[Keegan]

Why don't we have any cool cases for a decent price? Anyone know of a case maker like G&G, but for saxophones? I like the look of lacquered tweed, or leather boxes, like the original Vanguards. Conn-Selmer used to make a nice black vanguard case that the Paris horns came with in the early 2000's for $125.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...precision-bass-brown-with-gold-plush-interior

I like the larger cases cause I can stow my reed box, cork grease, spare mpc and neck strap in them for local trips.

I have a Jakob Winter contoured ABS case for traveling (which is not made anymore as far as I can work out), but these were made for Keilwerth horns, and my MkVI and Ref54 move around a lot, especially as the foam wears out as it gets older. I've owned the SKB style contoured case in the past, and thought it was too big, too heavy and my horn rattled around, GL seem to be the same, and their leather versions are not available in the US. Hiscox cases are outrageously expensive, and there's no tweed option, and Bam cases are not attractive or particularly well made, and don't have any storage space.

I like those P. Mauriat cases that look like Walt Johnson cases, but they don't seem to make them anymore, and again, they're outrageously expensive.

I want a tweed box or light flight case, for under $150. Five years ago, I wound have a plethora of options.

Anyone know of any groovy case makers?

 

[vini88]

My issue with cases today the bari sax options. They all seem to think a bari case needs to be bulky. I prefer to use my walt johnson knockoff that came with my B&S 1000, but it has 0 storage.

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[andre251]

I agree that case options aren’t so great nowadays. I want a medium slim flight case with a slot for the neck, some storage, and *reliable latches*.
I would absolutely buy a vintage King Super 20 looking type of case as well.
I have thought about trying to find a local company that makes briefcases and take the interior out of a Bam case. Plug that in and give me butterfly latches and I will be in love.
But nope.

 

[Guto]

Agree there aren’t any quality choices today for a reasonable price.

My favorite is still the BAM Cabine. If it only had a separate slot for the neck (no neck in the bell) and an accessories compartment with a lid (so things don’t fly around) it’d be sold! Their Softpak is the closest to that but it’s made with a softer shell and closes with zipper, a recipe for disaster.

 

[dexdex]

Funny, I was looking around for a compact contoured hard shell case for a curved Yanagisawa soprano, a bit like Bam or Eastman do for alto and tenor. No success so far. I admit this must be a very exotic and limited demand. The best proof is I live without it for 25 years now.

 

[milandro]

well, there are many brands but not many cater for the cheapest segment in the market, like almost anything (reeds anyone) the price of accessories has shot up in the

Some time ago I was enquiring among the membership whether there would be any support for a luxury well made item and apparently few people are there but to few to embark in a business venture.

There are many brands that aren't that famous :

Marco Magi they provide cases to R&C and Borgani and probably Prestini too

http://www.marcomagi.it/en/azienda.asp#

Funny, I was looking around for a compact contoured hard shell case for a curved Yanagisawa soprano, a bit like Bam or Eastman do for alto and tenor. No success so far. I admit this must be a very exotic and limited demand. The best proof is I live without it for 25 years now.

I think they make exactly the case you need (look up curved soprano and sopranino in their catalogue)

another brand for which I have always had a soft spot is GL cases from Taiwan, they made the most beautiful (in my no so humble opinion) leather case out there the only problem was that their full leather case was only available in soprano and alto (they said the tenor was too heavy and the hides would need a different cut).

you can maybe still find something on line

They still make other synthetic cases, which are among the best out there, but the leather ones were something else and they ONLY make them for string instruments nowadays (because saxophones players don't spend as much as violin players apparently)

https://www.glcases.com.tw

 

[JimD]

I’ve just gone through the search for a new case and wound up with. BAM Trekking, partly due to the lack of available options but also because of my other requirements which were sturdiness, good fit and protection, bakpackable, reasonable weight and space to carry stuff. I already had a Trekking for another horn and I’ve found it reliable on all the above counts. I wouldn’t want to take it in a plane though, too bulky, and I wouldn’t put it in the hold, it’s sturdy for general use but would almost certainly get crushed. l was doubtful about the zip when I first got it, and I can still forget to do it up on occasion but I’ve done the same with clasps. The only clasps I have ever trusted are those on the Hiscox but the Hiscox fails for me on the shoulder strap, carrying it puts my body out of wack and it feels heavy, it needs extra internal packing fir a good fit, and not enough space for extras. Having said that I did once slip on some ice, using a Hiscox, and had the case skitter across the pavement with no damage to the horn. Other BAM cases tempted me but I read so many reports about the latches failing that I decided to pass them by.

I was hoping to find something different, it’s not glamorous or otherwise exciting or innovative but then it’s a case to protect the horn, which it does.

I love those leather ones but they must be heavy.

 

[milandro]

The leather cases are mostly expensive more than they are heavy. Marco Magi comes standard with the horns mentioned above, occasionally you find one secondhand. The GL unfortunately are no longer produced for saxophones they only make them for string instruments (the price is rather high).

Sorry, I don't like BAM cases or Hiscox ( forever banging on my legs while walking and with very little space to carry things inside). My case of choice has been ( for S SC A T B) Protec contour for many years comes in many colors as well these days

Before people say they don't like zips, I've never had one failing (although one was a bit difficult around the bends at times) in years. The curved soprano case was an absolute joy to carry around.

