 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: lisabilski
Date: 2005-03-11 16:32
I find that I'm often carrying my oboe and clarinet at the same time, and I would like to be able to carry them together. Since I doubt that I will find a pre-made case to meet these specifications, I'd like to make my own case.
A while back, someone posted instructions here on how to do this. I have done a search, but I cannot seem to find it. Does anybody remember this thread who can point me in the right direction?
Thanks!
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2005-03-11 17:02
Along these lines, the manufacturer of cases for the LeBlanc firm offered to make any size box I wanted; all that I needed to supply was the insert and they would do the rest. The quote for a "standard" sized box like a triple clarinet case were very reasonable, in the neighborhood of $30.00 US. And, unlike many of the alternatives, this approach provides a case that looks, feels, smells and protects as well or better than the original shipped with the instrument.
The insert can be made of a thick (4") block of expanded polyethylene foam, cut with a hot wire loop to fit your instrument's joints, notched at the end of each joint for the upholstering, and then covered with plush fabric to match the case-top pillow. The craft part of it isn't too hard, but it does require a lot of planning and experimentation to get it all right.
The foam you get from a plastics supplier (mine quoted a 4' x 8' sheet as the minimum quantity), the hot wire you make from a stick of wood, a couple of wood screws, a model railroad transformer, a couple of feet of extension cord, and some stiff Nichrome heater element wire.
Once the joint locations are plotted out, you use the hot wire to scoop out portions of the foam until the desired cavity profiles are reached. It cuts the foam "like a hot knife through butter", with no fire hazard or significant amount of smoke.
After the cutting is done, you contact glue the fabric to the remaining flat surfaces of the foam, starting at the top, moving downward, and stuffing the excess length of the cloth (caused by dipping down into the cavities) into the "notches" cut at either end. It's done just like a standard "old style" clarinet case, and works about as well. Then, you ship it off to the box guy, he builds the box around it (including storage on the side if you wish) and there you go.
I was looking for a Bb, A, Bb bass case at the time, but I stopped orchestral work before I got the time and energy to go through all of the steps. But, it's not that hard.
leader of Houston's Sounds Of The South Dance Orchestra
info@sotsdo.com
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-03-11 21:04
You can get an aluminum "airline style" case similar to those used for pro cameras at Home Depot or Office Max or similar stores. You can get "wave pattern" sound insulating foam from various places "online" sources.....some even free. The wave pattern foam requires minimal tailoring to fit oboes or clarinets. Cut it to fit, adhesive it to the case, drape some velvet over it. Voila!
Bob Draznik
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2005-03-11 21:26
I searched on multicase and found: http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=161881&t=161881.
Enjoy!
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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Author: Erdinet
Date: 2005-03-12 09:46
For the record. Wiseman cases can tailor one of their cases to carry a clarinet and oboe a the same time. Of course the question becomes do you want to pay that much for a case. I am considering ordering a double clarinet case from them and they told me that they can make it an oboe / clarinet combo or a flute / clarinet combo or even and Eb-clarinet, flute / clarinet combo for that matter. No doubt that there is a premium price to be paid for these cases but I must say that I find them to be of exceptional quality.
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2005-03-12 16:33
Terry,
It is pretty cool that you can get a case exactly the size you need.
Do you have contact information for the case builder?
Thanks,
Ralph
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The Clarinet Pages
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