 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: David Niethamer
Date: 2009-08-11 17:20
Last November I bought a Rico 8 reed case. It's a nice case, with room for a Reed Vitalizer pack, grooved bed for the reeds to aid in even drying (allegedly, anyway) and a nice wide slot for each reed to keep klutzes like me from nicking the corners of the reeds as they're put away. Another really nice feature is that the reeds are held back at the "bark" portion of the reed, so the cut part of the reed isn't covered.
BUT (and you KNEW there would be a "but" - right?!?) a few weeks ago, the pins that hold the reed holding part of the case into the outer cover snapped off. I didn't drop the case or otherwise abuse it. Now the interior part of the case just rattles around, leaving the possibility that reeds might get damaged. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem. Seems like a serious weakness in an otherwise good design.
I also have a Harrison case (one latch broken, but otherwise OK), a 6 reed Selmer case (still the champ) and I have my students get the Vito reed case that holds 4 reed (like a ReedGard, but with a rubber ring instead of the metal clip that gouges the front of reeds on the ReedGard).
I'm wondering what people who use it think of the 8 reed Vandoren case, or if there are other favorites. As you can see, since I'm agonizing over the minutiae of reed cases that I have too much time on my hands and not enough productive work to do. (this is not true - I'm just procrastinating in the heat!)
Thanks in advance for any insights.
David
niethamer@aol.com
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/index.html
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-08-11 17:25
This same thing happened to my Rico(after about 6 months of use) case and the latch of my students case did not take long time to brake. This makes the durability of this case very poor.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-08-11 17:32
I have heard of several failures of the Rico case, just as mentioned above. You might want to contact Rico and let them know you are not satisfied with the product.
The Protec case works fine for me, and holds 12 reeds. If you keep more than 12 in play at a time, the casecomes in three colors, so you can further differentiate reeds by the case color. It's also reasonably priced.
Jeff
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-08-11 17:34
I've had two of the Rico cases for almost two years, with no problems.
I use them every day.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2009-08-11 18:02
Nah, your reeds won't get damaged in it. They just move slightly and are still secure in the holder.
It's the edge plastic pieces that are thin and break quite quickly.
I've yet to see a reed damaged from one that many of my students have just like that.
Goofy plastic hinge
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2009-08-11 18:15
David,
I have had two Angelica cases (purchased from Weiner) for a few years now, and they're fairly sturdy. (Remember you asked me about mine when I saw you last?)
I especially like the hinges, which are more robust than I've seen in other wood cases, and I especially like it that the manufacturer gives a ten year warranty on the latch.
They're wood (I'd rather have a different cover material, though Angelica provides a nicely fitted cloth bag for the case), and they do the job.
The only thing I don't like about them is that, like many other cases, the glass insert is rounded on the edges, so if you ever needed to replace it, you'd have to get a glass supplier to shape it for you instead of just going out and buying a plain rectangle.
B.
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2009-08-11 18:33
Same thing happened to me after about 4 months use- the latch snapped, so I had to use an elastic, then the hingey thing broke. Then I got fed up and talked to the manager of the music store that I bought it from and, they discounted the price of that case from a new Wiseman case, which I am very satisfied with.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-08-11 18:36
Looks and usability combined, a Roger Garrett reed case would be my case of choice. Makes for a great gift too.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2009-08-11 18:38)
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Author: xarkon
Date: 2009-08-11 18:49
I have both the four-reed and eight-reed Vandoren cases. Very nicely molded. Have dropped both several times over the years, never broken anything.
Annoyances:
four-reed case - essentially this is built as two molded caps with a center insert that also has the tube with the absorbent material in the center. They don't glue one of the caps to the center, so if you drop it, you may have to put all of it back together. I've thought about gluing it and have just never bothered, though.
eight-reed case - I find that when you drop this one, it has a tendency to fly open and distribute your reeds all over the floor.
That said - I would buy both of them again - they are really pretty well made. Much better than the metal holder or Rico plastic holders I had many years ago (eerrrh...high school days).
Dave
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-08-11 19:57
I've been using two of the Rico cases for well over two years now, never had a single problem. I carry them in my clarinet case pocket inside a freezer bag for extra protection from drying out to quickly. As I've mentioned before, doing that has allowed me to keep the Vitalizers well over a year before having to replace them as long as I never let them sit out in the exposed air. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Bobby McClellan
Date: 2009-08-11 20:31
I personally have a protec case for my soprano reeds. But my best cases are made by Roger Garrett. They are wood with the glass plate. I had one made for Bass Clarinet and Contra Clarinet. I absolutely loved them . Each holds 10 reeds. I plan on ordering one for my soprano reeds in the near future.
And yes have have a bok of old reed gards.
Bobby M. McClellan
Flowood, MS
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Author: Bobby McClellan
Date: 2009-08-11 20:34
I personally have a protec case for my soprano reeds. But my best cases are made by Roger Garrett. They are wood with the glass plate. I had one made for Bass Clarinet and Contra Clarinet. I absolutely loved them . Each holds 10 reeds. I plan on ordering one for my soprano reeds in the near future.
And yes have have a bok of old reed gards.
Bobby M. McClellan
Flowood, MS
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2009-08-11 22:32
I prefer the Vandoren 8 reed case. They are the best reed cases on the market, unless you drop it!
The rico seems somewhat annoying to open and such? Any problems there by anyone?
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-08-11 22:58
NBeaty like I said enough problem that my 11 year old student and his parent manage to brake the lock just day or two after purchasing it while trying to open it.
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Author: 2E
Date: 2009-08-12 00:48
Ive been using the rico 4 reed guards inside the plastic zip lock vitalizer kit. Was planning to get the rico 8 reed holder but after reading about their durability, not so sure? Does no one use the individual plastic cases manufactures ship reeds in? Ive got a draw full of old vandoren/rico plastic cases hidden around somewhere ...
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2009-08-12 15:40
I've had the 8-reed Vandoren case for as long as I can remember and it is very sturdy. I even adjust reeds on the back of it! (It looks like crap now but is obviously functional).
Your reeds are going to end up all over the floor if you drop it as others have mentioned. If you're clumsy, it is perhaps not the case for you.
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