 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2021-07-02 10:41
Hi
I'm wondering if anyone here has the Reed & Squeak compact bass clarinet case (the light weight one)?
Any opinions from experience?
Thanks
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Author: JF Clarinet
Date: 2021-07-03 20:20
I use this case. It was the cheapest option I thought would be good when I needed a case for my bass that came in a broken case (off eBay). It isn't the most convenient case to use. The modularity seems nice at first but can be annoying to deal with. Nothing fits totally perfectly in the case and things will move around. There isn't a great spot to put your mouthpiece. In the case. In the 3 years I've had the case, I've had to go in once for a key that got out of adjustment (I'm honestly surprised). It looks like this case can be rough on the keys, but this hasn't been a big problem for me so far.
I do not feel comfortable taking this case on a plane. Not sure if it actually is safe or not, but I do not feel protection against big bumps against hard surfaces that could happen in turbulence.
Overall, I would get a different case if budget is no issue. I only got it because I had also just bought a bass and didn't want to shell out ~$400 for a case on top of that. If budget is an issue, get this case and accept that you might not always love it, but it gets the job done.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-07-03 22:51
"I do not feel comfortable taking this case on a plane. Not sure if it actually is safe or not, but I do not feel protection against big bumps against hard surfaces that could happen in turbulence."
It's not the turbulence you need to worry about - it's the baggage handlers and even some of what may be considered the sturdiest cases on the market aren't able to protect their precious contents against the wrath of the baggage handler. Instruments in soft cases with no proper support for the joints stand no chance.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2021-07-04 10:40
>> It's not the turbulence you need to worry about - it's the baggage handlers <<
I assume he meant when taking it with you on the plane and putting it in the overhead compartment.
>> I only got it because I had also just bought a bass and didn't want to shell out ~$400 for a case on top of that. <<
Are you sure it's the same case...?
The one I'm asking about, converted to $US, is about $450 before shipping and tax. It's possible it used to cost less, but the way you write it makes it sound like your R&S case cost much less than $400. Even their cheaper Economy model (which is different and much heavier) costs about $370.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-07-05 20:22
"I assume he meant when taking it with you on the plane and putting it in the overhead compartment."
The average maximum dimensions for hand luggage is around 55cmx40cmx20cm - low C bass cases (and tenor sax cases) are usually around 90cm long, so most likely won't be allowed to go into overhead compartments.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: JF Clarinet
Date: 2021-07-06 06:12
I bought my reed and squeak case about 3-4 years ago after seeing Michael Lowenstern’s review of it https://youtu.be/_uKAPPJ7538
It is very possible that the price has changed (and exchange rates are obviously variable). When I got it, I think I paid around $300 USD (it was a long time ago, so I don’t remember). If the price has gone up or exchange rates are bad these days, I would strongly consider something else.
I would NEVER let luggage handlers deal with my instrument. I believe there are laws that help protect us with this. The reed and squeak case is quite compact, and according to Lowenstern would fit on most overhead storage for larger planes. I don’t like to take the risk of travelling with it though, both because there is a chance I have to fight to keep it overhead, and I don’t want it rumbling around overhead with other people’s luggage (I do not trust it to well protect the instrument).
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2021-07-06 07:51
>> so most likely won't be allowed to go into overhead compartments. <<
I've always taken the bass clarinet on the plane with me, and pretty much the same for all other bass clarinetists I know. It always fits in the overhead compartments with the Wiseman case at least. I haven't flown in the last couple of years so maybe things changed, and I guess some flights use much smaller planes (not all I've been on have been the largest planes though).
JF, that's the Economy which which is a different case. I think they only had that one model back then, and just this week they added a third "tweener" case. They are probably similar in how protective they are, but they weigh very differently. The Economy is 4.25kg and that's one of the two reasons I'm considering the R&S Compact case, which is only 2.7kg. It's for when I only need the bass and only have to walk with it to a rehearsal/concert, to and back from the car, etc.
With the Wiseman it doesn't matter if it gets bumped around, or cramped with a bunch of other things (e.g. there's a cello on it). I can even sit on it (not that I recommend doing that), but it's very heavy (4.5kg) and the shape and hardness of the material hurts my back if I walk with it for more than a couple of minutes. I got it because I needed the soprano and bass most of the time, but that has changed and I now need just the bass 80% of the time, so want something lighter and more comfortable. I guess I'd need to be more careful with the R&S case, make sure there isn't something heavy on it, etc.
Post Edited (2021-07-06 11:28)
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