 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Benjamin
Date: 2011-06-18 15:02
I was wondering how many people might be interested in a Bonna bass clarinet case if they were similarly priced to his nylon and leather bassoon cases ($400-$600):
http://www.forrestsmusic.com/bassoon_cases.htm
I've had one of his double clarinet cases since January that I love! I've traveled a lot with my Buffet low C bass (8 years old) and the case is really starting to fall apart. I've considered all the other case options I can find (BAM, Wiseman, etc.), and none of the others are as appealing as I would like either aesthetically or in terms of functionality.
Hopefully if enough people are interested in Bonna making a bass case we may convince him to design one!
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2011-06-19 02:24
i too own the Double (Tripple) Bb\A + Eb or C case. It's amazing and i have yet to find anything with a better combination of storage, limited pressure on keywork, weight, comfort on the back, as well as allowing expansion to tripple case with Eb or C clarinet.
If I owned a bass, I'd be very interested! On a side note, I have heard of people putting the marcus bonna double case in the outer pocket of the BAM bass clarinet case.
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Author: William
Date: 2011-06-19 16:14
I have been in contact with the Bonna people in the past regarding a low C bass clarinet case. If one were to be offered, I would certainly be interested. However, I would be more interested if Reunion Blues would market one. They make wonderfully padded, custom cases for everything else, except the clarinet family. And, they are LIGHT.
FWIW, Altieri markets a soft-side bass clarinet case that looks good on screen. However, I have not seen one "live".
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Author: Simon Aldrich
Date: 2011-06-19 18:14
"i too own the Double (Tripple) Bb\A + Eb or C case. It's amazing and i have yet to find anything with a better combination of storage, limited pressure on keywork, weight, comfort on the back, as well as allowing expansion to tripple case with Eb or C clarinet."
Hi Nathan. It might be time to refer to the Bonna case as a double (quadruple) case. I had a week of rehs/concerts in which I had to play Bb, A, Eb and D. The Bonna double case actually housed all 4 clarinets. I put the D clarinet in the bottom of the front section and put the Eb above the D, separated by bubble wrap.
I bike to all rehs/concerts so taking everything in one case is essential.
"I have heard of people putting the marcus bonna double case in the outer pocket of the BAM bass clarinet case."
(Hitting forehead with palm) I hadn't thought of that! I'm kicking myself for including a bass Bam case with my Selmer bass clarinet that I sold to a student.
The bass Bam case has increased in price dramatically in the last few years. They used to be $375 here and now they are almost $600. I am looking for a used one because when I bike to rehs with the Buffet bass case on my back and my single or double case on my front, pedalling uphill in Montreal summer heat/humidity is torture.
Two more thoughts regarding the Bonna double case. I got a second Bonna case for my main boxwood instruments (Lotz copies). This case is great for period clarinets, for several reasons. Firstly, period clarinet joint-lengths vary greatly and the ability to alter the position and placement of the foam supports inside the Bonna case is a godsend, especially if I needed to alter the foam supports to accommodate my Eisenbrandt copy, whose bell is not detachable from the lower joint.
Secondly, I can't help thinking that the open concept in the case, with the joints suspended at their tenons, allows for better humidification of all the parts. Boxwood is much more susceptible to humidity changes than hardwoods. Putting a number of humidifiers above and below the fragile boxwood upper joints appears to keep them more humidified than if the joints were in a tradition case with joint cutouts.
Simon
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Author: Benjamin
Date: 2011-06-19 23:21
Simon, I completely agree with your thoughts on the Bonna cases and prefer them for all the same reasons! I have yet to see another case that offers a better way to humidify the instrument equally. This is the main reason I'm not interested in the Wiseman cases. BTW, I've been using these humidifiers attached via a magnetic strip (which I attached velcro to) and have been very happy with them:
http://oasishumidifiers.com/index.html
If you use them in your bass case, they attach easily to the metal peg!
William, the Renuin Blues cases look nice, but don't offer the protection I need. If weight is a big factor, you might get a cart with wheels.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-06-20 01:55
I've been using the Wiseman case for over ten years now, it's as good and strong as new, fantastic case. Easy to carry over my shoulder and pretty much indestructible. Mine is made to carry a clarinet along with it but I use that space to carry a custom made bass stand instead. I'd strongly recommend it for anyone that can afford one. ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: JamesOrlandoGarcia
Date: 2012-03-29 21:54
I just got an email from Marcus Bonna saying that he has a bass clarinet case in production and will be adding it to his website soon!
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Author: dansil
Date: 2012-03-30 06:48
I bought a Bass quad case from Bassbags (www.bassbags.co.uk) after they modified it at my request to be 5cm (2 inches) longer to more generously accommodate my Buffet Prestige to low C (I considered the dimensions advertised on their website would create a perilously tight fit especially for the left pinky keys on the lower joint). They agreed to make the case longer but as they needed to make new templates I was charged 60 Euros more than the advertised cost. And of course it took quite a bit longer to get to me in Australia.
Despite the extra cost I believe that it's a fabulous case accommodating my bass, up to 3 more soprano clarinets (should the need arise) but mostly my Opus II, iPad stand and iPad, as well as heaps of accessories and hard copy music stand when needed. Even when fully loaded it's reasonably comfortable with backpack-type straps which free up the arms to carry other stuff!
I suspect it would be cheaper than a Marcus Bonna bass case but not a classy or as rugged as a Wiseman case.
Cheers Danny
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Author: JamesOrlandoGarcia
Date: 2012-03-30 18:28
I know that people have been talking for a while now about a Bonna Bass Clarinet case. I bet you that it will become the most desired case on the market, at least in the USA.
