 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2001-12-13 05:02
I've just gotten a BAM double clarinet case (the big square one with the back-pack straps etc) and I've noticed that the black outside material is not properly glued to the inside. I took it back and compared it to 4 other identical cases, and mine was the best of them. Some of them were terrible -almost ready to fall apart. I then looked at the shop owners Selmer case and it was of a much higher quality. Has anyone else had this experience with BAM? The reason I am skeptical is because in the past I've owned a FEL (Orly) square double case, and the foam inside it ended up splitting and falling apart, and screws were coming out. Are the selmer cases much more expensive than BAM?
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Author: James
Date: 2001-12-13 05:47
Wow, bam are usually amazing cases, its surprising to hear that. If you can't find a decent bam case there, order one from the united states or look for a buffet case. I personally use the buffet french style case, its call pouchette or something like that. Good luck
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-12-13 13:18
I've owned several BAM cases, including one double like yours, and never had a moment's problem with them. I highly recommend them because they're so well made. This is surprising.
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-12-13 14:06
I've seen BAM cases fall apart in someone's trunk, just from the heat, humidity and bouncing.
I don't knock them, they are usually better than some others I've seen, but they are not necessarily the cat's pajamas.
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Author: Bob Rausch
Date: 2001-12-13 15:25
BAM makes good cases, but they are not good under certain conditions. Long-term I'm not sure how well these injected foam interiors will hold up.
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Author: Brandon
Date: 2001-12-13 17:58
I have had the BAM double for two years and never had a problem with it.
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Author: ES
Date: 2001-12-13 18:24
I have had a BAM double case identical to the one you describe for three years. Sides have come unglued, and the zipper has broken. I recommend having it replaced by BAM if you are still under warranty (1yr. I believe).
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Author: larry
Date: 2001-12-13 18:54
I've had the same problem and tried hot glueing to re-join the outer cover to the inner body of the case (as recommended by BAM - that's what they'd do if you have them repair it). Each time, though, the thing has detached. I wonder if this is really a problem though (aside for aesthetic)? It still holds together when unzipped or zipped. Nevetheless, it's annoying.
I've also been curious about the Selmer light double case - but I've never seen it stocked anywhere, so there's no way to know about its quality.
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Author: LynnB
Date: 2001-12-13 20:27
I have that same BAM double case and had no problems. But I also don't travel with it much. One thing that bugs me - it won't stay open when I want to put my clarinet together. I have to use a small stick to prop it open. UGH!
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Author: Ken
Date: 2001-12-13 23:08
I've got the Selmer, BAM-equivalent "double case". After only 3 months so faaa so good. It came with the compulsory backpack straps but for some reason, shoulder carry strap clips but NOT a carry strap like the BAM does. I need to call the vendor and find out what the deal is. I'm hip that protection takes priority over practicality and I'm satisfied with security but the beef I have with "design" is if you load down (top/bottom) the storage compartments it get all lumpy, disfigured and it becomes a "weeble" that definitely falls down alot. If the top storage compartment contains anything of appreciable weight or askew, as soon as you open the case it upends and everything takes a header. You'd think the weight distribution would be better dispersed and accounted for. After all, we're not "suits" with a briefcase, we're clarinet players who need "stuff". Big deal, sheet music, Dr.Beat, small repair kit/screwdrivers and Seiko tuner at the very least. Of course, jamming a Blayman 3-horn peg and post doesn't help the cause. <:-)
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Author: William
Date: 2001-12-14 18:23
Ken--Your case cannot be a "weeble" becasue, as we all (who are old enough) know, "Weebles Wooble but Never Topple." I have a separate bag for my Blaymen stand and pegs (A, Bb, C, Eb) and use a LeBlanc double case with an Alterie cover for my instruments and support junk. When Larry Combs gave his clinic at IMS lst year, he was on his way "down town" and had his clarinet gear in what looked to be two mid-size suitecases, much more extensive than the baggage I tote to every gig. I have asked Reunion Blues to build me a double soft sided clarinet case in leather, but so far no confirmation. (Their sax cases are wonderful) Until then, with one shoulder lower than the other, Good Clarineting!!!!!
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Author: Ken
Date: 2001-12-14 20:54
Interesting. I visited the Reunion Blues website, quality and price appear good but they seem to lean more toward string instruments and I didn't see any clarinet cases listed. I'll give them a call and see what they can do for me. I always carry a backup Bb so for me, it would be nice to find a decent gig bag that houses 3 horns (2 Bbs and A). Guess there's no way around it if you require extra stuff, especially the stands. It's certainly alot worse for a string bass, tuba or doubler loaded down with saxophones, clarinets, flutes etc. I got burned once using those flimsy pack-a-stands that fit in the bell and went to the Blaymans, even though the base can get quite heavy they're still portable enough to lug around.
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Author: eilidh
Date: 2001-12-14 21:24
The first BAM case i bought had a problem with the zipper from the start but I got another one from the shop and its fine. I really like it.........I think its a good case.........I've had it for about two years now and it gets a lot of wear and tear with all the junk I keep in it.
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Author: Marci
Date: 2001-12-14 21:40
I, too, have the BAM double case and I have had problems with mine. I got mine in Fall of 1998, and it has been coming unglued ever since. I have a friend though that bought one last year and hers was made slightly differently (they added in screw looking things and added a clasp to hold it together after you zip it up) and she has not had a problem with hers. I believe they are just inconsistent.
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Author: William
Date: 2001-12-14 23:14
Ken:
After my first request to RU to custom create a double clarinet gig bag in leather for me, they replied and said that they no longer accepted custom orders and are not planning on developing my idea. I emailed them back stating an assurrance that there would be a lucrative market in the clarinetists community for such a product, but I have heard nothing in reply. I still think that a gig bag in leather that would hold two (or more) clarinets plus accessories would be light weight, protective and a hot idea. The sax cases are lightweight and very protective with reasonable care and handling practice and I think that a clarinet bag would be a real popular and marketable item. Perhaps if more of us got involved, they might come up with something. Good Clarineting!!!!!
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Author: William
Date: 2001-12-15 03:26
Opps!!! RU should have been RB for Reunion Blues--sorry for the typo.
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