 

[B Flat]

My issue with cases today the bari sax options. They all seem to think a bari case needs to be bulky. I prefer to use my walt johnson knockoff that came with my B&S 1000, but it has 0 storage.

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My issue with Baritone sax cases is simply the huge price for what are pretty **** cases.
Sure there are a few exceptions but on the whole they are extremely overpriced considering their quality.
Those that are reasonably well made are worth 25% or more of the cost of a decent used horn.
And yes I know all the old comebacks like "well there's not many Baritone players so" but that is just rubbish.
There's certainly enough of a market for a bucket load of people to flog Chinese horns with their names on them at stupid prices.
I don't feel there is any real problem finding a decent tenor case at a reasonable price.

 

[dexdex]

(Beautiful and classy) leather cases fit well with the Aston-Martin generation and life-style. Or a Panamera with a driver/roadie. As a multi-horn urban user, the slimmest hard shell cases allow you to carry 2 horns over the shoulder (well, not the bari...). My current soprano Reunion Blues gig bag just doesn’t protect the horn as it should.

And yes, alto and tenor players still have plenty of choice.

 

[milandro]

have you ever tried this? or the more expensive abs one?

 

[milandro]

My current soprano Reunion Blues gig bag just doesn't protect the horn as it should..

Try Marco Magi

 

[B Flat]

The Protec pro pac is possibly the only one I would consider reasonably priced.
Even then it is approximately $600 to buy in my part of the world.

 

[PigSquealer]

Here is a $20 option. If you're shopping for a curved soprano. Put it in your hard suitcase for travel.
https://www.wwbw.com/Gard-Curved-Soprano-with-Removable-Neck-Gig-Bag-European-Model-J26182.wwbw
I don't think you're going to find anything for less. Come to think of it our OP did not mention what kind of Saxophone.

 

[JimD]

have you ever tried this? or the more expensive abs one?

I tried the Protec but it didn't fit, the BAM fit so perfectly it looks as if it was specially tailored so it was a done deal. Available alternatives were the Protec and a BAM Hightec but the latches put me off.

 

[milandro]

I tried the Protec but it didn't fit, the BAM fit so perfectly it looks as if it was specially tailored so it was a done deal. Available alternatives were the Protec and a BAM Hightec but the latches put me off.

which horn didn't fit in there? If a tenor or alt they have the XL model especially for horns which don't normally fit

The Protec pro pac is possibly the only one I would consider reasonably priced.
Even then it is approximately $600 to buy in my part of the world.

But have you considered ordering at Matthews in the NL ? They ship worldwide and they sell with no VAT abroad and shipping is normally very reasonable ( I have know idea how they manage shipping longer than 1m items!) the US$ is 288.40

https://www.matthewsmuziek.nl/en/ac...es.html?brands=protec&instrument=baritone-sax

... Come to think of it our OP did not mention what kind of Saxophone.

This thing of a " vintage" or " retro" looking case comes up regularly (check the archives) yet , when I asked if people would be interested in me developing a new luxury product as a case, the response was, generally negative.

So it has to be vintage and cost what they used to cost in the '60 or '70 and THAT, I am afraid, is impossible.

Any industrial product nowadays needs to be produced in either enormous amounts ( and for that , given the competition and the possible output , it is just impossible to enter that kind of market) or in small, bespoke and necessarily high cost.

There is a Chinese company which makes cases that look a bit like the ones for Bach trumpets.

They are covered in thin leather and they seem to be reasonably made. I had been thinking on having a go at importing them

The price I see on line makes them not really cheap! So, again if I ever import them , once I pay import taxes, transport, general expenses and so on (maybe add a little honest profit for all the work?) I am still not capable to offer a product like this, as cheap as some people would want it to be.

 

[vini88]

My issue with Baritone sax cases is simply the huge price for what are pretty **** cases.
Sure there are a few exceptions but on the whole they are extremely overpriced considering their quality.
Those that are reasonably well made are worth 25% or more of the cost of a decent used horn.
And yes I know all the old comebacks like "well there's not many Baritone players so" but that is just rubbish.
There's certainly enough of a market for a bucket load of people to flog Chinese horns with their names on them at stupid prices.
I don't feel there is any real problem finding a decent tenor case at a reasonable price.

Amen to that. I think that Protec makes the most reasonable one with their Pro-Pac case, but it's still unwieldy. And I'm tired of the "fits low-A or or low-Bb" cases....its a waste of space for both types of horns.

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[theneighbordubh]

If I really really really wanted the perfect case then I would shell out the cash for a Manning. Otherwise Protec is the affordable alternative for me, though I do have a tenor in a Gator that works just fine. I also have a plethora of unused cases begging to be repurposed/customized like a Berkeley of London shell. If I ever have time (ha!) I've been meaning to put some research and effort into repadding/lining them.

 

[vini88]

I just bought the rectangular Protec pro-pac alto case, and I think it's one if my favorite cases I've ever owned! If only they made that style for tenor.

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[dexdex]

Here is a $20 option. If you're shopping for a curved soprano. Put it in your hard suitcase for travel.
https://www.wwbw.com/Gard-Curved-Soprano-with-Removable-Neck-Gig-Bag-European-Model-J26182.wwbw
I don't think you're going to find anything for less. Come to think of it our OP did not mention what kind of Saxophone.

Thanks, I've seen those before. Not sure they are noticeably better than the Reunion Blues, which they basically copied. A gig bag with the bell down is a questionable design. Protec clearly has a better concept.