 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: bbillings
Date: 2016-06-29 07:14
Hello All,
Has anyone tried to make a clarinet case using a Pelican Case and specifically their "pick and pluck" foam? I recently purchased a vintage Selmer Paris bass clarinet and it needs a new case. The BAM case may be suitable but the joint dimensions are different being molded on the "Buffet RC Prestige" bass.
A second question, I found a thread about MB cases making a bass clarinet case. I see it on their website and it appears to be a custom order situation. Has anyone actually purchased one or know of someone who has? If so, any impressions or thoughts?
Thank you,
Brian
Post Edited (2016-06-29 07:14)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2016-06-30 19:51
My BAM case for my Selmer Model 32 (low Eb) case just arrived. There was plenty of room for my bass and the memory foam construction wrapped the instrument very well. Even though the slot for the lower section was longer than I needed, I just inserted my rolled up silk swap in the small gap. The upper section was a perfect fit.
The case is very light and well made. There is very large front pocket for my harness, spare reed boxes, and a pouch for extra mouthpieces. Plenty of room there.
This is a beautifully case with a built in rain cover and backpack straps. Expensive but extremely well made.
HRL
Post Edited (2017-01-22 16:29)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2016-06-30 20:09
Has anyone tried to make a clarinet case using a Pelican Case and specifically their "pick and pluck" foam?
No Brian, I haven't. But maybe this is useful. I think the pick and pluck foam you refer to, and "Kaisen" foam, are synonymous.
Kaisen foam, first launched via Fastcap http://www.fastcap.com/ I believe (a site my woodworking has me familiar with) has--as I know does Youtube--some pretty good videos on Kaisen foam's usage: if you haven't seen.
Certainly not as fancy, but foam conforming and cheap, I've used a double sided firearm case, with a little modification, and its egg shell foam, to hold a Bfer on one side, and an "A" on the other.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: bbillings
Date: 2016-06-30 22:57
Well, I'm up in the air. Not because of price as much as fitment, value and protection. I've heard mixed reviews about the BAM case's durability, specifically the zippers ($553 retail). Not as big of a deal on the single trekking case for a soprano clarinet but on the bass clarinet case where the cost is more than double I'd like to think of the case as an almost permanent purchase. I like the BAM case foam cradle's shock and especially the thermal protection which is advantageous given my location in Mesa, AZ. Thank you Hank for your review of how your instrument fits as I have concerns. I know my upper joint is slightly too large for the "slot" (1cm) and the lower joint well too small for the other (6cm). My bass' dimensions are: Upper Joint 39.85cm, Lower Joint 45.1cm.
I also recently located the MB case ($600) for bass clarinet and the MB cases get rave reviews from basoonists, oboists and clarinet players etc... One advantage is that the joints float and the key work isn't compressed at all. My concerns with that case are it's size. It is built for a Low C clarinet. Despite the ingenious design with the internal blocks being adjustable that leaves significant extra space. (overall dimensions: approx 35"x 11"x 7"). It is equal in price to the BAM for Low C and I believe it to be a better design for that application.
I'm considering building my own case from a Pelican 1555 air ($170 retail). The internal dimensions are exactly the same as my current case but the technology is new, it is airtight, waterproof, military grade protection etc.... This is a different model but I see that Lomax uses Pelican or equivalent to build his cases. I'm assuming he spent money to have the internal foam CAD designed and has it cut to his specifications. I think his cases look great but he doesn't make one to suit my needs. I like the idea of being able to maintain a constant humidity level in the case and D'Addario's 49% humidipack for guitars would be perfect. I also believe I can incorporate some of Bonna's/Lomax's design into my version whereby the body of the instrument is supported by the tenons and floats freely within the case as well as providing good air movement. Further, velour is readily available to finish the interior if so desired. I am having difficulty deciding on the foam etc... and finding it to purchase (there are lots of commercial foams available that don't appear to be readily available to the public) to build the interior out of. I have ready access to all the tools necessary. The disadvantage here is the time to design, build and make it look professional.
I'm surprised no one has chimed in who has constructed their own case. Especially given the ready availability of Pelican cases and their current use by Lomax!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: smokindok
Date: 2016-07-01 19:13
Attachment: BassClCase.JPG (1510k)
I used a SKB 3I-3614-6B-E Rifle Waterproof Empty Case 6" Deep W/ Wheels. It was about $155 including shipping from the auction site. I custom cut closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam using a warm knife for the instrument cut outs. The Bb clarinet sections you see rest in a section that lifts out to expose a lower level that holds two mouthpieces and two barrels. I never take the bass clarinet anywhere without a stand, so it only made sense to include a stand compartment in the case. The compartment at the upper left holds reed cases, tuner/metronome, cork grease, etc...
It was a fun project.
I believe this case is also available with the pick-n-pluck foam.
