Requesting some very basic advice about cases

2772 Views 24 Replies 13 Participants Last post by russellxenia, Oct 10, 2007

AltoRuth

Discussion Starter · Sep 19, 2007

I have a YAS 82Z in its original case. I'm out and about with the horn several times a week, and I'm not so young anymore. I'd like to minimize the weight that I have to schlep around, so I started looking at cases online. I've never bought a case before and I quickly realized that I know little about what to look for. I could surely use some expert advice. :? My object is to have at least as much protection for the horn as my current case provides, but with as little weight and volume and as much convenience as possible. Advice about additional features of the cases that I should look for, or should avoid will also be much appreciated.

I'd certainly like to stay under $200, way under, if a quality product can be had, but definately want a product that will adequately protect my sax.

Thanks and best regards,
Ruth

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adoeak

· #2 · Sep 19, 2007

I'd recommend a Gator GL, or Protech, if you want to carry extra gear around with you. If you just want to carry the sax look at J. Winter or SKB. All of the above can be had of off wwbw for less than $200.

tjontheroad

· #3 · Sep 19, 2007

I had the same issue with my Buffet case. So much bulk to carry around. Plus, the case is in very good shape for a 40+ year old piece of luggage and I wanted to keep it that way. So I jumped on an older BAM soft case from the marketplace here and it been great. It's good to have a shoulder strap. Plenty of protection if you're just taking it in-and-out of the house, car and gig. You might want to look for used like I did to get a deal.

gary

· #4 · Sep 19, 2007

Ruth, the Z cases are really light for what they are. IMO the only real benefit you would get by buying another case is reducing the size, not the weight, so it's easier to manage.

I'm personally not aware of another case that's noticeably lighter than the Z case, except for a Gator and you can hold a Gator case with your little finger and hardly notice the weight. In that regard, it's incredible. Also I think they're only around $70.00.

I don't believe the Gator is quite as protective as the Z case but I also don't think the difference is significant. I used one for about a year and liked it very much. I replaced it with a VGV because I wanted to reduce the volume even more but the VGV is expensive and has zero storage. But the Gator served me very well.

All the other cases mentioned above will do the trick as well. I just mention the Gator because I believe it's the lightest and it also has the same storage as a ProTec (which is more protective, bulkier, slightly heavier and costs more).

If you're not familiar with the Gator, I just happened to have photo hanging around so...

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Seasax

· #5 · Sep 19, 2007

why not try hiscox, i have never looked at anything else, enough storage, if you buy a neck bag to put in the horn's bell

tjontheroad

· #6 · Sep 19, 2007

SearjeantSax said:
why not try hiscox, i have never looked at anything else, enough storage, if you buy a neck bag to put in the horn's bell

I also use one of these Music Medic bags for the neck and mp inside the bell too.

http://www.musicmedic.com/catalog/products/bag-n100.html

fballatore

· #7 · Sep 19, 2007

Ruth -

I will echo the recommendation of the gator case. It's durable, lightweight and protective. (And it's pretty as well!) I used it for my Yamaha Custom 875 alto, and it's a perfect fit. Since I just sold my 875, it's available. If you're interested, PM me; I'll be happy to sell it to you for an extremely reasonable price.

Frank

Rackety Sax

· #8 · Sep 19, 2007

Does anyone make cases with wheels like almost all suitcases made in the last 20 or 30 years have? Seems like there'd be a good market for them, given that a lot of us aren't so young any more, our saxes aren't getting and lighter, and we are all very accustomed to the concept from our suitcases. Maybe the wheels would need a telescope axis though to provide a wide enough base to keep the case from tipping over while it's rolling along.

saintsday

· #9 · Sep 19, 2007

I can add to the Gator endorsements. Both the GL (my favorite) and the GC offer good protection at a great price. The GL in particular seems to fit a wide variety of horns very well and has tons of storage on the outside and an internal neck slot. As Gary said, they are very light.
I've bought most of mine from these guys: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Gator-Nylon...ryZ38112QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
They have reasonable shipping and very fast service.

Carl H.

· #10 · Sep 19, 2007

Some cello cases are fitted with the axle and wheel assemblies from skateboards. You need an appropriate handle on the other end, but it is simple and works very well. Could be added very easily to a square bari case.

Rackety Sax

· #11 · Sep 19, 2007

saintsday said:
...I've bought most of mine from these guys: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Gator-Nylon...ryZ38112QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
They have reasonable shipping and very fast service.

The one in the pick looks a little outdoorsy. Do they make anything with a little more urban vibe? Something to match my skateboard...

Rackety Sax

· #12 · Sep 19, 2007

Carl H. said:
... Could be added very easily to a square bari case.

Easy for you to say - you can probably chew gum and breath at the same time.

AltoRuth

Discussion Starter · #13 · Sep 20, 2007

Thanks to all of you who responded so promptly to my inquiry---from your comments, I was pretty well convinced that my best bet for the money was the Gator case several of you mentioned. I did look very briefly online for the Hiscox, but couldn't find any US suppliers. As it happened, I stopped in this morning at my local music shop for cork grease and they had the Gator in stock---being an impulsive sort, I bought it on the spot.

And I'm thinking that I will get one of those Music Medic bags as well. Thanks again--it's great having you all out there and so willing to help.

Ruth

Canadiain

· #14 · Sep 20, 2007

AltoRuth said:
And I'm thinking that I will get one of those Music Medic bags as well. Thanks again--it's great having you all out there and so willing to help.

Ruth

My, you dont mess around

I dont think you will need the neck bag for the gator as there is a dedicated slot for the neck and mouthpieces/ accesories anyway, unlike some other compact cases.

AltoRuth

Discussion Starter · #15 · Sep 20, 2007

Canadiain said:
My, you dont mess around

I dont think you will need the neck bag for the gator as there is a dedicated slot for the neck and mouthpieces/ accesories anyway, unlike some other compact cases.

I was thinking to use it for my mouthpieces, as I'm a little uncomfortable with stashing them in the outside pockets of the case. Is there some pocket for mpcs inside the case that I'm missing?

Canadiain

· #16 · Sep 20, 2007

AltoRuth said:
I was thinking to use it for my mouthpieces, as I'm a little uncomfortable with stashing them in the outside pockets of the case. Is there some pocket for mpcs inside the case that I'm missing?

There is on the tenor version. I dont have the alto to look at.

gary

· #17 · Sep 20, 2007

AltoRuth said:
I was thinking to use it for my mouthpieces, as I'm a little uncomfortable with stashing them in the outside pockets of the case. Is there some pocket for mpcs inside the case that I'm missing?

What I do with cases like that is put my neck and mpc in a KIWI bag down the bell and use the neck slot for other stuff - neck strap, reed case, tuner.

AltoRuth

Discussion Starter · #18 · Sep 20, 2007

gary said:
What I do with cases like that is put my neck and mpc in a KIWI bag down the bell and use the neck slot for other stuff - neck strap, reed case, tuner.

Thanks, Gary! I like the concept, but have to confess that I don't know what a KIWI bag is--is it like the neck bag mentioned earlier in this thread?

Carl H.

· #19 · Sep 20, 2007

KIWI bag

Personally I use this one.

AltoRuth

Discussion Starter · #20 · Sep 21, 2007

Thanks once again, guys! I took the Gator on its maiden voyage last evening, and am very pleased with it. And you've answered my questions about KIWIs and neck bags so that I can take care of that next. I'm good to go!

Best Regards, Ruth

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

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