 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bob Rausch
Date: 2001-10-22 15:55
Last week, I posted a question about finding a good single-piece case for a FB clarinet. Many people suggested I make my own case. I am a pretty good wood-worker and have drawn up plans for my own custom case. Looking at my plans, I was thinking others may be interested in what I building.
Two Questions I would Like to pose:
1. What frustrates up the most about your current clarinet case or cases ?
2. If you could have a custom case made for you, what would you ask for ?
Just curious....
Thanks
Bob
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2001-10-22 16:58
I've been thinking about cases too - will be interesting to hear from the trenches. Here a few of my thoughts - gripes - etc..
The Buffet Double case dictates that you keep the bell attached to both horns, which in my experience leads to more or less permanent compression of the cork, and unless "worn in" and well lubricated, to a very sticky joint. Just my own opinion, but I would rather see two single cases that could be joined if you really needed both horns at the same sitting. The leather is OK but not very servicable on a daily basis unless you put the case within a case for travel.
Polyurethane foam, used in many new cases will outgas forever. Some of the volatile compounds, or their sister or daughter reaction compounds will promote tarnish - besides being carcinogenic. Some of the new synthetic "memory" foams have been usee by NASA in spacecraft and do not outgas toxic fumes while conforming to the exact dimensions of the body supported.
Microfiber linings are much more servicable, absorbent, and softer than velvet, or fleeced fabrics.
Unless the case itself is a showpiece (I would love to have a single case made of matched exotic hardwood with brass fittings, name plate, and hardware) it should be very sturdy (probably the 3 foot drop onto concrete test is appropriate) with a non-scuff plastic shell, good hardware and a piano hinge back, good form fitting padding and thermal insulating properties, space for an extra barrel, an assessory area, or side pouch, potentially have a gasket to limit infiltration of air pollutants and excess water vapor, and able to stand on it's own without being "tipsy", should be designed so that you know instinctively what side is the top and which is the bottom, and be as small as possible. Some people like music storage areas, but in my humble experience these just get cluttered, hard to sort through, and lead to a case that is the size of a suitcase to carry around.
The Doctor
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Author: jmcaulay
Date: 2001-10-22 18:38
Bob, here are my answers:
1) I once had a beautiful medium-tan leather clarinet case. It looked as if it should have been carried around on a velvet pillow. That thing consumed more of my energy and concern than if I had carried the clarinet around wrapped in old newspapers in a shopping bag. IMO, gorgeous cases are a bane.
2) I would want a case so ugly hardly anyone would want to steal it. It should provide real protection to the contents, not just have some wood baffles built in and covered with fluffy fabric that picks up all kinds of soil, moisture, and odors. Small enough to be carried easily (after all, it's a "carrying case"), it should be large enough to have places dedicated to every piece of the clarinet, plus maybe an extra barrel or two and extra mouthpiece or two, with added spaces -- not just a big side compartment so they can rattle around -- for the extra "stuff" we would all want with us if we had room. Stuff like one or two swabs of my choice, a couple of nice rags, one or two bamboo chopsticks, a Vandoren reed case, cork grease, some pads, a small tube of Micro cement, a cigarette lighter, small screwdriver, small scissors, some rubber bands, a package of waxed dental floss, and some thin double-sticky foam (good quick substitute for flat cork). Plus whatever I forgot to put on this list. If you like, have a place for a chromatic tuner -- even a fork. By the way, I don't especially care if it'll handle a ten-foot drop, because that'll probably never happen. However, I do want it to protect the stuff inside from one or two solid boots by an NFL kicker (if unavailable, a good goalkeeper will be just as good). You see, it's almost certain that sooner or later, the case will be kicked. And if it could withstand being run over by a moderate-sized wheeled vehicle without damage to the contents, that would be just super.
I have mentioned here before the ZERO Halliburton cases. They have been used for years by photographers, videographers, and sound techs (among others) to protect sensitive, expensive equipment. Customized inside, one of these would cover pretty much all of my wish list. And they are, in their own high-tech way, wonderfully ugly. Bob, perhaps you might consider a rectangular ZERO case, with the body of your treasure placed inside diagonally. One of these cases is not pretty, but it would provide really good protection for your instrument.