My Bb/A/(Eb) case is super light and functional. His bassoon case became an instant standard among most of my bassoon friends as they can now easily leave their cases on stage.
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Author: The_Clarinetist
Date: 2012-05-06 13:51
OT, I know, but has anyone tried to put a basset clarinet (in A) into the marcus bonna double clarinet case? Or is the lower basset joint too long to fit? It should at least be possible, yet impractical, if it is placed diagonally...
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Author: William
Date: 2012-05-06 16:11
Another company that would make a great bass clarinet case is Reunion Blues. They currently make wonderful leather cases for just about every other instrument, but for some reason, just will not modify their bassoon case design to accomodate the low C bass clarinet.
Any current word on the MB bass case?????
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Author: Jbosacki
Date: 2012-05-07 01:41
Excuse me if it's already been discussed, but looking on the MB website it seems as though they already make one?
http://www.mbcases.com.br/
Look under Clarinet cases > bass clarinet case
I would be very interested to see how this fit my Prestige. A few years ago the strap broke on my Buffet case only months after getting it, and I had to do a duct tape repair after trying to contact buffet about it multiple times and never getting a call returned. But aside from that I'd be interested to see how well it would work with a prestige, from the picture the one in the case appears to be a selmer, and from my experience my buffet is a bit longer than that.
If someone could assure me that it would in fact fit a Buffet well. I would definitely consider getting one.
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Author: gsurosey
Date: 2012-05-07 04:43
Judging by the pictures, I'm guessing the only one available at this time is for a 2-piece bass to low C. I did a quick search and didn't see any sites/places that sold this. There are no prices on the Bonna web site, so does anyone know what this would cost? The double clarinet case runs over $400 (from what I've seen), so I'm guessing the bass case is easily over $500. Can anyone confirm?
----------
Rachel
Clarinet Stash:
Bb/A: Buffet R13
Eb: Bundy
Bass: Royal Global Max
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Author: JHowell
Date: 2012-05-07 14:15
The early posts do, but the recent ones are germane. While there is a bass case on the Bonna website at the link given above, there are no dimensions or prices. I think the question whether anyone has put a Prestige in it is a good one.
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Author: William
Date: 2012-05-07 15:17
When I checked the MB website last Saturday (5-6-12), there was only the double case listed under "clarinet". Checking today, there IS a bass case shown, however, no dimensions, weight, or cost. Looks nice & compact......
5-7-12, FWIW, I just sent an email to MB asking for the above info. If they respond, I'll pass it on.......
Post Edited (2012-05-07 15:25)
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Author: William
Date: 2012-05-07 15:34
Another "fwiw" item, Donna Altieri makes a bass clarinet gig bag (not a case cover) that appears to be adequately padded for protection and lightweight. I have not seen one "live", however the pics look good and it is reasonably priced.
http://www.altieribags.com/ww_clarinet.html
Post Edited (2012-05-07 15:41)
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Author: Simon Aldrich
Date: 2012-05-08 01:07
>has anyone tried to put a basset clarinet (in A) into the marcus bonna double >clarinet case? Or is the lower basset joint too long to fit? It should at least be >possible, yet impractical, if it is placed diagonally...
Intrigued by your question, I tried to put the lower joint of my modern basset clarinet in A in my Bonna double case to see if it fit. It doesn't fit, even diagonally. If you were willing to adjust some of the internal foam parts of the case, the lower joint would fit.
I have learned that Bonna cases are amenable to being adjusted. I made internal adjustments on a Bonna double case to fit my period C, Bb and A clarinets (including their 3 bells) and found that because the case's molded, hard -foam pieces have a well-glued velcro on the bottom, you can cut the pieces to size and reposition them securely. (I posted pictures of the result on another thread.)
When I play my basset A clarinet, I carry its lower joint in an inexpensive, small flute case with the interior padded for the basset lower joint.
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Author: JamesOrlandoGarcia
Date: 2012-05-08 01:11
I'm kind of disappointed with Bonna's bass clarinet case. It isn't nearly as cool as double case and it has a bunch of wasted space.
I like the Alteri design sans the ugly red fabric on the inside.
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Author: The_Clarinetist
Date: 2012-05-08 15:29
Thank you Simon for taking time to find out and present the answer to my question! Thought it had fallen into oblivion hidden by all the succeeding posts.
Seems like Wiseman is the only alternative if you want to gather your complete set up in one case, but I can't say they're pretty, at least not on picture.
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Author: William
Date: 2012-05-13 20:38
Just got an email from Marcus Bonna which included the following link--http://www.mbcases.com.br/ where I could "see the case". Delivery anticipated for August. Although I requested info regarding price, dimension and weight, none was included. They don't even show the double/triple case open. Doesn't seem as if they are much interested in selling their product(s) nor communicating with potential customers.
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Author: JamesOrlandoGarcia
Date: 2012-05-14 00:56
William, they make the some of the most desired cases on the market. Their wait list for cases is extremely long. The either need to expand or dramatically raise their prices.
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Author: William
Date: 2012-05-14 22:13
"The either need to expand or dramatically raise their prices."
Huh......?? Would it be too much trouble for the Marcus folks to tell me how much their new case would cost? I couldn't find any prices for any of their products on their website. One minor distraction--it would be nice if the clarinet cases did not have to have a pic of a horn on them. I know its their offical 'logo', but really.............??
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2012-05-14 22:16
William -- I agree completely. I was intrigued at the beginning of this thread -- I have no interest now.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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