessarily the fault of the case as much as it is of the klutz wearing it
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