Regards,
John
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Author: terry
Date: 2001-10-22 18:45
let me see...
1. dropable from a airplane cargo hatch without damage to it or
to the contents (2 clarinets). Say 3.3 meters (~10 feet)
2. can be run over by a bus (it DOES happen)
3. water resistant, to at least 15 feet, in case it is dropped
on the way to a gig (and floats)
4. non-urethane foam, either a high density open cell or closed cell
foam to ensure ability to resist getting a "set."
5. positive latches that will not burst open.
6. padlockable
7. each piece stored separately, not assembled
8. nice thick velvet, dark green or burgundy, (tired of blue!)
(although that thought about microfibre is interesting...)
9. generous goodie tray.
10. dedicated space for humidifier
11. dedicated space for metronome, dedicated space for tuner
12. dedicated space for reed holder.
13. "briefcase style" pockets for music, pencils, etc.
the above were my criteria when I constructed my case 2 weeks
ago. It cost $105.00, velvet is expensive!, for a matched
set of A and Bb clarinets. To demo it, I tossed it with the
clarinets (12 feet out and 3 feet down), no damage...
then reached for my instructors $400.00
case to repeat the demo. He was too quick....
sorry, no wood involved, unless you count the clarinets.
best wishes!
terry
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Author: wow
Date: 2001-10-22 19:03
All i can say for you is get a life and go out and by a regular clarinet case by buffet or bam, they work well enough for the professionals today they can for you. Focus on your playing more and so much less on your equipment.....jeez.......
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Author: terry
Date: 2001-10-22 19:17
put the $200.00 I saved over a "a regular clarinet case by buffet(sic) or
bam(sic)", and bought a nice mouthpiece, and got a couple of gigs
with the new sound
... I guess you are right, I really should "get a life"...
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Author: Fred
Date: 2001-10-23 00:51
One other pet peeve of mine is case-open stability. My older buffet single case now has weak springs and won't pop open like it used to, leaving me to hold it open while I assemble the horn. A related problem with another case where the top opens to a backward tilt: all is well until I remove enough pieces from the case that it becomes top-heavy and tips over backward.
Fortunately, the instruments are in no danger of damage, as the room they have me in is quite nicely padded . . .
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2001-10-23 03:41
Dear JMCaulay and all. Zero Haliburton cases are indeed a good answer for the outside case. I have a couple larger ones (actually they were purchased by Uncle Sam to hold dot matrix printers) sold at surplus for 10 cents on the dollar which I use to transport fragile goods and displays. Zero also made some plastic outside cases for Uncle for various electronic equipment that are just as strong and about the right size for a double case and available at surplus from time to time. The inside - well we've discussed that - I would like mylar foil next to the case and a formed latex foam base with memory foam topper and a microfiber non-pilling tight fleece next to the horn (the newer microfiber materials are non-pilling, dissipate but do not hold moisture, do not hold odors, are easily cleaned and are anti-static in character). New Zero cases will set you back a couple hundred bucks even on EBay - there is a great demand. A little clunkier are the Pelican cases but very strong and slightly cheaper (watertight to 60 meters too - but who cares!). Stronger cases, but hard to find the right size are the Anvil shipping cases. Some people hate for us to use brand names but they are identifiable and I have no vested interest in any of this!
The Doctor
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Author: Wes
Date: 2001-10-23 08:25
One could check the cases at the Harbor Freight tool stores. They have inexpensive metal cases like the Zero cases.
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2001-10-25 04:17
Someone should make a case that will accomodate a mouthpiece that has a Rovner ligature and cover.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-10-25 10:52
Many modern cases provide little provision for air circulation. This can easily lead to high humidity after playing. This could be a major factor in problems with rusting springs/pivots and mould on pads, and even visible mould on the timber in some cases.
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Author: Bob Rausch
Date: 2001-10-25 20:10
I want to thank everyone for their input on cases. I only remaining quesiton I have has to do with the person that mentioned the Rovner Ligature. What is so special about this ligature ? Why does it not fit well in the mold of a standard case ?
Thanks
Bob
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