The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2017-07-02 03:06
Hi everyone,
Do any of you have recommendations for good, well-insulated double cases? I'm studying abroad in Finland beginning in January, so I need something that protects against rapid temperature changes. (I live and attend school in southern California, so normally this is not a concern.)
Last time it rained here, water leaked into my Protec double case — plus after four years of stuffing too many things in the outer pocket, the seam is coming apart — so I'm thinking of switching to something else.
Thanks!
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Author: RBlack
Date: 2017-07-02 08:05
Apart from the Lomax, which would really probably be the best, the only thing that comes to mind for me would be a BAM Trekking, which would be a bit more insulated than a Protec. Otherwise, maybe a Buffet/Yamaha style hard-case with an aftermarket insulated case cover?
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2017-07-02 09:06
If you have a good double case, you can protect it from the cold by covering it with an Olathe Clarinet Case Cover, available in a couple of different designs from Muncy. It's made of Codura and lined with synthetic sheepskin. Sells for about $100.00. You might also try contacting a few Finnish clarinetists to see what they use. Often, "when in Rome it's best to do as the Romans do."
Post Edited (2017-07-02 09:15)
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2017-07-02 22:18
Rather than offer products that work, let me point out how insulation works, perhaps allowing you to build or find the "mousetrap" here with the knowledge.
Insulation creates a thermal barrier/bridge between two places by not allowing the air in either of those two places to easily be exchanged, and uses material that doesn't conduct temperature well.
Metals--not good material for this. They heat up and cool down to easily. They're fine of the outside of cases, provided a thermal bridge exists between it and your clarinet.
Spray foam, fiberglass, stuffed up newspaper (surprise, materials found as home insulation, aged newest to oldest) work much better, even, alluding to the above post's synthetic sheepskin. One of the problems with these otherwise good solutions is that these cases aren't air tight.
Fiberglass has many safety issues related to its installation and use. Used in places like attics where it doesn't move, (although installed with safety equipment) is one thing. Used as an on the go material, it needs be encapsulated, like with thick sealed (as in heat sealed) plastic.
Imagine your clarinet case in a large zip lock bag, surrounded by a thick sealed plastic containing fiberglass. That would be good air and thermal barrier insulation.
One approach, find a good air tight case. Rip out the guts, replace it with FastCap's Kaisen Foam. This will not only allow you to carve the shape of your instruments against physical shock, but, as a foam (which captures air as foams do) is good against thermal shock as well. The tops and bottoms of the case close in on each other, creating the thermal bridge desired.
One of many examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBnkwroSQCw
Post Edited (2017-07-03 04:55)
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2017-07-03 01:22
Max,
Ask Selvadore Rahni, a clarinetist now working in Iceland, what kind of case he uses to protect his favorite, well-selected Buffet R13's, He has played in Estonia, Russia, and some other places known to have bouts of frigid weather (though Iceland isn't usually very cold because it is buffered by the North Atlantic Ocean).
Rhani grew up in Estonia, worked in the Kyoto Symphony in Japan, and has some ingenious ideas about many aspects of clarinet playing.
His email is selva@bolungarvik.is. Please tell him who you are studying with, and what you plan to do musically in Finland.
Or, ask Olli Leppaniemi, principal clarinet with the Danish National Symphony, a native of Finland with experience working in several Nordic countries, who would, by experience, be an excellent source on how to protect clarinets against the cold weather there. Olli was a student of Y. Gilad, who can probably help you contact him.
Post Edited (2017-07-04 03:47)
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2017-07-04 00:07
Iceland can get pretty cold seeing as it's in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean. The BAM cases are great for insulation and keeping every thing dry. If you can find the BAM traveler case that's your best bet.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2017-07-04 01:28
Yep, North Atlantic Ocean, not Pacific Ocean as I mistakenly said with my absent-minded brain probably thinking of Vancouver. Sorry about that. But there are still much colder places than Iceland, despite its chilly name.
Post Edited (2017-07-04 03:46)
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2017-07-04 03:15
Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I'm looking into the BAM case or possibly a cover for my Protec case.
@seabreeze, I'll see if I can get in contact with Olli Leppäniemi. I've been meaning to do that, since I will be studying with either him or Harri Maki while I'm at the Sibelius Academy. Yehuda was the one who recommended I study abroad there (I'm in the studio at USC.)
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