Post Edited (2016-07-01 19:30)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2016-07-01 20:50
I've seen and used pelican cases a lot. I would have almost no reservations using it to protect an instrument.
Some things I would ask about (from people on this board, and hopefully from Doc Henderson of doctors products as I have a feeling he probably already knows the answers)....
1) Would the glue used for the foam have any adverse reaction to silver or gold plating.
2) As they are waterproof, what's a good suggestion to control humidity (as it to make sure the condensation doesn't just remain stagnant in the case....off the top of my head, I bet a boveda guitar humidapak would work fine)
And lastly, would it be necessary to line the foam with felt for the instruments to lay on, or is that just preference. Basically, will the foam have any reaction to the keys or plating due to direct contact.
I don't doubt the security or shock protection at all, I'm just unsure about potential chemical reactions or the idea of putting something moist with condensation in a water proof case (they are designed to keep moisture out, but it could be a problem if you're locking moisture IN)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: fromsfca
Date: 2016-07-02 04:45
I have.
I made a bass clarinet out of one. I measured and cut the foam to fit. Great protection for the horn when I was done, although obviously "amaetuer" in case making. The case was also much lighter than the wooden cases.
I just bought another to make a combination Bb and Eb clarinet case. Again, filled with foam which I'll cut for the varied clarinet joints.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: bbillings
Date: 2016-07-02 05:57
I'm very glad to see I'm not the only one who has thought of this or is frugal and an amateur handyman!
I took this one step further and contacted the Pelican dealer in the area. I found out that if I bring the instrument, I can actually have Pelican custom cut the foam for around $175 to the exact specs. With the case purchase ($150) they include 2 hours of CAD design! There is a 3-5 week lead time; however, since my bass is in for a refurbishment and the completion date is August 20th it would work. It would, obviously, be less expensive to give it a go myself using either the pick n' pluck foam or maybe the kaizen foam.
In response to Alexi, I absolutely intend to control the humidity which is what lead to this idea in the first place. Living in the desert SW I have to add humidity more than remove but have used the humidipaks in my soprano case for quite a while. That case is a wood framed case. I agree that the guitar humidity pack at 49% (I believe) seems ideal. I've thought of VOC off-gassing. I looked into natural latex as an option but it is difficult to buy and cut. I also looked at different densities of board. I like the way the tenons are held in the MB cases and would look to mimic that concept.
PS - To smokindok, the picture was much appreciated. Excellent result! Thanks.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: bbillings
Date: 2016-07-02 06:06
I'd like to ask which model Pelican case you chose? I'm looking at either the Pelican Air 1555 or Pelican Air 1605.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: 2E
Date: 2017-01-22 15:11
Attachment: iM3200 build 5.JPG (1568k)
Attachment: 1600 build completed 1.JPG (1527k)
Hey everyone,
I've just finished making two custom quad clarinet cases from pelican cases for myself and thought I'd share my progress!
The first quad case was for Bb, A, Eb and Bass clarinets and was built in a Pelican Storm iM3200 rifle case. This case had two layers of solid foam which let me cut smooth complex shapes very easily, I'm pretty happy with this build!
The second quad case was for Bb, A, Eb and C clarinets and was built in a Pelican 1600 case. This case used the 'pick and pluck' foam which I must admit I don't like as much. This foam is good for making very square, angular shapes, no circles for barrels/bells or other complex shapes. I know it's possible to buy pelican cases without foam, then get solid pieces of foam made specifically from Clark Rubber or similar company. This may be an option to consider, unless you are fine with the angular shapes of the pick and pluck foam.
Please feel free to ask me questions about the build and I'll try to do my best to answer them. I took photos of the build process for the first case, but not the second.
Let me know what you guys think!
2E
Post Edited (2017-01-22 15:14)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2017-01-23 03:15
2E wrote:
>
>
> Let me know what you guys think!
>
>
> 2E
>
I think it's AWESOME! The rifle case in particular was a great idea for those four clarinets!
Great job!
As far as questions go, most cases of course have that wonderful velvet lining. Is that something you're going to do in the future? Do you feel that the foam in today's pelican cases just doesn't need it and will retain its protective grip far longer than the foam of older cases?
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: 2E
Date: 2017-01-23 03:43
Hey Alexi,
The rifle case foam is great since it was one solid block and I could cut complex shapes allowing for a really snug fit.
The other square case with pick and pluck foam was a little trickier since it only allowed for very square shapes. It has a little wiggle room which I may fix by gluing some small bits of foam back in using some spray adhesive.
I'd recommend avoiding the pick and pluck foam if possible unless you're happy to make a very square cutout. Not going to worry about any plush velvet lining, the foam itself is more than enough protection
Hope that helps!
2E
Post Edited (2019-09-27 16:04)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
